Opposition erupts as Iceland eyes banning most circumcisions

Associated Press ^ | Feb 25, 2018 12:46 PM EST | Egill Bjarnason

[Olog-hai]

Icelandic lawmakers are considering a law that would ban the circumcision of boys for non-medical reasons, making it the first European country to do so.

Some religious leaders in Iceland and across Europe have called the bill an attack on religious freedom. It is seen as a particular threat by Jews and Muslims who traditionally embrace the practice.

Under the proposed law, the circumcision of boys — removing the foreskin of the penis, usually when the child is a newborn — would be viewed as equal to female genital mutilation and punishable by up to six years in prison. […]

Rabbi Avi Feldman of the Chabad Jewish Center, who last month became Iceland’s first permanent rabbi since World War II, says he hopes the bill does not become law. In a statement to the AP, he said circumcision is a core Jewish practice that serves as a bedrock of Jewish life. …

[Buckeye McFrog]

Sounds like a backdoor way to enact a “Muslim Ban” if you ask me.

[Olog-hai]

And a Jew ban at the same time?

Kinda like the simultaneous bans on halal (partial) and kosher shechita (full) that the Netherlands tried back in 2011?

[Vinnie]

Much ado about nothing.
Frankly I think a little reduction in sensitivity is a plus. Pretty sure many women would agree.
And the idea of a law against? C’mon!

[mlo]

"As if it were any of the Icelandic legislature’s business!?"

Protecting the rights of citizens is a legitimate purpose of government. That would include a child's right not to be forcibly mutilated by a parent. An adult individual should have the right to make this choice, but nobody has a right to mutilate a child.