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So, why do some societies/religions circumsize their male children? Was it to identify their male "tribal" members? Or, was it an attempt to combat infectious disease? Or, was it done simply because religious leaders believe their diety ordered it. Or, was it first done by some priest who's son suffered with phimosis (stricture of the foreskin)? There are many theories, and even more when we consider why some societies/religions sanction female circumcision. Does anyone else have another theory?

Cgosling 4 Feb 17
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Circumcision has had no effect on evolution. In distant human ancestors the foreskin served as a protection from the elements and injury. It is no longer needed for that purpose so today there is no advantage or disadvantage. Human males will continue to be born with a foreskin. If a male is born with phimosis, (strangulation of penis by constricted foreskin), he can easily have it surgically corrected without fear of infection.

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Well, according to the bible, Abraham heard voices... I suspect he was mentally ill. I am not aware of any cultures nto influenced by Abranhic religions that circumcise males.

It is true that uncircumcised males that don't clean under their foreskins are susceptible to bacterial infections. However it is the lack of cleanliness, not he foreskin that is the issue.

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Religion is cruel.

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Have never really gone into the historical reasons for ...especially the Jews doing it. We humans are evolved beings, and anything that was not required in that evolutionary process has long been discarded...such as our prehensile tails. If the foreskin on male members was not required, it would long ago have gone in that evolutionary process. In the twenty first century, as male babies are still being born with foreskins, I think we should realise that they are there for a purpose, and should not be mutilating our male children on what appears to be either, cultural, religious or spurious medical grounds. It is a barbaric practice and along with FMG should be stopped.

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