Apparently Berlin Missed the Point

So after the courts in Cologne, Germany ruled against circumcision, we now have a rule in Berlin that allows circumcision by doctors and not under a trained mohel. Essentially Berlin has said it is fine to circumcise children but not for religious reasons.

Never mind the fact that it is utterly, utterly unconscionable that a western state, supposedly open minded and liberal, could step into a parents’ right to raise their child as they see fit. To stop a parent from imparting his/her values -barring extreme cases- upon his/her child is immoral and unjust enough to warrant outcry. Such actions are reminiscent of authoritarian regimes. To be sure, it is a violation of human rights.

While Berlin may have tried to mollify the above point, by allowing circumcision under a medical care professional, they completely missed the main point. Stripping circumcision of its religious aspect is tantamount to telling the minority groups that their religion doesn’t cut it. The Berlin ruling says that the religion of minority groups in Germany don’t need to be respected. And as pointed out quite well in the comments below the article printed here in the Times of Israel, the fact that only Rabbis have been arrested for violating this rule speaks volumes.

What speaks even greater, though, was the quote from a supporter of the Cologne ruling.

“As opposed to many politicians, the court was not deterred by fears of being criticized for anti-Semitism or hostility toward religion,” said [University of Passau jurist Holm Putzke.]

Indeed, as one could easily see from the Anti-circs commenting below the Berlin article, this has everything to do with religion and almost nothing to do with protecting the children. If it was merely to protect the children, a requirement for certification would be all that is necessary. Instead what we are seeing is a rise against the religion; particularly the Jewish religion.

Yes, it appears AntiSemitism is once again on the rise in Germany. Berlin should have done what it could to stop its spread. Instead they did absolutely nothing.