Russel Crowe comments about Circumcision offensive?

[Celtaur]

Russel Crowe was asked on twitter by a fan if he was going to get his newborn baby circumcised, he responded "Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin?" He also said, "I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats but stop cutting yr babies. if you feel it is yr right to cut things off yr babies."

He had to remove his comments from twitter and apologized for offending anyone.

I have to agree that it is a good question, and one I've wondered myself - Does circumcision really have anything to do with God, or is it just a dogmatic, man-made tradition from thousands of years ago that really started for some other, more mundane reason? I mean, what about circumcision of girls in Africa? There's an outcry of that being barbaric in the West, and rightly so, it's torture. Is it really relevant in this day and age to be circumcising children?

Did the origin of circumcision really come from the fact that if it's not cleaned properly it will get infected and thus interpreted as "punishment" from God for some reason. Way back in the day, they used to think people with mental disorders were possessed by demons and would exorcise them. Could it be that better awareness of hygiene is all that would really be necessary these days instead of removing skin that "God" put there in the first place?

[JHuber]

It could be that the circumcision tradition began as physical proof that one is Jewish. The Jews believe they are the legitimate family line that goes back to Adam and Eve. If one is not Jewish then one is not from a "naturally" legitimate family. This is why they like to marry within their religion and as a result they have acquired their unique appearance. Also, back in Biblical times when the Hebrews were the dominant religion of the middle east people couldn't be officially married unless they conformed to Jewish requirements. For example, if one was the child of a slave they could never be married, ever. They'd have to be two generations removed from slavery. As a result people used to flee to Cyprus to get married. The problem was though that Cyprus is an island and was a dangerous place to go back then. It is also why Christianity became popular. Christianity didn't care if one was a child of a slave or not. It also didn't care if one was circumcised or not.

[Celtaur]

I had a conversation with a friend and I think it actually has more to do with practicalities than anything, simply applied to a belief in God as the causation.

So in the case of circumcision, people who weren't cleaning themselves properly, etc., were getting infected. The result, needing circumcision, and in the process noticed the infections stopped. They'd interpret this as a sign from God. In most likelihood they would ensure to do this at a young age, because kids naturally are less attentive to hygiene. Getting the circumcision done younger would be seen as better to prevent the problems later.

In the bible it says to not eat pork, or certain shelled fish. Well, most likely they would not know about germs and proper cooking, and thus would get very sick, and even die after eating these things. Therefore they'd interpret this as must being a sign from God that these things are wrong, that he doesn't want them to eat these things, that they are unclean, and therefore would label them as unholy, etc.

These things are life practicalities wrapped up in lack of what we see now as basic scientific cause and effect knowledge, but to them, they'd relate it to something spiritual. They wouldn't have any other answers, and thus culture develops a belief system.

[Celtaur]

I had a conversation with a friend and I think it actually has more to do with practicalities than anything, simply applied to a belief in God as the causation.

So in the case of circumcision, people who weren't cleaning themselves properly, etc., were getting infected. The result, needing circumcision, and in the process noticed the infections stopped. They'd interpret this as a sign from God. In most likelihood they would ensure to do this at a young age, because kids naturally are less attentive to hygiene. Getting the circumcision done younger would be seen as better to prevent the problems later.

In the bible it says to not eat pork, or certain shelled fish. Well, most likely they would not know about germs and proper cooking, and thus would get very sick, and even die after eating these things. Therefore they'd interpret this as must being a sign from God that these things are wrong, that he doesn't want them to eat these things, that they are unclean, and therefore would label them as unholy, etc.

These things are life practicalities wrapped up in lack of what we see now as basic scientific cause and effect knowledge, but to them, they'd relate it to something spiritual. They wouldn't have any other answers, and thus culture develops a belief system, based on practical life experiences.

[JHuber]

According to the Wikipedia, circumcision will reduce one's chances of getting HIV; however, as for the historical reasons why circumcision is practiced by Judaism and Islam it says, " Darby describes these theories as "conflicting", and states that "the only point of agreement among proponents of the various theories is that promoting good health had nothing to do with it."

