The only reason that circumcision spread beyond Judaism is because Christian moralists believed that it would reduce a boy's urge to, well, self-pleasure. So, thinly disguised under the veil of hygiene, circumcision was introduced to the West, and is now a fairly standard practice in hospitals, despite no evidence whatsoever that it helps to prevent any disease of any kind.
Says John Kellog, the founder of Kellog's cereals, on the topic of circumcision:
"A remedy for masturbation which is almost always successful in small boys is circumcision. The operation should be performed by a surgeon without administering an anesthetic, as the brief pain attending the operation will have a salutary effect upon the mind, especially if it be connected with the idea of punishment. In females, the author has found the application of pure carbolic acid to the clitoris an excellent means of allaying the abnormal excitement."
If you've ever eaten Kellog's Special K cereal, you might be interested to know that it was originally introduced as a low-protein breakfast cereal for boys that would reduce their 'urges'.
My heart goes out to you cut kids, you'll never know what you're missing
