Circumcision is a traditional religious or surgical practice that involves the removal of the foreskin of men and the labia of women. In the latter case, the practice is often referred to not as circumcision, but as mutilation or female genital mutilation, as it is a dangerous, painful and medically unjustified procedure. Circumcision is prohibited in some countries.
Why is the procedure done
In many cultures, the ritual of circumcision is associated with initiation - the transition of a child from the stage of childhood to the stage of youth or adulthood. Like many other rituals (painful tattoos, scarring, piercings in some tribes), circumcision should become a symbol of growing up. Thus, there are several reasons for the existence of the rite:
- Initiation. As a result, circumcision becomes a symbolic initiation into full members of society.
- Religious (practiced mainly by Jews and Muslims), denotes the dedication of a child to God.
- National, as a symbol of belonging to any people (Jewish brit-mila).
Perhaps it is valid to say that circumcision originally arose to regulate forbidden sexual practices and excessive sexual activity, as well as to prevent diseases and simplify hygiene procedures. Nowadays, there are disputes about the legality and expediency of this procedure. For medical purposes, circumcision is performed to correct anatomical features and deficiencies that prevent a person from leading a normal, he althy life.
Origin of tradition
There is no consensus among researchers about how the rite of circumcision appeared. But such actions are found in the culture of many peoples and are most often associated with communion with God or growing up. For some nations, this was a substitute for sacrifices, a tribute to the gods.
The rite of circumcision is found among many nations. These are the natives of Australia, various tribes of Africa, Muslim peoples, Jews and other peoples.
When did the ceremony begin?
Even Geradot in his "History" described this rite, found among the Ethiopians, Syrians and Egyptians. He mentions that they all borrowed the ritual from the Egyptians. The first evidence of the circumcision ceremony dates back to the 3rd millennium BC and is an Egyptian drawing describing the process. It is noteworthy that the figure shows extremely primitive knives related tostone age. This suggests that the ritual originated much earlier than it was attested. The ceremony was carried out for both boys and girls (Pharaoh's circumcision).
Attitude in culture
From historical sources it is known that in developed ancient Rome, circumcised men were treated with contempt, since the ritual of circumcision was a relic of barbarism and was preserved only among wild tribes. However, this did not prevent the tradition from penetrating into the homes of the Roman nobility and taking root there.
During the Spanish Inquisition, circumcision was common among Catholic monks.
In the 20th century in Nazi Germany, the absence of a foreskin in men became life-threatening, as Jews were denounced on this basis, without understanding whether the procedure was performed for religious reasons or on the testimony of a doctor.
Today, circumcision is not considered a mandatory procedure in Islam. Islamic theologians have also issued a law banning surgery on women.
Despite this, male and female circumcision continues to be popular. According to some reports, more than 50% of all men are circumcised.
The ritual of circumcision in Judaism
According to Jewish scriptures, the brit mila has become a symbol of the agreement between God and the people of Israel. No one can say for sure why this particular procedure became mandatory for the Jews, but some researchers believe that it migrated from antiquity. This is an integral part of the conversion to Judaism, and even adultsmen who wish to convert to this faith are required to go through the rite of circumcision. In ancient times, both slaves and foreign guests wishing to attend religious holidays were subject to circumcision.
According to the rites of the Jews, newborn boys are circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. Eight days were not chosen by chance. Firstly, this time is enough for the newborn to get stronger for the procedure, and his mother to come to her senses after childbirth and be able to become a participant in the solemn communion of the child to God. Eight days are also given so that the baby can survive the holy Sabbath, and through this he is ready to partake of holiness. From the point of view of modern medicine, this approach is quite justified, since a week is really enough for the child to be ready for the operation.
Jewish circumcision
Circumcision is performed during the day, usually in the early morning, to demonstrate to God that you want to fulfill the commandment immediately. Traditionally, circumcision is performed in the synagogue, but today the ceremony is performed at home. Previously, any member of the family (even a woman) could perform the rite, but today it is entrusted to a specially trained person with medical training (he is called a “moel”). At home, circumcision takes place in the presence of ten adult male relatives, symbolizing the community. Also, the rite is allowed to be performed by surgeons in hospitals in the presence of a rabbi.
