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Why are we circumcised?

Dr. Aris Thorne
Dr. Aris Thorne
Senior Science Editor · Mar 19, 2026 · Updated Apr 13, 2026

From what I understand, it was a religious reason to Jewish folks, but it became more mainstream when John Kellogg(as in the cereal company) recommended it to prevent masturbation. I may be wrong, but that's what I understand of the subject.

42
Words

1 min
Read Time

#340
of 500 in General Knowledge

-38%
vs Category Avg

The Short Answer

From what I understand, it was a religious reason to Jewish folks, but it became more mainstream when John Kellogg(as in the cereal company) recommended it to prevent masturbation. I may be wrong, but that's what I understand of the subject.

Analysis

Key Concepts: Understand, religious, reason

This explanation focuses on understand, religious, reason and spans 42 words across 2 sentences. At 38% below the average General Knowledge explanation (68 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.

What This Answer Covers

This is a focused, single-point answer that gets directly to the core of the question without detours.

How This Compares in General Knowledge

Ranked #340 of 500 General Knowledge questions by answer depth (top 69%). This is in the concise tier — a focused explanation that prioritizes clarity over exhaustiveness. Many readers prefer this level of directness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a simple explanation for why we circumcised?

From what I understand, it was a religious reason to Jewish folks, but it became more mainstream when John Kellogg(as in the cereal company) recommended it to prevent masturbation. I may be wrong, but that's what I understand of the subject.

How detailed is this explanation compared to similar General Knowledge questions?

This is a focused answer at 42 words, ranked #340 of 500 General Knowledge questions by depth. The key concepts covered are understand, religious, reason.

What approach does this answer take to explain we circumcised?

The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 42 words. It is categorized under General Knowledge and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.