Religious groups are the primary reason for the cultural belief that the practice is healthy. Widespread belief often becomes believed as scientifically accurate.

Original cults that practiced sex rituals and wrought sex idols, they thought it was a godly thing for men to willingly scar themselves as a mark that sets them apart from the unclean, uninitiated. It was a requirement of rank to show one's dedication to protect the cult, before they could be invited in to receive community benefits only offered to a member or priest.

Modern world religions that still practice it should be encouraged to study the cultic origins of their borrowed practices. We can ask modern practitioners to study the original meaning behind the pagan practice before it was adopted into their mainstream religion and culture. Then we can ask them why they supported transforming it from a sacred rite marking a man's willing sacrificial elevation in godliness into an abusive infant scarring ritual. Was it really their god that decided this, or was it a historical priest/prophet re-engineering the religion to better suit the current era of politics, wars, and mixing of cultures?

Cultures and religions tend to feel attacked when their blessed traditions are heavily scrutinized or attacked. By highlighting individuals from within their own ranks who give good reasons to abandon the cultic origins of this ritual, maybe they can clean up their own faith too.

Sorry, I don't even like to say the word in question. Thank you for the perspective and insights.