Perspectives on Circumcision: Religion

Quick links to products available in the Campaign for Genital Integrity . . .

     INFORMATIVE VIDEOS:
     Facing Circumcision Eight Physicians Tell Their Stories
     Restoration in Focus   Instructional Video for Foreskin Restoration
     They Cut Babies, Don't They?   One Man's Struggle Against Circumcision
     Whose Body, Whose Rights?   Award-winning documentary seen on PBS!

THE BOOK THAT EXPOSES IT ALL:
     Circumcision Exposed
Rethinking a Medical and
Cultural Tradition

FORESKIN RESTORATION with:
The P.U.D. new low pricing!
and The VacuTrac at special pricing!
plus the Foreballs device

Perspectives: Religion

NOTE: Links with a right-facing blue arrow will take you off this site.

Christianity Islam Judaism Religion-General

Christianity

Change Without Denigration: Addressing Anti-Semitism
Circumcision Cuts Penis Sensitivity BJU International 2007
Circumcision and the Christian Parent Rosemary Romberg 1985
Husband and Wife Raising Intact Sons
Cultural and Religious Circumcision Documents
Catholics Against Circumcision
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons): Scriptural Advice on Circumcision
Global Survey of Circumcision Harm (2012 to present)
The Holy Bible, circumcision, false prophets, and Christian parents George Hill
Grace vs. Law: Circumcision YouTube whimsical but factual demonstration that the New Testament (grace; "circumcision of the heart") replaces the Old Testament (law; "circumcision of the flesh")

Islam

Message to History from Young Egyptian Man about his Circumcision YouTube - June 2013 [also here]
Dr. Arif Bhimji (Association for Genital Integrity/Canada) YouTube - Feburary 2011
Change Without Denigration: Addressing Anti-Semitism
Circumcision Cuts Penis Sensitivity BJU International 2007
Cutting Edge Nursing Times/London, 1997
Global Survey of Circumcision Harm (2012 to present)
Importance of Genital Mutilations to Gender Power Politics Seham Abd el Salam, Al Raida 2002
Knife Edge of Manhood Independent on Sunday/London, 1995
Male Genital Mutilation (Circumcision) A Feminist Study of a Muted Gender Issue (Post masters Fellowship Research by Seham Abd el Salam - Cairo, Egypt - June, 1999)
Circumcision (Free-Minds.org)
Circumcision Divide between Denmark and Israel (Copenhagen Post 2014)
Islam and Circumcision (printable brochure)
Circumcision - Does the Qur'an Approve it? (QuranicPath.org)
Muslims' Genitalia in the Hands of the Clergy (Reform Islam)
To Mutilate in the Name of Jehovah or Allah: Legitimization of Male and Female Circumcision
Sami A. Aldeeb Abu-Sahlieh Middle East Research Associates July 1994

"God condemned him and he (Satan) said: 'I will surely recruit a definite share of Your worshipers. I will mislead them; I will entice them; I will command them to marking the ears of livestock; I will command them to distort the creation of God.' Any one who accepts the devil as lord, instead of God, has incurred a profound loss." Qur'an 4:119

"You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them." Qur'an 17:36

Judaism

"Circumcision is fundamental to patriarchy, but it is not holy." Miriam Pollack, in video Whose Body, Whose Rights?

