Circumcision in the Old Testament and New …

1 Circumcision in the Old Testament and enjoyed a variety of health benefits as a result the purpose or rationale of the operation; (3). New Testament : of the practice of Circumcision . It is most the risks to your son, not only the common important to point out that Circumcision as a risks but ALL of them (ask your doctor Circumcision , as defined in the Old Testament religious commitment of covenant is not done about this); (4) proof of benefits weighed (Genesis 17), was a symbolic act by which a for health benefit---a fact that is generally mis- against potential for physical, psychological, Jewish male was entered into a covenant with understood by Jewish and non-Jewish people. and sexual damage resulting from this God. It required the participants in this This is not surprising, since for years the unnecessary elective surgery. covenant to accept and obediently follow medical profession has been guilty of this sanctions and strict commandments. misunderstanding, attempting to use this The Social/Cultural Dimension: Circumcision became the "badge of belief to find justification for and to promote membership" within the covenant community.

2 This medically unnecessary procedure. Simply put, any practice that has been It became the distinguishing mark of being a sanctioned for many years will eventually Jewish male. What does this mean for Christian take on a social and cultural scope and parents? rationale. Now that it has been clearly The picture changes in the New Testament . shown that routine Circumcision is not a The covenant with God for Christians is For Christian parents, therefore, Circumcision sound rational medical practice, we have through acceptance and belief in the of newborn boys is not a religious issue. It is those who would perpetuate the practice redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. By this New strictly a medical issue. As such, it is a based on social and cultural arguments. Testament covenant, Christians are enjoined procedure which should not be routinely Such arguments are numerous. Among not to submit to Circumcision . Christian performed without very sound evidence of them are: he should look like his father, his families are not bound to God through the benefits.

3 Any medical procedure performed on brother, or the neighbor boy; the desire to mark of Circumcision . As defined by the your child should be fully evaluated in light of conform to social/cultural peer pressure; to Apostle Paul, Circumcision could be your Christian obligation to love, protect, and perpetuate the "look" of a circumcised interpreted as contrary to the Christian faith nurture him. You need to be well informed. penis, arguing that it is more aesthetically and teachings. Although Paul speaks only pleasing; we just do it because it is the with regard to religious ritual Circumcision As Christian parents you need to be aware "American Way.". and could not have conceived of the practice that no medical group in the world associated of routine infant Circumcision , it is uncanny with child health supports the routine Here we are outside the realm of sound how his statements in Titus 1:10-11 define Circumcision of male infants. In 1999, the medical considerations. These are not valid the situation today.

4 Circumcision was not American Academy of Pediatrics made this rational reasons to circumcise your simply viewed as a sign of the covenant quite clear, stressing that they do not newborn son. Rarely if ever, would there be community, but was viewed as a sign of recommend the routine Circumcision of male a valid medical indication to perform a separation. It was the sine qua non of being a infants. They stated: "The purported medical newborn Circumcision . Thus, routine infant Son of Abraham, in distinction to being a benefits are not significant or compelling Circumcision is "cosmetic surgery" in its Christian. enough to make such a recommendation." In truest sense. Conformity is not a Christian the same year, the American Medical value. Christian parents, and especially Everywhere Circumcision is spoken of in the Association joined other medical organizations those parents dedicated to natural birth, Bible, it refers to religious or ritual in not recommending Circumcision as a home birth, and a holistic approach to Circumcision .

5 The Bible does not address the routine procedure, noting that the persistently health and childcare, should have serious issue of medical or routine Circumcision as high percentage of non-ritual circumcisions questions about any health care practiced in the United States. However, the occurs in large measure because parental professional who would suggest routine rationale for much of Gentile Circumcision in decision-making is based on social or cultural infant Circumcision . the United States is based on the belief that expectations, rather than medical concerns.. Jewish religious Circumcision was adopted for The United States is the only country in the health benefits. Routine infant Circumcision , You should not agree to Circumcision of your world that has practiced the routine from its very beginning, was postulated and newborn son unless and until you fully Circumcision of a large percentage of its fostered on the false premise that Jews understand: (1) the nature of the operation; (2) male infants.

6 No other developed country in the world routinely circumcises infants for loss of sensitivity, and loss of intended non-religious reasons. Given the now- protection caused by submitting him to an confirmed lack of medical benefit and well- unnecessary, medically unjustified, routine documented evidence of potential damage, Circumcision that is not recommended. It is one has to wonder why hospitals in the United States continue to provide facilities for routine unconscionable to subject a child to such risks simply as a cosmetic peer look-alike Christian Parents infant Circumcision , and solicit Circumcision by presenting non-requested Circumcision procedure. and the consent forms to every parent of a newborn male. Why do doctors - while agreeing to the Since routine Circumcision is not supported by Christian teaching, and the medical Circumcision Issue lack of medical validity of infant Circumcision community universally agrees that there are - continue to circumcise newborns? If you no valid medical indications for the routine By: James E.

7 Peron, MS, EdD. were to suggest similar routine cosmetic Circumcision of baby boys, the choice of loving genital surgery for a female child, you and the and compassionate Christian parents should doctor who would consent to perform it would be obvious. We are obligated to protect him be in violation of state and federal statutes. from the risks, loss, and damage from routine Why, then, is this routine cosmetic surgery Circumcision . even possible with regard to a male child? Christian parents, alarms have been sounded Christian parents should not buy into this and the "red flags" are clearly visible. It is time "American custom." Circumcision is a surgical we heeded them to diligently endeavor to procedure performed on an hours-old infant protect our male newborns. who has decreased ability to ward off infection or adapt to loss of blood. It takes away a functional body part, in a way that is very painful, and subjects the child to risks of complications associated with any surgical procedure.

8 These include but are not limited to hemorrhage, overwhelming infection, Dr. Peron is a medical research writer, educator excessive penile skin loss, painful erections, lecturer, and founder of the Childbirth Education mutilation, and accidental injury. Damage Foundation. Parents in the United States from Circumcision can be severe and has even must wrestle with the resulted in the death of the child. Additional information regarding infant Circumcision , Circumcision decision when Circumcision will have life-long physical scriptural and ethical issues, and the simple and proper care of the uncircumcised child is available at: blessed with the birth of a consequences for your son. Countless thousands of adult males have been caused male child. In no other nation are parents pressured to make physical, emotional, and sexually dysfunctional consequences as a direct result this decision. This pamphlet of routine infant Circumcision . reviews the subject of routine Or by contacting: The Childbirth Education Foundation infant Circumcision as it In the absence of valid medical reasons, it Box 251 relates to Christian parents.

9 Should be clear that there should be no such Oxford, PA 19363. thing as a "routine" Circumcision procedure. Phone (717) 529-2561. As Christians we are called upon to love, protect, and nurture our children. The start of Originally published in MANY BLESSINGS, Volume 3, your son's physical well-being is better Spring 2000. MANY BLESSINGS is a Christian parenting assured by saying NO to the pain, trauma, magazine, published in Houston, Texas.