A low-level Norwegian official says Jews should replace circumcision – commanded by God to Abraham – with some sort of symbolic ritual.
Earlier this summer (here and here), we blogged about a court in Germany that had tried to ban circumcision – even for religious purposes. Luckily, the German government stepped in to protect the religious freedom of Germany’s remaining Jews. German Chancellor Angela Merkel deserves our thanks.
Now, it’s the Norwegians’ turn. Norway’s (I’m not making this up) “ombudsman for children’s rights,” a pediatrician named Dr. Anne Lindboe, has proposed that Jews and Muslims devise a symbolic, non-surgical ritual to replace circumcision and that the procedure be illegal until a minor child is 15. Seriously. Apparently, a small party in Norway’s parliament proposed a ban on circumcision in June. There are only 700 Jews in Norway; we’ll allow you to speculate as to why that might be the case. Hint: it’s not the cold winters.
By the way, I’m not a pediatrician or any other kind of medical professional. But the doctors to whom we’ve entrusted the care of our children (including two *gasp* circumcised boys) tell us that circumcision is healthy, safe, and perfectly medically acceptable. There is no controversy on the subject except that which has been created by a small, ideologically motivated group. But there I go arguing reason with those who are unreasonable.
I wonder what Dr. Lindboe thinks might make a good alternative ritual. Maybe a nice interpretive dance? A drum circle? Baptism? Nah…certainly not baptism. These days, the only people who bother Europeans more than Jews are Christians.
What other ritual changes to Judaism might Dr. Lindboe suggest? By the final night of Hanukkah, we’ve got nine candles burning. That’s gotta be a fire hazard, right? How about after the fifth night, we just have some kind of symbolic candle-lighting ritual? At various times during the year, we sound a shofar (a ram’s horn). But that’s terribly inconvenient for the unconsenting ram. Couldn’t we just use a trumpet? Or a flugelhorn?
The possibilities are endless. As is the insensitivity of “sensitive” people like Dr. Lindboe.
What do you think?
1:07 am
8/18/12– As a Norwegian, as well as a Christian, your thoughts should remain solely private, as belonging to you, as purely 3rd rate, ignorant,subjective, bordering on an opinion that remains anti-semetic, possibly w/ a slight nazi mentality! Mine, thusly, consists of the Judaic/old testament persuasion. — roberta s.
6:52 pm
Evidently that Dr. is very ignorant about God’s law. Medical science confirms that vitamin K is highest on the 8th day which is the best day to circumcise a male child. I am wondering if the Norwegian men are uncircumcised like the Philistines of old! Come on! Leave the Jews alone. Circumcision is God’s covenant with Abraham and that should never be disobeyed or ignored. I am not a Jew but I am a Christian and I love the Jews! Long live the Jews and God bless you Israel!
1:25 pm
I am a Christian also and when my son was born, he was circumsized. I love the Jews as well and I stand in prayer for Israel! I agree with all you have said. God’s blessings to you.
2:08 pm
I am not Jewish but when my son was born my step-mother was relieved to hear I was having my son circumcised. sheis a retired R.N.( So many complications ) My husband did not have his done till older ( born premature and sickley) He remembers before and after and as a man was very glad it was done.
9:32 am
All religion not only jews go through a circumcision Even Christians do. The Norwegian need to look themselve in the mirror befor they open then mouth.
5:48 am
Satan always had his agents that created problem. They were all defeated and will be.
Nobody can raise his hand against God and remain unpunished by Him.
2:41 am
Tis is aimed at throwing confusion in the christiandom. Watchout! What God has told our fore father beginning from Abraham to the very least is true and the only truth. If someone somewhere thinks circumcision is illegal, that is another debate altogther. How on earth will some set of self glorified individuals seeking forcheap popularity hold a God chosen nation to ransome? I read with dismay the speech credited to Ahmedinajad. I had expected that, though partially insane the whole world we clamp on this lunatic but it seemsit is another bizare in the state of the world. well heavens knows better.
12:00 am
I note the opening sentence to this ‘article’ begins…”A low-level Norwegian official…”,my advice to this individual;unless you are better educated you will remain (low-level) so until you do so! Rob.the.Physician
8:50 pm
Circumcision is sanitary and healthy. I’m a Christian, and I’m finding out that the commands of God are being proven to be healthy and medically, and even scientifically, sound.
8:25 pm
That’s crazy, the Jewish people didn’t decide to circumcise their boys, God did and commanded them to do it.
5:34 pm
garbage!!!! from the usual bunch of ANTI-SEMITES!!
What’s new?
4:15 pm
this has been an old practice among the jews and suggesting a substitute in a form of ritual or ceremony is very unbecoming from the doctor herself..this is a very unprofessional gesture.
