Thom Yorke

The only reason I personally haven't mentioned religion or culture is because I put no weight behind it. Sure, that's a main reason why people have their children circumcised but it's definitely not the only one. The only factor that will come into play when I make the decision to circumcise my kid will be for medical purposes.

Just because some religious zealots may try to overstate health complications for the uncircumcised and use it as a distraction doesn't mean you should throw out the idea completely. There are increased health risks if you don't perform the procedure.

Paedantic Basterd

I'm guessing that the risks associated with not lopping off your foreskin are so minor as to be totally arguable, as the risks with using mouthwash or drinking apple juice or being left-handed are. If they were notable risks, then by now I think we'd have naturally selected the foreskin out of our genepool.

Guybrush

Yes, the foreskin has important biological functions as Erica pointed out, for example being highly sensitive and allowing for non-abrasive sex. What the last part means is that the extra skin on the penis acts as a sort of buffer rolling over the shaft which for example allows for non-abrasive masturbation without lubricants. Basically, cutting the penis would impair sexual function for example when masturbating which I'm sure is deeply rooted in why the culture developed in the first place. Religions typically have problems with sexual drive.

As an intact male, I feel I should point out that I don't have any problems cleaning myself. My foreskin retracts just fine and if for some reason it doesn't for some, that's a medical problem that can and is taken care of without circumcision.

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Something Completely Different

Howard the Duck

it's there no option for "indifferent"?

my dad is circumcised, i'm not

he certainly had no problems conceiving me

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Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.

Guybrush

I'm not really that interested in indifferent opinions. I think people who are indifferent about it should read a bit - for example the stuff Erica mentions - and then form an opinion against circumcision.

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Something Completely Different

The Monkey

It's no better than cutting out the tongue on a newborn infant. It's a barbaric practice that ought to be criminalized. If it wasn't for the religious context, everyone would be revolted by it. Just another proof of the undeserved respect that religion receives in modern society.

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Now another stranger seems to want you to ignore his dreams as though they were the burden of some other

My Last.fm

Mykonos

Well, I can see what you're saying with babies, but I don't think it should be banned for anyone capable of making a decision. Like people here have said, everyone sees things differently, and some people might want it, even need it.

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'Not that Becktionary, the Rhyming Becktionary!'- Bender Bending Rodriguez

midnight rain

I'm confused by what you said here. Are you saying circumcised people can't masturbate without lubricants?

Mykonos

I've decided that on a purely personal note, I'm voting against. I've heard... cases with... a little more than usual being taken off in the operations. I'd rather not take that risk, no matter how small it is.

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'Not that Becktionary, the Rhyming Becktionary!'- Bender Bending Rodriguez

someonecompletelyrandom

If I were a lady or gay, I'd definitely prefer a nice, clean rod as opposed to something that looks like it washed ashore on a beach in New Zealand.