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Does circumcision promote sexual purity?

an anarchist

an anarchist

Your local anarchist.
I’ve wondered why God of Israel commanded circumcision. I know it’s a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, but what does circumcision do? People in the present day often say that circumcision is immoral.
I think the purpose of circumcision is to promote sexual purity. I think the process of being circumcised is similar to neutering ones dog. When you neuter a dog, you take care of some behavioral issues that a tame animal shouldn’t have, right? Perhaps not the best comparison :D but that’s what I’m getting at. Circumcising a guy is in a way neutering him. Perhaps it makes it easier to control sexual urges and be pure. Israel was supposed to remain pure as they were the catalyst for the Messiah. That’s why they had all of their laws, right?
What do you guys think the purpose of circumcision is? Is it immoral?
 
ADigitalArtist

ADigitalArtist

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Castration (neutering) is something also done throughout history thinking it will stop sexual aggression and retain a 'pure' prepubescent form. It doesn't work because that misunderstands what sexual aggression is about. But just noting that castration of humans is something that happens in addition to circumcision.

There's also a ton of different types of circumcision, both for men and women, for various different claimed reasons.
 
Jeremiah Ames

Jeremiah Ames

Well-Known Member
dybmh said:
The covenant of circumsision is just another rule imposed in order to seperate an eternal nation from the others. From my POV, that's the 'why'.
Click to expand...
Very nicely stated.

In your view, is circumcision necessary for a relationship with God?

I think so.
 
Brickjectivity

Brickjectivity

wind and rain touch not this brain
Staff member
Premium Member
Xavier Graham SA said:
I know it’s a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, but what does circumcision do?
Click to expand...
Abrahamic Help: Circumcision
Circumcision is the reduction of the foreskin of a penis and is a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God. ​

Has this article been helpful?
Yes
No:pointup:

Suggestions to improve this article?
Code:
:p
 
Evangelicalhumanist

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
Xavier Graham SA said:
I’ve wondered why God of Israel commanded circumcision. I know it’s a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, but what does circumcision do? People in the present day often say that circumcision is immoral.
I think the purpose of circumcision is to promote sexual purity. I think the process of being circumcised is similar to neutering ones dog. When you neuter a dog, you take care of some behavioral issues that a tame animal shouldn’t have, right? Perhaps not the best comparison :D but that’s what I’m getting at. Circumcising a guy is in a way neutering him. Perhaps it makes it easier to control sexual urges and be pure. Israel was supposed to remain pure as they were the catalyst for the Messiah. That’s why they had all of their laws, right?
What do you guys think the purpose of circumcision is? Is it immoral?
Click to expand...
You might want to consider that the Egyptians were circumcising before the Jews. And in Oceania, circumcision is practiced by the Australian Aboriganls and Polynesians (since long before contact with the Abrahamic religions). There is also evidence that circumcision was practiced among the Aztecs and Mayans in the Americas, also before contact with Abrahamic religions. (This is less well attested, though.)

And if you think it promotes sexual purity -- well, sorry, you're quite wrong. Circumcised men are having just as much fun as the other sort.
 
Evangelicalhumanist

Evangelicalhumanist

"Truth" isn't a thing...
Premium Member
Brickjectivity said:
Abrahamic Help: Circumcision
Circumcision is the reduction of the foreskin of a penis and is a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God. ​

Has this article been helpful?
Yes
No:pointup:

Suggestions to improve this article?
Code:
:p
Click to expand...
I've actually read a treatise (can't remember who wrote it, sorry) that suggested that for the Jews, circumcision was a way in which the Jews gave control of even their sex lives to YHWH.

For myself, I can't imagine God would be interested -- or design a penis with a foreskin that He didn't like. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
Brickjectivity

Brickjectivity

wind and rain touch not this brain
Staff member
Premium Member
Evangelicalhumanist said:
I've actually read a treatise (can't remember who wrote it, sorry) that suggested that for the Jews, circumcision was a way in which the Jews gave control of even their sex lives to YHWH.

For myself, I can't imagine God would be interested -- or designing a penis with a foreskin that He didn't like. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I'm conflicted. I feel like the actual answer is a secret that I know, yet for me to answer seems arrogant and also makes me feel like I might cheapen the answer by spilling it.
 
John D. Brey

John D. Brey

Well-Known Member
dybmh said:
The covenant of circumsision is just another rule imposed in order to seperate an eternal nation from the others. From my POV, that's the 'why'.
Click to expand...

But why that? Why not removing a fingernail from the pinky of the right hand rather than a piece of flesh from the penis?



John
 
dybmh

dybmh

דניאל יוסף בן מאיר הירש
Jeremiah Ames said:
Because I look at it in a spiritual sense of the word.
Literally circumcising is meaningless.
But one must have a circumcised heart.
Deuteronomy 10, I think?
Click to expand...
Oooooooh. That circumcision...

A person can still have a relationship with God the monarch, even if they don't have the requisite emotional intention. They do so by participating in the festivals, retelling the stories, giving a bit of charity, opposing injustice, etc...
 
Dan From Smithville

Dan From Smithville

Recently discovered my planet of origin.
Staff member
Premium Member
Xavier Graham SA said:
I’ve wondered why God of Israel commanded circumcision. I know it’s a sign of the covenant between Abraham and God, but what does circumcision do? People in the present day often say that circumcision is immoral.
I think the purpose of circumcision is to promote sexual purity. I think the process of being circumcised is similar to neutering ones dog. When you neuter a dog, you take care of some behavioral issues that a tame animal shouldn’t have, right? Perhaps not the best comparison :D but that’s what I’m getting at. Circumcising a guy is in a way neutering him. Perhaps it makes it easier to control sexual urges and be pure. Israel was supposed to remain pure as they were the catalyst for the Messiah. That’s why they had all of their laws, right?
What do you guys think the purpose of circumcision is? Is it immoral?
Click to expand...
Why is having sex impure? I mean in general. I am not talking about rape, which is hardly about sex and more about anger and power. Why not something else that real deals with a purity of heart like controlling a bloodthirsty rage or petty anger and jealousy?
 
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