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. 2021 Jun;60(3):1672-1693.
doi: 10.1007/s10943-020-01139-9. Epub 2021 Jan 3.

Is Physical Alteration a Sufficient Reason to Prohibit Ritual Infant Circumcision?

Allan J Jacobs  1   2   3
Affiliations

Is Physical Alteration a Sufficient Reason to Prohibit Ritual Infant Circumcision?

Allan J Jacobs. J Relig Health. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

European culture and thought have long disfavored ritual child circumcision, which is obligatory to Jews and Muslims. Much opposition to this practice hinges on the notion that it represents an unwarranted unconsented physical assault on the child. This article takes issue with that conclusion. Furthermore, even if one were to grant this conclusion, the offense is not of sufficient magnitude to warrant government action to halt the practice. On the other hand, suppression of ritual child circumcision may represent an attack against cultures and societies in which circumcision is practiced.

Keywords: Autonomy; Circumcision; Judaism; Kant; Physical alteration.

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