Anonymous wrote:It's been talked about for decades that the Royal Family of England used to have its boys circumcised by a mohel. There are articles and links online that can be found. Remember that male circumcision was common in England, particularly among the upper classes, until it was de-insured by the NHS sometime after World War II around 1950. Charles, Edward and Andrew were circumcised by Jacob Snowman.

The practice of male circumcision in the Royal Family stopped in the 1980's when Princess Diana spoke out against William and Harry being circumcised.

Do you have a legitimate source for this? I can only find it referenced on pro-circumcision propaganda sites. Are there any legitimate news stories, or historical sites that have said this?

It's been talked about for decades that the Royal Family of England used to have its boys circumcised by a mohel. There are articles and links online that can be found. Remember that male circumcision was common in England, particularly among the upper classes, until it was de-insured by the NHS sometime after World War II around 1950. Charles, Edward and Andrew were circumcised by Jacob Snowman.

The practice of male circumcision in the Royal Family stopped in the 1980's when Princess Diana spoke out against William and Harry being circumcised.

Anonymous wrote:The reason a lot of non-Jews go to mohels is because they have a lot of experience and do the circumcision more quickly and less painfully than the average hospital procedure. That's why a lot of famous people like Queen Elizabeth and Sandra Bullock have had their boys circumcised by mohels.

Huh? Queen Elizabeth used a mohel to circumsize Prince Charles? Where on earth did you get that information from? I'd love to know. Mainly because routine circumcision in the UK -- like the vast majority of the rest of the world beyond the US -- simply DOESN'T HAPPEN. The only reason it remains relatively common in the US (though declining) is for cultural reasons. In the UK the only circumsized kids are those who need it for medical reasons (eg a tight foreskin), or those who do it for religious reasons. Outside of that, in the 30 years I lived there I never heard of a single case EVER of anyone circumsizing to look like daddy or because of perceived potential risks in the future. At school, it was the one circ'd Jewish kid that was teased (a little) by the boys in the shower room for everyone else having an intact penis was NORMAL.

I'll add, aside from a cousin who had a tight foreskin and needed a medical circ, I also neverheard of anyone having complications from keeping their foreskin.

So bearing that in mind, I'd be extremely surprised to find definitive proof for that statement about Queen Elizabeth. While the Royal Family do sometimes do things a little differently than the rest of the country it would be strange to go so against the grain on that one, and especially to use a Jewish Mohel when she is head of the Church of England.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

OR, we can stop treating our children like our possessions, and let them decide what will happen to their bodies, from ear-piercing to circumcision, for themselves.

Such an unbearably stupid argument on the part of over-obsessive mothers who need to get a grip on reality.

Great idea. Let's have children make all their own health decisions and decide "what will happen to their bodies" straightaway from birth: they get weigh the literature on the long-term health benefits of breast feeding and can decide about breast vs. formula; whether to get vaccinated or whether to risk getting sick and potentially being permanently physically altered by a disease; whether regular visits to the dentist, which may occasionally be painful, are really necessary. Etc, etc. What a cop-out load of shit. Parents make decisions for their children all the time--it's called being a parent. Sorry you disagree, but really, no one cares what you do, so mind your own business. And no man I know gives even the remotest shit about this discussion.

Bored, smug mothers with Google PhDs in the finer points of the male organ need to find something else to get hysterical about. Your vitriolic name-calling, hand-wringing, and bizarre obsession with the penises of other people's babies is truly disturbing.

^^ +1000, 14:32. Can we be friends?

Wow. Just wow. Who exactly is the name-caller out of the above three posters?

Do you really equate true medical care with cosmetic procedures like ear-piercing and circumcision? I see "the penises of other people's babies" every day I go to work and have to deal with the subsequent screaming, poor feeding, and occasional excessive bleeding that goes along with it. So I have decided to opt out. But, if you want to have your son's dick cut on before he's 3 days old, I won't stop you. I'll make sure you know how to take care of it. But I can still disagree with it.

Anonymous wrote:

OR, we can stop treating our children like our possessions, and let them decide what will happen to their bodies, from ear-piercing to circumcision, for themselves.

Such an unbearably stupid argument on the part of over-obsessive mothers who need to get a grip on reality.

Great idea. Let's have children make all their own health decisions and decide "what will happen to their bodies" straightaway from birth: they get weigh the literature on the long-term health benefits of breast feeding and can decide about breast vs. formula; whether to get vaccinated or whether to risk getting sick and potentially being permanently physically altered by a disease; whether regular visits to the dentist, which may occasionally be painful, are really necessary. Etc, etc. What a cop-out load of shit. Parents make decisions for their children all the time--it's called being a parent. Sorry you disagree, but really, no one cares what you do, so mind your own business. And no man I know gives even the remotest shit about this discussion.

Bored, smug mothers with Google PhDs in the finer points of the male organ need to find something else to get hysterical about. Your vitriolic name-calling, hand-wringing, and bizarre obsession with the penises of other people's babies is truly disturbing.

