San Francisco, CA – A group opposed to male circumcision said on Tuesday they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify a proposal to ban the practice in San Francisco as a ballot measure for November elections.
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But legal experts said that even if it were approved by a majority of the city’s voters, such a measure would almost certainly face a legal challenge as an unconstitutional infringement on freedom of religion.
Circumcision is a ritual obligation for infant Jewish boys, and is also a common rite among Muslims, who account for the largest share of circumcised men worldwide.
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While there are many doubts about the constitutionality of this ill-advised measure, it would not have any major impact on brissin in SF since there are many qualified mohels in Marin country and other nearby areas. Those yiddin who want milah for their sons could simply have it done in an adjacent jurisdiction where milah would still be legal.
What happened to freedom of religion?? I don’t think this could ever pass.
Thats what happens in a liberal city like SF. I am not sure it will even pass if it makes it to the ballot and if it does I am sure the Supreme Court (assuming it makes it all the ways there) will find it unconstitutional.
It would be ironic, considering that circumcision (even for grown men) is being promoted in Africa as offering some protection against AIDS. You would think that SF, which is probably America’s most openly gay city, would be encouraging it.
On a practical note, having parents shlepp an 8 day old baby back and forth to another county for a bris is an undue burden, particularly on the baby, not to mention the mother who is recovering from giving birth. I don’t even know anyone who would drag a baby from Queens to Brooklyn. Really, it’s a sakanah, c”v.