Posted on 08/08/2012 3:52:25 PM PDT by SJackson
Ombudsman for children's rights proposes that Jews and Muslims replace male circumcision with a symbolic, nonsurgical ritual.
THE HAGUE - Norway’s ombudsman for children's rights has proposed that Jews and Muslim replace male circumcision with a symbolic, nonsurgical ritual.
Dr. Anne Lindboe told the newspaper Vart Land last month that circumcision in boys was a violation of a person’s right to decide over his own body. “Muslim and Jewish children are entitled to the same protection as all other children,“ she said. She added that the practice caused unnecessary pain and was medically unbeneficial.
Lindboe, a pediatrician, was appointed ombudsman in June. Her predecessor, Reidar Hjermann, proposed setting 15 as the minimum age for circumcision. According to Jewish religious law, Jewish babies must be circumcised when they are eight days old.
The children’s ombudsman is an independent governmental institution entrusted with safeguarding the rights of minors.
Ervin Kohn, president of The Jewish Community of Oslo, said that Norwegian Jews “will not be able to live in a society where circumcision is forbidden.” He noted that the mandate of Norway’s children’s ombudsman did not extend to devising Jewish rituals. Norway has a Jewish community of about 700.
In June, a spokesperson for Norway’s Center Party, which has 11 out of 169 seats in parliament, proposed a ban on circumcision in babies.
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Once upon a time the government felt those few Jews of their tiny population who couldn't flee to Sweden or England might be more comfortable at Auschwitz and Birkenau. It's still a tiny population, probably time to leave, though not to Sweden or England.
Well, on the one hand, she’s right that it is a disgusting mutilation. And on the other hand, way to drive the Muslims out of Norway. We can call this “the penis wars”.
The rituals are done not by doctors but by clergy.
If they make it a requirement for doctors to report circumcisions after the fact when they are discovered during routine medical visits the Muslims will simply only go to Muslim doctors who will ignore the law.
The only time the circumcisions will be discovered is when the child is seen in emergency situations.
Political correctness is just soooooo wrong
Speak for yourself. I’m circumcised and I’m glad I am.
And I’m sure they don’t allow “sexual reassignment” surgeries, face-lifts, breast implants, or artificial reproduction techniques. None of those treats an illness.
Along the same lines, they could demand that the Jews replace genuine religious services with a symbolic, nonspiritual ritual. I doubt that any decent person would comply with a government demand that they violate their religious beliefs.
And I’m certain they haven’t banned urinals and required men to pee sitting down. (Of course, the revenge is to continue to pee standing up...with the toilet seat down for maximum effect.)
As a woman, I am of course speaking for myself, and my experience is by definition more informed than yours (assuming that you are heterosexual).
As a woman, I am of course speaking for myself, and my experience is by definition more informed than yours (assuming that you are heterosexual).
“...was a violation of a person’s right to decide over his own body.”
If this is accepted as a legitimate reason then you can bet this reasoning will be used to put an end to age of consent laws. I would not be surprised to find that the gay lobby was heavily supportive of the movement to outlaw circumcision.
>>>“Muslim and Jewish children are entitled to the same protection as all other children,“ she said. She added that the practice caused unnecessary pain and was medically unbeneficial.<<<
Which is the same situation that Chick-Fil-A finds itself confronting.
In both cases, the state has decided what actions are morally permissible despite the religious beliefs of those involved. Circumcision is a key ritual element to being Jewish. It’s not just slicing off the foreskin. I’m assuming that the Moslems feel the same way.
Is there psychological pain involved with telling children that they’re eating the flesh and drinking the blood of their Messiah? Is it necessary? Apparently a bureaucrat in Norway knows what is necessary and what isn’t.
The Baha’i Faith has a ritual fast from sunrise to sunset that takes place every March. Could be painful; hunger is no laughing matter. You need to eat. Not eating for 12 hours every day for one month might be medically unbeneficial. Is it necessary? The state is taking it on itself to make that decision.
Not to mention the medical lack of necessity of Native Americans ingesting peyote and wandering the landscape finding visions, or being forced to sit in a cross-legged position for hours seeking dharma with a Buddhist monk.
It is strange indeed to watch Western civilization evolve towards totalitarianism, taking baby steps toward tyranny. This is just another step. I guess if you’re one of the remaining Jews in Norway, you can practice your religion, as long as the authorities approve the practice.
God help us.
Symbolic? “Here, pull my finger.”
And as an unintended consequence, mandatory vacinations.
Yes. Certainly the government could ban fasting for minors.
Jewish women don’t get cervical cancer.
Hmm...Maybe Merck wants to sell their vaccine in Norway?
Keep your hands off my d*&^.
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