[XAlo321X]

It's all about being clean in Islam so you can pray. So we do it, or should I say "our parents" do it for God as well, to make everything is staying clean.

[nventr]

From a mystical point of view, circumcision is spiritual.

The Jewish religion is a Passion/Kundalini rising religion. In other words, they worship the rising of the spear. Once the spear has broken through to “heaven” then the blessing of God rains upon that man. A penis that is circumcised is representative and a daily reminder of the Holy Spear.

The other possible meaning is that circumcision reminds one to be aware that you are to use your passions only for God’s sake. It is clipped in God’s name for God’s purpose. (It is thought that at the time circumcision begins is when intercourse with animals is banned.)

The third reality is that you are physically different than other men. (There are many writings on how a Jewish olympic competitor can make himself “whole.” Wholeness/Beauty was a requirement for all olympic athletes.)

The cleanliness idea is another facet easily understood by all.

Regardless of what is believed. It reminds the man multiple times daily of that belief system.

You can checkout “The Holy Spear” segment of my website. www.JesusWedding.com

[Celtaur]

According to the Wikipedia, circumcision will reduce one's chances of getting HIV; however, as for the historical reasons why circumcision is practiced by Judaism and Islam it says, " Darby describes these theories as "conflicting", and states that "the only point of agreement among proponents of the various theories is that promoting good health had nothing to do with it."

From a practical point of view, maybe it had to do with sensitivity/pleasure thing, considering pleasure can be considered an "evil" temptation. Just look at what they do to young girls in Africa with female circumcision to ensure they receive absolutely no pleasure. Cultures do strange things because of the hang ups they have. A lot of reasons stem from control, domination and fear. I think forcing a child to have a part of their body cut off without their ability to consent or not is a problem.

[AngelSugar]

I heard the hooplah surrounding RC's comment. However, it wasn't until now that I cared to read the particulars of what he Tweeted on the subject.

I whole heartedly support his right to say what he said on his own Twitter account.

He was asked a direct question by a fan and deemed to respond directly. As in, proffered his personal opinion on the subject as relates to his own son. As is his right.

What's tragic, as relates to American media, celebrity forums wherein their opinions go public, is that while we the people are guaranteed the inalienable right to speak freely, we're not guaranteed the inalienable right to speak without having to apologize for daring to say anything that stands a chance of offending anyone who hears.

Were it me, I would have never taken that Twitter post from my own page.
Relative to the context, he was spot on in his observations of the act or tradition surrounding circumcision. Even though it may be said, it's not just for Jewish males any more.

Were I to have a son, I'd not have them circumcised.

I've had occasion to witness newborn males being circumcised in Hospital. And I can say the procedure reminded me of how it looks when one core's an apple.
The screaming, the deep level of emotion that is exhibited by the precious little baby during the operation, is heart rending. And as such, I find it impossible to believe the propaganda proffered by many in the medical establishment, that it doesn't hurt. Or that the infant will not later be affected by the trauma suffered.

I also found it reprehensible, that excuse as to why a numbing solution or something similar, wasn't applied prior to the procedure, so as to lessen the suffering of the infant boy.

As one nurse told me, when I inquired about that.By the time the analgesic was swabbed on the penis and tip, the procedure could be over.
So then, she in as much said such measures weren't taken because it would take too much of the Doctor's time to wait for it to take affect, when he could be on to his second male patient and beginning the next same operation.
So much for , "...do no harm."

I concur with Mr.Crowe that the procedure is against nature and that, if there is a god, it is ridiculous to think that universal supreme creator would create something in it's own image and likeness that then has to be physically altered by a scalpel in order to function rightly or to then please that same beings expectations of complying with a divine law. When that law wasn't made manifest in the flesh by that same god's own organic design.

"Being offended is the consequence of leaving one's house." ~ Fran Lebowitz