Circumcision Ban: Violating Religious Freedom?

A coalition including Jewish and Muslim groups have launched a lawsuit challenging a proposed ban on circumcision that is due to go before San Francisco voters in the Fall. The coalition asserts that a ban on circumcision, a ritual practice in both religious traditions, represents a violation of the right to religious expression, and that, legally, the city is not authorized to bar a medical practice. Proponents of the ban assert that women are protected from forced genital mutilation, and men are no less deserving of that protection. The proposal would ban all circumcisions on males under the age of 18; there is no religious exemption.

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[tommy124100]

The most disturbing part is the words from Rabbi Brad Hershfield.

"Using laws, whether in the name of religion, or no religion, to coerce peoples' conscience, is always destructive, and often deadly." "Not the cycle of circumcision good or circumcision bad, but the cycle of coercion, which would dictate to others what to do with their very bodies, their very children, and with their very souls", without the slightest irony. What is circumcision, if not coercing an amputation on someone else?

[MenDoComplain]

To argue that circumcision is a child's religious right ignores the fact that children are not competent to form a considered opinion on religious belief and so a child has no religion he is just born into a community with certain beliefs which he may or may not share when he grows up.

Circumcision also ignores a child's right to ethical medical treatment. A child who is not competent to consent and has no disease or injury has no need of medical treatment.

Richard Duncker, London UK

[brajamtho757]

@alleywants

It barely requires thought, but yes. You obviously have more than a few brain cells working in unison. It's surprising how many people don't.

[alleywants]

@brajamtho757 let girls and boys decide when they are adults if they want sexual surgury... let them have that control over their own bodies, don't you think?

[alleywants]

genital mutilation... is wrong... what a powerful gang to be able to defend it, so much for enlightenment.

[meshel2012]

Eaars pinned back? Or has a religous belief sour face pinned back the true message from Yahshua? Who tainted what first?

[meshel2012]

Where does it say in the bible to circumsize the penis? Is it not about the heart? God warned to have no part of their traditions? Does the bible say not to cut the flesh of our bodies? Is the meaning, the true meaning lost in the traditions and translations? I am glad I came across this video, it is very enlightening.

[superesterhazy]

Anyone should be prevented by the force of the law to mutilate anyone else,regardless of the reason.The law is fully entitled to coerce people who seek mutilation of other individuals.The right to the integrity of your own body is a basic human right in every modern society.

Each and every ''argument'' brought by that rabbi is utterly fake.The rabbis may very well perform only the ''hatafat dam brit'',without getting the new ''brit shalom'',but they are too afraid to challenge that superstition.

[TheYellowtulip]

This rabbi is talking about a person's rights? What a rights of the child? How about we let rapists rape young girls because it is their right.

[Chadolution]

Adults have no right to use knives on children's genitals!!!!