Circumcision, San Francisco, and Getting a Grip

The idea of circumcision seems to get some folks upset. In a way, I can see why. Circumcision affects the appearance of male genitalia, what folks in America sometimes call our "privates."

"CIRCUMCISION: The rite prescribed in Judaism and other cultures which involves cutting off the foreskin of a male. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and his people Israel and prefigured the rite of Christian initiation in Baptism. Jesus was circumcised eight days after his birth in accord with Jewish law (527)."
(C, Glossary, Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Quite a few folks have been circumcised, including my Lord,¹ in obedience to the covenant.²

On a secular note, several years back I was told that doctors thought circumcision was 'hygienic.' Maybe that medical fashion has changed.

San Francisco's November 8 Election

This November, folks living in San Francisco will decide whether or not they'll allow Jews and Muslims to practice their religion within city limits.

A measure on the November ballot would ban circumcisions for anyone under age 18. I hope the measure would allow a Jewish family to go elsewhere to get their son circumcised.

There's no exemption for those religious people, by the way:

"...The initiative would ban circumcision for any male under 18 except in cases of medical necessity. It says that religious belief could not be used as an exception to the law and violators could be fined up to $1,000 and imprisoned for up to one year...."
(Archdiocese of San Francisco)

As I said, the idea of circumcision seems to get some folks upset.

The fellow who wants to ban circumcision explained why he pushed for the measure:

"...'Parents don't have a right to harm their child. They can only do what is in the best interest of their child. I can guarantee a child being held down and having their genitals mutilated is not a religiously uplifting experience for the child,' said Lloyd Schofield, the initiative's primary sponsor and part of a core committee of five working on the campaign.

"Schofield, who details arguments for the ban on the website sfmgm.org, said men who want to undergo the procedure removing the penis' foreskin may do so after they turn 18.

"Neither parental rights nor religious freedom is more important than stopping the practice, said Schofield. He said he was raised Lutheran but practices no religion and has no children...."
(Archdiocese of San Francisco)

Let's see what a Lutheran who didn't stop going to church has to say:

"...The Rev. James DeLange, a Lutheran pastor and chair of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, said in a statement that the ban 'would turn back the clock on a right that is fundamental to the founding of this country – the right to the free exercise of religion.

" 'People of all religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds have sought a new life in San Francisco to pursue religious liberty,' he said...."
(Archdiocese of San Francisco)

'My End of the Boat isn't Sinking'

I don't live in San Francisco. I'll be 60 this year. I'm a gentile.

In a way, whether or not San Francisco voters decide to ban circumcision makes no difference to me.

On the other hand, I'm a practicing Catholic. Which means that I have to support religious freedom. (Catechism, 2104-2109)

There's nothing I can do to directly affect San Francisco's November election. But I can add my voice to those who say that punishing folks for practicing their religion is a bad idea.

Related posts:

• Religious freedom
  • "Pakistani Archbishop, Florida Book-Burner, and Living with Differences"
    (April 27, 2011)
  • "Religious Freedom, Niemöller, and Muslims in America"
    (April 7, 2011)
  • "School District Celebrates Religious Freedom Day: By Banning Bibles"
    (July 1, 2010)
  • "Cultural Chaos, Divisiveness, and CNN"
    (April 1, 2010)
  • "Tolerance: Yes, it's a Good Idea"
    (August 3, 2009)
• Medical Ethics
  • "Christina Green, Organ Transplants, and Rules"
    (January 16, 2011)
  • "Stem Cell Research: Backed by the Vatican, No Kidding"
    (April 28, 2010)
  • "Prayer, Medicine and Trusting God"
    (March 4, 2010)
  • "Death, Dying, Dignity, Intravenous Tubes and Catholic Teachings"
    (September 22, 2009)
    Particularly
    • Contemporary Medical Technology: A Mixed Blessing
  • "Face Transplant: We Can Do it, But is it Right?"
    (May 6, 2009)

Background:

• "Proposal to ban circumcision called 'misguided,' an attack on religion"
  PilotCatholicNews.com (May 26, 2011)
• "Archbishop opposes circumcision ban"
  Valerie Schmalz, Articles & Resources, Archdiocese of San Francisco (May 26, 2011)

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¹ Circumcision of Jesus:

"Jesus' circumcision, on the eighth day after his birth,²⁰⁹ is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham's descendants, into the people of the covenant. It is the sign of his submission to the Law²¹⁰ and his deputation to Israel's worship, in which he will participate throughout his life. This sign prefigures that 'circumcision of Christ' which is Baptism.²¹¹"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 527)

And see Luke 2:21.

² Signs of the covenant:

"Signs of the covenant. The Chosen People received from God distinctive signs and symbols that marked its liturgical life. These are no longer solely celebrations of cosmic cycles and social gestures, but signs of the covenant, symbols of God's mighty deeds for his people. Among these liturgical signs from the Old Covenant are circumcision, anointing and consecration of kings and priests, laying on of hands, sacrifices, and above all the Passover. The Church sees in these signs a prefiguring of the sacraments of the New Covenant."
(Catechism, 1150)