title: The circumcision of Jesus Christ.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We study the controversies manifested in religious writings, art, sculpture and music as well as the theological disputes surrounding the circumcision of Jesus Christ.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are derived from relevant historical and theological articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Jesus Christ was circumcised as a Jew on the 8th day after his birth. Until 1960 the Catholic church celebrated the day as Circumcision Day. In medieval times the holy foreskin was worshipped in many European churches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Christianity never condoned the ritual of circumcision and established the sacrament of baptism in its place.
authors.affiliation: History Office, European Association of Urology, Kortrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Mattelaer
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schipper
authors.forename: Sakti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D001154:Art / Q000266:history; D002410:Catholicism / Q000266:history; D002835:Christianity / Q000266:history*; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000266:history*; D005060:Europe; D052816:Foreskin; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007599:Judaism / Q000266:history; D008297:Male; D012068:Religion and Medicine