The Biblical Approach to Circumcision and Female Genital Mutilation

There has even been a group who have been pushing for the act to stop the circumcision of infants in the United States. There has actually been a ban proposal in San Francisco, California in November 2011 ballot. But it was later bought down by the judge because it was seen as an effort to adjust a medical policy. ‘Surprisingly there is a group called the national organization of restoring men (NORM), which is believed to aid men that have been circumcised, by constructing new foreskin by expanding the skin. In the 19th century, it is believed that circumcision had been sighted as the cure for masturbation, which was believed to have caused mental illness, blindness, and convulsions, expressed by (Collier, 2019)

When we speak about female genital mutilation(FGM),we are talking about the procedure which requires the removal of the female external genitalia, which is done for no medical cause. Female genital mutilation has been acknowledged as a breach to the rights of humans, but yet still it has been an on going practice in thirty countries, past three continents, half of them being in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia with 200 female genital mutilations being performed. There can only be two main reasons for the cause of female genital mutilation and they are one, to rule girls sexuality and shield their virginity and the other reason is having the condition for marriage or as a benefactor. There are many risk factors to female genital mutilation, which include hemorrhage, shock, infection, urine retention, severe pain and even death. It is very selfish of parents to have their daughter to undergo this peaceful procedure for no health reasons but instead to become child brides and dropping out of school, stated by (Unicef.org, 2019)

The bible teaches us that the main reason God established circumcision was for the sole reason of placing his people aside. Genesis 17 talks about God having covenant with Abraham saying” this is my covenant, which you shall keep between me and you and your of spring after you, every male among you shall be circumcised and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you”. Never the less in the new testament, it shows that there is no need to physically circumcised. Acts 15:28-29 says that “For it has seemed good to the holy spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden.