Religion

Alright last but not least is religion. This subject is a lot tougher to deal with. Many Christians feel that they are commanded to circumcise, but if you look closely they clearly are not. (see Circumcision in the Bible) Muslims have adopted this procedure as well even though it is not mentioned in the Koran. Bizarre, but I will give them the benefit of the doubt and say that they are commanded to do it. Jews are the only ones that are clearly commanded to circumcise their males.

Many people are under the belief that if a law ever did pass banning circumcision there would have to be an exception for Jews and Muslims. This is completely false. As long as harm is demonstrated, circumcision can be banned regardless of religion. Freedom of Religion is limited. Many ancient religions practiced human sacrifice. Obviously, human sacrifice is illegal regardless of religion. This is an extreme example but it serves the point. For a closer example, you can look at female circumcision. Female circumcision of a minor is illegal for any reason, including religion. Many Islamic sects require circumcision for the exact same reasons that they require male circumcision. We allow one but not the other.

Religion has been a sticky point in the circumcision debate for quite some time. It is true that many anti-Semites will jump on the anti-circumcision bandwagon to attack the religion. Jews know this, and are understandably against a movement that discourages their commandment and wants to make it illegal.

Personally, my belief is that religion should be ignored in this. Many Rabies will admit than "anyone who does this who is not in the covenant is committing child abuse." That is a direct quote from a Rabi. They know the amount of pain that these babies go through. If we use this logic and outlaw child abuse for all boys, Jews should not be an exception. If indeed circumcision amounts to child abuse than letting Jews continue is letting them get away with child abuse. Why should a Jew be forced to undergo an abusive procedure simply for being born to a Jewish mother? The anti-circ movement has been all about providing boys the same rights that girls enjoy today. Denying that right to Jewish boys would go against everything that the movement stands for.

Many people will see this and say, "If catholic minors can drink win during communion, why can't Jews circumcise?" Well from my point of view, they are only loosely related. The point of alcohol controlling laws is to prevent the abuse of alcohol by minors. For one, many minors do not really know what they are putting into their systems. For two, it takes less alcohol for a minor to get drunk. However, no one is going to get drunk from communion. It just isn't enough alcohol. For two, you aren't going to get yourself into trouble in the middle of mass. For three, in most cases, they are doing this in the presence of their parents. As a result, the purpose of the law is still upheld.

In the circumcision debate, the point is whether or not circumcision is harmful enough to warrant protecting boys as well as girls. If the answer is yes circumcision is harmful, than Jews and Muslims should be just as protected as everyone else.