17,052
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
=== Judaism ===
Of all of the commandments in Judaism, the brit milah (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of Judaism, almost always observes this tradition.<ref>[http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htm Jew FAQ "Birth"]</ref>
However, in In the 613 mitzvot, Jews are commanded:
:''"do not mark your skin with tattoos." (Lev. 19:28) "you shall not cut yourselves." (Deut. 14:1)''
:''"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. (Lev. 19:28)''
Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be circumcised due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">[http://www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org/ Jews Against Circumcision, Brit Shalom]</ref>
Modern Jewish scholars have found that circumcision is not even mentioned in the earliest, “J”, version of Genesis nor the next three rewrites by other authors. Most importantly, the story of Abraham is there in its entirety, except the part about the [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant]] being “sealed” with circumcision. So do not be afraid of divine punishment. God did not mandate circumcision.<ref name="Britshalom"/>
Further, being circumcised is not a condition of being Jewish. Girls do not need to be circumcised to receive the gifts of covenant, i.e., receiving bat-mitzva. A boy is considered to be Jewish if his mother is Jewish from the moment he is born. In fact:
* A boy may be excused from circumcision permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).
* Jewish boys in countries where routine circumcision is not common, such as Holland, may be left intact and yet remain Jews in good standing.
* In Sweden, 60% of Jewish boys are intact.
* Many Soviet Jews, left intact for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.
* Some Jewish parents are electing to have a non-cutting, harmless naming ceremony, frequently called "[[Brit Shalom]]" instead of a ritual circumcision.
* Contrary to popular opinions, an intact boy may have a Bar Mitzvah. As one rabbi simply put it, “We don’t check.”
* Since many American Christians practice circumcision, it does not distinguish the Jewish boys from the non-Jewish.<ref name="Britshalom"/>
→Religion: Reorder sections.
[[Image:Religion.png|right|thumb]]
In some religions, circumcision is a religious mandate and it is marked as such in holy scripture. Some people mistakenly hold the belief that circumcision is a requirement of their religion, even though it may not actually be mentioned in the pertaining holy scripture, or even forbidden by it. This page analyzes different religions and what their holy scriptures actually say in regards to circumcision as a religious requirement.
=== Judaism ===
Of all of the commandments in Judaism, the brit milah (literally, [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant of Circumcision]]) is probably the one most universally observed. It is commonly referred to as a bris (covenant, using the Ashkenazic pronunciation). Even the most secular of Jews, who observe no other part of Judaism, almost always observes this tradition.<ref>[http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htm Jew FAQ "Birth"]</ref>
However, in In the 613 mitzvot, Jews are commanded:
:''"do not mark your skin with tattoos." (Lev. 19:28) "you shall not cut yourselves." (Deut. 14:1)''
:''"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh. (Lev. 19:28)''
Halacha provides for the ceremony of hatifat dam berit (shedding of a token drop of blood) for babies who can not be circumcised due to health reasons. This is deemed to be completely valid in marking the Covenant. <ref name="Britshalom">[http://www.jewsagainstcircumcision.org/ Jews Against Circumcision, Brit Shalom]</ref>
Modern Jewish scholars have found that circumcision is not even mentioned in the earliest, “J”, version of Genesis nor the next three rewrites by other authors. Most importantly, the story of Abraham is there in its entirety, except the part about the [[Abrahamic covenant| Covenant]] being “sealed” with circumcision. So do not be afraid of divine punishment. God did not mandate circumcision.<ref name="Britshalom"/>
Further, being circumcised is not a condition of being Jewish. Girls do not need to be circumcised to receive the gifts of covenant, i.e., receiving bat-mitzva. A boy is considered to be Jewish if his mother is Jewish from the moment he is born. In fact:
* A boy may be excused from circumcision permanently if his health would be endangered by it (for example, hemophilia).
* Jewish boys in countries where routine circumcision is not common, such as Holland, may be left intact and yet remain Jews in good standing.
* In Sweden, 60% of Jewish boys are intact.
* Many Soviet Jews, left intact for fear of communist persecution, have chosen to remain so, even though communism no longer exists.
* Some Jewish parents are electing to have a non-cutting, harmless naming ceremony, frequently called "[[Brit Shalom]]" instead of a ritual circumcision.
* Contrary to popular opinions, an intact boy may have a Bar Mitzvah. As one rabbi simply put it, “We don’t check.”
* Since many American Christians practice circumcision, it does not distinguish the Jewish boys from the non-Jewish.<ref name="Britshalom"/>
=== Christianity ===
Circumcision is erroneously believed to be a good "Christian value" by Christians in different parts of the world, including the United States{{citation needed}], South Korea{{citation needed}}and the Philippines{{citation needed}}.
=== Islam ===