Should liberal government regulate male circumcision performed in the name of Jewish tradition?

Abstract

The word "circumcision" comes from Latin circum (meaning "around") and cædere (meaning "to cut"). Cultural and religious justifications are employed to convince members of the community as well as outsiders that circumcision is reasonable and just. The purpose of the discussion is to suggest some cardinal changes to the practice of male circumcision in order to make it more humane and less painful to its subjects. Balancing between group rights and the rights of the child, it is essential to avoid unnecessary suffering. It is one of the liberal state’s obligations to protect the best interests of vulnerable third parties. The article opens with some preliminary data about male circumcision and then explains its importance in Judaism. It examines the medical reasons for male circumcision and the risks involved in the practice; subsequently, it discusses the critique of male circumcision. The article also highlights the points of agreement and disagreement between those supporting and opposing the ritual and insists that male circumcision should be performed by using anaesthesia. The final part of the article includes a proposal for humane male circumcision that considers religious sentiments and the rights of the child, aiming to strike a reasonable balance between competing interests. I hope the proposal will be debated in parliaments in the western world.

Non-therapeutic penile circumcision of minors: current controversies in UK law and medical ethics

“…We propose that, going forward, both in law and medical ethics, children of all sexes and genders will have to be treated equally with respect to parental decision-making about medically unnecessary genital surgeries. Either "minor" forms of FGM will have to be allowed, as prominent defenders of child NPC are increasingly proposing, 4,5,25,[169][170][171][172][173][174] or NPC of minors will have to be brought into closer alignment with existing standards applied to other practices. 175 It is our view that a consistent application of widely-accepted medical ethics, safeguarding, legal and human rights principles should result in equal protection for all children from all forms of non-therapeutic genital cutting practices to which they cannot consent.…”

Adolescent Experience in Performing Sifon Tradition (PostCircumcision Sex) in the Village of Fatumonas- Middle Amfoang, East Nusa Tenggara

“…Male circumcision is an important thing to do [5]. The efficacy of male medical circumcision against HIV incidence from randomised controlled trials is supported by the effectiveness of observational studies in populations at diverse HIV risk and the changing context of the epidemic.…”

Can group rights justify the denial of education to children? The Amish in the United States as a case study

“…In matters of religion, as in all other aspects of a child's upbringing, the interests of the child are the paramount consideration." For further discussion on state intervention when balancing religion and tradition, on the one hand, and the rights of the child, on the other, seeCohen-Almagor (2021).…”