German court rules circumcision is 'bodily harm'

dirtychinchilla · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:37

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18604664

I think this is a great move on behalf of the German government, despite being very controversial. If I momentarily have a lapse of reason and accept that religion will continue to exist, I think it's fine that Jews and Muslims choose to be circumcised, but the idea that you, as a child, have no choice in the matter is absolutely appalling.

For those who don't actually read the article, basically, circumcisions will continue, however, it must be chosen in adulthood, not a decision made by a boy's parents when he is born. I don't think it's valid that religion has a precedent for anything, and bodily mutilation is very much unacceptable!

RomanNose · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:38

Good decision.

stulid · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:40

RomanNose said:
Good incision.

Woden · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:42

About time.

elmarko · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:42

Good news.

We need to do the same here.

mmj_uk · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:46

I would expect it to just drive the drive the barbaric practice underground, how is the government to police it stop and search Jewish/Muslim boys to see if they have a foreskin?

Sefirosu · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:46

gitbags · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:47

Hmm germans waging war on jewish traditions.....

UncleRuckus · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:47

Excellent news.

cheets64 · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:47

What about people that need it for health reasons?

Pate · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:48

Fantastic decision.

It's mutilation, pure and simple.

Severe jail time should follow those that continue it.

The Halk · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:49

cheets64 said:
What about people that need it for health reasons?

It'd be done in those circumstances.

Robbo · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:49

Why is it controversial? People shouldn't be allowed to mutilate children without a good reason (medical reasons).

Common sense as far as I'm concerned.

Pate · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:50

cheets64 said:
What about people that need it for health reasons?

I thought it was usually in the case of phimosis which is a teenage thing?

Not to mention, health reasons are completely different. There are things that can be done medically, that to do without health reasons would be barbaric.

Kenai · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:50

cheets64 said:
What about people that need it for health reasons?

What about it?

What affect do you think a ruling on ritualistic religious circumcision will have on medically required circumcision?

hurfdurf · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:50

Brilliant decision

Kenai · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:50

Robbo said:
Why is it controversial?

religion vs common sense

The Halk · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:51

Robbo said:
Why is it controversial?

Because it's been permitted in the civilised world for some time, and we've now taken a swipe at the "right" of religious people to mutilate their children. The controversy is that it currently happens.

Robbo said:
People shouldn't be allowed to mutilate children without a good reason (medical reasons).

Common sense as far as I'm concerned.

Absolutely.

Saytan · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:53

Governments the world over have been trying to find ways to encourage friendly dialogue between Jews and Muslims for a long time

Germany have succeeded.

One · 1 Jul 2012 at 15:55

Robbo said:
Why is it controversial? People shouldn't be allowed to mutilate children without a good reason (medical reasons).

Common sense as far as I'm concerned.

I can't imagine there ever being a medical reason to mutilate children.