SAN FRANCISCO — A group opposed to male circumcision said on Tuesday they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify a proposal to ban the practice in San Francisco as a ballot measure for November elections.
But legal experts said that even if it were approved by a majority of the city's voters, such a measure would almost certainly face a legal challenge as an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of religion.
Circumcision is a ritual obligation for infant Jewish boys, and is also a common rite among Muslims, who account for the largest share of circumcised men worldwide.
The leading proponent of a ban, Lloyd Schofield, 59, acknowledged circumcision is widely socially accepted but he said it should still be outlawed.
Read more: Circumcision ban in San Francisco considered - Health - Kids and parenting - msnbc.com
It should be the person's choice, when they become an adult (or possibly even a teenager) and they decide they want to mutilate their penis, then they can do so. Parents should force their infants to have it done to them at birth.
Wait, first you say it should be their choice, then you say parents should do it and not give them a choice. Which is it?
Commonly accepted genital mutilation as far as I can tell.
Call it mutilation if you like, I prefer to think of it as augmentation. :mrgreen:
That was a typo.
How is it augmenting if a part of your tool is being taken away?
Face it, no one likes a member that looks like a shriveled ant-eater.
1 Many older men, who have bladder or prostate gland problems, also develop difficulties with their foreskins due to their surgeon's handling, cleaning, and using instruments. Some of these patients will need circumcising. Afterwards it is often astonishing to find some who have never ever seen their glans (knob) exposed before!
2 Some older men develop cancer of the penis - about 1 in 1000 - fairly rare, but tragic if you or your son are in that small statistic. Infant circumcision gives almost 100% protection, and young adult circumcision also gives a large degree of protection.
3 Cancer of the cervix in women is due to the Human Papilloma Virus. It thrives under and on the foreskin from where it can be transmitted during intercourse. An article in the British Medical Journal in April 2002 suggested that at least 20% of cancer of the cervix would be avoided if all men were circumcised. Surely that alone makes it worth doing?
4 Protection against HIV and AIDS. Another British Medical Journal article in May 2000 suggested that circumcised men are 8 times less likely to contract the HIV virus. (It is very important here to say that the risk is still far too high and that condoms and safe sex must be used - this applies also to preventing cancer of the cervix in women who have several partners.)
A BBC television programme in November 2000 showed two Ugandan tribes across the valley from one another. One practised circumcision and had very little AIDS, whereas, it was common in the other tribe, who then also started circumcising. This programme showed how the infection thrived in the lining of the foreskin, making it much easier to pass on.
5 As with HIV, so some protection exists against other sexually transmitted infections. Accordingly, if a condom splits or comes off, there is some protection for the couple. However, the only safe sex is to stick to one partner or abstain.
6 Lots of men, and their partners, prefer the appearance of their penis after circumcision, It is odour-free, it feels cleaner, and they enjoy better sex. Awareness of a good body image is a very important factor in building self confidence.
7 Balanitis is an unpleasant, often recurring, inflammation of the glans. It is quite common and can be prevented by circumcision.
8 Urinary tract infections sometimes occur in babies and can be quite serious. Circumcision in infancy makes it 10 times less likely.
If that's not improved upon in an augmented fashion, I don't know what is.
Call it mutilation if you like, I prefer to think of it as augmentation. :mrgreen:
Is it bad that I didn't know what circumcision was until I was 17?
I believe the World Health Organization determined that circumcised men are less likely to contract HIV that uncircumcised men.
WHO | World Health Organization
An important consideration, particularly for San Francisco.
Is it bad that I didn't know what circumcision was until I was 17?
I believe the World Health Organization determined that circumcised men are less likely to contract HIV that uncircumcised men.
WHO | World Health Organization
An important consideration, particularly for San Francisco.
If that's not improved upon in an augmented fashion, I don't know what is.
Anyone want to keep foreskin? Show of hands.
Anyone want to keep foreskin? Show of hands.
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