>Peter Metcalf wrote:
>> Similar archaic
>> pratices have survived for long periods of time (Jewish circumcision etc)
> Archaic? Is that why most western hospitals circumcise male babies?
>Gee, I thought it had something to do with general cleanliness and inhibiting
>disease.....
Wrong on both counts. Any European who discovers that you're circumcised is likely to assume you're jewish. A typical reaction when you tell a Dane that many Americans are circumsised: "I know that the Americans are crazy, but they can't be THAT crazy!"
And there is no medical reason for circumcision. When I was 5, I had the edge of my foreskin trimmed off because it was too narrow. The skin was then pulled forward to form a normal foreskin. The doctors would hardly have done that if there was some advantage to circumcision.
Check out the alt.sex.* groups, particularly a.s.motss. They have a major flamewar on this subject about 4 times a year, lasting about 3 months each time.
Klaus O K
Powered by hypermail