40 harmful effects of Christianity #10 – Genital Mutilation of Babies

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6

This post is the tenth in a series that addresses a list of “40 harmful effects of Christianity” that originated on the American Atheists Facebook page and has since made its way around the internet. In this post, I examine the following “harmful effect” from the list:

Harmful Effect #10: Genital mutilation of babies endorsed by religious texts.

At the outset, it is important to distinguish between male circumcision and female genital mutilation.

Male Circumcision was used as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jews in Old Testament times, though the practice is not currently unique to the Jewish culture. Circumcision is addressed in the Bible numerous times, however, where Christianity is concerned, circumcision is not a religious requirement. To the contrary, male circumcision, as an act of religious obligation, is specifically proscribed in the New Testament.

Female genital mutilation, which is also known as “female circumcision” is not addressed in the Bible. The practice is widely considered a barbaric practice and is mostly confined to the African continent. Christians have opposed the practice of female genital mutilation on that continent for almost 100 years.

Given that male circumcision is proscribed as a religious act in the New Testament and female genital mutilation is not addressed in scripture at all, it is a blatant falsehood to assert that “genital mutilation of babies endorsed by religious texts” is a “harmful effect” of Christianity. The author of this list is clearly ignorant of Christianity or, worse, is purposely trying to misrepresent the religion.

In either case, the author is perpetrating an untruth and clearly exposes himself as an unreliable, undiscerning critic.

As a point of doctrine, I am compelled to note the New Testament is clear that no act of man can secure salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God. It is received through faith alone by grace alone in Christ alone. Christianity is not a religion that values outward signs, such as circumcision, but rather an inward change, as it were, a circumcised heart.

“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.” Deuteronomy 30:6

In my next post in this series, I’ll address the following:

Harmful Effect #11. Psychological and physiological conditions blamed on demons, preventing believers from seeking medical care for themselves and their children.

*Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. It is not necessarily the opinion of any entity by which I am employed, any church at which I am a member, any church which I attend, or the educational institution at which I am enrolled. Any copyrighted material displayed or referenced is done under the doctrine of fair use.

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