On October 11, 2007 AD at 5:30 pm a “A debate, dialogue, and discussion” took place between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath which was entitled “Poison or Cure? Religious Belief in the Modern World.”
Mr. Hitchens stated,
“The mutilation of genitalia of children, who would do that if it wasn’t decided that God wanted it?…The genital mutilation community is entirely faith based.”
Confronted by such a statement one is tempted to launch into a refutation which points out that sadly, yet perhaps purposefully, Mr. Hitchens combines and or confuses female genital mutilation with male circumcision. Female genital mutilation is just that, the barbaric act of removing the sexually stimulating part of the female sex organ. Male circumcision is the removal of a small portion of the male organ which leaves it fully functional for all of its purposes. One is tempted to answer the question of “who would do that if…” thusly, “Parents who value their male child’s health.” Etc., etc., etc.
Yet, I cannot compete against the utterly incomparable words of Anthony Gottlieb (Atheists with Attitude – Why do they hate Him?):
“After rightly railing against female genital mutilation in Africa, which is an indigenous cultural practice with no very firm ties to any particular religion, Hitchens lunges at male circumcision. He claims that it is a medically dangerous procedure that has made countless lives miserable. This will come as news to the Jewish community, where male circumcision is universal, and where doctors, hypochondria, and overprotective mothers are not exactly unknown. Jews, Muslims, and others among the nearly one-third of the world’s male population who have been circumcised may be reassured by the World Health Organization’s recent announcement that it recommends male circumcision as a means of preventing the spread of AIDS.”
“where doctors, hypochondria, and overprotective mothers are not exactly unknown“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oi Vey!!!!!!!!!!!
This should be the motto on every mohel’s business card!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I could not resist but recall the Seinfeld episode, “The Bris”
We pick up the scene when the mohel comes in:
Hello, hello, I’m the mohel. It’s very nice to meet you all…
[A PAN CLANGS TO THE GROUND]
Oh! What was that?!? Jeez. Scared the hell out of me. My god. I almost had a heart attack!
[CALMING DOWN]
Alright I’m fine, I’m fine. Anyway, we’re here to perform the mitzvah of the bris and…
[BABY CRYING]
…Is the baby gonna cry like that? Is that how the baby cries, with the loud, sustained, squealing cry, ’cause that could pose a problem. Do you have any control of your child ’cause this is the time to exercise it when baby is crying in that high-pitched, squealing tone that can drive you insane?!!!
…
[THE MOHEL CONTINUES, after Kramer attempted to abscond with the baby]
People compose yourselves. This is a bris. We are performing a bris here, not a burlesque show. This is not a school play! This is not a baggy pants farce! This is a bris. An ancient, sacred ceremony, symbolizing the covenant between God and Abraham…or something.
[THE MOHEL OPENS HIS BAG AND HIS INSTRUMENTS FALL OUT]
I coulda been a kosher butcher like my brother. The money’s good. There’s a union, with benefits. And, cows don’t have families. You make a mistake with a cow, you move on with your life.
[AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER THE MOHEL CUT JERRY’S FINGER]
Jerry: Well if it isn’t Shakey the Mohel! You did a hell of a circumcision there pal. But it’s not supposed to be a finger.
Mohel: It was your fault! You flinched!
Jerry: Who made you a mohel? Whadya, get your degree from a matchbook?
Mohel: [HE MAKES A SUDDEN MOVEMENT] See! See! He flinched again!
Jerry: Good mohel picking, Elaine. You picked a helluva mohel.
Mohel: One more peep out of you and I’ll slice you up like a smoked sturgeon.
Jerry: Don’t threaten me, Butcher Boy.
Mohel: Butcher Boy?!
Jerry: What was this? [HE IMITATES MOHEL’S FLINCHING] What was this?
Mohel: What was this? [HE IMITATES JERRY]
[JERRY AND MOHEL GET INTO A STRUGGLE]
…
Stan (the baby’s father): The baby’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with the baby.
Mohel: Thank god the flincher didn’t harm the baby. I will get you for this. This is my business, this is my life. No one ruins this for me. No on! [TO ELAINE] Here’s my card.