Jews, Muslims unite to condemn German circumcision ruling

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/european-rabbis-protest-circumcision-ban-berlin-003555232.html

AFP – Wed, Jul 11, 2012

Jewish and Muslim groups have issued a joint call for German lawmakers to protect the right to circumcise boys after a court ruling against the rite sent shockwaves through their communities.

Several Jewish and Islamic organisations said in a statement released Wednesday that they had met with legal and medical experts and European Parliament deputies in Brussels this week to discuss the court's decision.

"We consider this to be an affront (to) our basic religious and human rights," the joint appeal said.

"Circumcision is an ancient ritual that is fundamental to our individual faiths and we protest in the strongest possible terms this court ruling.

"To that end we will vigorously defend our right to maintain our mutual tradition and call on the German parliament and all political parties to intervene in overruling this decision as a matter of urgency."

The unusual joint statement was signed by leaders of groups including the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, the European Jewish Parliament, the European Jewish Association, Germany's Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs and the Islamic Centre Brussels.

They met with MEPs from Germany, Finland, Belgium, Italy and Poland, according to the statement released by the Turkish-Islamic Union.

The June 26 ruling by the regional court in Cologne that circumcising young boys on religious grounds amounted to grievous bodily harm has caused international uproar.

Jewish and Muslim groups had each demanded that the German parliament establish clear legal protections for the rite, calling the issue a matter of religious freedom.

[X Factor 1,112]

Jews and Muslims agree and are on the same team

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Meanwhile, look what's still legal in the U.S....

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/n-y-health-chief-calls-for-end-to-metzitzah-b-peh-rite-in-circumcisions-1.435227

[X Factor 1,112]

Meanwhile, look what's still legal in the U.S....

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/n-y-health-chief-calls-for-end-to-metzitzah-b-peh-rite-in-circumcisions-1.435227

That is down right crazy - and giving the kids herpes to boot - sickening.

[sly_wolf 199]

Good for the germans.

[Captain Oates 911]

It's quite remarkable that circumcision has not been discussed on VJ

I don't know any non-Jewish/Moslem Englishman that has been circumcised, but I am led to believe that it is almost universal in the USA

..and we thought that Americans driving on the wrong side was the big difference

In any discussion comparing the weight of the two populations, we should make allowance for this

Of course my data is not entirely reliable as I don't go peering down people's pants - they might think I was a football coach.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I don't know any non-Jewish/Moslem Englishman that has been circumcised, but I am led to believe that it is almost universal in the USA

Common belief was that circumcision was healthier and more hygienic so many chose to circumcise their kids in the US. Other than the religious connotation, doctors these days are not pushing the issue one way or the other, leaving the final decision to the parents.

[Captain Oates 911]

Common belief was that circumcision was healthier and more hygienic so many chose to circumcise their kids in the US. Other than the religious connotation, doctors these days are not pushing the issue one way or the other, leaving the final decision to the parents.

It reminds me of the two carpenters who were doing a job in a synagogue. They had a nap after lunch - and when they woke up they found their tools had been nicked

[JohnR! 5,495]

It reminds me of the two carpenters who were doing a job in a synagogue. They had a nap after lunch - and when they woke up they found their tools had been nicked

:rofl:

I am sure their client was not aware of customary gratuities, and they must have left the job site with no tips...

[Captain Oates 911]

:rofl:

I am sure their client was not aware of customary gratuities, and they must have left the job site with no tips...

I worked in a Jewish firm and the family told me Jewish jokes all the time. One good thing about the Jews is they are not uptight regarding jokes about themselves. That must because they are "winning".

Other ethnic/religious groups are very touchy about jokes like that (or cartoons) and they seems to have "losing" as a common attribute

eg Swiss bankers don't get upset regarding jokes about swiss bankers

[JohnR! 5,495]

I worked in a Jewish firm and the family told me Jewish jokes all the time. One good thing about the Jews is they are not uptight regarding jokes about themselves. That must because they are "winning".

I think the Jewish are more vocal when making jokes about themselves.

Every group has its own idiosyncrasies and they all make fun of themselves in different ways.

Being British you will recognize there are certain jokes about the British that simply would not translate well or might be misconstrued if told by a foreigner.

[Captain Oates 911]

I think the Jewish are more vocal when making jokes about themselves.

Every group has its own idiosyncrasies and they all make fun of themselves in different ways.

Being British you will recognize there are certain jokes about the British that simply would not translate well or might be misconstrued if told by a foreigner.

Especially jokes based on dialect which cannot even be explained unless one has heard the word pronounced

Anyway, back to the thread - I think if people want to do circumcision (of males) then my first reaction is "why not"

My second reaction is that doing irreversible operations on people who cant give consent is doubtful

What if it makes an adverse difference to sexual matters in adulthood ? Shouldn't it only be done to consenting adults in that case ?

..and if its OK for male babies, why not females if their parents wish it ?

[MyLittlePony 340]

A special team was sent in to circumcise me.

[X Factor 1,112]

A special team was sent in to circumcise me.

Yep I heard they had a fork lift to help maneuver your package

[Captain Oates 911]

Yep I heard they had a fork lift to help maneuver your package

Mine's intact - saves me carrying an umbrella !