But it's not Christian, Egan, that is the point. Circumcision has been a non issue in my country for centuries. It's even illegal in Finland. It was actually a defining and identifying characteristic between Christians and non-believers that Christians were NOT circumcised. It seems to me that those who do it in north America are being deceived into thinking it is necessary by money-hungry medical professionals.

Some people have done it historically because they believed it would help stop boys masterbating, so you are right, warped views of sex have contributed. Again, this is not Christian. All the bible teaches us is the need for sexual responsibility. There are allusions to oral sex in the song of solomon, for example, and a celebration of our sexuality. Those who teach sex is dirty in some way are wrong.

Anyway, I wasn't going to post as much on this subject as I have, but felt the need to point out that circumcision is not a Christian teaching, quite the contrary, and neither is the view that sex is dirty. Certainly you will find this view amongst some Christian circles, but it is not biblical.

As Paul says, Christians are born into freedom, unlike Jews and some other religions who have to follow many rituals and rules. This means freedom from bodily mutilation and the need for rituals. As Russ pointed out, there are only a couple of rituals Christians believe in - Lord's supper and baptism. I would add marriage to that, but I'm Catholic (not Roman Catholic), Protestants only believe in these two.