Initially, sandak, a man holding a child in his arms, played an important role in the circumcision process.procedure time. In Christianity, his role is closest to that of a godfather. In the middle of the 20th century, another concept appeared - quater. So they began to call the man who brings the baby to the ceremony. The quater (usually the wife of the quater) handed over the baby to him from the mother, taking it from the women's section of the synagogue.
"As he entered the union, so let him enter the Torah, marriage and good deeds"
- Jewish wishes after the ceremony
After the ceremony, the baby is given a name and the family congratulates the new member of society and his happy parents.
What does circumcision mean for Muslims?
Removal of the foreskin is part of the introduction to Islam, the repetition of the path of the Prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic theologians, this procedure is not mandatory, but recommended and desirable for a Muslim.
There is no exact age for the procedure in Islam. Circumcision is recommended before adolescence, and preferably as early as possible. The timing of the ceremony for different peoples professing Islam varies. The Turks perform the ceremony on boys at the age of 8-13 years, the Arabs living in the cities - at the 5th year of the child's life, the Arabs from the villages - later, at the age of 12-14. Theologians recommend the 7th day of a baby's life as the most desirable for the ceremony.
Islamic tradition of circumcision
Unlike Judaism, in Islam there are no detailed instructions on who and at what time should conduct the ceremony. There are no clear traditions as to how and by whom the ceremony should be performed. Therefore, modernMuslims most often go to the hospital, where they can circumcise a child.
How the procedure is done for women
What is the rite of circumcision in boys, almost everyone imagines. But there is very little talk about female circumcision.
Surgery involves the removal of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoral hood, or clitoris. Sometimes involves the removal of the genitals completely. Due to the prevalence in Egypt, such operations are called "Pharaoh's circumcision."
Female circumcision, as a rule, is practiced in Islamic and African countries, where, due to an official ban by the authorities, it is carried out clandestinely. Although female circumcision is much more dangerous and difficult than male circumcision, it is often performed by people who do not have medical training.
This procedure is very dangerous and entails the risk of infection, problems with the genitourinary system and even infertility.
What is the relationship between female and male circumcision?
If we compare female circumcision with male circumcision, then the operations performed on women can be compared with the removal of part of the penis or even the complete removal of the organ. Therefore, this procedure is prohibited by the UN. Despite the fact that Muslims most often turn to circumcision, Islamic theologians urge parishioners to abandon it and even recognize it as sinful.
Doctors' attitude
When we talk about circumcision, we mean male circumcision. The attitude towards male circumcision among doctors is ambiguous. Some see this procedure as cruela relic of barbarian times, others insist on its usefulness given. Scientific studies do not fully support any of the points of view, showing that in each case the result of this operation can be individual.
Arguments for and against male circumcision
The following theses can be distinguished, sounding in disputes on this issue:
- Scientifically confirmed that circumcision reduces the risk of contracting AIDS because the absence of the foreskin does not allow the virus to linger on the human body for a long time. But such a method as a means of prevention is expedient only in poor countries with a low standard of living, medicine and hygiene (for example, in some African countries).
- Circumcision reduces the sensation of the glans penis, which solves the problem of premature ejaculation, but in some cases there are complaints of almost complete loss of sensitivity.
- Male circumcision is not medically dangerous, but there is a risk of serious he alth problems if performed incorrectly.
- Circumcision helps with hygiene (especially when there is a medical indication for the removal of the foreskin), but in infancy, the flesh, on the contrary, helps protect the genitals from germs.
- According to a study, circumcision does help prevent foreskin cancer (according to some reports, it also protects your partner from cervical cancer), but the percentage of this disease is already so low that only one in 900 operations will prevent the disease.
- Circumcision is bestcarried out in infancy, but in this case, the operation is contrary to ethical standards, since the child cannot dispose of his own body and decide whether he needs it.
Attitude towards procedure on women
With respect to the rite of female circumcision, the opinion is completely different. The operation for women is much more painful and bloody than for men, despite the fact that there is practically no evidence of a positive effect. The meaning of the procedure most often comes down to making a woman more submissive and humble, since such an operation makes it impossible to enjoy sexual intercourse, and in some cases makes it painful. If the operation is performed incorrectly, there is a high risk of infection or painful urination and menstruation in the future. Therefore, female circumcision is universally banned these days as a dangerous and crippling procedure.
