Converting to Judaism, do you have to be circumcised.?

Davida Gisriel: Im athiest, but when people "make fun of it" they just find that it doesn't make senselike "would you follow a god that kills over thousands of people when thats a sin"and theres just so many things that they just find "un-logical" so they laugh at itits not really rude, and they dont find it funny.Personally i used to be a christian for 7 years and now i have been an atheist for 2 years, and i don't make fun of any religion, i just state out their flaws, i never do it in a mocking manner...Show more

Violette Vanek: Well thats the point us Muslims are trying to point out to you christians, that the bible has been altered by a bunch of zionists and satanists. That the only unedited book is the quran, the true bible is with the pope, only one copy, hidden from you lot, even he is satanic and it's proven. However the quran was never alterd and god said he will do whatever it takes to keep it safe.

Rheba Cockman: KNOW what you would get if you cut ! off parts of your penis. A study in the International Journal of Men’s Health noted that circumcised men have a 4.5 times greater chance of suffering from erectile dysfunction. than natural men. Other studies have previously observed that circumcision’s damage results in worsened erectile functioning, inability to maintain an erection, and reducing the glans sensitivity, including an overall penis sensitivity reduction by 75%. There are other studies as well..The knowledge of the this WOUNDING affecting sexual pleasure and function goes back years so there is NO IF as to SEXUAL HARM, it is a matter of HOW BAD IS IT for any particular guy. Maimonides (the Torah scholar) noted that the act that circumcision weakens the faculty of sexual excitement and diminishes the pleasure. Kellogg declared a ‘war on masturbation’ at the end of the 19th century and advocated circumcision to curb male sexual urges by removing the main male pleasure zones. The zones have the only fine! touch and stretch sensors....Show more

Dorris Homola: N! o, I dont find religion funny, but I find SOME religious people funny just because of their logic and how you can easily own them with simple logic. In a way its kinda sad because I think I am lucky that my parents didnt force any certain religion on me. I got to explore them all, and found flaws in every single one. And its sad because some people were pretty much brainwashed and whenever a logical question comes up they avoid it with some nonsense.

Lyndon Mattas: When we are being argued against, of course we find the opposition funny. If we took religious views seriously, we wouldn't have much of a reason to be atheists. We don't come just to act rude and mock. There's an on going argument between theists and atheists here, and, honestly, who knows who cast the first stone anymore?

Noah Deni: such as what?? crime is high there.PRAY FOR GODS KINGDOM

Will Camus: Sometimes. I find Mormonism to be hilarious, but then I also find it to be awful because so ma! ny people are decieved by it. (It actually gets to the point where it's disturbing sometimes.)But in general, I respect religion and religious people. (In fact, even though I am an atheist, I am still very interested in learning more about religion.)

Marcel Then: Do christians find Atheist beliefs to be funny and openly criticise them for their lack of faith? As an Atheist I have no issue with anyone believing in a higher power if it helps give their life meaning. This does not mean that I agree with it but that I can see the benefit it has on the person. The issue is when that religious belief becomes the one true religion and all other religions / beliefs or (lack there of) are wrong or evil. At this point it is fair game, as the old saying goes "do unto others....."...Show more

Derrick Kloke: Some of the particular myths are funny. The story of a man living in the digestive tract of a whale for three days and then popping back out completely unharmed and walk! ing away (Jonah) is funny and really, how could you take that seriously! ?Personally, I think religion for the most part is more dangerous than funny, given it's adherents tendencies to hurt and kill each other to prove who loves God more. And the aspects of discrimination and fear in religion aren't funny at all. There is nothing humorous about honor killings, "god hates f@gs" signs, priests who don't have to stand trial for child rape, fatwas, or our government giving away millions in grant money to faith-based initiatives....Show more

