h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hey all

Just had my Religious Education lesson at school and we saw a film on Jewish SARCAMISM! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Yuk!

I know we are supposed to respect their beliefs but it was horrible, they put this clamp on the baby's &*%$% and then the man, I think he is called the Montel, cuts of the fore skin, snip snip in such as casual way.

Eeeeeew!

Then they burry it, it has a funeral and everything

These people are weird...

No affence intended to jews, I AM NOT RACIST, but I think removing the fore skin is pointless, can't they find another way of worshipping God?

I'm no expert on Judaic theology, but I do know that the word is 'circumcision' not 'sarcamism'. Good lord - that sounds like a strange combination of sarcasm and socialism, precisely what we can do without at this stage in our careers thank you very much...

But I agree, it doesn't sound very nice...

Actually, removing the foreskin has a (secular) purpose.

1) Solves the problem of overtight foreskins, which can cause extreme pain and permanent damage in later years (like, during sex).
2) Removes a source of infection. Of course, the procedure itself has risks, and current medical opinion is that in general it's not worth performing routinely. For people with a family history of problems, the rules are different.
3) Improves sex (allegedly)

Oh, and the religious purpose, of course
4) The jewish god requires circumcision amongst believers - no exceptions. Asking jews to stop circumcising would be like asking christians to stop trusting in Christ.

Anyway - you've looked at Judaism, and that's the weirdest thing you saw? What about that whole 'prayer' thing - now THAT'S twisted!

Martin - briefly wonders what -ism disrespect to religion falls under....

I actually attended a Jewish service... it was way too weird (but then all religious things are), but at least it was weird in a foreign language, so I was able to find the entire experience mildly entertaining.