Comment on [deleted by author] by thoughtcriminal_1984

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thoughtcriminal_1984 · 2/24/2025, 7:10:36 PM · permalink

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carp30mnia · 2/25/2025, 12:16:56 AM · permalink

Ok, I can see how stubbornly adhering to religious practices that have the risk of harming a child... could come across as religiously-indoctrinated sociopathy. But how would you make a distinction between 'sociopaths' without morals to begin with... versus 'believers' succumbing to the social pressure of 'tradition' who have been told it is 'morally good'? Religion is never fully rationale to begin with.  
  
That said, any permanent bodily modification (minor male genital mutilation in this case) practiced on infants should be judged simply for the fact that a child cannot consent and it is often NOT medically necessary (mostly cosmetically/religiously motivated here). But there are nuances amongst the Jewish community regarding both this (A) and even circumcision as a whole (B).

**A)** Mentioned in the article, **Metzitzah b'peh** is the Jewish practice of the mohel (ritual circumciser) sucking blood after circumcision from the wound. It's controversial due to health concerns, like transmission of harmful viruses like herpes (HSV-1), which can cause serious illness, brain damage, or even death in infants. There is no proven way to eliminate this risk (not even mouthwash).   
%%Thankfully it has low prevalence%%:  The practice of metzitzah b'peh is actually relatively rare and is primarily confined to certain Ultra-Ultra Orthodox sects and communities. In mainstream Orthodox Judaism, as well as in Conservative and Reform Judaism, this practice is not commonly performed.  
  
**B) Circumcision** itself, while still largely common, has started to be questioned even by members of Jewish communities, and there is a new, kinder alternative: Brit Shalom.

%%A growing number of contemporary Jews / Intactivist Jewish groups in the US and Israel that question overall long-term effects, psychological and psychophysical consequences of trauma caused by circumcision on children, and choose not to circumcise their sons.%%  "...A few Reform, Liberal, and Reconstructionist rabbis... have developed a welcoming ceremony that they call the Brit shalom ("Covenant \[of\] Peace") for such children, also accepted by Humanistic Judaism."  
  
**My opinion?**  The more that the outdated practice of circumcision (and related rituals like Metzitzah b'peh) are abandoned, the better the quality of life and safety for male infants. So it has less to do with sociopathy and more to do with outdated religious customs conflicting with health practices and boy's bodily autonomy... which thankfully more Jews/non-Jews are beginning to acknowledge and reconsider.

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thoughtcriminal_1984 · 2/25/2025, 12:21:55 AM · permalink

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nataliegotchu · 12/8/2025, 2:31:26 AM · permalink

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natehughes · 4/3/2025, 11:40:13 AM · permalink

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carp30mnia · 2/25/2025, 12:55:49 AM · permalink

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thoughtcriminal_1984 · 2/25/2025, 1:03:56 AM · permalink

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thoughtcriminal_1984 · 2/25/2025, 1:07:59 AM · permalink

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