Circumcision of infant males is the most frequently performed surgical operation in the United States. There has been an extensive debate over its merits, dating back to its inception in Judaism more than 2,000 years ago. However, the current medical debate is made irrespective of the pseudo-rationales that promote the practice. In this analysis of religion, psychology, medicine, and sociology, a pattern of coercion is defined. In each normative system, an intangible fear of unknown perils is used to promote the manifest ritual of circumcision, with the promise of reconciling the generalized fear. Research on the transmission of pseudo-rational beliefs needs to be examined so male circumcision can be adequately addressed by activist or advocate agents.
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