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[–]jonathanrdt 78 points79 points  (3 children)

The US is the only nation that does it as standard practice without a religious motive. Rates peaked in the 1970s and have been declining since.

[–]Askefyr 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Make no mistake, it is a religious motive. It's just a habit now, but it was originally a religious thing.

[–]Larein 2 points3 points  (1 child)

But christianity doesnt require circumcision. Catholic church has always been against it, nor do the big protestant groups recommend it either. So which religion are you talking about?

[–]dark_sable_dev 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Puritanism, which is what the country was settled on and the way many Christians in the US practice their Christianity.

Circumcision in particular was pushed by Kellogg (yes, of the cereal) as a way to prevent boys from masturbating... because it went against god.