CRImes o~ GenItal mutIlatIon

METAMORPHOSIS
- from Pain to Pleasure .
... PUBLISHER
The Truth Seeker Co., Inc.

In this issue of THE TRUTH SEEKER we are addressing the irrational forces PRESIDENT
of religion and social customs that support the torture of children (male and female) Bonnie Lange
through the mutilation of their genitals; and which oppose sexual pleasure.
There could hardly be a better issue for FREETHINKER's support and EDITOR
involvement. As science supported the truth that Galileo discovered, so too does James W. Prescott
science support the truth of the incalculable injury, pain and suffering that is
needlessly inflicted upon children through the dogma of irrational religious beliefs
that dictate genital mutilations. No religion has the right to engage in torture, GUEST CO-EDITOR
mutilation or human sacrifice, yet all of these have been justified through religious Marilyn Fayre Milos
beliefs at one time or another. Tragically, the mutilation and torture of children
continues today in "primitive" and so-called "civilized" countries through the rituals
of circumcision and other forms of genital mutilation. EDITORIAL BOARD
Gareth Branwyn, Edd Doerr
In order to bring an end to this torture and mutilation of children the First
International Symposium On Circumcision was held on March 1-3, 1989 in Ana- Robert T. Francoeur, Roger E. Greeley
heim, California. Leading authorities in these various medical, scientific, legal and John Holmdahl, Barbara Honegger
religious disciplines summarized their state-of-the-art findings that unequivocally Lillian Starr, Gordon Stein
rejected and condemned the ritual mutilation of the genitals of children.
Of particular significance was the finding that the destruction of sexual passion GRAPHIC ARTISTS
and pleasure was a common motive for genital mutilation in both tribal and David Mettey
religious belief systems. The control of sexual passaion and pleasure in both males Debbie Mitchell
and females was considered essential for personal morality and social order.
Additional scientific evidence was summarized that established a strong causal
PRI TER
relationship between deprivation of physical affectional relationships, including the
United Printing Services
sexual relationship, with violent and authoritarian behaviors and cultures. These
deeply rooted moral value systems were recognized as a significant barrier to social
change. A Metamorphosis from a pain/violent valued society to pleasure/peaceful ADDRESS
valued society, where women are truly equal with men, was considered essential if The Truth Seeker
the genital mutilation of children and other forms of human violence are to be P.O. Box 2832
eliminated.
San Diego, California 92112-2832
TH E TR UTH SEEKER is privileged and honored to be the first to publish the
core proceedings ofthis International Symposium that provides for the first time, in
a single document, the leading medical, scientific, legal and religious thinking on the SUBSCRIPTION RATES
ritual genital mutilation of children. It is through the pioneering efforts of Marilyn Single Issue: $ 4.00
Fayre Milos, R.N., Director, National Organization ofCircumicision Information Yearly: $20.00
Resource Centers (NOCIRC) that made this International Symposium possible International $25.00
and who has agreed to serve as a Guest Co-Editor for this issue of THE TR UTH
SEEKER.
Because of the complexity of this subject matter some of the essays are more
technical than usual, as is the length of this Special Edition of THE TRUTH
SEEKER. It is the objective of this edition of THE TRUTH SEEKER to provide FRONT COVER:
unequivocal scientific and moral evidence to health professionals and political/ reli-
gious leaders of the world that would help bring an end to the genital mutilation of Circumcision was practiced in Egypt
children worldwide. Your support in this quest is invited and how you can help is as long ago as 4000 B. C. According to
outlined in "A Call For Action" and on pages 53-54. the inscription on this bas-relieffrom
the Ankh-Mahor tomb at Sakkara,
the youth balks and must be held by
the doctor's aide.
Adopted from: Sixth Dynasty bas-
relief from the tomb of Ankh-ma-hor
at Saqqara.
Freethinker's Publication Since 1873 • A Bimonthly Journal of Free Thought and Inquiry

FEATURE ARTICLES
Religious-PsychologicalPerspectives:
3 INFANT CIRCUMCISION: "WHAT I WISH
I HAD KNOWN Marilyn Fayre Milos
4 RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS AND CIRCUMCISION Gerald A. Larue
9 THE GEOGRAPHY OF GENITAL MUTILATIONS James DeMeo
14 GENITAL PAIN VS GENITAL PLEASURE:
WHY THE ONE AND NOT THE OTHER? James W. Prescott

Social-Cultural Perspectives:
22 FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION-
STRATEGIES FOR ERADICATION Fran P. Hosken
31 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF FEMALE SEXUAL CASTRATION
IN CAIRO, EGYPT Mohamed Badawi

Medical Perspectives
35 FIRST, DO NO HARM George C. Denniston
39 THE PROBLEM OF CIRCUMCISION IN AMERICA James L. Snyder
43 CULTURAL BIAS AND THE URINARY TRACT INFECTION
(UTI) CIRCUMCISION CONTROVERSY Martin Altschul
46 LETTERS '" Paul M. Fleiss; David S. Bate & John A. Erickson

Legal Perspectives
47 THE FIRST CIRCUMCISION CASE Richard W. Morris
50 NEWBORN CIRCUMCISION RESOLUTION John W. Hardebeck

PHILOSOPHICAL/SOCIAL TRANSFORMATIONS
51 TESTIMONY AGAINST CIRCUMCISION James L. Snyder
52 DECLARATION OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL
SYMPOSIUM ON CIRCUMCISION
52 CIRCUMCISION NIGHTMARE A Case Report
53 UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON CIRCUMCISION, Resolution of The First
EXCISION AND INCISION International Symposium On Circumcision
54 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT GENITAL MUTILATIONS A Citizen's Petition

DEPARTMENTS
55 SUPERIOR MEN. Chapter IV James Hervey Johnson
56 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND RESOURCES
 - A CAll FOR ACTioN -
The greatest crime against humanity is the torture and mutilation of Hence He Who Values
children. Child abuse and neglect, particularly in its extreme forms, represents a His Body
form of torture and mutilation. Not commonly recognized as child abuse and
More Than Dominion
neglect and a form of torture and mutilation is the ritual mutilation of genitals
of children (male and female). One reason for the non-recognition of these Over the Empire
crimes of genital mutilation and torture of children is their common occurrence Can Be Trusted
and their support by religious and social traditions of various kinds. Another With The Empire
reason is the denial and/ or indifference to the pain that is being inflicted upon
these children.
He Who Loves
This edition of THE TR UTH SEEKER provides critical information on His Body
the truth of genital mutilations with dramatic illustrations of the horrors that More Than Dominion
children experience when their genitals are mutilated. The long-term devastat-
Over The Empire
ing consequences ofthis torture and mutilation upon the lives of these children
are also reviewed. Can Be Given Custody
Of The Empire
It is the intent of this edition of THE TRUTH SEEKER in conjunction
with the NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH
AND STATE; the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF CIRCUMCISION Lao Tzu
INFORMA T10N RESOURCE CENTERS (NOCIRC); and the WOMEN'S Tao Te Ching
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK NEWS to inform the world of these atroci- Book One, XIII:31
ties and to bring an end to the genital mutilation of children worldwide.

Our strategy is to petition the World Court, The Hague, through a

national government, to have declared that all genital mutilations of children
are violations of Article V, United Nations Declaration of Human Rights
which states: i'NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR TO
CRUEL INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISH-
M ENT" (see p. 53). All professional, health, scientific and freethought organi-
zations that are concerned with the well-being of children are requested to place
this resolution on their agenda at their next annual meeting for endorsement.
These completed endorsements will be submitted to the World Court in
support of the petition to end the genital mutilation of children worldwide.
Be not ashamed, woman
A second effort will be directed at the State Legislatures to inform them of - your privilege
the child abuse nature of genital mutilations and that such genital mutilations encloses the rest,
constitute an act of torture of children. Appropriate legislation will be sought to
and is the exit,
end these crimes against children. Readers of THE TRUTH SEEKER, pro-
fessional, health, scientific and freethought organizations concerned with the of the rest;
well-being of children are urged to endorse the citizen's petition to State You are the gates
Legislatures to bring an end to the genital mutilation of children. (see p. 54). of the body,
and you are
Your individual and collective support of NOCIRC, The Womens Inter- the gates
national Network News and the National League For the Separation ofChurch
of the soul.
and State to achieve these objectives is invited.

Walt Whitman
I Sing the
Body Electric

James W. Prescott

THE TRUTH SEEKER -2- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Infant Circumcision: "What I Wish I Had Known"
by Marilyn Fayre Milos
I didn't know what circumcision was when I consented to The course of my life was changed on that day in 1979. I
hllVe my three sons circumcised. My doctor had told me the have now dedicated my life to bringing an end to this
surgery was a necessary health measure, that it didn't hurt, horrendous practice.
and that it only took a moment to perform ... like cutting the 1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ
umbilical cord, I thought. I certainly wasn't prepared when, Copyright 1988, Reprinted with permission of the author.
in nursing school several years later, I saw the surgery for the Marilyn Milos is the mother of three circumcised boys,
first time. grandmother of one intact child and is the Director of the
We students filed into the newborn nursery to find a baby National Organization of Circumcision Information Re-
strapped spread-eagle to a plastic board on a counter top source Centers. She has spoken widely and is frequently
across the room. He was struggling against his restraints featured on radio and television shows across the United
- tugging, Whimpering, and then crying helplessly. No one States, including the Phil Donahue Show. Her work has been
was tending the infant, but when I asked my instructor if I covered by numerous newspapers and magazines, from the
could comfort him she said "Wait till the doctor gets here." I New York and London Times to small-town papers.
wondered how a teacher of the healing arts could watch On April 9, 1988, the California Nurse's Association Region 9
someone suffer and not offer assistance. I wondered about presented Marilyn Milos, R.N. with its highest honor, the
the doctor's power which could intimidate others from fol- Maureen Ricke Award, "for her dedication and unwavering
lowing protective instincts. When he did arrive, I immediately commitment to righting a wrong" and for her work on the
asked the doctor it I could help the baby. He told me to put behalf of children "to raise public consciousness about Amer-
my finger into the baby's mouth; I did, and the baby sucked. I ica's most unnecessary surgery."
stroked his little head and spoke softly to him. He began to
1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ1liJJ
relax -and was momentarily quiet.
The silence was soon broken by a piercing scream - the
baby's reaction to having his foreskin pinched and crushed as
the doctor attached the clamp to his penis. The shriek intensi-
fied when the doctor inserted an instrument between the
foreskin and the glans (head of the penis), tearing the two
structures apart. (They are normally attached to each other
during infancy so the foreskin can protect the sensitive glans
from urine and feces.) The baby started shaking his head back
and forth - the only part of his body free to move - as the
doctor used another clamp to crush the foreskin lengthwise,
which he then cut. This made the opening of the foreskin
large enough to insert a circumcision instrument, the device
used to protect the glans from being severed during the
surgery.
The baby began to gasp and choke, breathless from his
shrill continuous screams. How could anyone say circumci-
sion is painless when the suffering is so obvious? My bottom
lip began to quiver, tears filled my eyes and spilled over. I
found my own sobs difficult to contain. How much longer
could this go on?
Duringthe next stage of the surgery, the doctor crushed the
foreskin against the circumcision instrument and then, @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
finally, amputated it. The baby was limp, exhausted, spent.
I had not been prepared, nothing could have prepared me, :: IF ANYTHING ::
for this experience. To see a part of this baby's penis being cut
off - without an anesthetic - was devastating. But eyen IS SACRED
more shocking was the doctor's comment, barely audible
several octaves below the piercing screams of the baby,
:: THE HUMAN BODY ::
"There's no medical reason for doing this." I couldn't believe @ IS SACRED @
my ears, my knees became weak, and I felt sick to my
stomach. I couldn't believe that medical professionals, dedi-
Walt Whitman
cated to helping and healing, could inflict such pain and @ The Children of A dam @
anguish on innocent babies unnecessarily. @ @
What had I allowed my own babies to endure? and why?
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
THE TRUTH SEEKER -3- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Religious Traditions and Circumcision
by Gerald A. Larue
The second youth also stands before a squatting mortu-
Just when and why circumcision was first prac- ary priest (Figure 3). H is left hand rests on the priest's head;
ticed in the ancient Near East is not known, but the right hand is by his side. He says to the priest, "Tho-
it was widely attested in antiquity. roughly rub off what is there." The priest who holds the
penis in his left hand and is prepared to operate with the
The practice of the painful mutilation of the foreskins of large flint knife (Figure 4) held in his right hand, responds,
infant males in A merica rests upon biblical and religious "( will cause it to heal." Two separate individuals seem to
traditions plus spurious medicalfiction (prevention ofpenile be represented, but it has been suggested that perhaps two
infection, penile cancer, cervical cancer in partners of uncir- stages of the rite of circumcision are being portrayed.
cumcised males). It is my intention to examine the biblical
background for the practice of circumcision.
Just when and why circumcision was first practiced in the
ancient Near East is not known, but it was widely attested in
antiquity. Bodies from 4000 Before the Common Era
(B.C. E.) exhumed in Egypt disclose evidence of circumcision
(Breasted. 353, p.IO). Ancient Egyptian art, on those occa-
sions when the genitals of Egyptian males were depicted,
provide pictorial evidence of male circumcision. For exam-
ple, the carpenter portrayed in a Sixth Dynasty (2350-2000
B.C. E.) tomb at Saqqara with his loin cloth pulled to the rear
clearly reveals his circumcised penis. (Figure I)
A relief from the Sixth Dynasty tomb' of Ankh-ma-Hor at
Saqqara portrays the circumcision of two puberty-aged
youths. (Figure 2) A mortuary priest squats on his haunches
before one standing youth whose hands are firmly held by an
assistant. In the left hand, the priest holds the boy's penis and
in the right is what appears to be a circular flint with which he
is removing the prepuce. The priest says to his assistant, "Hold
him and don't let him faint. "The assistant responds, "I will do Figure 2: Circumcision ritual.
as you request."
A stele from the 23rd century B.C.E. indicates that Uha,
the author, was circumcised in a mass ritual. He wrote:
When 1was circumcised, together with one hundred and
twenty men, there was none thereof who hit out, there
was none thereof who was hit, and there was none
thereof who scratched and there was none thereof who
was scratched.
(Wilson, Circumcision)

However, not all Egyptians were circumcised.

The fact that one youth in the Sakkara relief is being held
suggests that it was not uncommon for a youth to faint or
perhaps to flail violently during the operation. Uha indicates
that during the mass circumcision ceremony, the participants
reacted without any untoward physical responses.
Herodatus, who visited Egypt in the fifth century B.C.E.,
reported that "they practice circumcision for the sake of
cleanliness, for they place cleanliness before comeliness" (II,
37). A mythological reference in Chapter 17 of the Egyptian
Book of the Dead states that the sun-god Ra circumcised
himself and that from the drops of blood two protective
deities came into being, so that perhaps there was a pro-
phylactic symbolism in the Egyptian practice.
However, not all Egyptians were circumcised. X-rays of
the mummy of the Eighteenth Dynasty Pharaoh Ahomse
(16th century B.C.E.) prove that he was not circumcised. It is
possible that his successor, Amenhotep I, also was uncircum-
Figure 1: Circumcised carpenter
(Col1linued on nex( page)

THE TRUTH SEEKER -4- JULY/ AUGUST 1989

 Religious Traditions and Circumcision (Continued)
folk-tale (written prior to Genesis 17) associated with Moses:
Circumcision was practiced Then it happened, at a stopping place along the way. that
by some Semitic groups. Yahweh met him (Moses) and tried to kill him. Then
Zipporah (M oses' M idianite wife) took a piece of Oint and
cised (Harris, Weeks, 126-130). It has also been suggested cut off her son's foreskin and touched his feet (genitals)
that although circumcision was common among the upper with it, saying. "You are my blood-bridegroom." So he let
classes and may be recognized as a puberty rite, it was not a him alone. At that time she said "blood-bridegroom" in
requirement. The poorer, common folk did not necessarily reference to circumcision. (Exod. 4:24-26).
undergo circumcision. This strange inser-
tion into the fenth cen-
Assyrians and Babylonians were not furr B.C.£. temple fic-
circumcised. Nor were the Philistines who tion about Moses sug-
are derogatively defined in the Bible as gests that circumcision
became Hebrewcustom
"the uncircumcised"... through contact with
the Midianites. Yah-
Circumcision was practiced by some Semitic groups.
weh's demonic inten-
Jeremiah, in the seventh century, included Edomites, Am-
tion to kill Moses was
monites and Moabites as among the circumcised (9:25).
magically thwarted by
Assyrians and Babylonians were not circumcised. Nor were
the rite of circumcision
the Philistines who are derogatively defined in the Bible as
performed on the infant
"the uncircumcised"(Judg. 14:3; 15:18; I Sam. 14:6, etc.) An
son (the beginning of in-
eleventh century B.C. E. ivory from Megiddo, portrays a
fant circumcision')). Pcr-
ruler, seated on his throne between cherubim (Figure 5).
haps the reference to
Among those in the approaching procession is a soldier
"blood-bridegroom" re-
leading two nude captives, presumably Semites, both of
Oects the custom of cir-
whom are circumcised. (Figure 6)
cumcision bcfore mar-
riage. Just as t he vi rgi n
N or is it possible to know for certain just why or bride would lose her hy-
how circumcision originally came into being. men. testified to by
bloody wedding-night
sheets (Deut. 22: 13-19),
the removal of the pre-
puce would be the
groom's parallel loss.
Just how the Hebrew
word for father-in-law
which means, literally,
"the circumciser" may
be related to pre-marital
circumcision is not
known. The reference
to the use of a Oint blade
in an age when copper,
bronze and iron were
known and used, sug-
gests the antiquity of
the ritual and may indi-
cate a link to the Egypt-
ian custom of using Oint
Figure 4: Flint blade from tools for circumcision.
about 3000 B.C.E. A seventh century
Figure 3: Circumcision rite B.C. E. reference to cir-
cumcision, which also refers to the use of a Oint cutting tool,
Herodatus suggested that other peoples, including the appears in biblical conquest-of-Palestine fiction:
Jews, borrowed the custom from the Egyptians (II, 104), but
there is no way to verify this statement. Nor is it possible to Yahweh's demonic intention to kill Moses was
know for certain just why or how circumcision originally magically thwarted by the rite of circumcision
came into being. performed on the infant son (the beginning of
Circumcision in the Jewish Scriptures infant circumcision?).
The earliest reference to circumcision in the Bible is in a (Conlinued on nex/I}{/Ke)

THE TRUTH SEEKER -5- JULY/ AUGUST 1989

 Re/(f{ious Traditions and Circumcision (Continued)
Certainly, there could be no significance to
a massive pile of foreskins!
At that time Yahweh said to Joshua, "Make yourself
flint knives and squat down and circumcise the people of
Israel for a second time." So Joshua made flint knives
and circumcised the people of Israel on the hill of fore-
skins. (Josh. 5:2-3)
Subsequent verses form an apologia explaining that the
reason the Hebrews had not been circumcised was that for
forty years they had been wandering in the desert wilderness.
Now, in an ethnic ritual, they would affirm their cultural
unity as a circumcised people.
The reference to the squatting or sitting position (based on
the Greek Septuagint rather than the Hebrew Mascretic text),
the use ofa flint tool and the fact ofa mass circumcision, once
again ties the custom to ancient Egypt. The site of the rite at
Gilgal may indicate a hillock where mass circumcision rituals
were enacted. Certainly, there could be no significance to a
massive pile of foreskins! Although it is not specified, it may
be assumed that all males were circumcised at this time
- both adult and infant.
Figure 5: Megiddo Ivory
A still later tradition (post-sixth centurl' S.C.E.) traced
Hebrew circumcision back to Abraham. According to this
fiction, the deity made a religious-legal covenant with Abra-
ham, the father of the Jewish people, by which Yahweh
would be the unique god oftheJews and they would worship
him alone. In ancient times, covenants were sealed with
marks and symbols; the seal of this covenant was the mark of
CircumCISion:
... for your part, you must keep my covenant, you and
your descendants ... every male among you must be
circumcised. You shall cut off the flesh of your foreskin,
and that will be the symbol of the covenant between us.
Throughout all your generations every male shall be
circumcised at the age of eight days ... (Gen. 17: 10-12).
The regulation included slaves whether Jewish or foreign.
Failure to be circumcised resulted in excommunication
(17: 14).
The Abrahamic covenant, invented by priests, trans-
formed circumcision from an ethnic custom into a theological
divinely ordained legal requirement. It is not a puberty rite
nor a pre-marital ritual, it is a covenantal sign to be inflicted
on infant males on the eighth day after birth to signify
THE TRUTH SEEKER
The Abrahamic covenant, invented by priests,
transformed circumcision from an ethnic cus-
tom into a theological divinely ordained legal
requirement.
their inclusion in the divine promises. Failure to circumcise or
be circumcised marks a breach of the covenant.
The story concludes with the 99-year-old Abraham cir-
cumcising himself, his son Ismael, who was 13 years old, and
all male members of his extended household. A year later,
when 90-year-old Sarah bore Isaac, Abraham had the boy
circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 21 :4).
During the last quarter of the fourth century S.C E., Alex-
ander the Great conquered the ancient Near East and he and
his successors introduced Greek customs and culture into the
expanded empire. One of the innovations was the gymna-
sium. The Greeks did not circumcise and when young Jews,
enamoured by Greek culture, entered the gymnasium where
exercises were performed in the nude, they were embarrassed
when their physical deformity became apparant. To con-
form, they underwent an uncircumcision process. The Mac-
cabean report, which was written about 100 B.C E., reads:
They constructed a Gentile-style gymnasium in Jerusa-
lem. They also pulled forward their prepuces thereby
repudiating the holy covenant (I Macc. I: 15).
... they also hid the circumcision of their
genitals, that even when they were naked
they might appear to be Greeks.
The Jewish historian Josephus, who wrote during the late
first century of the Common Era (C E.), commented:
... they also hid the circumcision of their genitals, that
even when they were naked they might appear to be
Greeks. (Antiquities, X II, v.I).
Dependant upon how completely the foreskin had been re-
moved, it was possible to cut and pull forward the loose skin
of the penis (epispasm) to form a partial foreskin. However.
such an act, as the author of Maccabees noted, constituted a
denial and rejection of both their circumcision heritage and
their Jewish heritage thereby placing such persons outside of
the covenanted community. As we shall see, much later, when
Christianity developed, the reversal of circumcision, while
perhaps no longer common, was apparantly still practiced.
(Conlinued ol1nex' page)
-6- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Religious Traditions and Circumcision (Continued)
The first Christians were Jews and were
therefore circumcised.
Anti-Judaism became a major issue under one of Alexand-
er's successors named Antiochus IV, who ruled Judea from
Syria. He forbade circumcision and his agents killed those
whose infants were circumcised together with the circumcised
baby (I Macc. 1:48, 60f). After a bitter struggle, the Jews
experienced a brief time of freedom, before they came under
Roman domination.
Interestingly enough, towards the close of the second cen-
tury RC.E., when the Jewish prince Hyrcanus invaded and
conquered Idumia, he offered the Idumenas a choice: to be
exiled or to become Jews. They chose the latter, were circum-
cised, and thus became instant Jews. They were not truly
accepted by traditional Jews, and when Herod the Great
- the strongest Jewish ruler - assumed the throne, his
Idumean background earned him the label of "half-Jew."
Circumcision was not enough.
Other reasons for circumcision that were advanced by
Jewish Philosophers were to curb sexual desire. Philo, an
Alexandrian Jewish Philosopher, born in the last quarter of
the 1st Century, B.C., justified circumcision to reduce sexual
desire since engaging in intercourse for pleasure was being
"like pigs and goats;" and Moses Maimonides in The Guide
ofthe Perplexed taught that circumcision would "bring about
a decrease in sex ual intercourse and a weakening ofthe organ
in question" ... and that "The bodily pain caused to that
mem ber is the real purpose of circumcision (Part III, Chapter
49).
Figure 6: Artist's enlargement of figures.
Circumcision in the Christian Scriptures
The first Christians were Jews and were therefore circum-
sised. The Gospel of Luke reported that Jesus was circum-
cised on the eighth day (2:21). The apostle Paul was also
circumcised on the eighth day (Phil. 3:5). As the Christian
church began to move out into the Mediterranean world and
attract non-Jews, circumcision became a problem for con-
verts. The issue came to a head (no pun intended!) in the
Galatian controversy.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Paul argued that "in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision
count for anything"
Paul established new Christian groups in the Greek world.
His pattern seems to have been as follows: he would speak in
a Jewish synagogue concerning the end of the age and Jesus
as the Christ and means of salvation. Some Jews would listen;
others rejected him. Among those attending the synagogue
were non-Jewish Greeks, attracted perhaps by the monothe-
istic faith and ethical ideals. Some were drawn to Christianity
but, when they wished to join the new group, they were
informed by the conservative elements in the church that
before they became Christians they had to become Jews and
be circumcised. Paul saw this demand as a stumbling block
inasmuch as adult male Greeks had no intention of being
circumcised. Therefore he wrote to the Christian church he
had founded in Galatia.
In this letter he challenged the validity of circumcision as a
criterion for membership in a Christian church. He castigated
the leaders in Jerusalem. He pointed out that Cephas (Peter)
had been two-faced in the matter by swaying to the conserva-
tive side when confronted by the circumcision party after
agreeing that Paul's mission was to the circumcised (Gal. 2).
Paul argued that "in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision count for anything" (5:6), and expresses the
wish that for members of the circumcision party the circumci-
sion blade might slip and more than the foreskin be removed
so that they might "mutilate themselves"{5: 12).
The same issue appears to have surfaced among the Chris-
tians in the city of Corinth. Paul wrote a letter to this group in
which he stated:
Was anyone already circumcised when he was called (to
be a Christian)? Let him not seek to remove the marks of
circumcision. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was
called? Let him not seek circumcision. (I Cor. 7: 18).
Obviously, there were some who sought to disavow their
Jewish heritage by removing the mark ofcircumcision, just as
their ancestors had done during the time of the Maccabees.
For Paul neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counted
for anything. Ultimately the matter was referred to the Jerus-
alem council where, after serious debate, it was decided that
circumcision was not a requirement for membership in the
Christian community (Acts: 15).
For present day Jews, circumcision is both
a covenant rite and a naming ceremony.
Conclusion
For present day Jews, circumcision is both a covenant rite
and a naming ceremony. Orthodox Jews follow ancient prac-
tices. On the eighth day, the infant son is taken to the Mohel
(the circumciser) for a rite performed according to a primitive
ritual. The blood flow is stopped by wine, held in the Mohel's
mouth - a custom which some Jews find revolting. These
believers are fulfilling Torah requirements. Non-orthodox
Jews may have their sons "done" in a hospital setting. Even
Jews who have moved away from Judaism toward a secular
or humanistic way of life, continue to have their sons circum-
(Continued on next page)
-7- JULY/ AUGUST 1989
 Religious Traditions and Circumcision (Continued)
cised. Christians, too, have their male offspring circumcised
in some cases because Jesus was circumcised but far more
often in an unthinking, uncritical way as something that is
done fo newborn malesAs better information regarding cir-
cumcision is circulated, outmoded beliefs concerning medical
or health benefits will be discarded. Only ancient beliefs will
remain as a stimulus for the continuation of this barbaric
custom.
Dr. Gerald Larue is professor emeritus of biblical history and
archeology at the University of Southern California and
chairman of the Committee for the Scientific Examination of
Religion. A prolific author, Larue's books include Ancient
M.I'th amI Modern Man, Sex and the Bihle, Euthanasia and
Religion, and, most recently, Ancient M.I'th and Modern
Lili'. He is the recipient of the American Humanist Associa-
tion's 1989 Humanist of the Year Award.
References:
Breasted, James H, (1933): THE DA WN OF CONSCI-
ENCE, N.Y., Scribner.
Bullough, V. (1976): Sexual Variance In Societl' and History.
Wiley: Interscience. New York.
Harris, James E. and Weeks, Kent R. (1973): X-RA YING
THE PHARAOHS. Scribners, N.Y.
Maimonides, Moses (1963): The Guide 0/ The Perplexed.
(Shlomo Pines, Trans). Vols. I & II. University of Chi-
cago Press. Chicago.
Wilson, John (1950): Circumcision in Egypt, in James E.
Pritchard, edit, ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN TEXTS
RELA TING TO THE OLD TESTAM ENT, Princeton
University Press, p. 326.

Blood SACRiFiCE ANd ATONEMENT

"The delusion of blood pol-

lution in the Hebrew religion
was carried over into Christian-
ity and accounts for the lew
Testament edict: 'Indeed.
according /0 the Lall', it might
almas/ be said e\'eIT/hing is
cleansed hI' h/ood and lI'i/hoUi
the shedding o/h/ood there is no
forgi\'eness. '(Hebl'l'\\'s 9:22)"

The !\'hole scheme 0/ Chris/ian

sall'a/ion is based upon the belie/
tha//he crucifi'xion a/Jesus was
a blood a/onell1el7l for the re-
demp/ion 0/ man for ha\'ing
been born in sin: "In iniquitl' I
lI'as brough/ /0 birth and 111.1'
1II0ther concei\'ed me in sin"
(Psalms 51:5).

Joseph Lewis
In The Name 0/ Hwnani/.I'

Photo Credit: Albrecht Durer From: Passion 0/ Christ

THE TRUTH SEEKER -8- JULYIAUGUST 1989
 ft The Geography of Genital Mutilations ~
by James DeMeo
Genital mutilations elicit severe pain and ter-
ror in infants and children and are often very
dangerous to health.
This paper summarizes portions of a prior study of the
geographical aspects of human behavior among subsistence-
level aboriginal peoples (De Meo, 1986, 1988). Thefocus here
will specifically be on the phenomenon of male genital muti-
lations. Genital mutilations are often classified as a "cultural
practice," but there is growing evidence that this benign-
sounding label merely serves to dismiss or evade the painful
and contractive effects the mutilations have upon the psyche
and soma of the child. Genital mutilations elicit severe pain
and terror in infants and children and are often very danger-
ous to health, which raises important questions how they
could have gotten started in the first instance. People who do
not engage in such practices view them almost always with
horror and disbelief, while people who do them often have
difficulty imagining life without the practice. Oftentimes, the
presence or the absence of the rites are seen as important
requirements for the selection of a marriageable partner, and
very powerful emotions focus upon them. Genital mutila-
tions are among the most strongly defended, or defended
against, of all cultural practices. Among the various theories
developed to account for the mutilations, their geographical
distribution has only rarely been discussed (DeMeo 1986).
Genital mutilations are among the most strongly
defended, or defended against, of all cultural
practices.
The global distributions of the male and female genital
mutilations among native, non-Western peoples, along with
history and archaeology, suggest their genesis in the deserts of
Figure 1: Male Genital
Mutilations
!.
'~.
Western
Australia
II Incision
<0
.0
~ ~li~~~n~Clsion, '°1'--+---t,°,------:.at;;--"'90,-----,'!;;2°,-----;7lS""°-....,11Ob:---:f,SO.------:',f;;20:---.::0'-----,..0~-.-/'0
Subincision
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Northeast Africa and the Near East, with a subsequent diffu-
sion outward into sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania and possibly
even into parts of the New World. They have generally been
transmitted from one region to another by virtue of reloca-
tion diffusion, accompanied by phases of military conquest of
cultures which do not mutilate by invading cultures which do,
or by voluntary adoption in association with other cultural
changes of an antisexual and antichild nature. One must keep
in mind the premarital, pubertal character of the mutilations
as originally practiced by most cultures, performed at a time
of otherwise great sexual interests and passion. I have dem-
onstrated elsewhere that the global distributions of genital
mutilations are similar to that of other patrist antichild,
antifemale, and antisexual cultural factors, such as infant
cranial deformation, swaddling, the virginity taboo, vaginal
blood taboo, male domination of kinship and inheritance,
and so on (DeMeo 1986).
Figures 1 and 2 show the overlapping distributions of
various types of male and female genital mutilations, respec-
tively, as they existed among aboriginal, subsistence-level
peoples within the last several hundred years. As such, the
maps greatly minimize or eliminate the influences of the
diffusion of European peoples within the last several hundred
years. For example, the maps do not reflect the existence of
male circumcision as adopted in the USA over the last 100
years; North and South American data is composed from
aboriginal peoples only. The various forms of the mutila-
tions, and the source for the mapped data, are discussed
below. A detailed discussion offemale genital mutilation will
be given later by Fran Hosken, whose work (1979) provided
the basis for the map of female mutilations.
Circumcision only gained the status of being a
"hygienic operation" in relatively recent times.
(Continued on next pal?e)
'10 ISO
• ~
0'
~
O'
~ Indonesia
• Micronesia
~.• ~. IIS._.
Eastern o
Australia
\:J IV . 40
-9- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The Geography of Genital Mutilations (Continued)
Male Genital Mutilations ies were developed: Northwest Australia, specifically the
Kimberly region, was identified as a location where genital
Incision, the least harsh of the male genital mutilations,
skin stripping was performed, and some beheved that cir-
consists of either a simple cut on the foreskin to draw blood,
cumcision and subincision spread into Australia from that
or a complete cutting through of the foreskin i.n a singl.e place
region, diffusing to the east and south. C?n .the other hand,
so as to partly expose the glans. Incision eXisted pnmanly
independent development of the traits WithIn Austraha has
among peoples of the East African coast, in Island Asia a~d
been argued, based upon the observation that the most
Oceania, and among a few peoples of the New World. Cir-
intense forms of subincision occurred in the desert center of
cumcision, a harsher mutilation where the foreskIn of the
the continent, being absent in a few border regions where only
penis is cut or torn away, was and is practiced across much of
circumcision was practiced (DeMeo 1986).
the Old World desert belt, and in a number of Sub-Saharan,
The Ethnographic AtlasofG.P. Murdock (1967) provided
Central Asian and Pacific Ocean groups. When performed
most of the data for Figure l. Murdock's A tlas also contains
during pUbert~, circumcision was largely a premarital rite of
raw data on the age at which the mutilations were customar-
pain endurance. . . .
ily done among a globally-balanced sa~ple of 350 cultures: A
Circumcision only gained the status of beIng a "hygienic
map of that data which I constructed Indicated that genital
operation" in relatively recent times, although the most recent
mutilations possessed a widespread distribution, centered on
and best medical evidence has in fact shown that routIne
Northeast Africa and Arabia. Furthermore, the greater the
circumcision has neither short nor long-term hygienic benef-
distance from those central regions, the older was the male at
its; indeed, it has mild to severe negative psychological and
the time of the mutilation (DeMeo 1986, p. 159). As one
physiological effects. Particularly in the bush,. under less than
moves farther and farther east from Africa and the Near East,
sanitary conditions, the circumcised boy mfant or chIld
would have been at greater risk than the uncircumcised boy.
The most severe male genital mutilation, a form of skin- genital mutilations possessed a widespr~ad dis-
stripping, was practiced along the Red Sea coast in Arabia tribution, centered on Northeast Africa and
and Yemen at least into the 1800s. Here, In an endurance Arabia.
ritual perfo;med on a potential marriage candidate, skin was
the males are progressively older at the time of the mutilation.
flayed from the entire penile shaft as well as from a regIOn of
Furthermore, the practices occur less frequently and undergo
the pubis. The community blessing would only be bestowed
a gradual dilution of harshness as distance from those cen~ral
upon the young man who could refrain from expreSSIng
regions increases. Genital skin stripping, t~e harshest mutIla-
emotion during the event (DeMeo 1986). . . .
tion was centered on the Red Sea region, and was sur-
Another harsh ritual, subincision, was practiced pnmanly
among Australian aborigines and on a few Pacific Islands. It
rou~ded by a region practicing only male circumcision. Cir-
cumcision, in turn, gives way to the less harsh practice of
consisted of a cutting open of the urethra on the unde.fSld~ of
incision as one moves eastward across the Pacific. Genital
the penis down to as far as near the s~rotum? the subIncIsIOn
mutilations were not practiced at all among most of the
ritual was generally preceded by a CircumCISion ntual. The
aboriginal peoples of the Americas or Eastern Oceania. It was
practice did not confer any contraceptive adv~ntage, an? no
precisely in these regions of mutilation absence where the
claims as such were made for it by the Austrahan abongmes.
decorative "penis tops" were most frequently found aJ?ong
The geographical aspects of the Australian genit~l mutila-
native peoples, indicating a similar interest in the genltaha,
tions has been studied previously, and two competIng theor- (Continued on nexl page)

Figure 2: Female Genital Mutilations (After Hosken 1979 and Montagu 1945)

.0

'0

20

20 \ )!1.
• Infibulation ~\\J'
'0

~ Excision
·0 .0
Present, 70~---";;---t)O"---bO;:;'----Q\"",-----,;t20'-~'5;oO-"t;'0:-----';1500
D but type unclear
-"fc20..--.c'0i-••t-0--/70

