First the San Franciscans tried to outlaw Happy Meal toys, and now a San Francisco man is out to ban circumcision.
The ballot measure, which is being considered for November 2011, was proposed by Lloyd Schofield, who describes circumcision as “genital mutilation.”
“It’s a man’s body and … his body doesn’t belong to his culture, his government, his religion or even his parents. It’s his decision,” Schofield told California’s KCBS-TV.
Rabbi Dr. Barry Freundel of the Georgetown Synagogue told The Daily Caller that the proposed measure on male circumcision is “a terrible thing.”
“This country is based on the ability of different religious groups to practice religion,” Rabbi Freundel said in a phone interview with TheDC. “I suspect Muslims will feel the same way [about the proposed ban]. I hope people will realize that a fundamental value in this country is respecting religious values and ways of life.”
Rabbi Freundel added that circumcision is mentioned in the Bible and is one of the founding aspects of Judaism.
Circumcision has been a major part of Judaism culture for thousands of years. Jewish circumcisions are performed on 8-day-old male babies to secure cleanliness and protect against diseases and ailments, among other religious purposes.
Schofield’s ban would “make it a misdemeanor to circumcise, excise, cut or mutilate the foreskin, testicle or penis of another person who has not attained the age of 18.” Violating this measure would result in a fine of up to $1,000 or up to a year in jail.