Being Rational about Circumcision and Jewish Observance Moshe Rothenberg M.E.N. 1989
Being Honest About the Bris: A Jewish Call for Greater Integrity Max Buckler Evolve 2022 PDF
Change Without Denigration: Addressing Anti-Semitism
Circumcision Choices Julia Bertschinger, C.C.E. Midwifery Today 1991
Circumcision Cuts Penis Sensitivity BJU International 2007
Circumcision in America Debra S. Ollivier Salon 1998
Circumcision: A Jewish Feminist Perspective Miriam Pollack Jewish Women Speak Out 1995
Circumcision: Identity, Gender and Power Miriam Pollack Tikkun 2011
Circumcision: Who Names the Sacred? Miriam Pollack Birthing the Future Conference 2005
Circumcision no longer automatic in Jewish households Grand Rapids Press May 2, 1998
Counseling Parents in Disagreement about Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology & Health 2002
Cutting Edge Nursing Times/London, 1997
Circumcision Divide between Denmark and Israel (Copenhagen Post 2014)
Why Denmark must carry the courage of its convictions on circumcision (Copenhagen Post 2014)
Foreign Interference? Evidence points at US and Israeli meddling in Danish circumcision debate (Copenhagen Post 2021)
"Bris" means "Covenant," not "Circumcision" Judaism Unbound Episode 303
Circumcision and its Jewish Alternatives Judaism Unbound Episode 304
Global Survey of Circumcision Harm (2012 to present)
Dr. Ron Goldman on Circumcision Baltimore Jewish Times May 23, 1997
A Jew argues for child rights over religious circumcision Rebecca Steinfeld, Haaretz, Nov 26, 2013 (two PDF versions here and here)
Jewish Intactivists Increasingly Vocal in Israel Intact News February 3, 2014 Excellent!
Jewish - With a Difference New York Daily News May 27, 1997
A Jewish Woman Denounces Circumcision Laura Kaplan Shanley, 1998
Letter from a Jewish Father 1996
Maverick Mohel: Moshe Rothenberg Village Voice February 1998
A Mother Questions Brit Milla Nelly Karsenty Humanistic Judaism 1988
My Story of Ritual Abuse Leland Traiman, R.N. NOHARMM Newsletter August 1994
A Non-Traditional "Circumcision" Ceremony Paula Hills Mothering 1987
Rabbi Admits: Circumcision Abusive, Mutilating and Violates Human Rights Cut:The Film 2005
Stand up for your son: Say 'no' to ritual circumcision 972mag.com Jun 29, 2012
Woman fined $140 a day for refusing to circumcise son 972mag.com Nov 25, 2013
Leland Traiman - Gay Father, Sperm Donor, Jewish Intactivist
My Body My Choice: Ban Non-Consentual Circumcision Tikkun Nov 22, 2011
Brit Milah: Inconsistent with Jewish Ethics? 2001
Cut: Slicing through the myths of circumcision - a film by Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon 2005
When I realized Judaism cut me off from part of myself, I cut myself off from Judaism Brian Levitt 1995
Circumcision: Cutting with Tradition 2010 (YouTube video)
Jewish Circumcision: What it Was, Is and Can Be 2012 (YouTube video)
Testimony from Mr. Eran Sadeh | Founder, Protect the Child | Israel 2012 MUST SEE VIDEO!

T-shirt from 10 Harmful Ways

This t-shirt offers a quote from Maimonides (aka Rambam) a revered middle ages Jewish scholar.
The quote says: "The physical damage caused to the organ is the purpose". By that, he meant that circumcision is meant to reduce man's pleasure by harming his genitals.

Cut: The Film - Slicing through the Myths video by Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon (2005). "Cut" explores the underlying medical, religious and ethical issues that surround male infant circumcision, and is an important resource for anyone who wants a thorough understanding of the practice.

Interview Excerpt: Rabbi Admits: Circumcision Abusive, Mutilating and Violates Human Rights

“'Cut' is a deadly serious and admirably balanced look at the medical, sociological, ethical and religious aspects of male circumcision." Jewish Week

It's a Boy! video by Victor Schonfeld (1995). Many Jews accept without question the ritual circumcision of their sons. In this disturbing and powerful film, made by a Jewish journalist, director and concerned parent, the realities of the procedure and its potential after effects are revealed.

"It should be seen by everyone" Jewish Chronicle "Controversial & powerful film" Sunday Times/London

Support and information for Jewish parents on
alternative (non-cutting) bris ceremonies:

Norm Cohen
NOCIRC/Michigan
P.O. Box 333
Birmingham, MI 48012
Tel 248-642-5703

Moshe Rothenberg, C.S.W.
Alternative Bris Support
and Ceremonies
Brooklyn, NY
718-859-0650

Ron Goldman, Ph.D.
Jewish Associates of CRC
P.O. Box 232
Boston, MA 02133
Tel 617-523-0088

Jewish Associates of CRC makes known to the Jewish community that a growing number of Jews either have not circumcised their son or would choose not to circumcise a future son. It is an opportunity for Jews who take this position to declare themselves and to be counted. A confidential list of Jews who contact the Circumcision Resource Center for this purpose is maintained. Learn how you can join

Jewish Associates of CRC.

Israeli Association Against Genital Mutilation
P.O. Box 56178, Tel Aviv 61561, Israel Tel 972-9-8949236 E-mail: avshalom@ozemail.com.au

Af-Milah - Second Thoughts on Brit Milah The Israeli Newsletter Against Circumcision (in Hebrew)
P.O. Box 207, Rosh-Pinah 12000, Israel Tel 972-51-979568 E-mail: af-mila@canaan.co.il

Brit Shalom Providers Brit Shalom is a non-cutting naming ceremony for newborn Jewish boys.

Religion-General

The Geography of Genital Mutilations James DeMeo, Ph.D. The Truth Seeker 1989
Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure: Why the One and not the Other? James W. Prescott, Ph.D. The Truth Seeker1989
How is Female Circumcision Trivialized? The Same as Male Circumcision (quotes African men/women)
The Ritual of Circumcision K.E.Paige Human Nature 1978
Circumcision: A Critical Issue of Human Rights Ted Pong

More Pages Related to Male & Female Circumcision