THE TRUTH SEEKER -10- JULY/ AUGUST 1989

 The Geography of Genital Mutilations (Continued)
but only in a decorative and pleasurable sense.
Genital mutilations were not practiced at all
among most of the aboriginal peoples of the
Americas or Eastern Oceania.
From the standpoint of the pain involved in circumcision
as a puberty or premarital rite, the easterly decline in mutila-
tion frequency and dilution of the rite towards less painful
methods, and to older ages, makes perfect sense if we also
assume that the emotional attitudes, beliefs, and cultural
institutions which originally mandated the painful ritual were
likewise diluted as they were carried eastward from a North-
east African or Arabian point of origin (DeMeo 1986). With
the social and emotional root reasons for the rituals becom-
ing diluted with time and distance, less painful methods
such as incision were substituted, or it was put off as long as
possible, certainly well past the period just before marriage,
preferably into the period of old age. Or it was relinquished
altogether. In the Near Eastern desert regions where the
social institutions and emotional roots for the ritual re-
mained, but where the pain of the mutilation was feared as a
puberty / premarital rite, it was occasionally shifted into
infancy, or adopted as such from the start.
There have been several phases of diffusion of the mutila-
tions. Egyptian bas-reliefs give the earliest known unambigu-
it seems probable that genital mutilations, were
introduced before 2300 BC, when the Nile Valley
was invaded by militant pastoral nomads, and
culturally transformed around 3100 Be.
ous evidence of male genital mutilations, performed as a
puberty rite during the early Dynastic era, about 2300 BC
(Paige 1978, Montagu 1946). However, it seems probable
that genital mutilations, were introduced before 2300 BC
when the Nile Valley was invaded by militant pastoral no~
Figure 3:
Areas Influenced or Occupied by Arab Armies Since 632 AD (after Pitcher 1972). The Islamic empire spread genital mutilations into
many new areas of the globe, and reinforced it in others. However, genital mutilations had spread into sub-Saharan Africa, Oceania, and
the New World, prior to the Islamic period, notably among caste, high god, and warrior-emphasizing peoples.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
mads, and culturally transformed around 3100 BC These
invaders, who possessed Asian and Semitic characteristics,
ushered in an era of divine kings, ritual widow murder, a
military and priestly caste, massive graves and fabulous grave
wealth, temple architecture, and other trappings of extreme
patriarchal authoritarian culture (De Meo 1986, p.218-294).
As discussed below, cultural tendencies of a similar direction,
but of lesser intensity, are positively correlated with genital
mutilating cultures of more recent times.
According to biblical scripture, the Hebrews
institutionalized the mutilations after the Exo-
dus from Egypt, and it thereafter became a spe-
cial mark of the tribe.
According to biblical scripture, the Hebrews institutional-
ized the mutilations after the Exodus from Egypt, and it
thereafter became a special mark of the tribe. The mutilations
appeared widely across the Near East prior to the eruptions of
Moslem armies in the 600s AD, but were subesquently spread
wherever Moslem armies ventured. While neither male nor
female genital mutilations have any specific Koranic man-
date, Mohammed thought them to be "desirable," and they
predominate in Moslem areas. Still, there are regions of
non-Moslem Africa and Oceania which possess the mutila-
tions as a probable diffusion from ancient, pre-Moslem
times. Diffusion from these earliest periods may also yet
account for isolated, rare examples of the traits in the ew
World (DeMeo 1986, p. 358-426).
Male genital mutilations were never adopted
widely in Europe, European Australia, Canada,
Latin America, in the Orient, or by Hindus,
Southeast Asians, or Native Americans.
Male genital mutilations were never adopted widely in
Europe, European Australia, Canada, Latin 'America, in the
(("omint/I'd on nl'.n page)
110 ISO
-11- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The Geograpl7l' of Genital Mutilations (Continued)
Orient. or by Hindus, Southeast Asians, or 'ative Ameri-
cans. The spread of the rite of infant circumcision to the
United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s is a most
recent phenomcnon not reOected on the maps. Circumcision
gained in importance in the USA only after allopathic medi-
cal doctors, playing upon prevailing sexual anxieties, urged it
as a "cure" for a long list of childhood diseases and "dis-
orders, "to include polio, tuberculosis, bedwetting, and a new
syndrome which appeared widely in the medical literature
known as "masturbatory insanity, " Circumcision was then
advocated along with a host of exceedingly harsh, pain-
inducing devices and practices designed to thwart any vestige
of genital pleasure in children (Paige 1978).
Reich saw the real purpose of circumcision, and
other assaults upon the child's sexuality, to be
the reduction of the child's emotional fluidity
and energy level, and their ability to experience
maximal pleasurable genital excitation later in
life ...
Freud and other psychoanalysts have discussed male geni-
tal multilations as inducing a form of "castration anxiety" in
the child by which the taboo against incest and parricide is
pathologically strengthened (DeMeo 1986). Montagu (1946)
and Bettleheim (1962) have discussed their connections to the
male fear of vaginal blood, where menstruation is imitated
(subincision), or where the male must be ritually absolved of
contact with poisonous childbirth blood (infant circumci-
sion), or hymenal blood (pubertal circumcision). Reich iden-
tified genital mutilations as but one, albeit a major one, of a
series of brutal and cruel acts directed toward infants and
children which possess hidden motives designed to cause a
painful, permanent contraction of the child's physical and
emotional self. Reich saw the real purpose of circumcision,
and other assaults upon the child's sexuality, to be the reduc-
tion of the child's emotional Ouidity and energy level, and
their ability to experience maximal pleasurable genital excita-
tion later in life, a major step in, as he put it, transmuting
Homo sapiens into armored Homo normalis. Reich argued
that parents and doctors blindly advocated or performed the
genital mutilations, and other painful shamanistic medical
procedures, in proportion to their own emotional armoring
and pelasure-anxiety, in order to make children more like
themselves: obedient, docile, andreducedin sexual vigor and
emotional vitality (Reich 1967,1973).
These ideas, as disturbing as they may be, find support in
cross-cultural comparisons of cultures which mutilate the
genitals of their males, Textor's Cross-Cultural Summary
(1967) demonstrates positive correlations between male geni-
tal mutilations and the following other cultural characteris-
tics (also see Prescott 1975, DeMeo 1986):
Male genital mutilations are found present in a
cultural complex where children, females, and
weaker social ethnic groups are subordinated to
elder, dominant males in rigid social hierarchies
of one form or another.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
High narcissism index
Slavery and Castes are present
Class stratification is high
Land inheritance favors male line
Cognatic kin groups are absent
Patrilineal descent is present
Female barrenness penalty is high
Bride price is present
Father has family authority
Polygamy is present
Marital residence near male kin
Painful female initiation rites are present
Segregation of adolescent boys is high
Oral anxiety potential is high
Average satisfaction potential is low
Speed of attention to infant needs is low
High God present, active, supportive of
human morality
One cannot extract a list of correlated prochild, profe-
male, or sex-positive traits from Textor's work as cultures
which mutilate the male genitalia do not generally possess
such characteristics. Male genital mutilations are found
present in a cultural complex where children, females, and
weaker social ethnic groups are subordinated to elder,
dominant males in rigid social hierarchies of one form or
another. While the cross-cultural analysis contrasted only
aboriginal, subsistence-level cultures, many of the factors
identified in the above list are or once were applicable to
the USA, where male circumcision predominates. It must
be noted, however, that many or most of those patristic
characteristics may be present in cultures where genital
mutilations are absent, but which can be accountedfor by
deprivation ofphysical affection in the maternalinfant and
adolescent sexual relationships (Prescott, 1975, 1979,
1989).
The underlying psychology of genital mutila-
tions is anxiety regarding sexual pleasure, main-
ly heterosexual genital intercourse,
Summary:
The underlying psychology of genital mutilations is anx-
iety regarding sexual pleasure, mainly heterosex ual genital
intercourse, as indicated by the associated virginity taboos
and ritual absolutions against vaginal blood. In the final
analysis, these mutilations say more about predominant
attitudes regarding sexual pleasure than anything else.
female infibulations and other forms of female
genital mutilation persist in accordance with the
arranged marriage system, and other vestiges of
a powerful and hysterical virginity taboo.
Given their similar distributions, similar cross-cultural
aspects, and similar psychological motifs, the time and
location of origins of male and female genital mutilations
are probably identical, the use of each being mandated and'
widely expanded by groups where dominance of the sexual
lives of children by adults, and of females by males, was
most extreme. The use of eunuchs has died out over the last
(Continued on ney( fJa~e)
-12- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The Geography of Genital Mutilations (Continued)
100 years with the decline of the harem system, but female Pitcher. D. (1972): An Historical Geography oj the Ottoman
infibulations and other forms of female genital mutilation Empire, E.J. Brill, Leiden, Map V.
persist in accordance with the arranged marriage system, and Prescott, J. W. (1975): "Body Pleasure and The Origins of Violence,"
other vestiges of a powerful and hysterical virginity taboo. The Futurist. April, p.64-74.
Prescott, J. W. (1979): Deprivation of Physical Affection As A Prim-
The urge to mutilate the genitals of children ary Process In The Development Of Physical Violence. In:
Child Abuse and Violence. (David G. Gil, Ed). AMS Press
stems from deeply ingrained cultural anxieties New York pp 66-137.
regarding sexual pleasure and happiness. Prescott, J.W. (1989): "Affectional Bonding for the Prevention of
Violent Behaviors: Neurobiological, Psychological and Reli-
The genital mutilations of young males and females are gious/Spiritual Determinants. In: Violent Behavior Vol. I:
major examples of cultural "traits" or "practices" which, on Assessment and Intervention. (Hertzberg, L.J., et aI., eds)
deeper analysis, reveal roots in severe pleasure-anxiety, with PMA Publishing Corp. New York 1989, p.109-142.
sadistic overtones. The parent or tribal elder who cuts the Reich, W. (1967): Reich Speaks oj Freud. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
genitals of young children, was subject to the rite himself as a p.27-31.
child, and is made very anxious or angry when confronted Reich, W. (1973): Ether. God & Devil. Farrar, Straus & Giroux,
with a child whose genitals are not mutilated. This incapacity p.67-70.
to tolerate pleasurable movement or feeling in others (plea- Textor, R. (1967): A Cross-Cultural Summary. HRAF Press, New
sure anxiety) was first identified for Homo sapiens by Reich, Haven.
who also identified the role that social insititutions play in
demanding a systematic recreation of trauma and damage in
each new generation; primatologists have identified similar
processes of abuse transmission at work in monkeys deprived
of maternal love in infancy (DeMeo 1986). Prescott (1975)
previously confirmed many of these relationships in a cross-
cultural manner. The materials summarized here in geograph-
ical form further confirm these processes which possess his-
torically identifiable roots in specific regions. The urge to
mutilate the genitals of children stems from deeply ingrained
cultural anxieties regarding sexual pleasure and happiness.
Genital mutilations always exist within a complex of other
social institutions that provide for the socially sanctioned
expression of adult sadism and destructive aggression to-
wards the infant and child, with unconscious motivations
aimed at destroying or damaging the capacityfor pleasurable
emotional/sexual bonding between mothers and babies, and
between young males and females. In the absence of such
deeper motivations, genital mutilations would not be wel-
comed or championed by parents or birth attendants.
James DeMeo, Ph.D., earned his doctorate at the University of
The village women splash water on seven year old Adizetu's wound
Kansas and has served on the Faculty of Geography at Illinois State
University and the University of Miami. He is currently the Director after the exisor has performed the clitoridectomy.
of the Orgone Biophysical Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 1395, EI
Cerrito, CA 94530, Editor ofthe environmental journal, Pulse oJthe
Planet. and author of The Orgone Accumulator Handbook.

References:
Bettleheim, B. (1962): Symbolic Wounds. Collier Books, NY.
DeMeo, J. (1986): "On The Origins and Diffusion of Patrism: The
Saharasian Connection," Dissertation, U. of Kansas, Geo-
graphy Department. University Microfilms, Ann Arbor; see
section on "Male and Female Genital Mutilations," p. 153-178.
DeMeo, J. (1987, 1988); "Desertification and the Origins of Armor-
ing: The Saharasian Connection," 1. Orgonomy, 21(2): 185-213,
22(1): 101-122,22(2):268-289.
Hosken, F. (1979): The Hosken Report on Genital and Sexual
Mutilation oj Females. 2nd Edition, Women's International
Network News, Lexington, Mass.
Montagu, A. (1945): "Infibulation and Defibulation in the Old and
New Worlds," Am. Anthropologist. 47:464-7.
Montagu, A. (1946): "Ritual Mutilation Among Primitive Peoples,"
Ciba Symposium, October, p.424.
Murdock, G.P. (1967): Ethnographic Atlas. Pittsburgh, HRAF
Press.
Infibulated girl, external genitalia and normal vaginal orifice have
Paige, K. (1978): "The Ritual of Circumcision," Human Nature.
May. been obliterated. Photos from: James DeMeo

THE TRUTH SEEKER -13- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure:
Why The One and Not The Other?
by James W. Prescott
Male circumcisions is not primarily a medical
issue but rather has its roots in deeply held
religious beliefs and social customs that defy
rational and humane understanding.
Genital mutilations of both males and females have been a
common practice in many cultures and have existed from the
earliest days of recorded history. These excruciating painful
procedures have been inflicted upon newborns and adoles-
cents for a variety of reasons. Religious beliefs and social-
cultural customs, particulary "rites of passage ceremonies"
have been historically the primary reasons for both male and
female genital mutilations. Only recently has one form of
genital mutilation, male circumcision, come under a different
rubric of justification, i.e. modern medicine.
It is a major thesis of this presentation that male circumci-
sion is not primarily a medical issue but rather has its roots in
deeply held religious beliefs and social customs that defy
rational and humane understanding. The devastating practi-
ces and consequences of female genital mutilation that have
been so well documented by Fran Hoskin (see page 22 in this
conference report) provides a context for understanding the
religious forces of toleration and support for male genital
mutilations, i.e. circumcision. Why is it that certain elements
of the medical profession can offer support for male genital
mutilation (circumcision) but not female genital mutilation
that is so widespread in other cultures of the world?
And why have the medical professions, until very recently,
ignored and denied the extraordinary and excruciating pain
that the newborn experiences when part of its skin (the
foreskin) is shredded and cut from the rest of its body?
This indifference to human pain and suffering of the cir-
cumcised newborn is not confined to the medicalprofession
but is widespread throughout many cultures, particularly
where other forms of male and female genital mutilations are
practiced. In this psychologist's opinion, all forms of genital
mutilation that are inflicted upon unconsenting children are
de facto acts of torture and mutilation which are in violation
of Article 5 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights which states that "NO ONE SHALL BE
SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR TO CRUEL,
INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR
PUNISHMENT."
This position statement has been unanimously approved as
a resolution by the General Assembly of this Conference
(see page 53).
It is my conviction that the acts of newborn and adolescent
torture and mutilation which occurs in ritual male and female
genital mutilations must be understood within the broader
context of human torture, mutilation and violence against the
human body which is pandemic throughout the world. The
key to understanding this pain and violence is to be found in
understanding its converse, i.e. pleasure and peace where
physical pleasures of the body, particularly sexual pleasures,
are considered inherently dangerous by many fundamental-
ist/ orthodox religious traditions which they believe threatens
THE TRUTH SEEKER
The key to understanding this pain and violence
is to be found in understanding its converse, i.e.
pleasure and peace ...
the salvation of the soul and society.
This understanding of the reciprocal relationship between
pain and pleasure; our tolerance and support for the torture
and mutilation of the human body and intolerance for the
physical pleasures of the body involves profound issues of
moral philosophy of good and evil, of the moral theology of
pain and pleasure; and how these morClI value systems
become encoded in the developing human brain and thus,
behaviors which includes the social-moral values and ideolo-
gies of human culture. In brief, it is my contention that the
ultimate resolution of the circumcision issue and other forms
of male/female genital mutilations will involve primarily the
ethical, moral and neuropsychological issues involved in tor-
ture and mutilation and less in the presumptive medical and
social benefits of genital mutilations.
Before proceeding with a summary of the religious, philo-
sophical and scientific data in support of this thesis, I would
like, to comment very briefly on two medical studies that
purport to provide statistical medical evidence for the prac-
tice of circumcision and which raises serious ethical/ moral
issues when findings from presumptive pathological groups
are generalized to healthy groups to justify surgical proce-
dures on healthy groups in the guise of"preventive medicine."
First, is the study of Dr. William Cameron of the Univer-
sity of Manitoba where it was reported in a sample of292 men
who had patronized prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya that 20%
of uncircumcised men became infected with AIDS virus,
whereas, only 3% of circumcised men became infected with
the AIDS virus. It was also reported that 85% of the prosti-
tutes were infected with the AIDS virus. Some have sug-
gested that circumcision may offer a degree of prevention
against the AIDS virus.
Assuming that circumcision vs. non-circumcision, and not
other variables, can account for this difference, how can the
grossly negligent and irresponsible sexual behaviors andpoor
personalhygienepractices ofOTHERS be used to justify the
genital and sexual mutilation of the INNOCENT? Another
example of the the misuse of statistical inference from medi-
cal data is provided by the studies of Dr. Thomas Wiswell.
In one of Dr. Wiswell's studies where he evaluated the
incidence of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in 422,238 boys
born to Army families he found a ten-fold increase in UTls in
uncircumcised vs. circumcised boys. The incidence was 1.1 %
vs .. 11 % respectively, where one third of the 1.1 % later deve-
loped serious medical complications. This finding of 1.1 %
and/ or the .034% serious medical complications in uncir-
cumcised newborns is now being used to justify the routine
genital mutilation of 99% of healthy male newborns who do
not develop UTIs. Since female infants were found to have a
0.57% incidence of UTls which is 50% of the uncircumcised
males (1.1 %) it is clear that there are other variables unrelated
(Continued on next page)
-14- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure (Continued)
to circumcision that contribute to UTIs. I will leave to other
investigators the exploration of these other uncontrolled var-
iables that contribute to UTIs.
Early Sensory Influences Upon
Brain Development and Behavior
There is a well established body of scientific data that
documents the role of sensory stimulation and deprivation
upon brain development and emotional-social, psychological
and mental development. From the perspective of the devel-
opmental neuropsychological sciences there can be little
question that the extraordinary pain experienced by new-
borns, children and adolescents who are subjected to ritual
genital mutilations has a profound influence upon the brain
and later behaviors. It is this writer's conviction that the
extraordinary pain and trauma experienced through genital
mutilations - an organ and brain system that is designed for
the experience of sexual pleasure and the expression of sexual
love - has permanently altered normative brain develop-
ment for the normal expression of sexual pleasure and love. It
is proposed that this genital pain has long-term developmen-
tal consequences for the ability of such individuals to differ-
entiate pain from pleasure in love relationships and to
develop intimate sexual relationships.
It is not without psychobiological consequence that the
brain system which is designed for the experience of pleasure
and the expression of sexual love is first encoded with
extraordinary and excruciating pain. In such individuals, all
subsequent acts or experiences of genital pleasure are expe-
rienced upon a background of genital pain that is now deeply
buried in the subconscious/ unconscsious brain.
It is this developmental neuropsychologist's conviction
that these early experiences of genital pain contribute to the
encoding of the brain for sado-masochistic behaviors. The
brain system that has been designed for pleasure has first and
foremost become saturated or encoded with pain that now
limits and qualifies all subsequent experiences of pleasure.
When these early experiences of genital pain are followed by a
developmental deprivation of physical affectional pleasure in
the maternal-infant relationship and in the adolescent sexual
relationship, then violent destructive behaviors are the inevit-
able outcome.
Equally significant is the prediction that the cumulative
consequences of these developmental experiences of genital
pain and affectional deprivation precludes the possibility of
realizing the spiritual dimensions of human sexuality. These
relationships have been discussed elsewhere and need not be
repeated here. Suffice it to note that it has been possible to
predict with 100% accuracy the torture, mutilation and kil-
ling of enemy captured in warfare in 49 primitive cultures
from the two variables of deprivation of physical affection in
the maternal-infant relationship and in the adolescent sexual
relationship; and that brain dysfunction underlies this SAD
(Somatosensory Affectional Deprivation) induced violent
behaviors. (Prescott, 1975, 1979, 1989; Heath, 1975). (See
March/ April issue of The Truth Seeker)
Tables I and II summarize the social-behavioral character-
istics of primitive cultures that engage in male and female
genital mutilations. Tables III and IV provide a similar sum-
mary for those cultures that punish pre-marital sex and extra-
marital sex. Similarily, for Table V which characterizes cul-
THE TRUTH SEEKER
tures that have High Gods. In general, these cultures are
patrilineal, subordinate women to men, have low nurturance
of children, are sexually repressive, punish abortion, are
violent and have a high god that supports human morality.
In summary, the confounding ofpain and pleasure in the
developing brain provides the neuropsychological founda-
tionfor individuals who must experience pain to experience
pleasure, or who derive pleasurefrom the experience ofpain.
One of the most recent studies that is particularly germane
to this thesis was reported by Jacobson, et. al in Acta pSI'chi-
atr. scand. (2987:76-364-371), entitled Perinata! Origin o{
Adult Self Destructive Behavior. The summary of this study
is provided by the abstract which reads as follows:
The studl' was undertaken to test ,\'hether obstetric proce-
dures are o{ importance for eventua! adult hehavior u{the
newborn, as eculogical data from the United States seem to
indicate. Birth record data were gathered fur 412 forensic
victims comprising suicides, alcoholics and drug addicts hum
in Stockholm afier 1940, and who died there in 1978-1984.
The births o{the victims were uneven!\' distributed among six
hospitals. Comparison with 2,901 contro!s, and mutual com-
parison o{categuries, shu wed that suicides invu!ving asphl'x-
iation were closely associated H'ith asphl'xia at hirth. suicides
b\' viulent mechanical means were associated \\'ith mechani-
c~1 birth trauma and drug addiction was associated with
opiate and/ or barbiturate administration to mothers during
lahar. Irrespective o{the mechanism trans{erring the hirth
trauma to adulthood - which might he analoguus to
imprinting - the results show that ohstetric procedures
should be careful/\' evaluated and possihl\' modified to pre-
vent eventual selfdestructive behavior.
Specifically, the authors reported that a perinatal event of
Asphyxia (a lack of oxygen) carried a risk factor for suicides
from hanging, strangulation, drowning and gas poisoning
that was five times greater than for controls; for perinatal
mechanical trauma, e.g. breech presentations, forceps deliv-
ery and multiple nuchal loops, the risk factor for suicides
from hanging and other mechanical injuries was twice as
great as controls; for perinatal events of opiate/ barbiturate
use the risk factor for drug addiction was approximately
three times greater than the controls.
In an earlier study of 52 adolescent suicides, Salk, et. aI.,
(1985) reported three prenatal/ perinatal risk factors that sig-
nificantly discriminated the suicide group from the two
matched non-suicide control groups. These were: I) respira-
tory distress for more than one hour at birth; 2) no antenatal
care before 20 weeks of pregnancy; and 3) chronic disease of
the mother during pregnancy which were found in 81 % of the
suicide cases. These authors were quite uncertain as to the
mechanisms by which prenatal/ perinatal birth trauma were
linked to suicidal behaviors.
David Levy in a 1945 study on the "Psychic Trauma of
Operations in Children" reported on three cases of male
circumcision at ages 12 months (2 cases) and 6 % years. Psy-
chological trauma included the development of night terrors,
temper tantrums and rage. In the 6% year old, suicidal
impulses developed. Levy reports:
"... a circumcision at the age 0{6 years 7 months. was
preceded by a struggle o{ the patient with his father and the
anesthetist before they overpowered him. Immediatelvafter
the anesthesia wure off, he said over and over, 'They cut my
penis. I wish I were dead. .The rest a/the day the patient never
left his mother's side. Thereafter his previous temper tantrums
(Continued on page 17)
-15- JULY/AUGUST /989
 TABLE I TABLE III
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
CULTURES WHERE MALE GE IT AL MUTILATION CULTURES WHERE PREMARITAL SEX IS
IS PRESENT (N=83) VS BEING ABSENT (N=242) STRONGLY PUNISHED
Var. Social- Behavioral Characteristics % P N Var. Social-Behavioral Characteristics % P N
01 Castes Are Present 78 .0000 304 01 Community size is larger 73 .0003 80
02 Weaving By Males 78 .0000 100 02 Societal complexity is high 87 .01 15
03 Games of Strategy 75 .0000 168 03 Class stratification present 60 .01 III
04 Metal Working Is Present 71 .0000 238 04 Slavery is present 59 .005 176
05 Exclusively Patrilineal 69 .0000 325 05 Low female income 71 .09 24
06 Slavery Is Present 65 .0000 314 06 Personal crime is high (392) 71 .05 28
07 High Bride Price 56 .0000 322 07 Incidence of theft is high (392) 68 .07 31
08 Husbandry Is Present 51 .0002 325 08 Kin group exclusively patrilineal 62 .04 114
09 High God Supports Human 09 Kin groups patrilineal or double
Morality 64 .0007 086 descent rather than matrilineal 64 .002 62
10 High God is Present 54 .0009 257 10 Small extended family 70 .008 63
II Class Stratification Is Present 56 .003 316 II Wives are "purchased" 54 .02 114
12 Leather Working By Males 65 .005 081 12 Women have property rights 100 .008 9
13 Polygamous Rather Than 13 Longer post-partum sex taboo 62 .03 50
Monogamous 60 .004 321 14 Extramarital sex is punished 71 .005 58
14 High Exhibitionistic Dancing 57 .03 082 15 Sex disability is present 83 .004 23
15 Totemism Is Present 65 .04 026 16 Castration anxiety is high 65 .009 37
16 Early Infant/ Child Satisfaction 17 Bellicosity is extreme 68 .04 37
Is Low 69 .06 035 18 Killing, torturing, mutilating is high 69 .07 35
17 Longer Post-Partum Sex Taboo 67 .06 124 19 High God in human morality 81 .01 27
18 High Oral Socialization Anxiety 63 .06 048 20 Narcissism is high 66 .04 38
19 Exclusive Mother-Son Sleeping- 21 Exhibitionistic dancing 65 .04 66
I year 67 .07 042
20 High Incidence of Theft 66 .06 035
21 Patrilineal Cultures 58 .06 137 TABLE IV
22 High arClSSlsm 58 .08 086 SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
23 High God Active 55 .08 155
CULTURES THAT PUNISH EXTRAMARITAL SEX
24 Wife Lending and Exchange 71 .09 028
25 Infanticide Is Present 63 .09 030 Var. Social-Behavioral Characteristics % P N
TIME OF CIRCUMCISION: A) 1st & 2nd months: 4 eullures; 01 Slavery is Present 67 .002 83
B) 2 months to 2 years: 4 ('ullures; C) 2 to 5 years: 7 ('ullures; D) 6 02 Personal Crime is High 80 .02 20
to 10 years; 23 ('ullures; E) II to 15 years: 2/ ('ullures; F) 16-25 03 Theft is High 81 .008 21
years; 7 ('ullures. 04 Abortion is Highly Punished 76 .05 17
05 Premarital Sex Strongly Punished 71 .005 58
TABLE II 06 Castration Anxiety is High 87 .0001 30
07 Military Glory Emphasized 62 .002 53
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Bellicosity is Extreme
08 77 .002 43
CULTURES WHERE FEMALE INITIATION RITES High Killing, Torture, Mutilation
09 78 .002 42
ARE PAINFUL (N=9) VS NOT BEING PAINFUL(N=29)
10 Aggressive Supernaturals 79 .02 19
Var. Social-Beha vioral Characteristics % P N
01 Male Genital Mutilation Present 83 .006 36
02 High Bride Price 61 .01 38 TABLE V
03 Cultures Are Exclusively Patrilineal 79 .02 38
SOCIAL-BEHA VIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF
04 Segregation of Adolescent Boys 75 .02 28
05 Youth Sex Expression Restricted 80 .03 20 CULTURES WHERE A HIGH GOD IS PRESENT
06 High Mother-Child Households 78 .04 27 Var. Social-Behavioral Characteristics % P N
07 High Child Anxiety Over Nurturant
Behavior 91 .05 II 01 Caste System Present 52 .0004 244
08 Torture, Mutilation & Killing of 02 Slavery is Present 60 .0002 251
Enemy 70 .07 20 03 Patrilineal Rather Than Matrilineal 68 .0006 167
09 Incidence of Theft Is High 85 .08 13 04 Wives Purchased 65 .0015 258
10 Low Infant Protection From 05 High Aggression Socialization
Environment 75 .08 13 Anxiety 71 .01 45
NOTE: Initiation Rites Mandatory For All Girls Between 8th & 06 High Infant Pain By Caretaker 63 .08 57
20th Years, Does Not Include Betrothal Or Marriage Customs. 07 Early Independence Training 69 .06 29
From: R.B. Textor. A Cross-Cullural Summarr. (1967) HRAF 08 Male Genital Mutilation Present 54 .0009 257
PRESS: New Haven. 09 Premarital Sex Strongly Punished 59 .05 149

The % column reflects the percentage of cultures that share in common the behaviors listed; the P column states the probability level of
statistical significance, e.g. a value of .003 means that the probability that the behavioral relationships being compared could occur by chance
is 3 times out of a thousand; and the N column indicates the number of primitive cultures involved in the comparison of the paired behaviors.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -16- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure (Continued)
developed into destructive rages. During the treatment he
played numerous killing games. in which his/ather was the
principal victim. The operation represented a castration by
his/ather. "(p.IO).
Questions must be raised as to the extent to which rage and
suicidal behaviors are engendered by the assaults of circum-
cision whether conducted during the newborn or child/ pre-
pubertal periods. (There are approximately a third more
suicides than homicides in the U.S.). Is there a link between
circumcision and the willingness to kill oneself or others for
one's religious/ national beliefs, particularly when circumci-
sion occurs at the age of puberty, as it does in the Muslim
cultures? The willingness of many Muslim men to die or kill
for their religious beliefs is well known, e.g. the cases of
Salman Rushdie and Sirhan Sirhan may be representative
here.
Jacobsen, et. al (1987) noted in their study that hypoxia
during birth might cause minimal brain damage that could
result in destructive behaviors. However, these authors ques-
tioned whether neurological injuries due to hypoxia could be
the main factor, "since altogether rather few victims suffered
from asphyxia during birth. None of the 86 suicides from
poisoning by solid or liquid substance and none of the 53
alcoholics were reported to have been asphyxial."
There is a delayed "time bomb" of brain damage
that occurs long after the initial injury or insult.
There are several points to be made concerning these two
studies. First, Faro and Windle (1969) in their experimen-
tal asphixal studies in monkeys documented both imme-
diate and delayed brain damage by as much as 10 years in
these monkeys. In short, there is a delayed "time bomb" of
brain damage that occurs long after the initial injury or
insult. It would appear that later stages of brain develop-
ment are dependent upon earlier stages of brain develop-
ment which must be normal if later stages of development
are to be normal. Secondly, there are a variety of traumas/
injuries that can simulate or mimic asphyxial effects.
For example, sensory deprivation (like asphyxia) can
damage the sensory receptors and sensory pathways of the
brain. This neuronal damage from sensory deprivation
prevents normal sensory stimulation of the brain which is
essentialfor normal brain development andfunction. This
is why the experiencing of sensory pleasure - physical
affection and sexualpleasure - is essentialfor normative
brain development, function and behavior.
The effects of sensory deprivation or altered and abnor-
mal sensory environments upon brain development and
behavior are well documented. This is the mechanism
which I will now focus upon since it is my conviction that a
variety of early traumatic events of pain, deprivation and
stress, including asphyxia, damage the affectional neuro-
nal systems of the brain. It is this damage that compro-
mises or prevents the development of affectional bonds of
pleasure since these brain systems for pleasure have been
damaged by these early insults and injuries. This thesis
constitutes the neuropsychological foundation of my SAD
(Somatosensory Affectional Deprivation) theory of alie-
nation, depression, addictive and violent behaviors.
It is for these reasons that SAD is proposed to be the
THE TRUTH SEEKER -17-
process or mechanism which can acount for the linkage
between prenatal/ perinatal trauma and suicides that have
been reported by Salk, et aI., and by Jacobson, et. al.
Specifically, Somatosenory Affectional Deprivation (SAD)
theory is based on the nature of brain processes where it has
been well established that activation of the pleasure circuits of
the brain inhibit the activity of the violence circuits of the
brain. This normative reciprocal relationship ceases to func-
tion when the neuronal circuits of the brain that mediate
pleasure are insufficiently developed - a form of brain dys-
function/ damage - due to sensory deprivation of physical
affectional pleasure, specifically, somesthetic (touch) and ves-
tibular (movement) sensory stimulation. Gentle touch and
rocking of the infant are powerful sensory stimuli for plea-
sure, comfort and a sense of"basic trust"for the infant/ child.
When these sensory stimuli are absent and, in addition, are
replaced by painful sensory stimulation, then the neurobio-
logical foundations for depressive, addictive and violent
behaviors are established.
In brief, the emotional pain of affectional deprivation (the
failure of love in the maternal-infant and parent-child rela-
tionships, and in our sexual relationships) seeks relief
through drugs, alcohol and violence - in the rage of our
physical assaults against others; beatings, rape, homicide and
assaults against our own bodies where the final solution is
suicide - one of the leading mental health problems of our
children and youth. Why should our children and youth be
committing suicide in such great numbers - a 112% increase
from 1980 to 1985 for children aged 10 to' 14 years? Does
genital mutilation and sexual abuse in combination with
SAD facilitate suicidal and assaultive behaviors?
It is for these reasons that the pain of genital
mutilation is tolerated and supported and why
the pleasure of genital stimulation is forbidden
- with all the developmental neuropsychologi-
cal and moral consequences that such events
have upon the individual and culture.
A further correlate to the above relationships and why
certain postnatal traumas are tolerated (e.g. genital mutila-
tions) is to be found in our cultural mores that places a high
moral value on pain, suffering, deprivation; and immorality
upon the physical pleasures of the body, particularly the
sexual pleasures of the body. It is for these reasons that the
pain of genital mutilation is tolerated and supported and why
the pleasure of genital stimulation is forbidden - with all the
developmental neuropsychological and moral consequences
that such events have upon the individual and culture.
I will now review the real reasons for circumcision as given
by certain moral traditions and the anti-pleasure ethic that is
endemic to many religious traditions that supports the pain-
pleasure reciprocity principle and provides the linkage to
violent behaviors.
PHILOSOPHICAL/RELIGIOUS BASES FOR
GENITAL MUTILATIONS
It is well recognized that circumcision in the Jewish reli-
gious tradition represents a covenant with God (see Gerald
Larue's article in this issue). It is less well recognized that the
(Continued on next page)
JUL Y/ AUGUST 1989
 1Befo1re (9i1rcumcision
YOUR COMMENTARy
Is INViTEd
The charge that circumcision is
either unnecessary or harmful must
confront contemporary evidence.
While the 1971 report ofthe American
Academy of Pediatrics ruled circum-
cision unnecessary, it is important to
note that the Academy is reviewing its
earlier decision because of new evi-
dence. Of fifty thousand known cases
of penile cancer in North America only
nine have occurred in circumcised
males. Urinary tract infections occur
Peaceful, Blissful and Trusting - Credit: Marilyn F. Milos, R.N., NOCIRC less frequently when the foreskin is
removed. And ninety-five times as
many uncircumcised males contract
Afre1r (9i1rcumcision AIDS as do the circumcised. If all
these assertions are true, then the pain
and trauma, if they indeed exist, may
be worth enduring ...
Quite frankly, the fury of many
anticircumcision militants is out of
proportion to the provocation. Given
the horrendous proportions of child
abuse, a little foreskin removal (which
may, in the end, turn out to be benefi-
cial) hardly deserves the hostility it
receives.
- Sherwin T. Wine
Rabbi, First Humanistic Jewish
Congregation, Birmingham Temple.
Farmington Hills, MI
From: Circumcision. Humanistic
Judaism 1988 (Summer), V.XVI
Number III
Pain, Fear and Betrayal- Credit: Marilyn F. Milos, R.N., NOCIRC

