Is circumcision a modified ritual of castration?
OBJECTIVE
In the earliest records of human religion, castration was regarded as an act of devotion. Moreover, the ritual of circumcision is still followed by many modern religions. In this article, we have exposed the archeological, historical, cultural and religious evidence between the ancient ritual of castration and circumcision.


METHODS
We reviewed the reports about circumcision and castration in the English, French, and Turkish literature.


RESULTS
Both the rituals of circumcision and castration had similar aims in human religions.


CONCLUSIONS
The ritual of castration evolved into circumcision as a less-invasive and bloody procedure than castration.
Mordeniz
Cengiz
C
Department of Anesthesiology, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
Verit
Ayhan
A
D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy