German Court Bans Jewish Circumcision: A Dangerous Development for Religious Freedom
The well-known US intellectual Robert George raised concerns about the verdict handed down in Germany on June 26, identifying circumcision as punishable offense: "it is also about laws that undermine the ability of Jews, Muslims, and persons of any other faith to fulfill their religious duties; and it is about the rights of people of every religion to manifest their faith in public life as well as in their temples, churches, mosques or homes."
Robert George writes: "The recent development in Germany against which we Christians should loudly raise our voices is described by David Goldman ("Spengler") in an article published today: "On June 26, the District Court of the Federal State of Cologne ruled that circumcision of children for religious reasons at the instruction of parents constituted the infliction of bodily harm and therefore was a punishable offense." Of course, for observant Jews, circumcision of male children is not optional. It is required as a matter of Jewish law. To prohibit it is, in effect, to forbid Jews from being Jews." ..."As we Catholics and those of other faiths who have joined with us conclude our Fortnight for Freedom later this week on Independence Day, let us be mindful that the freedom we seek is freedom for all. Yes, it is about the appalling HHS mandates; and yes, it is about laws that shut down Catholic services to orphaned children or Catholic assistance to women trafficked into sexual slavery and other forms of exploitation; but it is also about laws that undermine the ability of Jews, Muslims, and persons of any other faith to fulfill their religious duties; and it is about the rights of people of every religion to manifest their faith in public life as well as in theirjigolo temples, churches, mosques or homes." Source of quotes: http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2012/07/jewish-faith-circumcision-and-religious-freedom.html Further Reading: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/NG03Dj02.html