Lloyd Schofield of San Francisco was effective in collection 7,700 correct signatures for his proposal to make male circumcision unlawful. It was confirmed by election administrators that his suggestion will be on the city's Nov ballot. But the proposition will meet opposition in the form of U.S. Representative Brad Sherman's measure to stop San Francisco and other cites from banning circumcision. The suggested measure is called the Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act of 2011. Article resource - San Francisco to vote on circumcision issue by Newsytype.com.
Making it illegal to do circumcision
Schofield's measure makes it unlawful to do circumcision on males under 18 years old. It would be a misdemeanor crime to do so. Voting on this is something that has not occurred before. It will be a first. The practice, however, is a custom with religious significance for many faiths.
It is needed for the ceremony
"Male circumcision has been practiced for thousands of years and is a deeply important ceremony for two major religions," states Jewish Congressman Sherman. "Circumcision is obligatory for Jewish-born males -- it must be performed on the eighth day after birth and is only postponed in the lawsuit of threat to the life or health of the child. Muslim parents also circumcise their male children."
"To infringe the religious rights of so many Americans, San Francisco should have some compelling medical reason," continues Sherman. "However, the medical literature actually shows clear benefits of male circumcision."
Health benefits and disadvantages
The health benefits and disadvantages of circumcision have been considered for a while. A United Nation AIDS agency study was done. It showed that the HIV risk decreases 60 percent with male circumcision. The practice is dangerous, painful and unnecessary, others say.
"Parents are really guardians, and guardians have to do what's in the best interest of the child. It's his body. It's his choice," said Schofield.
How people react to it
The public debate over the subject has been hard. Many argue against and for it. "For a city that's renowned for being progressive and open-minded, to even have to consider such an intolerant proposition ... it sets a dangerous precedent for all cities and states," according to Rabbi Gil Yosef Leads who does circumcisions as a "mohel" on infants regularly.
The 'intactivist' movement
The "intactivists" are a group of people that work throughout the nation and back the circumcision ban. They don't support any male circumcision. They want it to end throughout the U.S. A similar bill suggested by a New York intactivist group failed last year in the Massachusetts Legislature.
Articles cited
Brad Sherman
bradsherman.house.gov/2011/06/sherman-to-introduce-bill-to-protect-male-circumcision.shtml
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/15/congressman-to-introduce-_n_877475.html
ABC
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13632047
Making it illegal to do circumcision
Schofield's measure makes it unlawful to do circumcision on males under 18 years old. It would be a misdemeanor crime to do so. Voting on this is something that has not occurred before. It will be a first. The practice, however, is a custom with religious significance for many faiths.
It is needed for the ceremony
"Male circumcision has been practiced for thousands of years and is a deeply important ceremony for two major religions," states Jewish Congressman Sherman. "Circumcision is obligatory for Jewish-born males -- it must be performed on the eighth day after birth and is only postponed in the lawsuit of threat to the life or health of the child. Muslim parents also circumcise their male children."
"To infringe the religious rights of so many Americans, San Francisco should have some compelling medical reason," continues Sherman. "However, the medical literature actually shows clear benefits of male circumcision."
Health benefits and disadvantages
The health benefits and disadvantages of circumcision have been considered for a while. A United Nation AIDS agency study was done. It showed that the HIV risk decreases 60 percent with male circumcision. The practice is dangerous, painful and unnecessary, others say.
"Parents are really guardians, and guardians have to do what's in the best interest of the child. It's his body. It's his choice," said Schofield.
How people react to it
The public debate over the subject has been hard. Many argue against and for it. "For a city that's renowned for being progressive and open-minded, to even have to consider such an intolerant proposition ... it sets a dangerous precedent for all cities and states," according to Rabbi Gil Yosef Leads who does circumcisions as a "mohel" on infants regularly.
The 'intactivist' movement
The "intactivists" are a group of people that work throughout the nation and back the circumcision ban. They don't support any male circumcision. They want it to end throughout the U.S. A similar bill suggested by a New York intactivist group failed last year in the Massachusetts Legislature.
Articles cited
Brad Sherman
bradsherman.house.gov/2011/06/sherman-to-introduce-bill-to-protect-male-circumcision.shtml
Huffington Post
huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/15/congressman-to-introduce-_n_877475.html
ABC
abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=13632047