Cuc Gire: I will first suggest to reread Aravah's advice to you about your desire to convert. You have a long way to go before you worry about circumcision. You are not required to be a Jew to merit blessing, achieve atonement, and know God and strive to live in righteousness. Talk with your parents about meeting with a Rabbi to learn more.NOW as to the horrid misinformation scare tactics from a bully that lie about circumcision, I will respectfully suggest you read this past answer and ..important...re! ad all the reputable references.This answer is incomplete without it.http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201308...http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=201306...edit: It's a shame that people will make up horrid lies in scare tactics about what circumcision does with regard to male sexual enjoyment or health and what medical specialists teach and studies show.Look at the links and reputable references I've given in them and judge for yourself who is honest here....Show more

Barrett Alosa: I attempted to think Christianity for decades myself. I feel regardless that the one method to come to a decision is for your self. I recognize even as speakme it over and studying approximately one of a kind viewpoints helped me collect know-how however it's sooner or later your possess evaluation and might be psychology and character that comes to a decision. In the top to me there's quite no well proof for a deity nor above all for the a long way out supernatural cla! ims of the Bible that I have heard or noticeable. I do not generally te! nd to think in all matters imagined with none well proof....Show more

Tommy Durrenberger: I find religion more depressing than funny actually. I'm an Iranian American ex Muslim, I have lived in Tehran & Alabama, I have seen the dark side of religion.

Lewis Ranft: Jewish answer: yesOnly in the US would a few Reform rabbis not require circumcision.The procedures is done in a doctor's office with numbing agent much like getting a tooth pulled.You're 14 - you're a long way off from even studying for Jewish conversion at a synagogue unless you have your parent's permission and even then most rabbis would require you to be at least 18. There is a lot to learn about Judaism and you can begin now and explore why you want to convert.And don't be hard on yourself if you find you aren't being called to convert - you don't have to be Jewish to reach Gd/heaven/the world to come...Show more

Sharron Salin: Time for a Republican mayor. The Democrats have been in charge! in that city for decades, and they have run the place totally into the ground. That would truly be Change Detroiters Can Believe In. After decades of Democrat control, New York City has had Republican mayors since 1994 ... and the place has been much, much better ever since..

Clifford Gombos: They need church.

Oda Mauson: yes, i find it funny that people think there is an invisible man living in the sky, that he watches what you do every minute of the day. i find it particularly funny that they believe he has a list of things he does not want you to do, and if you do any of those things he sends you to a place where you are tortured for eternity, and that he does this because he loves you. and i'm not trying to be rude, that is what theists believe, and i think its hillarious that they cant see whats wrong with it...Show more

Davis Zou: If the church is under the authority of Satan and my only hope will be discovered in the Bible, which bible should I us! e.... I saw the bible in the hotels... that one is so stupid with those! crazy fables, those crazy claims and those cruel promises... What is a good bible that is not so crazy

