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.
Highlights
If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse gift will find a fitting place. ~ Margaret Mead
Analogies are made between this practice and the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), arguing that both amount to torture (Johnson 2010)
Its methodology is based on a wide literature review of scholarship that has been published on male circum‐ cision in various fields of study, including ethics, medicine, religion and culture
Summary
When Judith and Joel Cohen’s son, Mishmar, was born, they did not consider the option of not circumcising him. Its methodology is based on a wide literature review of scholarship that has been published on male circum‐ cision in various fields of study, including ethics, medicine, religion and culture. This extensive review was supplemented by discussions with religious and medical authorities. The article opens with some preliminary data about male circumcision and explains its importance in Judaism It examines the medical reasons for male cir‐ cumcision and the risks involved in the practice; subsequently, the article discusses the critique of male circumcision, and the main differences between this practice and FGM.
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