I accidentally ended up on a Web site discussing circumcision (mostly, but not entirely with reference to males) and the descriptions given were one of an outdated and barbaric practice that mutilates and causes great pain to defenceless babies. Certainly, anyone reading the descriptions given would most likely come to the same conclusion I would have thought.
Now of course, I am aware that God commanded Abram and others to be circumcised as part of the new covenant, but this begs the question as to why God would initiate such a practice. There must be something I am missing here and I am hoping that someone more learned than myself can enlighten me.
I have quite a few other difficult questions to pose later on, one of which is very relevant at the present time with the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, but I'll save those for a few days. We were told to always be ready to give a defence for our faith and it's good to have somewhere like this to discuss difficult issues so that we can be ready when the attacks from atheists hit us (judging by some of the language used on their forums these days, they seem to be particularly angry about religion in general and the Christian God in particular).
Now of course, I am aware that God commanded Abram and others to be circumcised as part of the new covenant, but this begs the question as to why God would initiate such a practice. There must be something I am missing here and I am hoping that someone more learned than myself can enlighten me.
I have quite a few other difficult questions to pose later on, one of which is very relevant at the present time with the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, but I'll save those for a few days. We were told to always be ready to give a defence for our faith and it's good to have somewhere like this to discuss difficult issues so that we can be ready when the attacks from atheists hit us (judging by some of the language used on their forums these days, they seem to be particularly angry about religion in general and the Christian God in particular).