Quote for 2007-08-02
 
Date: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 21:00:03 -0500 (CDT)


"Circumcision is considered, because of its continued prescription
in spite of substantial objective evidence for its contraindication,
as a riddle of American culture. Traditional Euro-American explanations
for the practice, as a prophylactic against sin, insanity, and
sepsis are reviewed in historic context, and found unsatisfactory.
Findings of a cross-culturally comparative investigation support
the theory that circumcision symbolizes subordination to a fraternal
interest group. The cultural connotations of the uncircumcised and
circumcised groups are developed and the traditional explanations
and contemporary practice are reconsidered and interpreted in this
context."

                --- Abstract, CIRCUMCISION: A Riddle of American Culture
                    Reed D. Riner, Ph.D.
		    Presented at The First International Symposium
		    on Circumcision, Anaheim, California, March 1-2, 1989.
                    http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/first/riner.html

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