4:11 pm
Circumcision was a commandment of God in the Old Testament. Read the New Testament, read about Jesus Christ. If you don’t know Jesus Christ the Son of God, God will not know you. Your choice.
6:05 pm
It is surprising that Jews are the target of this silly provocation. Jews are a very small people in humanity; Muslims also circumsize (following Judaic custom).Also Jesus was a circumsized Jew.
4:05 pm
Leave the Jews alone, and stay out of personal issues. You have no rights to go into their bedroom or their religious practices. This practice, by the way is an issue of cleanliness, so shut up.
12:58 pm
The Norwegian government not seem to have any real
matters to attend to in their sessions.Why do they
still receive wage from the people’s tax?
3:58 pm
It is better to obey God, our Creator, then man or his government. When we don’t we pay the price of dissobediance and risk God’s rath.
3:28 pm
Circumcission, is the blood covenant between the Jews and God. It needs to be kept in obedience to God, not to man.
2:10 pm
The nonbeliever has no ability to understand spiritual matters. All we can do is pray for them and prepare ourselves for what lays ahead. Keep the faith.
9:49 am
You must be a true believer! The circumstances of the world and it’s edicts are on a collision course with their creator whether they know it or not… Yeshuah is our rock and salvation! Wait on him!
2:01 pm
This is a dicey issue. Where once it was accepted that circumcision was a matter of better health for the infant that no longer seems to be an issue. At the same in countries that advocate clitoral circumcisions is considered mutilation. Circumcision is a sign for Jews the way parents insure their child will be distinguished and set aside for G-d. The liberals contend it is mutlilation and only mutilation. Without disputing Jewish tradition I do wonder how you respond to the idea that G-d orders circumcision but it is only mutilation not unlike the pagan practices of female circumcision? Issues like eating ham because of the need for refrigeration have obvious health benefits for man. Is it still possible to argue that circumsion for men has a health benefit? I’m asking because I don’t know.
1:43 pm
Couldn’t we come up with a replacement for Norwegians? Since their ideas stink, I’d like to suggest we replace them with 3-day-old herring. Nobody would miss them, anyway.
1:42 pm
I think the Dr. needs to cut-out this unlawful and unwanted talk and seek the ONE WHO ordained circumcision.
1:33 pm
Ridiculous! Most children in the USA are circumcised for health purposes and are not Jewish. Besides, I think God knows better than man!
1:18 pm
Dr. Lindboe’s concern for the medical welfare of Jewish baby boys is overwhelming.
Jewish baby boys have been circumcised for thousands of years, and grown into fruitful and productive adults.
1:01 pm
Somebody should inform Dr. Lindboe that a human being can heal more quickly on the 8th day of life than at any other time. By delaying circum-
cision until a boy was 15 would inflict far more suffering on him.
9:54 am
You would think a medical proffessional would know this! Wonder if she’s a real doctor! This is a nobrainer. Unless its just another way to depopulate the planet… You know, killing us off naturally?
12:47 pm
I agree with the author …Now people think they are above God’s words….In deed He is a patient God
12:36 pm
Nothing in this world surprises me anymore due to the Stupidity of some people in the Human Race who can be unreasonable or not have any decent common sense as in this case, this so called Dr. Dr. Anne Lindboe,….
12:17 pm
Obviously, Dr. Anne Lindboe is a highly opiniated lost lonely soul looking for someone to build her a pedestial shout from in her closed minded secular humanistic world. We need to pray for such people, that they would be open to the loving Light God’s Teachings and reached for His Glory. The Pedestal is His, and no one else’s.
12:14 pm
I think that this pediatrician needs a psychiatrist(sp). Does she not realize that when a man is not circumsized it leads to more case of penal cancer. I suggest that Norway rescind her license to practice. She is a nut-case.
9:56 am
Right on!
12:13 pm
The question is, do we follow God’s law or man’s. Men should never pass laws that replace God’s law.
12:08 pm
I think Dr. Lindboe ought to mind her own business and worry about her own responsibilities. She sounds like some liberal do-gooder who is obviously clueless. And kudos to Angela Merkel!
11:52 am
Continuing – the rise in prostatic CA has been directly attributed to the rise in decision not to circumcise male infants, as well. Boo to the Dr. who wants to ban this!
11:51 am
Anything that is commanded by God-setting apart Israel from others must not be interferred at all. NO NO NO
11:50 am
The Norwegians are behind in medical science! It has been shown that on the 8th day, the infant has a chemical in his system that keeps the blood at a minimum and also inhibits pain to a great degree.
10:00 am
It is also known that on the eighth day of a humans life vitamin k, you know, the stuff that helps our blood coagulate, is the highest level naturally occurring in a humans WHOLE lifetime!