Citation

Jacobs AJ. J. Relig. Health 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Academy of Religion and Mental Health, Publisher Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10943-020-01139-9

PMID

unavailable

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Autonomy; Circumcision; Judaism; Kant; Physical alteration