In light of a recent German court ruling that circumcision of boys violates human rights, interest around the world has grown on ethics surrounding circumcision. Circumcision is done for cultural and religious reasons in Islam and is considered essential by most Jewish denominations. The Jewish ritual of the Bris is controversial because of its essentialness and the fact its done to boys too early to consent or even have any knowledge of his own religion. The Jewish community is also the most insistent that this is an internal issue over which outsiders should not express an opinion.
Circumcision has been practised for hygienic reasons in some parts of the world although the benefits have always been disputed. There is a strong correlation between medical circumcision and geographic areas where the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism) — of all of which are favourable to male circumcision — reign.
Many boys of non-Jewish or even non-Abrahamic background have been circumcised in hospitals affiliated with, or who receive money from Jewish relgious groups. Many boys may had been circumcised by doctors who were Jewish and therefore may had been culturally biased toward the procedure.
In light of this information do you think the Jewish Bris ritual has affects beyond its local community and that others being affected by it should have a say about it?
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