Religious Freedom? - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Oregon Supreme Court To Hear Debate On Circumcision

Submitted by Joe in CA, Nov 8, 2007 05:17

What about the religious freedom of the child? Why aren't his wishes concidered? Could Muslim parents circumcise their daughter in the name of "freedom of religion" and as part of her "upbringing?" The argument can be made that female circumcision is more "drastic," but we're arguing "parental freedom" and the extent of "religious upbringing" here, not degree of severity. Male circumcision may be "less traumatic" than female circumcision, but the principle of forcefully mutilating the genitals of a non-concenting individual is the same.If a father can circumcise his 12 year old son, then Muslim parents should be able to circumcise their daughters.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
there are jews in israel that do not practice brit mila or Circumcision http://www.tapuz.co.il/tapuzforum/main/forumpage.asp?forum=202 and in the US http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21113459/ It is his body... [MORE]	sd Modiin Israel	Dec 2, 2007 17:08
What about the religious freedom of the child? Why aren't his wishes concidered? Could Muslim parents circumcise their daughter in...	Joe in CA	Nov 8, 2007 05:17
The boy is only beginning to formulate his own worldview, which may or may not include religious beliefs. It is... [MORE]	Hugh7	Nov 8, 2007 00:19
I am a victim of male circumcision performed in childhood without personal consent or adequate therapeutic need. I bitterly resent... [MORE]	John Dalton	Nov 6, 2007 10:51
The father (and it appears the court) is conflating circumcision as a religious rite with a parent's right to consent... [MORE]	Georganne Chapin	Nov 8, 2007 11:47
This sorry excuse for a father wants to treat his son like a cocker spaniel whose tail will be docked.... [MORE]	Barry	Nov 6, 2007 09:48
Oregon Supreme Court should be wary of James Boldt's allegation that he wants his son circumcised for religious reasons. When... [MORE]	Michael Glass	Nov 6, 2007 06:33
I am more than a bit suspicious of Mr. Boldt's motivations in this issue. If the boy truely wants to... [MORE]	Frank O'Hara	Nov 6, 2007 22:51