Poll of the Day > Were you baptized, or circumcised?

(+) Yeah! (+)

A lot of people really seem to hate circumcision. Personally, I like my circumcised penis. That being said, I'd probably feel different if I wasn't circumsed. And then I would like my uncut penis. Well, whatever, I guess.
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Neither.
Raised secular ... and, not raised in Africa....
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I think I was Christened at birth, but my mom is massively against circumcision.
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Circumcision is great if you have phimosis (it's necessary then) or if you're an adult (or late teen) who knows what he wants with his body. If it's adults deciding on an unnecessary amputation over a child or even a baby, then it's not so great.

Baptism is a, afaik, harmless ritual. I have a friend who did it when becoming an adult (to please her family, not for personal religious reasons) and I have friends who had it done as a baby or child and remember little of it.

Cacciato posted...

Circumcised, thankfully. Dont wanna run around with my ding ding looking like an anteater.

I'm uncircumcised and I certainly don't look like an... anteater.
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I wasn't baptized, and I'm proud, since it let me skip the "rebel against Christianity" phase and go straight to rebelling against our state religion, Moomins.

I wasn't circumcised, and I'm proud, since being circumcised would interfere with me executing my religious duties.
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Neither as far as I know and I'm indifferent on both things.
Baptism - I'm a atheist but neither of my parents are/were religious so this isn't needed or wanted.
Circumcision - I'm British and only believe in surgery when it's fixing something that was supposed to be different to begin with. Such as my nose was knocked out of place when young and when I was around 20 I had it put back in place. That's fine but having a nose job for vanity reasons isn't my bag. I also wouldn't force my beliefs onto my kids if I ever had them and circumcising a baby is doing just that.
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SushiSquid posted...

Both. I was circumcised at birth. If we have a son, I won't do this to him.

When I was 16 and still hadn't been baptized yet, my mom had me go through a course to get me ready for it and I did. I regret this. I wasn't baptized earlier because I already had doubts. Pushing me into this only delayed the inevitable and left me in deep depression for years while I struggled with losing my faith. Waking up each day unable to believe but sure you're evil for not isn't pleasant. My children's religious choices are their own. I won't force them into anything.

I like that you are respecting your children's choice in religion. Is there a way that you will expose them to the different beliefs so that they can make their own decision? I'm just curious. I was raised Catholic and then just stopped the practice. I do however have knowledge of different types of religion but now have my own "God". I did have the advantage of having friends of various religions so I feel I made a good choice for me and I have no guilts. I knew that I wanted to believe in something, something that would support me without me having to support a church and something that wouldn't make me feel guilty. I'm quite happy with my decision.

@SushiSquid

Uncircumcised. I'm proud to still have 100% of my penis.
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I was baptized.
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mipond posted...

Is there a way that you will expose them to the different beliefs so that they can make their own decision?

My wife and I plan to take our kids to church at least periodically. I'll be honest that I'm not religious. I can't be. I struggled for years to force myself and it just isn't me. But I recognize the peace and community it can provide. If for nothing more than cultural knowledge, my kids should know about Christianity. Beyond that, I'd like them to explore other world religions as they are curious. There's a lot of good to be found in religions. I believe that they're all wrong, but that doesn't make them useless, and I understand I could be wrong.

I don't know exactly what we'll do. I just know that I'm more open-minded than when I first lost my faith. I see the positive aspects now, which I couldn't then. I figure I'll teach my kids as much as I can, but when they're older, their lives are their own to lead.

SushiSquid posted...

mipond posted...

Is there a way that you will expose them to the different beliefs so that they can make their own decision?

My wife and I plan to take our kids to church at least periodically. I'll be honest that I'm not religious. I can't be. I struggled for years to force myself and it just isn't me. But I recognize the peace and community it can provide. If for nothing more than cultural knowledge, my kids should know about Christianity. Beyond that, I'd like them to explore other world religions as they are curious. There's a lot of good to be found in religions. I believe that they're all wrong, but that doesn't make them useless, and I understand I could be wrong.

I don't know exactly what we'll do. I just know that I'm more open-minded than when I first lost my faith. I see the positive aspects now, which I couldn't then. I figure I'll teach my kids as much as I can, but when they're older, their lives are their own to lead.

I understand that. I fell out of it when someone I loved was killed. My mom told me God was punishing me for loving him and not being married to him. I decided that wasn't my God. Ive got my own God now. I also looked at different beliefs and took what I liked about them and molded them in my own. You are right, I think, in letting them go their own way but at the same time exposing them to all the different aspects. Good for you!!!

benbeverfaqs posted...

Circumcision is great if you have phimosis (it's necessary then) or if you're an adult (or late teen) who knows what he wants with his body. If it's adults deciding on an unnecessary amputation over a child or even a baby, then it's not so great.

I do understand giving a child their own choice. Though I do feel there would be a lot more uncircumcised men if that were the case. By the time you're older, I feel that people wouldn't want to change their body as much. There would still be a good number of people who do it for many, many reasons, though. Like peer pressure, maybe it becomes a fad for a short time, maybe you just like it better. But some would be worried because it's a surgery, or changing something that they've always had. I guess it could be good, though. Though I am glad my parents had it done when I was a baby. I don't really care about their reasons, but I do like how mine looks.
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^
there being less circumcised men isn't a bad thing. it serves zero practical purpose to have it done
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Krazy_Kirby posted...

^
there being less circumcised men isn't a bad thing. it serves zero practical purpose to have it done

I didn't say it was bad. Just said I think there would be less. Not that it's bad in any way. Just an observation.
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mipond posted...

You are right, I think, in letting them go their own way but at the same time exposing them to all the different aspects.

Well, that's just the plan. My wife is pregnant with our first child, and you know how people always have these plans for their children before reality hits. We both have similar ideals in parenting and life goals, so that helps. Anyway, this has been a good conversation. Thanks for that.

BADoglick posted...

My grandma baptized me without my parent's consent when they dropped us off at her place to be baby sat while they went to the mall.

stuff like that always amused me when the parents (if non religious) get super pissed about it, and i'm not religious myself. but as a non religious person then its just your kid getting some water on them. not that big of a deal. unless we are talking the whole dunking thing. bit worse but still not the end of the world.

then again I guess I can see getting pissed off just for the lack of respecting the parent's wishes
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