Male circumcision?

[suanni]

Forgive me for being lazy. I know I really should do a Google hit.
How many religions circumcise their male babies? And why does their faith dictate it? What purpose does it serve?
Is it merely religious practises or do cultural pressures also dictate this surgery on baby boys

 

[iBrian]

Not sure how useful it is for you, but we have a discussion around circumcision already posted here:
http://www.comparative-religion.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1628

May be some useful information in that.

 

[suanni]

Thanks it has been a little helpful. It seems I was not the only one who wanted to know why this practise is done.
I did do a Google hit, and understand that for the Jews its a kind of blood sacrifice as a symbol of their covenant with G!D. I don't know why but I think the practise is even older than the Jews as the practise for one reason or another is spread throughout the southern hemisphere.
Found this and it may be of some interest to those who wish to know further
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumcision#Religious_and_cultural_circumcision