Do Amish get circumcised? (Amish belief on circumcision)

I have always been interested in different communities and religious groups and always wanted to learn about their religious beliefs and practices. A year ago, I took a special interest in the Amish belief in circumcision and decided to do in-depth research. During my research, I interacted with Amish people in Pennsylvania and learned all about their beliefs on circumcision. I spent two weeks and learned so much from this group. Recently, I was teaching my college theology students about the Amish culture, and we discussed whether Amish males get circumcised. Some students argued that they get circumcised since they are a Christian group, while others were sure the Amish males are never circumcised. So, do Amish get circumcised?

Join me in this article as we delve into Amish beliefs on circumcision. We will discuss what the Amish think about circumcision and whether they practice this ritual, so read until the end.

What do Amish think about circumcision?

The Amish don’t have specific rules regarding circumcision. Circumcision is not standard practice for their men; hence one can choose to undergo the ritual or not. The choice to get circumcised varies depending on a personal choice and other factors like where an Amish has been brought up. Therefore, some Amish males practice circumcision, while others do not. It is good to note that information regarding Amish’s personal lives is highly private since they value privacy and modesty.

Can Amish males get circumcised by choice?

Yes, Amish males can get circumcised by choice. Some Amish men undergo circumcision due to medical reasons or personal preferences. The Amish religion does not have specific guidelines about circumcision, so Amish males can get circumcised depending on their personal choice or due to social influence from outside communities. Also, the decision to get circumcised can be made on a family-by-family basis or based on where one has been brought up.

Are there any circumcised Amish males?

Yes, there are circumcised Amish males. As I mentioned earlier, circumcision in the Amish community is a personal choice; hence, one can get circumcised if they want. Though the Amish religion does not require its men to be circumcised, some Amish communities have conflicting practices and beliefs; hence, they practice circumcision. Therefore, some Amish men get circumcised, but it is not a religious or cultural requirement like in some religions and cultures. Also, some Amish males have interacted with other communities and adopted their cultural practice of circumcision. It is good to note that it is not against the Amish religion to practice circumcision.

What is the reasoning behind Amish people not getting circumcised?

Amish prefer not to disclose the reasoning behind why their men don’t get circumcised. This is because the Amish community value privacy and modesty regarding their personal lives. However, according to common belief, the Amish do not get circumcised based on teachings by Paul in Galatians 5:2-6. Paul taught that we should not be obligated to follow the law of circumcision because the only thing that counts in the salvation of Jesus Christ is faith in Him, expressed through love. The Amish group is a Christian group that values these teachings. That is why their men don’t need to be circumcised.

Are there any health risks of not being circumcised?

Ample evidence shows that there are risks of not being uncircumcised. The risks are high if one does not practice good hygiene. It is good to note that an uncircumcised man needs extra attention to hygiene to prevent smegma build up.

One risk is that it increases one’s risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). It is because one is prone to smegma build-up, which can lead to balanitis and phimosis. However, it is preventable by practicing good hygiene.

Another risk of being uncircumcised is it can lead to penile cancer. Smegma and phimosis are factors that influence penile cancer. Therefore, since uncut men are at high risk of developing phimosis and smegma, it can lead to penile cancer. The risk is also preventable through good penis hygiene.

In addition, According to the findings of a 2017 studyTrusted Source, research shows that uncircumcised males are at a high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as genital herpes simplex, mycoplasma, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis. Therefore, it is important to practice safe sexual intercourse using condoms if you are uncircumcised to reduce the risks of these infections.