title: Is circumcision a modified ritual of castration?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mordeniz
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verit
mesh_terms: D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D002944:Circumcision, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy