This Article  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

E. Noel Preston, MD
Atlanta

JAMA. 1970;214(12):2195.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

Despite stating in my commentary that circumcision performed on a religious basis was beyond the current scope of discussion, it was a pleasure to read biblical accounts submitted (214: 375, 1970). I continue to respect religious convictions, and would not presume to interfere with a religious ceremony.

Long before God instructed Abraham to circumcise his people, Moses wrote "He that is wounded in the stones or hath his privy member cut off shall not enter the congregation of the Lord" (Deuteronomy 23:1).

I would also like to add the writings of St. Paul of Tarsus for consideration. Most of the Paulist epistles were concerned with whether salvation demanded continued observance of Mosaic law and the practice of circumcision. Among Paul's words are these:

"Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation..." (Philippians 3:2). "For neither themselves who are circumcised keep the law, . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?