Lavelle Viveiros: Yes, if you want to convert to Judaism you will have to get circumcised. It’s actually not that big a deal and it’s rather nice to be circumcised. I was circumcised when I was 19 (not for religious reasons) and definitely prefer it. I would never want to go back. It’s cleaner, healthier and yes, feels better in EVERY way. There is a reason why it's done and been done for thousands of years :-) I can also tell you that girls from all over the world, no matter where they’re from, prefer a clean cut guy. It is actually more beneficial to be circumcised (which is why it’s part of the Jewish and many other cultures). Being circumcised is the same as having your foreskin completely pulled back except that it makes sure it stays this way permanently - which is the point. By keeping the head completely exposed, it can stay clean and dry.http://! www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC242299...And sexually it’s really great. It just makes sure that the head of the penis stays completely exposed during sex for maximum pleasure. It’s fantastic. And let’s face it, men only care about sex. If circumcision had any negative effects on sex, the practice would not have lasted a week. Don't worry, it will NOT hurt. They will give you an anesthetic and some painkillers. You will NOT feel a thing. You'll just be staring at the ceiling for 15 minutes. Mind you, this is a very simple procedure. Not an operation. And don't worry, being circumcised is actually quite common. Over a third of all men worldwide are circumcised and is standard in some countries. Like the US where normally all boys are circumcised. Even in Europe where circumcision is not as prevalent, a lot of adults end up getting circumcised. In the UK 1 in 6 adult men are circumcised - nearly 20% of the male population.“A national survey on sexual attitudes in! 2000 found that 15.8% of men or boys in the United Kingdom (ages 16â€"! 44) were circumcised. 11.7% of 16â€"19 year olds, and 19.6% of 40â€"44 year olds said they had been circumcised.”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevalence_of_circumc...I was also a little bit worried about having my painfully sensitive head always rubbing against everything. But... it actually feels a lot nicer now. What happens is that by having the head completely exposed, it is finally able to breath and it is allowed to fully develop. The glans actually grows larger and the rim flares out (you get that big circumcised mushroom head). The head becomes super smooth and sensitivity normalizes so you can actually touch and play with the head directly. Which is fantastic!! Hard to describe but it won't be painful to touch and in a sense you only feel the sexual sensitivity which feels, well, perfect. Personally I cannot imagine wanting anymore sensitivity (or wanting a foreskin again for that matter). The only real difference now is that as opposed to stimulating the head th! rough a foreskin, you do it directly - which is awesome! It’s just a more intense experience without the foreskin in the way. I definitely prefer it a lot. The reality is that studies show that men circumcised as adults report, if anything, an increase in sexual pleasure. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sydney-researcher...Also, it sure looks better and I can tell you that all girls prefer a clean circumcised guy! Even in the UK where circumcision is not as common women prefer it...http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/community/forums/thr...http://thestir.cafemom.com/love_sex/122010/Sex_Wit...And from someone who was circumcised as an adult... http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/community/forums/thr...Anyhow, if you wanna feel what it's like and have a test drive of some sort, here's a link:http://www.circlist.com/preferences/feelcut.html...Show more

Gertrude Darke: I guess God used too must dust or God has all of his junk?

Jonathan Schlussel: If not Robocop. Where are yo! u Murphy? your city needs you.

Lawana Neemann: YES.

Sena Hi! ghman: Yeah, it's funny. But also sad that people really believe in such Bull. I mean come on, the bible, just thinking about most of the stuff in there is enough to make you chuckle.

Elmo Tervo: Yep, if you want to be Jewish you have to be circumcised. If you don't want to be circumcised, then don't convert. There is no requirement in Judaism for people to be Jewish- stick to the seven Noachide laws and you can be righteous without converting/ You want to be Jewish, you do it by our laws

Kimberlee Bowdish: Yes. That being said, Judaism is pluralistic. "The righteous of all nations hath a share in the world to come," (Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 105a), and Tosefta Sanhedrin 13:2 reiterates this. "I call heaven and earth to witness, whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, whether slave or maidservant, can bring the Divine Presence upon oneself, all in accordance with their deeds" (Tana D'Bei Eliyahu Rabba 10:1). You aren't judged solely for your religious affili! ation, but for your actions. Judaism is for Jews -- whether you're born Jewish or join the covenant through conversion, it isn't mean to be understood as being meant for everyone. This is why Jews don't proselyte. Jews made the covenant with God at Sinai, whilst the covenant with other nations was the Noahide covenant as Noah wasn't a Jew. If you're good of heart and faith and obey the seven laws of Noah you need not convert. If you still insist on going through the conversion process, you will need to talk to a rabbi and study. You will need permission from your parents as a minor. Whilst you will study for a year, conversion is for life. You will and must always strive to live as a Jew, adhere to the 613 mitzvot, build a Jewish home when you one day have your own family, and accept all of the responsibilities Judaism brings. After study, you will appear in front of a panel of three rabbis, undergo mikvah (ritual immersion) and be circumsized by a mohel, this shouldn't b! e any old physician but one who is both trained and is religiously moti! vated in the act of the covenant of circumcision. As a convert myself, I underwent circumcision as an adult and local anesthetic was used. Soreness ensued for several weeks, then it was healed. It was no big deal, and now feels much better. That being said, if your main concern is making this covenant then don't threat, you need not convert, and if you're unsure then Judaism isn't for you until you are sure about what you want to do.-To rebut YY4me's answer, it is dishonest. It gives the allusion Maimonides argued against circumcision; he did not, whilst he made some remarks regarding the 'weakening' of sexual pleasure as highlighted in the quote provided by the user. There is a lot of dishonesty regarding Maimonides views of circumcision, even muddied by groups such as the so-called 'Jews against Circumcision'. Maimonides did not argue against circumcision, instead he had an ascetic view to the sexual aspect of circumcision, with a reinterpretation of the intent of the cov! enant which was drastically different to legal opinion at the time, in his view it perfected what is seen as a moral, rather than congenital defect.As for the study claims, the largest study to date of 10,000 men in Australia found increased sensitivity in 72% of men, it also found reduced erectile problems upon age increase. This is alongside reduced risk of being susceptibility to sexually transmitted diseases and infections, including HIV, due to the lowered risk of bacterial manifestation....Show more

