Ask a doctor - What are the religious reasons for male circumcision?

Q. What are the religious reasons for male circumcision?

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Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Circumcision is a religious practice that dates back centuries for many religions across the world. For male circumcision specifically, there are various religious reasons behind why it is practiced in different faiths.

In Judaism, the practice of brit milah (the Hebrew term for circumcision) is seen as a covenant between God and Abraham. According to Genesis Chapter 17, this was commanded by God as “a token of the covenant” between Him and His people and has remained an integral tenet of Jewish faith ever since. In fact, circumcising baby boys on their 8th day after birth according to Halakha (Jewish Law) has been going on since Biblical times in order to follow this commandment from God.

Likewise, Muslims also perform male circumcision as part of their faith but with slightly different reasoning than Jewish tradition; some sources explaining that Islamic scholars believe that it helps maintain cleanliness due to its hygienic benefits while others say it's simply following Muhammad’s example – something which millions of Muslims strive to do throughout their lives. Also referred to as khitan or tahara (depending on geographical origin), male circumcision is widely practiced among Muslim families all over the world belonging both Sunni and Shia sects alike with eight out ten circumcised males belonging to Islam.

Christianity also isn't devoid from this age-old practice although its exact implications vary depending upon denomination sect within Christianity itself such as Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy Church etcetera where biblically speaking it might be biblical imperative or merely cultural expression respectively despite still being present today in certain regions albeit not so outspokenly similar than that done traditionally by Jews or Muslims globally — those who prefer not practicing have largely accepted formulary of spiritual grace sometimes replacing rite for any number other reasons too ranging personal preference helping reconstruct one's sense self identity even faith conversion purposes like baptisms becoming more commonplace altogether church circles today either way though its impact still remains quite relevant far reaching when comes expressing shared overarching bond coterminously connecting devoted believers each other through diverse theological practices collectively regardless commitment devotional beliefs applicable intermittently amid larger unified collective yet same serving common spiritual preserver purpose connectedness overall end remain same ultimately together forever amen!