Freethought & Rationalism Archive

B_Sharp · 02-05-2005, 09:13 AM

What do you do when a Religious Tradition crashes with Secular Law??

Apparently the circumcision performed by some Jewish communities is in reality, quite dangerous to children. Circumcision by mouth, ugh! IMO, I believe all circumcisions to be abusive... keep your hands off my private parts!

Quote:

The probe was launched after city officials realized that three infants in the city who tested positive for herpes last year all were circumcised by Rabbi Yitzchok Fischer. The Rockland County-based Fischer is a prominent mohel - someone who performs religious circumcisions.

Under Jewish law, a mohel is supposed to draw blood from the circumcision wound to remove impurities. While many mohels do it by hand, Fischer uses a practice little known outside ultra-Orthodox communities called metzizah bi peh, in which the mohel uses his mouth.

Circumcision by Mouth

A biblical Christian command that could have been dangerous was when Christ said to cut off your hand. Are the only true Christians one handed?? Luckily that kind of violence was avoided.

What other religious traditions do you consider dangerous?? I am not just talking belief itself lol.

PoodleLovinPessimist · 02-05-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_Sharp

What other religious traditions do you consider dangerous?? I am not just talking belief itself lol.

The Jehovah's Witnesses' refusal to accept blood transplants and all of Christian Science spring immediately to mind.

As far as I care, adults can do whatever they please to their own bodies. When they start endangering children, I have a real problem. Inculcating in children belief systems which are provably physically harmful is an issue as well.

Ovazor · 02-05-2005, 09:27 AM

At least sects those who see modern medicine to be against their religion and treat their sick by praying.

Belief in witchcraft or curses is an integral part of some religious traditions, and it can be dangerous to others, as well as some beliefs in magic. There are some African regions where murders are committed in order to get body parts for magic rituals.

Being voluntarily crucified (not to death) as some do in Philippines at eastertime doesn't sound too healthy either.

B_Sharp · 02-05-2005, 09:40 AM

What gets to me is that they "draw blood ... to remove impurities". So the practise itself is quite impure. How could some sects continue this tradition when clearly new evidence proves that dangerous viruses are spread??

You cannot rely upon passages that clearly should have been revised over time.

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02-05-2005, 09:27 AM	#3
Ovazor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Finland Posts: 884	At least sects those who see modern medicine to be against their religion and treat their sick by praying. Belief in witchcraft or curses is an integral part of some religious traditions, and it can be dangerous to others, as well as some beliefs in magic. There are some African regions where murders are committed in order to get body parts for magic rituals. Being voluntarily crucified (not to death) as some do in Philippines at eastertime doesn't sound too healthy either.

02-05-2005, 09:40 AM	#4
B_Sharp Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: CO Posts: 811	What gets to me is that they "draw blood ... to remove impurities". So the practise itself is quite impure. How could some sects continue this tradition when clearly new evidence proves that dangerous viruses are spread?? You cannot rely upon passages that clearly should have been revised over time.

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