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Circumcision

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In males, circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin which covers the head of the penis. This operation is usually performed early in a child's life. Circumcision is a common practice not only in the United States and the Middle East, but throughout the world and history. It is generally not practiced in most of Europe and largely unheard of in Eastern Asian countries. Ritual circumcision is common in the Jewish and Islamic faiths, but uncommon altogether in Asia, South and Central America, and most of Europe.[1] Circumcision was an outward sign of the covenent between God and the Jewish people as told in the Bible in the book of Genesis.

Circumcision rates in the US have been declining since 1965, due in part to statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics[2][3][4] and the American Medical Association [5] discouraging the practice. While it varies regionally, in 2004 about 57% of newborn boys in the US were circumcised.[6]

The procedure lasts only ten minutes and is often performed in a hospital before the baby is taken home. Local anesthesia and antibacterial ointment are used to prevent pain and infection. Some boys may experience a small amount of bleeding or redness, and this is a normal part of the procedure.

Medical Benefits

The medical benefits suggested to accrue from circumcision are:

  • Reduced incidence of urinary tract infection in infant males
  • Reduced incidences of infection in prolonged exposure to non-hygenic conditions as might take place during war
  • Decreased incidence of penile cancer in adult males
  • Decreased susceptibility to certain sexually transmissible diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Studies taken in the African nations of Kenya and Uganda found that circumcised males were less than half as likely to acquire HIV when involved in intercourse with an infected partner than those who were never circumcised.[7]

AMA Response

Despite these benefits, the AMA does not recommend routine infant circumcision. They state that because the incidence of urinary tract infection in infant males is low to begin with, circumcision is not justified as a preventive measure against this condition; because penile cancer is rare and occurs later in life, the use of circumcision as a preventive practice is not justified; and because behavioral factors are far more important risk factors for acquisition of HIV and other sexually transmissible diseases than circumcision status, circumcision cannot be responsibly viewed as "protecting" against such infections. The AMA concludes that "Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision."[8]

Female Circumcision (FGM)

Female circumcision, practiced in parts of Africa, is a much different procedure that can have lasting effects on a girl's health.[9] The procedure may range from a simple cut in the pubic region to the complete removal of parts of the female reproductive organs. While the procedure is an important part of some African cultures, there is increased pressure by women's groups worldwide to ban it. Female circumcision is often referred to in the medical community as Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM.[10]

Atheism, Judaism, circumcision and penile cancer

See also: Atheism and penile cancer and The Bible and health

The prophet Moses authored the book of Leviticus

Max Neuberger, writing in his "History of Medicine" states concerning the Mosaic laws:

“ The commands concern prophylaxis and suppression of epidemics, suppression of venereal disease and prostitution, care of the skin, baths, food, housing and clothing, regulation of labour, sexual life, discipline of the people, etc. Many of these commands, such as Sabbath rest, circumcision, laws concerning food (interdiction of blood and pork), measures concerning menstruating and lying-in women, and those suffering from gonorrhoea, isolation of lepers, and hygiene of the camp, are, in view of the conditions of the climate, surprisingly rational.[11] ”

According to the American Cancer Society:

“ Circumcision removes all (or part) of the foreskin. This procedure is most often done in infants, but it can be done later in life, too. Men who were circumcised as children may have a much lower chance of getting penile cancer than those who were not. In fact, some experts say that circumcision as an infant prevents this cancer. The same protective effect is not seen if circumcision is done as an adult.

The reason for the lower risk in circumcised men is not entirely clear, but it may be related to other known risk factors. For example, men who are circumcised can’t develop the condition called phimosis, and they don’t accumulate material known as smegma (see the next section). Men with smegma or phimosis have an increased risk of penile cancer. The later a man is circumcised, it's more likely that one of these conditions will occur first.

In weighing the risks and benefits of circumcision, doctors consider the fact that penile cancer is very uncommon in the United States, even in uncircumcised men. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that the health benefits of circumcision in newborn males outweigh the risks, it also states these benefits are not great enough to recommend that all newborns be routinely circumcised. In the end, decisions about circumcision are highly personal and often depend more on social and religious factors than on medical evidence.[12]

”

Jewish men, Israel, circumcision and penile cancer

The 2017 medical journal article entitled Incidence of penile cancer worldwide: systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Revista Panamericana de Salud Pública/Pan American Journal of Public Health declared: "In contrast, rates among Jewish men born in Israel are reportedly very close to zero."[13]

Soviet Union and male circumcision

Joseph Stalin's atheistic regime killed tens of millions of people. See also: Atheism and mass murder

The Soviet Union practiced state atheism.

Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia founded by an atheist and agnostic, indicates:

“ Before glasnost, according to an article in The Jewish Press, Jewish ritual circumcision was forbidden in the Soviet Union. However, David E. Fishman, professor of Jewish History at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, states that, whereas the heder and yeshiva, the organs of Jewish education, "were banned by virtue of the law separating church and school, and subjected to tough police and administrative actions," circumcision was not proscribed by law or suppressed by executive measures. Jehoshua A. Gilboa writes that while circumcision was not officially or explicitly banned, pressure was exerted to make it difficult. Mohels in particular were concerned that they could be punished for any health issue that might develop, even if it arose some time after the circumcision.[14] ”

Secular Europe and male circumcision

See also: Secular Europe

From a global perspective, Europe is more secular/atheistic than the rest of the world although it does have a considerable amount of religious immigrants who have higher birth rates (see: Secular Europe and Atheist population and Global atheism).

Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia founded by an atheist and agnostic, indicates:

“ On 1 October 2013, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a non-binding resolution in which they state they are "particularly worried about a category of violation of the physical integrity of children," and included in this category "circumcision of young boys for religious reasons." On 7 October, Israel's president Shimon Peres wrote a personal missive to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, to stop the ban, arguing: "The Jewish communities across Europe would be greatly afflicted to see their cultural and religious freedom impeded upon by the Council of Europe, an institution devoted to the protection of these very rights." Two days later, Jagland clarified that the resolution was non-binding and that “Nothing in the body of our legally binding standards would lead us to put on equal footing the issue of female genital mutilation and the circumcision of young boys for religious reasons.”[15] ”

A number of male circumcision bans have been proposed by various Europeans.[16]

References

  1. ↑ AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision
  2. ↑ AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS - Task Force on Circumcision - Circumcision Policy Statement [1]
  3. ↑ AAP Press Release - NEW AAP CIRCUMCISION POLICY RELEASED
  4. ↑ PEDIATRICS Vol. 103 No. 3 March 1999, pp. 686-693 - AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS: Circumcision Policy Statement [2]"A statement of reaffirmation for this policy was published on September 1, 2005."
  5. ↑ AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision
  6. ↑ United States Circumcision Incidence
  7. ↑ Time Magazine, December 27th, 2007, Pg. 84
  8. ↑ AMA report on Neonatal Circumcision
  9. ↑ JAMA Vol. 274 No. 21, December 6, 1995 - Female genital mutilation. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association [3]
  10. ↑ JAMA Vol. 274 No. 21, December 6, 1995 - Female genital mutilation. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association [4]
  11. ↑ Neuburger, Max. History of Medicine. Oxford University Press, 1910, Vol. I, p. 38.
  12. ↑ Risk Factors for Penile Cancer
  13. ↑ Incidence of penile cancer worldwide: systematic review and meta-analysis, Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2017; 41: e117. Published online 2017 Nov 30. doi: 10.26633/RPSP.2017.117
  14. ↑ Circumcision and law, Wikipedia
  15. ↑ Circumcision and law, Wikipedia
  16. ↑ Circumcision and law, Wikipedia