Massachusetts Snips Religious Freedom

JOYCE LAM

Staff Writer

America, the land of freedom. The freedom of speech, right to assemble, petition, press and religion. But ironically, Massachusetts’s legislators are proposing a law to ban circumcision of any male child, including those of Jewish decent.

For Jewish boys, circumcision is a significant religious custom. Jews have practiced it for over three thousand years as a covenant between themselves and their god.

The “Massachusetts State Prohibition of Genital Mutilation Act” was filed on January 14, 2009 by Charles A. Antonelli. If the act is violated, the adult responsible for the action may have to spend up to 14 years in prison. Antonelli, the director of a group working to ban circumcision, has been petitioning for four years to no avail.

Those who oppose circumcision may feel that it is an irreversible procedure, a violation of the U.S. Constitution because the children have no choice in the matter that will literally scar them for life.

Those who support the practice believe that it isn’t actually all that dreadful. Boys that are circumcised usually go through the procedure when they are infants and have some benefits which include better hygiene, and the decreased risk of urinary tract problems and sexually transmitted diseases. The only drawbacks are the surgical risks and a painful procedure.

So how is it possible that American legislators would come up with a law that  severely limits the Jewish tradition? It is a simple matter of religious freedom. It’s not up to anyone to decide what the Jewish population can or cannot practice. Circumcision may sound archaic, but Jews should not be stripped of their rights.

At the same time, two powerful state legislators in the state of Connecticut are proposing a bill that would give the federal government access to the finances of the   Catholic Church. Why do we insist on meddling with religion? There is a reason for separate church and state.

So what has happened to the religious freedom that our Founding Fathers’ declared every person’s intrinsic right? The First Amendment specifically states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Religious freedom is something Americans are born with and it is often taken for granted. However, in situations like these, Americans must stand up for what is respectably right and stand against what is just plain wrong.