Circumcision Ban Proposal Dividing Santa Monica Patch Readers

On Wednesday, we invited you to share your thoughts about the proposed ban on circumcision in Santa Monica. The responses were heated, both among those in favor of and against the idea.

Some readers who oppose the proposal cited concerns about privacy and individual rights, while others mocked the idea outright.

"I absolutely think this is the most inappropriate proposed action that I have ever seen," wrote. "I feel this is an unnecessary, unwarranted, stupid and downright usurpation of the rights of parents and children."

Also opposing the idea is , who simply wrote, "What a ridiculous waste of time and money."

"Circumcision to be legislated in a little misguided town by ballot?" SM Patch contributor commented. "That's like asking a drunken division manager what he thinks about putting sobriety on the ballot. How about asking some of the medical community in Santa Monica first?"

Reader was in agreement. "So the People's Republic of Santa Monica is at it again, only this time instead of private-property rights, they're invading our private medical choices/rights—give me a break!!!" she wrote.

However, some of the readers who are in favor of the idea also cited individual rights.

"An adult male has the right to be circumcised for whatever reason," wrote. "It should be his decision, not his parents' or his [religion's]. If no one else is going to step in and assist an innocent, helpless infant from being physically mutilated at birth, then perhaps the government should."

"Freedom of religion gives a person the right to make their own choices about their life and their body, not force their opinions on someone else's body,"  wrote. "Why, then, is it acceptable to force the procedure on them anyway, as opposed to letting the man make his own decision about what he likes best, and what is best for his life?"

Meanwhile, reader addressed the health-related aspects of circumcision, saying, "There is no hygiene or STD benefit [to the procedure]. The hygiene [thing] is myth based on those that do not have the parts and that do not understand them saying it is cleaner."

also voiced his support for the proposed ban. "American doctors have [known] for 40 years that male circumcision is not medically necessary, but they still ask parents if they want to do it to their sons," he wrote.

Finally, reader raised suspicions about the proposed ban. "For those of you who think this is a strange SM petition, look again," she wrote. "It may be circulating here, but it is does not originate here. This is being brought to us by an out-of-town organization."