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ORIGINAL: Aneirin

Perhaps I wouldn't understand, as I am pagan in spirituality.

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ORIGINAL: MissMorrigan

According to Wiki, earliest references depicting male circumcision (we should get onto female circumcision later on) have been observed in cave drawings and Egyptian tombs but states that they're ambiguous. My own personal recollection of circumcision dates back to Judaism and is embodied in the Tanakh (someone correct me if I am wrong). Whatever its roots, it is affiliated with many religions and thankfully, today at least, parents in the US (considerably fewer men in the UK are circumcised) are given the choice. You may consider it mutilation and that it violates a basic human right, but you cannot denigrate people for practising their religions, for they existed long before you were given life, and will prevail long after you exit this world.

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Mutilation on the aspect that if a maker provided one with a perfectly designed vessel for living on this planet, (every part of us has a reason for being there and though we may be a compromise, we are perfectly adapted for living in our enviroment), what maker would demand or the believers feel that they should cut a bit off themselves, a bit that has a use. If a maker demanded it, then surely it is a mistake and over time that bit would have evolved out of us, if it is by the will of man to remove an item, thus leaving open to infection a part which is most useful in the furthering of our species, is he not insulting a maker in giving that bit back ?

What is the real reason, it smells perhaps, it looks ugly even, surely if it is a man proked action, then it must be due to vanity.

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ORIGINAL: MissMorrigan
My grandfather was a russian jew, my mother speaks fluent hebrew. I, however, am not Jewish. I  have my own belief system and respect others' observances of their religious practices.  I would not insult them by referring to it as mutilation.

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ORIGINAL: Darcyandthedark
Not to sound callous MissM, however if someone is going to feel insulted by the word mutilation, they have bigger issues IMO.
Personally I dig that it is mutilation and have said so before on the numerous threads on circumcision.  However I also call any types of piercing mutilation also, as well as tattoos, nails and any other plastic surgery.  It's no biggie really, its just an alteration of what is there.  I'm not intentionally insulting someone when I say something is mutilation - that is just how I perceive it.  If someone wants to second guess me, they have bigger issues.
 
the.dark.

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ORIGINAL: MissMorrigan
On another note, the.dark. Most tattoos we see today are of western origin, which have no spiritual/religious affiliation - they are just skin decoration, the same with piercings. The same cannot be said of traditional Japanese/Maui whose life stories/spiritual journeys are etched into their skins, where each is unique.

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ORIGINAL: colouredin
So when its got religious basis we have to be sensitive whereas when its a personal choice we dont? None of my tattoos have religious reasoning but they are to me more than 'just skin decoration'.

Sometimes I wonder, when someone has a belief that is theirs then we are allowed to argue it but when that belief is shrouded in religion we have to be more wary. I wonder why?

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ORIGINAL: Darcyandthedark

Feeling angsty and provoking today A?
Not entirely sure why your asking an age old question when google is your friend - or are you just feeling too lazy to study it yourself?  This is a done over and over subject that CM has a zillion links for.

Yes, I have researched in ways that I can, but the thing that eludes is why, and you know me, I question everything to find my own understanding, (the mechanic in me). I understand all the arguments for and against, but what I am asking, is the origin, I am asking people to speculate on a possible reason other than scripture, a 'what if' situation if you like. As to specfic religious beliefs, my belief is if a belief cannot be questioned and analysed, then for me, it is not worth believing in, I seek answers to questions is all and am not in my questioning intending to provoke or ridicule.
 
And why suddenly pagan again?  And what does that have to do with reading the bible or in fact any other book?  Your not banned from it, nor incapable of understanding it just because you are identifying as pagan again?

I am pagan whether I like it or not, as I do not believe wholeheartedly in the Judeo/Christian beliefs, although I do take on board truths from many beliefs, including those deemed 'pagan' as not being of the Judeo/Christian origin by definition. A mixed belief to include Gods and Goddesses to one of the Judeo/Christian is a pagan, but like all beliefs, I constantly question to seek my own truth.

As to reading a holy scripture, that I can do, but I am of the belief that if  I have not the knowledge of the original language and culture, then much is lost, definition and intonation by the very concept that much is lost in translation, I am not of the culture, therefore I may not understand.
 
It's for religious reasons.  It's for health reasons.  It's for initiation rights.  All depend on the area you live.  It's ancient, spans and records back further than biblical.  Does that answer your question?
 
the.dark.