Male infant circumcision is declared illegal in Germany.

Yes, anno and nag, but young Jews must have doubts, same as young anythings, and when they hear of the ban, they will wonder perhaps and question...
It's a small start that may backfire in some quarters, but it's a start. Attitudes will begin to change. I reckon that's the hope, anyway.

Besides, as others have said, it's a statement: your rule may say this but your rule contravenes human rights. Let people choose for themselves when they are old enough (i.e. adult) to do so. Bet you the practice (except for medical reasons) would die out if infant circumcisions were stopped.

Dorset - nobody has suggested banning circumcisions for medical reasons.

Quite, Annobel.

There are lots of rules in the bible that people no longer observe - what about keeping slaves? It is nonsense to apply all of them in the modern world. I really don't think referring to the holocaust is relevant - is Godwin's Law coming into play?
By all means let adults adhere to any rules they like, but surely they should not be allowed to force their own beliefs on helpless babies.

Bags, I don't think it will make people of faith stop and think. It's more likely to put their backs up and make them all the more determined to stick to what has been one of the most long-lived customs of their religion and culture. This doesn't mean that I agree with circumcision, but I am pretty sure I understand the nature of faith and its adherents.

But Bags, people already stop and think. If they're not of a religion which advocates circumcision, of course they will condemn it. On the other hand, those who strongly believe in their faith will just see this ban as yet another attempt to control and neutralise their beliefs - and it won't stop the practice.

Your Dad knew a thing ot two Bags

The 613 commandments made me laugh. I wonder if my dad was taking the piss when, if we asked why we had to do something or other, he would reply: because it's rule number four hundred and thirty-nine, part C, amendment 4.
Or words to that effect.

Exit stage left, chuckling.

P.S. Sometimes a circumcision is carried out on boys/men for medical reasons female circumcision is not.

It's not ridiculous if it makes people stop and think, nor if other countries follow suit. I reckon that's the plan. It's one of those consciousness-raising acts, part of the on-going attempt of civilisation to improve the human condition. Well done Germany.

There are a good many Muslims in Germany though, dorset and they won't take kindly to this legislation either.

According to Genesis 18 verse 1-8: as an act of covenant with God all the men, including Abraham, in his household were circumcised. It is a mitvah one of 613 commandments that Jews follow, some to a lesser degree - many Jews are not orthodox, many barely go to the synagogue, some may barely believe BUT all their boys are circumcised. So a law in Germany, or anywhere else will be ignored. As there aren't that many Jews in Germany [I wonder why], it will be easy for them to slip over the border. It may even force the ones left to leave. Why anyone would want to stay in a country that systematically tried to eradicate your race is beyond me. So it just makes this whole ban ridiculous - when it comes down to religion people will stay fast to their beliefs. It will not stop the practice . Female circumsicion is not in the Bible or the Koran it is not done out of belief but custom.

Well said, mishap.

Agree wholeheartedly, and we also should be saying 'not here, not in our name!'

It is nothing like turbans being banned - a turban sitting on your head is worlds away from taking the decision to mutilate your child. It is child abuse pure and simple and in 100 years people will be astounded that it has remained legal for so long (just as we are now shocked that children were sent up chimneys, or "witches" were drowned etc.).

Of course we all recognise that it is a matter of some importance to some people's religions, but that does not override the need for innocent children to be protected. The religions need to get up to date and follow their own edicts about caring for others.

It is simply not true that male circumcision is free of medical problems - or indeed psychological ones. There is a whole movement in the US amongst men to try and find some way of reversing this mutilation that was imposed on them as infants.

All this talk of WW 2 and Germany is irrelevant - they are simply protecting their young citizens from the abuse that flows from superstition.

Of course people will go abroad to have it done - but that does not mean that it is not right for a country to say not here and not in our name. As long as there is no law banning this practice it is tacitly condoned. I say again - well done Germany.

I agree with Bags - there is no justification for mutilating a child on the grounds of religion. Some East African religions think it is acceptable to murder children for their body parts, other sects, some even operating in London, think the devil can be beaten out of children.
This is not anti-Semitic or anti-Islamic - it is anti child abuse.

Of course not, but its parents sincerely feel that their child will not be accepted into their faith unless the circumcision is done. I don't agree with it, but I know that it isn't that simple to people of faith.

Anti baby abuse might be though. What's the big deal if an eight day old child can't be accepted into the Faith of it fathers? Superstitious nonsense. The baby has no faith.

Yes; and probably a measure not high on the voting public's list of priorities right now.

No matter what the medical reasoning behind this decision, it is sure to be construed as anti-semitic and anti-islamic.

Oh I see, johanna - sorry, I'd forgotten that bit!

Sorry but this is a very important rite in the Jewish faith - considering their history how is Germany going to handle this with the few Jews left in that country. This is like the French Government banning turbans and hijabs - so much for liberty - you cannot do this with our peoples' faiths. In the US I should think 95% of male children have circumcisions, Jewish or not - considered a bit odd if your son is not circumcised. It has nothing like the effect that female circumcision has, does not prevent the man from having normal sex at all. Whereas female circumcision does and affects the woman during childbirth. Other missing a flap of skin the man can carry on as normal. Whereas the woman suffers years of agony, has a tiny hole to pass water and mensturate, has to be cut for sex . You cannot ban this as it will still continue and people like Jews and Muslims will go abroad to have it done. [It has to be done on the 8th day or the child is not received into the faith].

Ofcourse it was.,ana
It was just so funny when you said unfortunate turn of phrase perhaps.!

johanna - I can't follow your reasoning. What does it matter how long any religious or ethnic group have been in Germany - infants still need protecting.

My comment was serious, johanna.