Humans down the ages have practiced various types of bodily mutilations and scarifications for cosmetic and superstitious reasons. They have ranged from lips discs, piercings (on the lips, ears, genitals, mouth etc), teeth extractions and filings, binding of the heads and feet, elongation of the neck with rings, stitching of the vulva/labia for females, male and female circumcisions, castrations and other forms of ritual paintings and tatooings.

A lot of these practices are now things of the past, but there are some that are still about, largely buttressed by the religious institutions. Circumcisions (both male and female) are a particular case in point. In the monotheistic traditions, these are mandated for males as a covenant between the male and their god. In Abrahamic religions, female circumcision is not mandated, as far as I know. However, where Abrahamism meets other world religions already practicing female circumcision, it no surprise that the latter is not condemned. Such is the case in some parts of Nigeria and East Africa where young girls have their clitorises excised and their labia stitched together, to reduce the sensitivity to sexual pleasure. Is anything more GROSS and revolting that this sort of treatment of defenseless young girls?

That male circumcision is still quite popular amongst Africans is also a disgrace to human decency. In bygone ages, this served as a rite of passage into adulthood, but those days are well and truly gone - and so should this barbaric practice. Where it is not required for medical reasons, it should be discouraged. (Incidentally, it turns out that circumcised males are about 30% less likely to catch the AIDS virus from unprotected sex than their uncircumcised friends. But this is not a reason to have the foreskin removed. It would be like arguing for the surgical removal of the breast as this would stop women developing breast cancer.)

Mutilations and scarifications for cosmetic reasons are purely in the domain of the individual concerned as long as the are fully aware of the act they are getting into. Much as I dislike bodily tatoos, I am loathed to see a blanket ban of the practise as long as it is well regulated by the authorities.

and your point is?

eniyan:

and your point is?

Lol. . . therationa rarely has a point to all his rantings.

Can someone help with this? What are we contributing to?

poster sounded emotional by half.think he was making a statement. dryest post so far by my reckoning

You could at least give your views on male and/of female circumcisions. Not all posts have to be direct why/what/how type questions.