tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299230645606646130.post7858347416895550393..comments2023-06-13T01:13:12.250-07:00Comments on Should I circumcise?: Religion and circumcisionJeff in AZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00008630175548804302noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299230645606646130.post-68285089703686822312013-12-01T18:22:55.605-08:002013-12-01T18:22:55.605-08:00The hypocrisy of the AAP as well as the US judicia...The hypocrisy of the AAP as well as the US judicial system on this matter is truly repulsive. It just goes to show that these laws are not written to protect children but rather to reflect existing cultural mores. In other words it's a lot easier for people in the US, feminist or otherwise, to say they want to "protect" girls from circumcision when it's only people in distant countries that are practicing it. It takes a lot more bravery and integrity to do work to protect boys from circumcision when one's father, mother, neighbors, friends, etc have all participated in and condoned this brutal procedure. Jeff in AZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00008630175548804302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299230645606646130.post-50384809646907971342013-11-30T14:39:49.127-08:002013-11-30T14:39:49.127-08:00There is another point in this religious debate th...There is another point in this religious debate that burns me up. The United States does not allow a religious exemption for the ban on circumcising girls. <br /><br />Some feminist advocates get all heated if you try to make a correlation between male and female circumcision, because in some cases female circumcision is much more "traumatic" (age of the child, violent nature of the act, more tissue removed, infibulation,etc.) However, that argument does not hold water. There are a broad range of female circumcision practices that greatly vary in the level of severity. The law does not allow for ANY of them. The law does not even allow for a "ritual nick" of girls' genitals, not even under a medical setting with pain medications, etc. A "ritual nick" is far less invasive and harmful than the entire removal of the foreskin. Somehow the law allows the entire removal of the foreskin from boys!<br /><br />The AAP recently tried to re-write policy to recommend allowing a "ritual nick" in a medical setting for girls (supposedly to prevent parents from taking them out of country where they'd face something far worse.) But there was so much public outcry that the AAP retracted this statement. All forms of messing with girls' genitals are still illegal. Which is great, but where is this all encompassing protection for boys. Where is the equal protection of both genders by law in this circumstance?! <br /><br />I read somewhere that if United States law was interpreted and enforced properly, circumcision of minor boys is already illegal. Circumcision of girls is illegal. Another law states that there can be no discrimination based on gender. Thus, the law protecting girls from circumcision automatically should extend to boys. Good luck with that though...Jenny Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01699403593880658586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299230645606646130.post-9336504278406343092013-04-03T17:11:29.885-07:002013-04-03T17:11:29.885-07:00Thank you so much for this comment and for protect...Thank you so much for this comment and for protecting your sons' right to choose. <br />"A sacrifice is willingly given, not forcibly taken."<br />This brought tears to my eyes because it is so beautifully simple and true, and because it reminds me of the power thoughtful parents wield even in the face of social or religious pressure.Jeff in AZhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00008630175548804302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299230645606646130.post-12065419592358025232013-04-03T07:05:00.513-07:002013-04-03T07:05:00.513-07:00I'm a Jew, a very involved and active Jew that...I'm a Jew, a very involved and active Jew that is in love with my temple, my religion, my clergy, my practices. <br />I have two children, and I am raising them Jewish. In the eyes of Judaism, they are Jews. In MY eyes, they are children without a religion other than the one I have bestowed upon them. They are free to change that as adults. I cannot and will not force them to remains Jews. They have not chosen Judaism, I have. I will not choose a religion for them. As such, I will not brand them with my religious choices. Their bodies belong to them and if they choose, as adults, to practice Judaism and THEY feel that a circumcision is important and something they should have, I will 100% support that. A sacrifice is willingly given, not forcibly taken. If they wish to brand themselves with their religious choices, I respect that. THAT is religious freedom. Deciding when they were 8 days old that they would always practice Judaism, that they would believe circumcision to be an important part of Judaism, and that they would want to be circumcised in accordance with Judaic practices, is not freedom. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06492791919421788337noreply@blogger.com