WASHINGTON — Rep. Keith Ellison will co-sponsor on legislation to prevent localities from banning male circumcision, according to the JTA news service.
The bill, which will be introduced by Democrat Brad Sherman, comes as San Francisco residents prepare to vote on a ballot measure to ban male circumcision of anyone under 18.
Sherman represent’s California’s 27 Congressional District, which wraps around Los Angeles.
Sherman’s bill is called the “Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act.” Circumcision is considered a religious ceremony in for Jewish-born children and Muslims. Sherman told JTA that Ellison, a Muslim, will be one of the bill's co-sponsors.
“The Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act ensures that Jewish and Muslim families will continue to be able to enjoy the free exercise of their religious beliefs,” Sherman said in a statement.
Devin Henry can be reached at dhenry@minnpost.com.
Comments (5)
Perhaps a reader can tell us whether cliterectomy is a religous or cultural practice? If the former, why would it not be protected as well?
You can't make this stuff up.
Finally, an elected official with skin in the game!
When you take away part of someone's body, you take away part of their life.
A boy's right to his own body, his right to life, is a more fundamental right, and must take precedence over, the right of others, including his parents, to freely exercise their religion on his body.
For obvious reasons, Sherman’s bill is NOT called the “Religious[, Human, and Children's] Rights Defense Act".