^^ +1000, 14:32. Can we be friends?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/06/baby-dies-circumcision-ritual-herpes_n_1322420.html

The boy is the second New York area infant in recent years to die from complications related to the Orthodox Jewish ritual of metzitzah b'peh, during which "the mohel places his mouth on the freshly circumcised penis to draw blood away from the cut," according to the New York City Department of Heath.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i just read this letter from someone circumcised by the rabbi you recommend, who later in life regretted having it done and felt he had problems as a result of it.

http://www.thewholenetwork.org/14/post/2011/8/an-open-letter-to-mohel-michael-henesch.html

Anonymous wrote:http://www.mysonsbris.com/about.html

Excellent mohel.

Sounds like he should be addressing his parents and he can gain a little insight into why they chose to have him circumcised. Maybe he would realize that he doesn't get to make that decision, his parents do. He can make the decision for his own children which is his right to do. And if he is having issues, go see a Urologist for assistance. I stand by the post that he did an excellent job for my child and I would use him again with out a second thought.

OR, we can stop treating our children like our possessions, and let them decide what will happen to their bodies, from ear-piercing to circumcision, for themselves.

Such an unbearably stupid argument on the part of over-obsessive mothers who need to get a grip on reality.

Great idea. Let's have children make all their own health decisions and decide "what will happen to their bodies" straightaway from birth: they get weigh the literature on the long-term health benefits of breast feeding and can decide about breast vs. formula; whether to get vaccinated or whether to risk getting sick and potentially being permanently physically altered by a disease; whether regular visits to the dentist, which may occasionally be painful, are really necessary. Etc, etc. What a cop-out load of shit. Parents make decisions for their children all the time--it's called being a parent. Sorry you disagree, but really, no one cares what you do, so mind your own business. And no man I know gives even the remotest shit about this discussion.

Bored, smug mothers with Google PhDs in the finer points of the male organ need to find something else to get hysterical about. Your vitriolic name-calling, hand-wringing, and bizarre obsession with the penises of other people's babies is truly disturbing.

What's your point?

Anonymous wrote:The reason a lot of non-Jews go to mohels is because they have a lot of experience and do the circumcision more quickly and less painfully than the average hospital procedure. That's why a lot of famous people like Queen Elizabeth and Sandra Bullock have had their boys circumcised by mohels.

How long ago did queen elizabeth give birth to a baby boy?

The reason a lot of non-Jews go to mohels is because they have a lot of experience and do the circumcision more quickly and less painfully than the average hospital procedure. That's why a lot of famous people like Queen Elizabeth and Sandra Bullock have had their boys circumcised by mohels.

If the mohel is willing to do a non-Jewish circumcision (I have no knowledge either way) - I have heard of fees around $ 700 (for a few Jewish familes I know). If you are giving birth in a hospital and have insurance, then the insurance will cover the cost of the circumcision done by your OB while you and the baby are in the hospital.

I respect the vehemence of your beliefs. I have equally passionate, informed beliefs about many parenting decisions.

Well, no, circumcision is not a "parenting" decision. It's a cosmetic decision; cosmetic surgery so that your son looks a certain way which you find appealing. It's an ego decision, so that dad can feel secure about his own cut body. But parenting? Cutting your newborn son's genitals is not about "parenting."

Have you considered that no medical organization in the world recommends this surgery? Why do you think that is? Because it has been found to be unnecessary, medically speaking; that the risks do not outweigh any potential (and debatable) benefits. In fact, many pediatric organizations worldwide have stated there are no true medical benefits, and that the practice should be heavily discouraged.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rabbi Raphael Malka is absolutely incredible:

http://www.otbrit.com/

He circumcised our last two sons, who were born at home. He is a delightful man, and his skills are unparalleled. My MIL is a pediatrician who has performed thousands of circumcisions herself, and she observed his work and admitted she had never seen such skill. My boys did not cry and did not bleed after the first diaper change. If our new baby is another boy, we will be honored to have him to our home again.

We are faithful Catholics, and my MIL is Hindu, and Rabbi was just lovely to us.

So your MIL has done thousands of circumcisions? That's impressive.

Ro Rabbi Malka circumcises a lot of non-Jewish boys as well as Jewish ones?

Yes, my MIL has been a pediatrician for almost 50 years.

Yes, Rabbi Malka cares for Jewish and non-Jewish boys, and I could not recommend him more highly.

My new, spring baby is a girl, but I will still be sure to email him and thank him for his incredible skill, and promise that any boys of mine will be honored to have him back to our home.

So basically she started practicing right at the beginning of the great cultural lie regarding circumcision, and has continued practicing right through the end of this era. You do realize that within another decade or two, circumcision will be mostly eradicated in this country? As the numbers rapidly drop in this country, your future sons will be one of a very small number who are cut. Unfortunately your MIL has managed to spread her misinformation down through her son and grandsons. I wonder, if your husband was not cut, would you still find there to be any justification for doing this to your sons? For all the people who like to pretend they do it for "medical" reasons, I guarantee that if Dad wasn't cut, the sons wouldn't be either.

