PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Matthew Thomas Johnson
TI  - Religious circumcision, invasive rites, neutrality and equality: bearing the burdens and consequences of belief
AID  - 10.1136/medethics-2012-101217
DP  - 2013 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Medical Ethics
PG  - 450--455
VI  - 39
IP  - 7
4099  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/39/7/450.short
4100  - http://jme.bmj.com/content/39/7/450.full
SO  - J Med Ethics2013 Jul 01; 39
AB  - The decision of the German regional court in Cologne on 26 June 2012 to prohibit the circumcision of minors is important insofar as it recognises the qualitative similarities between the practice and other prohibited invasive rites, such as female genital cutting. However, recognition of similarity poses serious questions with regard to liberal public policy, specifically with regard to the exceptionalist treatment demanded by certain circumcising groups. In this paper, I seek to advance egalitarian means of dealing with invasive rites which take seriously cultural diversity, minimise harm and place responsibility for the burdens and consequences of beliefs upon those who promote practices.