It is almost impossible to believe

that parents who love their children
"As TIiE body is pRioR iN oRdER of GENERATioN TO TIiE soul, so TIiE iRRATiONAl
could stand by and see them so unmer-
is pRioR TO TIiE RATioNAl. TIiE pRoof is TIiAT ANGER ANd wisliiNG ANd dESiRE ARE
cifully tortured for a religious purpose.
iMplANTEd iN cliildREN fROM TIiEiR VERy biRTIi, bUT REASON A~d UNdERSTANd- Can religion so stultify the brain that it
iNG ARE dEVElopEd AS TIiEy GROW oldER. WIiEREfoRE, TIiE CARE of TIiE body even makes us callous to the cries of
oUGIiT TO PRECEdE TIiAT of TIiE soul, ANd TIiE TRAiNiNG of TIiE AppETiTiVE pART our loved ones when being so outrage-
sliould follow; NONE TIiE lESS OUR CARE of iT MUST bE fOR TIiE sAkE of TIiE ously assaulted?
REASON, ANd OUR CARE of TIiE body fOR TIiE SAkE of TIiE soul." - Joseph Lewis
ARiSTOTlE, 1Jolitca
From: In The Name Of Humanity.
1949, p. 120.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -18- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure (Continued)
diminution of sexual pleasure is another major reason for
circumcision in the Jewish religious tradition. This reason is
clearly stated by Moses Maimonides in the Guide G!f The
Perplexed (1190) which merits its full reproduction:
ON CIRCUMCISION
"As regards circumcision, I think that one ofits objects is to
limit sexual intercourse, and to weaken the organ ofgenera-
tion asfar as possible, and thus cause man to be moderate.
Some people believe that circumcision is to remove a defect in
man's!ormation; but everyone can easily reply: How can
products of nature be deficient so as to require external
completion, especially as the use oftheforeskin to that organ
is evident. This commandment has not been enjoined as a
complement to a deficient physical creation, but as a means
for perfecting man's moral shortcomings. The bodily injury
caused to that organ is exactly that which is desired; it does
not interrupt any vitalfunction. nor does it destroy the power
of generation. Circumcision simply counteracts excessive
lust; for there is no doubt that circumcision weakens the
power of sexual excitement, and sometimes lessens the natu-
ral enjoyment; the organ necessarily becomes weak when it
loses blood and is deprived ofits coveringfrom the beginning.
Our Sages say distinctly: It is hardfor a woman, with whom
an uncircumcised had sexual intercourse, to separate from
him. This is, as I believe, the best reason for the command-
ment concerning circumcision. "
(Part III, Chapter 49)
Elswhere in the Jewish religious tradition clear warnings
are given concerning the dangers of sexual pleasure. The
following quotations are taken from the Code ofJewish Law:
Chapter 150
The Sin of Discharging Semen in Vain
I: It isforhidden to discharge semen in vain. This is a graver
sin than an)' other mentioned in the Torah. Those who
practice masturbation and cause the issue of semen in vain,
not onll'do they commit a grave sin, but they are under a ban,
concerning whom it is said (Issiah 1:15):" Your hands arefull
0/ blood, " and it is equivalent to killing a person. See what
Rashi wrote concerning Er and Onan in the Sidrah of Vaye-
shev (Genesis 37), that both Er and Onan diedfor the com-
mission ofthis sin. Occasiona/~l', as a punishmentfor this sin,
children die I"..hen young, God forbid, or grow up to be
delinquent. while the sinner himself is reduced to poverty.
Chapter 151
Laws of Chastity
17. Semen is the vitality G!fman's body and the light of his
e\'es. and when it issues in abundance, the bod\' weakens and
life is shortened. He who indulges in having iniercourse, ages
quickly, his strength ebbs, his eyes grow dim, his breath
becomesfoul, the hair of his head, eyelashes and brows fall
out, the hair G!fhis beard, armpits andfeet increase, his teeth
fall out. and many other aches besides these be/all him. Great
physicians said that one out of a thousand dies from other
diseases, while nine hundred and ninety-nine die from sexual
indulgence. Therefore, a man should exercise self-restraint.
The Roman Catholic Church is equally affirmative on the
moral dangers of masturbation whose only purpose is sexual
pleasure. In the Vatican's "Declaration on Sexual Ethics,"
published by the Sacred Congregation For The Doctrine Of
The Faith (December 29, 1975), formerly the Holy Office of
The Inquisition, the following is stated:
THE TRUTH SEEKER
On Masturbation
9. The traditional Catholic doctrine that masturbation con-
stitutes a grave moral disorder is often called into doubt or
expresslv denied today. It is said that ps\'cholog.l' and sociol-
ogy show that it is a normal phenomenon oj"sexual develop-
ment, especialll' among the young. ... This opinion is contra-
dictory to the teaching and pastoral practice ofthe Catholic
Church. Whatever theforce oj"certain arguments oj"a biolog-
ical and philosophical nature, which have sometimes heen
used by theologians, in fact both the Magisterium oj" the
Church - in the course o/a constant tradition - and the
moral sense of thefaithful have declared without hesitation
that masturbation is an intrinsicalll' and seriousll' disordered
act.
Elsewhere, the Roman Catholic church affirms the moral
value of pain and suffering in The Spiritual Exercises of St.
Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Society of Jesus):
"The third kind ofpenance is to chastise the bodl', that is to
inflict sensible pain on it. 771is is done by wearing hair shirts.
cords, or iron chains on the bod\', or h\' scourging or wound-
ing oneself, and by other kinds G!f austerities" (1541).
Many other examples could be cited, the most significant of
which is the Crucifixion itself. God the Father's Divine Plan of
Incarnation for his Son: "So the Word was made flesh;" (J ohn
I: 14); and "I did not come of my own will; it was He who sent
me" (John 8:42) was a plan for the mutilation, torture and
murder of His only-begotten Son on the cross (euphemisti-
cally called "sacrificed") - for the ulterior motive of human
salvation! The ultimate psychopathology of this event is equat-
ing this mutilation, torture and murder with LOVE! Clearly,
Christian Love is as much an expression of pain and suffering
as pleasure. It is this fusion of pain and suffering with love that
forms one of the roots of sado-masochism which is so preval-
ent in monotheistic and patristic cultures.
Given the violence that this Father inflicted upon the
Son He loved (and others), is it so surprising to find so much
violence of other Fathers inflicted upon their sons (and
daughters)? If "Man" is made "Unto the Image and Likeness
of God," then the violence of "Man," becomes more under-
standable. Remember, it is this same God the Father that
demanded the torture of helpless male newborns through the
ritual mutilation of their genitals, called circumcision - a
practice that continues today in many monotheistic cultures.
Why was pain and violence and not pleasure and peace
selected as the primary path for establishing the "bond"
between God and Man and for human salvation? In all His
Wisdom, Power and "Love" could He not have found a
different solution to the enigma of human "salvation"? The
answers to these questions lie elsewhere.
It should be recognized that the roots of the morality of
pain and suffering and the immorality of physical sensual/-
sexual pleasure antedate the Crucifixion and the rise of
monotheism. These basic concepts existed in parallel civiliza-
tions where, for example, the ancient Greek philosophers
provided a clear metaphysical theory of good and evil that
was directly related to a moral theology of pain and pleasure.
Greek Metaphysical Dualism provided the following
equations:
MATTER=Bo~\', Evil, Wickedness, Darkness, Chaos=FEMALE;
FORM=Soul, Goodness, Godlike. Lightness. Order=MALE;
(Continued on next page)
-19- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure (Continued)

MATTER = Body, Evil, Wickedness, Darkness, Chaos = FEMALE; ~

FORM = Soul, Goodness, Godlike, Lightness, Order = MALE;

It was Pythagoras (c.582-c.507 B.C.) who provided the sex
gender equivalents of maleness with goodness; and female-
ness with evil:
"There is a Kood principle which has created order. light
and man; and a bad principle which has created chaos,
darkness and woman."
Given this formulation is it so surprising to find thefollow-
ing in Ecclesiasticus (25:33): "From the woman came the
beginning of sin, and by her we all die." And in Paul, I
Corinthians (7: I); "Now concerninK the thinKS whereofyou
wrote me: It is Kood/or a man not to touch a woman. .. Many
other examples could be mentioned that are too numerous to
cite which reflect this absurd and most erroneous dualistic
moral theory of human nature, gender and behavior.
Moses Maimonides has perhaps provided the clearest
exposition of these metaphysical/ moral/ gender relationships
in The Guide Of The Perplexed (When the word "matter"
occurs think "female," when the word "form" occurs think
"male"):
"All bodies subject to generation and corruption are
auained by corruption anI\' because o.ftheir maUer; with
reKard to/ann and with respect to the lauer's essence, they
are not auained by corruption. but are permanent . ..
Similarll' every living being dies and becomes ill solely
hecause ofits maUer and not because a/its/arm. All man's
acts of disohedience and sin are consequent upon his
maue~ and not upon his/arm. whereas all his virtues are
consequent upon his/arm . .. consequent~v it was neces-
sary that man's very noble form, which as we have
explained, is the image of God and His likeness, should be
bound to earthy, turbid and dark matter, which calls
down upon man every impelfection and corruplion; He
granted it - I mean the human/arm - power, dominion.
rule, and control over maUer, in order that it subjugate it,
quell its impulses, and bring it back to the best and mosl
harmonious slate Ihat is possible (111.'8, pp. 430-432).
(Part lll, Chapter 8)
Ecclesiasticus (25:33): "From the woman came the
beginning ofsin, and by her we all die. "... in Paul. I
Corinthians (7:1); "Now concerning the things whe-
reofyou wrote me: It is goodfor a man not to touch a
woman."
Perhaps it is now more clear how philosophical and theologi-
cal moral dualism has conspired against the human body,
particularly the female body and the sensual/ sexual pleasures
that they represent. This moral dualism of Western Civiliza-
tion is one of the great roots of violence against the human
body and the female body in particular. And these moral
traditions are not confined to the cultures of Western Civili-
zation which subordinate female to male; assures the continu-
ing inequality of woman to man and supports the violence of
man against woman and her children. (Reich, 1971).
This fundamentalist/ orthodox morality of Western Civili-
zation requires that the sensual/ sexual pleasures of the body
must be extremely limited if not destroyed to achieve "salva-
tion of the soul" (re, the "virtues" of celibacy, virginity and
chastity). What better place to begin than with the mutilation
and destruction of the genitals which are designed to exper-
(Conlinued on nexi page)

Pain and "Salvation"

"The third kind ofpenance is to chastise the
hodI'. Ihat is 10 inf7ict sensihle pain on il. This
is done hy H'earinK hair shirts. cords. or iron
chains on the hodI'. or hy scourKinK or
woundinK oneself, and hy other kinds of
austerities. "

On "Good" Friday the Crucifixion and

scourging/flagellation of the body are com-
monly re-enacted in many primitive Catholic
cultures throughout the world. This moral
theology of pain and suffering is a major root
cause of supporting and tolerating violence
against the human body.