Elvin Mannheimer: - "...from personal experience; Touching the top of the glans hurts really much, and I am supposed to feel that all the time?"Oh, don't worry about that. It'll become a lot less sensitive...Circumcision: A Source of Jewish Painhttp://www.jewishcircumcision.org/spectator.htm[Excerpt]Concerning the sexual impact, Maimonides wrote, "Circumcision weakens the power of sexual excitement." Contemporary research supports the view that circumcision diminishe! s sexual pleasure. In order to appreciate the sexual impact of circumci! sion on adults, it is helpful to know that the adult foreskin has an area of about twelve square inches, and it has several functions. In the relaxed or flaccid state it protects the glans (head of the penis) from abrasion and contact with clothes. Without the foreskin, the glans "skin," which is normally mucous membrane, becomes dry and thickens considerably in response to continued exposure, and consequently its sensitivity is reduced. The foreskin itself is a very sensitive part of the penis and improves the experience of sexual intercourse. According to a study published in the British Journal of Urology, it has "specialized nerve endings" and represents about a third of the penile skin. The foreskin increases sexual pleasure by sliding up and down on the shaft, stimulating the glans by alternately covering and exposing it. This can occur during masturbation or intercourse. Friction is minimized, and supplementary lubrication is not needed.....Show more

Filiberto ! Amauty: Robocop is gay.

Willis Liburd: Do athiests really find Religion funny. Cause i've read several times that they find religious people funny and there views hillarious. But do they actually find that funny or are they trying to just act rude. Dont you find it rude that you just come to this site to mock someone. P.S.---------- Please no rude remarks...Show more

Dorinda Metzer: A fundamental belief in Judaism is that no one needs to convert.To the contrary -- people should be "righteous" in their own culture -- by practicing kindness, hospitality, charity, and the pursuit of a just and equitable society.But if you do paln to convert --There are 613 laws in Judaism."conversion" means accepting responsibility for any of them that fit your situation.If you get second thoughts in the matter of circumcision - just wait till you find out every small obligation of everyday life as a Jew.This is why before you convert, you must first study Judaism with a rabbi and ! a communitiy for a year or more - so that you know what you are volunte! ering for....Show more

Ha Wolski: The snip of the foreskin doesn't hurt that much if a professional does it, its quick and the doctor applies anaesthetic or certain agents to the skin to protect it from infection and inflammation. If your penis got infected then yes in would be very painful, the issue I am told is not the surgery itself or the snip but the effects afterwards when the surgery is finished. The most painful time is around 3-4 days after it has happened, but your doctor should give you anti-biotic's or medication to help with the pain later on, people have aspirins most affective.I have watched baby circumcisions and the baby's never cry, they don't look like they are in pain and then the penis is bandaged.Your most difficult issue is getting into bed and going to sleep, lots of friction if you don't lie straight. Just get it over and done with, the pain won't last forever once you do it - your doctor makes check-ups once every week for 6 weeks and by the! way you won't be able to move around until after 5 days at least because it will be very painful. I will give you a number for each day up to 7 days from some of my friends who converted, slightly different but similar.Out of 1-10 of feeling pain.Day 1 (The snip) = 6/7Day 2 = 7/8Day 3 = 8 /9Day 4 = 7/8Day 5 = 7/7Day 6 = 6/7Day 7 =5/5After that, your penis is going to be numb for the next 5-6 weeks.Yoel Cohen...Show more