As a faithful Catholic, you owe your future sons more than continuing to stick your head in the sand regarding this issue. Circumcision truly goes against everything you believe in, and when it finally dawns on you what you have committed against your sons, I bet you find yourself begging their forgiveness.

My MIL began practicing medicine in another country before she immigrated here. Her first son is not circumcised, her second son is circumcised. She respects the decisions of her patients, though she personally has a preference for circumcision, due to her vast experience with boys who needed circumcision later in life.

I respect the vehemence of your beliefs. I have equally passionate, informed beliefs about many parenting decisions. But circumcision, unlike sterilization or artificial contraception, is not a moral wrong according to our faith.

You continue to pretend that you have researched circumcision, when it is clear you haven't. If you are so sure of your beliefs, why not do some more research? Those of us who have spent some time studying circumcision, understand why it is that so many boys "needed" circumcisions later in life - and it certainly isn't because the foreskin is defective. Have you explored www.catholicsagainstcircumcision.org? While the Church has not made a statement against circ, it definitely does not in any way fall in line with its notions of protecting the integrity of the body.

Regarding your MIL, it is no surprise that this country swayed her view of circ. That cultural experience is very unique to the United States. Unfortunately her younger son, and now his children, are suffering the ramifications of a cultural lie. I wonder what her peer pediatricians in India (I believe you said she was Indian) think of her cutting so many thousands of baby boys?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rabbi Raphael Malka is absolutely incredible:

http://www.otbrit.com/

He circumcised our last two sons, who were born at home. He is a delightful man, and his skills are unparalleled. My MIL is a pediatrician who has performed thousands of circumcisions herself, and she observed his work and admitted she had never seen such skill. My boys did not cry and did not bleed after the first diaper change. If our new baby is another boy, we will be honored to have him to our home again.

We are faithful Catholics, and my MIL is Hindu, and Rabbi was just lovely to us.

So your MIL has done thousands of circumcisions? That's impressive.

Ro Rabbi Malka circumcises a lot of non-Jewish boys as well as Jewish ones?

Yes, my MIL has been a pediatrician for almost 50 years.

Yes, Rabbi Malka cares for Jewish and non-Jewish boys, and I could not recommend him more highly.

My new, spring baby is a girl, but I will still be sure to email him and thank him for his incredible skill, and promise that any boys of mine will be honored to have him back to our home.

It's good that some mohels circumcise non-Jewish boys as well as Jewish ones. Non-Jewish parents don't have to have their boys circumcised, but if they choose to do so, they might as well have someone do it who is experienced and does a good job rather than some inexperienced intern at a hospital.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rabbi Raphael Malka is absolutely incredible:

http://www.otbrit.com/

He circumcised our last two sons, who were born at home. He is a delightful man, and his skills are unparalleled. My MIL is a pediatrician who has performed thousands of circumcisions herself, and she observed his work and admitted she had never seen such skill. My boys did not cry and did not bleed after the first diaper change. If our new baby is another boy, we will be honored to have him to our home again.

We are faithful Catholics, and my MIL is Hindu, and Rabbi was just lovely to us.

So your MIL has done thousands of circumcisions? That's impressive.

Ro Rabbi Malka circumcises a lot of non-Jewish boys as well as Jewish ones?

Yes, my MIL has been a pediatrician for almost 50 years.

Yes, Rabbi Malka cares for Jewish and non-Jewish boys, and I could not recommend him more highly.

My new, spring baby is a girl, but I will still be sure to email him and thank him for his incredible skill, and promise that any boys of mine will be honored to have him back to our home.

So basically she started practicing right at the beginning of the great cultural lie regarding circumcision, and has continued practicing right through the end of this era. You do realize that within another decade or two, circumcision will be mostly eradicated in this country? As the numbers rapidly drop in this country, your future sons will be one of a very small number who are cut. Unfortunately your MIL has managed to spread her misinformation down through her son and grandsons. I wonder, if your husband was not cut, would you still find there to be any justification for doing this to your sons? For all the people who like to pretend they do it for "medical" reasons, I guarantee that if Dad wasn't cut, the sons wouldn't be either.

As a faithful Catholic, you owe your future sons more than continuing to stick your head in the sand regarding this issue. Circumcision truly goes against everything you believe in, and when it finally dawns on you what you have committed against your sons, I bet you find yourself begging their forgiveness.

My MIL began practicing medicine in another country before she immigrated here. Her first son is not circumcised, her second son is circumcised. She respects the decisions of her patients, though she personally has a preference for circumcision, due to her vast experience with boys who needed circumcision later in life.

I respect the vehemence of your beliefs. I have equally passionate, informed beliefs about many parenting decisions. But circumcision, unlike sterilization or artificial contraception, is not a moral wrong according to our faith.