Quote: St. Ignatius of Loyola

The Spiritual Exercises

Photo Credit: Ingmar Bergman

The Seventh Seal

THE TRUTH SEEKER -20- JUL YI AUGUST 1989

 Genital Pain vs. Genital Pleasure (Continued)
ience sensual pleasure and share sexual love?
It is not without reason that the monotheistic religions
(Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have carried the/r religions on
the edge of the sword - the same sword that cuts the genitals
of children (male and female); and which mutilates their
souls.
It is clear to this writer that before genital mutilations of
our children can cease; before male violence against women
can end; and before human violence can be eliminated that a
moral revolution must take place. Pain rT1USt be declared
immoral and pleasure must be declared morally necessary if
we are to become moral persons. In the words of Walt
Whitman:
"IF ANYTHING IS SA CRED
THE HUMAN BODY IS SACRED"
In summary, the dualistic/theistic moral foundations of
Wester~ Civilization must be transformed if human equality,
compassion, justice and love are to be realized; and if the
human species is to survive.
REFERENCES
Anand, K.J.S. and Hickey, P.R. (1987) Pain and its Effects in the
. Human Neonate and Fetus. The Nell' England Journal of Medi-
cine (Nov. 19). V 317 0.21.
Bullough, V. (1976) Sexual Variance in Socien' and Histor.!'. Wiley:
Interscience, New York.
Bullough, V. and Bullough, B. (1987) Women and ProstitUlion. Prome-
theus Books, Buffalo.
Faro, M.D. and Windle, W.V. (1969): Transneuronal degeneration in
brains of monkeys asphyxiated at birth. Experimel1lal Neurologl'.
24, 38-53.
Ganzfried, S. (1963). Code 0/ Jell'ish Lall' (Holdin, H.E.. Translator).
Hebrew Publishing Company Brooklyn.
Heath, R.G. (1975): Maternal-social deprivation and abnormal brain
development: Disorders of emotional and social behavior. In Brain
Function and MalnUlrition; Neurops.!'chological Methods ofAsses-
sment. (Prescott, J. W., Read, M.S .. & Coursin, D.B.. Eds.) John
Wiley New York.
Genital Pain As
Punishment
For Genital
Pleasure
Figure I: A man's scrotum is
being nailed to a public
bench for committing the
"sexual sin" of fornication.
From: A 17th Century Woodcut.
Dr. Prescott's personal col-
lection.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Hosken. FP. (1979): Female Sexual MWilatio/ls: The FaclS and Prop-
osals For Action. Women's International Network News. Lexing-
ton, MA.
Ignatius of Loyola (1556): The Spiritual Exerci.\l's oj SI. Ig/latius or
LOl'ola.
Jacobson. B.. Eklund, G .. Hamberger. L. Linnarsson. D.. Sedvall. G ..
and Valverius, M. (1987): Perinatal origin of adult sclf-destructive
behavior. AC/ll PSl'chiatrica Scatlllil/{I\·ia. 76.364-371.
Levy, D.M. (1945). Psychic Trauma Of Operations in Children.
American Journal Of Diseases Of Children (January) 69, (I). 7-25.
Lewis, J. (1949). In The Name Or Humanit.". Freethought Press. San
Diego.
Maimonides. Moses (1963): The Guide or The Perplexed. (Shiomo
Pines. Trans.) Vols I & II. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Porter. F.L.. Miller. R.H. and Marshall. R.E. (1986) Neonatal Pain
Cries: Effect of Circumcision on Acoustic Features and Perceived
Urgency. Child Del'elopmel1l 57,790-802.
Prescott, J.W. (1975): Body Pleasure and The Origins of Violence. The
Fwurisl. April 1975.
Prescott, J. W. (1979): Deprivation of physical affection as a primary
process in the development of physical violence. In (,hild A huse
and Violence (Gil. D.G .. Ed). AMS Press New York pp 66-137.
Reich. W. (1971): The Mass PITcholog.!' ol'Fascism Farrar Straus Gi-
roux New York.
Salk. L, Lipsitt. LP .. Sturner. W.Q .. Reilly. B.M. & Leva!. R.H. (1985):
Relationship of maternal and perinatal conditions to eventual
adolescent suicide. The Lancet March 15. 1985.
Textor. R. B. (1967): A ('ros.I·-('ultural SUII II 1101'.1' Human Relations Area
Files (H RAF) Press: New Haven.
Vatican. The. (1975): Declaration on Sexual !:'thics. Sacred Congrega-
tion For The Doctrine of The Faith. (December 29. 1975). United
States Catholic Conference. Washington. D.C
Wiswell, T E. and Roscelli. J. D. (1986): Corroborative evidence for the
decreased incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised male
infants. Pediatrics. V. 78, No. I. July 1986.
-21- JULY/ AUGUST 1989
 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication
by Fran P. Hosken
According to a conservative estimate, at least 84
million womenanrl girls are mutilated today in
Continental Africa and similar operations are
practiced along the Persian Gulf and the south-
ern part of the Arab Peninsula.
Female Genital Mutilation - the descriptive terms for the
different types of operations are "Excision" and "Infibula-
tion" - continues to be practiced in large regions of Africa
from the Red Sea Coast to the shores of the Atlantic. Accord-
ing to a conservative estimate, at least 84 million women and
girls are mutilated today in Continental Africa and similar
operations are practiced along the Persian Gulf and the
southern part of the Arab Peninsula. In Indonesia and
Malaysia, less drastic forms of "female circumcision" are
practiced by some of the Moslem populations of this region
and sporadic occurrences have been registered among other
mainly Moslem groups.
With increasing mobility of African and Middle
Eastern immigrants to Europe, the U.S. and also
to Australia, these mutilations are being export-
ed all over the world.
With increasing mobility of African and Middle Eastern
immigrants to Europe, the U.S. and also to Australia, these
mutilations are being exported all over the world. Indeed,
Britain had to pass special legislation recently to prohibit the
operations (which were carried out by obliging physicians for
a high fee). In France, the Criminal Courts had to finally
initiate proceedings against African fathers and families after
three little girls died as a result of the operations performed in
France. One father brought to court had "operated" on his
baby daughter with a pocket knife - the child bled to death.
In most European countries and also in Australia, health
services have been alerted to warn people and especially
immigrants. In the U.S.,immigrants from affected African
countries have not been warned by immigration services that
these mutilations are categorized as gross child abuse and
would result in having children removed from parents by the
Social Services. There is no doubt, and anecdotal evidence
exists, that immigrants from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, or
certain ethnic groups of Kenya, Nigeria, etc., are having their
small daughters mutilated in the U.S.
A systematic survey has yet to be done to document the
facts on how many children are involved or are at risk - and
this is long overdue. (See below.)
But first, the medical and health facts need to be established.
The medical literature describes Circumcision or Sunna-
circumcision as the removal of the clitoral prepuce and the tip
of the clitoris. "Sunna" means tradition in Arabic. But to
remove the prepuce of the clitoris, which is a very delicate
operation especially if done on a child would require great
skill, good light, surgical tools, an anesthetized, motionless
body, quite aside from a thorough knowledge of anatomy.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
There is no doubt, and anecdotal evidence
exists, that immigrants from Somalia, Sudan,
Ethiopia, or certain ethnic groups of Kenya,
Nigeria, etc., are having their small daughters
mutilated in the U.S.
None of these conditions exist where these operations are
done in Africa and the Middle East on struggling, screaming
children held down byforce on the ground, in dark huts, with
crude knives or any other cutting tools. What is done in
reality is cutting away whatever the operator can get hold of,
part or all of the clitoris and often part of the labia minora
(small lips).
Excision or clitoridectomy, the operation most frequently
done throughout Africa, consists of the removal of the entire
clitoris, usually together with the adjacent parts of the labia
minora (small lips) and sometimes all of the external genita-
lia, except parts of the labia majora (large lips). Some opera-
tors make additional cuts to enlarge the opening of the vagina
as this is believed to make childbirth easier. (The opposite is
true.)
Infibulation or pharaonic circumcision (excision with
infibulation) means that the entire clitoris and the labia
minora are cut away and the two sides of the labia majora are
partially sliced off or scraped raw and then sewn together,
often with catgut. In Sudan and Somalia, thorns are used to
hold the two bleeding sides of the vulva together, or a paste of
gum arabic, sugar and egg is used. The introitus or entrance
to the vagina is thus obliterated which is the purpose of the
operation, except for a tiny opening in the back to allow
urine, and later menstrual blood, to drain. The legs of the girl
are tied together immediately after the operation, and she is
immobilized for several weeks until the wound of the vulva
has closed, except for a small opening that is created by
inserting a splinter of wood or bamboo.
The objective of infibulation is to make sexual
intercourse impossible. At present, infibulation
is practiced mostly by Moslems, according to all
available sources, because ofthe importance and
value they attach to virginity.
The mortality of girls and women due to all these opera-
tions no doubt is high; but no records are kept anywhere.
Primary fatalities are not recorded and death in childbirth,
due to obstructed labor, is never related to genital operations
anywhere. But the terrible psychological trauma that is life-
long has never been investigated from a woman's view.
The objective of infibulation is to make sexual intercourse
impossible. At present, infibulation is practiced mostly by
Moslems, according to all available sources, because of the
importance and value they attach to virginity. Infibulation is
performed to guarantee that a bride is intact - the smaller
her opening, the higher the bride price. A girl is often
(Continued on next page)
-22- JULY/AUGUST /989
 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
Women who are infibulated have to be cut open
to allow sexual intercourse and more cuts are
needed for delivery of a child.
inspected by the female relatives of the husband-to-be before
the bride price is paid. The bride price, whereby the husband
or his father pays the father of the girl a considerable sum in
cash or kind, is still a marriage requirement almost every-
where in Africa and the Middle East.
Infibulation may also occur spontaneously by adherence
of the wounded sides of the labia, especially where extensive
excision operations are performed. For instance, in parts of
Mali and Burkina Faso as well as other areas of West Africa.
Women who are infibulated have to be cut open to allow
sexual intercourse and more cuts are needed for delivery of a
child. Wives, traditionally, are re-infibulated, for instance in
the Sudan, after the baby is born; and when the child is
weaned, they are opened again for intercourse. During her
reproductive life, a woman used to go through this process
with each child; and in some areas it still continues today.
In West Africa infibulation is usually not done by sewing
or other fastening devices but by tying the legs of the girl
together (after the operation) in a crossed position, the same
results are achieved. On a visit to Ouagadougou, Burkina
Faso in 1977 while I was at the maternity hospital, a woman
in labor with her first child was brought in; she could not
deliver; she was almost completely closed. There was nothing
at all left of her external genitalia. She had evidently con-
ceived through a tiny opening.
All the operations are performed on the ground, under
septic conditions, with the same knife or tool used on all the
girls of a group operation, which is still the custom among
many ethnic groups in rural areas. In cases of fatalities,
neither the operator nor the operation are ever
Figure 1: Tribal Genital Mutilation. The nude girls legs
are forcibly held apart at the thighs as her external
genitalia are being cut away by a sharp instrument. No
anestheitc or antiseptic is used. From a "freeze-frame"
of a 16 mm. file documentary.
THE TRUTH SEEKER -23-
blamed. Rather, it is claimed that an evil spirit is responsi-
ble or the ritual was not performed properly according to
the wishes of the ancestors - or the girl herself is at fault
because she had sex before she was operated on.
Infibulation or pharaonic circumcision is practiced in
the Sudan and adjoining areas throughout Somalia, parts
All girls, without exception, must undergo this
mutilation as it is a requirement for marriage.
of Ethiopia, Southern Egypt and Northern Kenya and in
some areas of West Africa for instance, Mali. Infibulation or
pharaonic circumcision is the most drastic and damaging
operation. It is called "Pharaonic. as the operation according
to historic documents was already recorded in ancient Egypt
more than 2000 years ago in pharaonic times.
The term infibulation is derived from fibula which means
clasp or pin in Latin and goes back to the old Romans: a
fi bula was used to hold toget her the folds of t he toga - the
loose garment all Roman men wore. The Romans also fas-
tened together the large lips of slave girls to prevent them
from having sexual intercourse as becoming pregnant would
hamper their work.
Here is an eyewitness description of an operation In
Somalia:
"With the Somalis, the circumcision olgirls takes
place in the home among lI'omen relati\'e,\ and neigh-
bors. The grandmother or an older lI'Ollwn officiates.
A t each occasion. usual/I' onll' one little girl. or att illles
tll'O sisters are operated; hUl aI/ girls, lI'ithoUl excep-
tion. must undergo this mUlilation as it is a requirement
for marriage.
. The operation itself is not accompanied hI" an.r
ceremonr or ritual..
The child. completell' naked. is made 10 sit on a lOll'
stoo!. Several lI'oman take hold 0/ her and open her
legs lI'ide. A/tel' separating her outer and inner lips. the
operator, usual/I' a woman experienced in this proce-
dure, sits dOl\'l1/acing the child. With her kitchen kl1l/e
the operatorjirst pierces and slices open the hood a/the
clitoris. Then she hegins to CUI it OUI. While another
lI'oman lI'ipes on' the Mood with a rag, the operalOr
digs II'ith her sharpjingernail a hole the length a/the
clilOris to detach and pul/ oUlthe organ. The lillIe girl.
held dOH'n bI' the II'omen helpers, screams in extreme
pain; but no one pays the slightest al/ention.
The operatorjinishes thisjob bl' entirelr pulling OUI
the clitoris, cUl/ing it to the bone lI'ith her kl1l/e. Her
helpers again I,ripe all the spurting blood with a rag.
The operator then removes the remaining flesh. dig-
ging with her ./i"nger to remove ani' remnant a/the
clitoris among the/lowing blood. The neighbor lI'omen
are then invited to plunge their.fingers into the bloodl'
hole to verifl' that even' piece o./the clitoris is removed.
BUI this is not the end. The most important part 0./
the operation begins onl.r now. A/tel' a short moment.
the 1I'0man takes the kni/e again and cuts offthe inner
lips (labia minora) a/the victim. The helpers again wipe
the blood with their rags. Then the operator, with a
(Cominued onnex' page)
JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
Most often, men refuse to marry girls who are
not excised. Since marriage is still the only career
for a woman in most of Africa and the Middle
East, the operations continue.
mOlion 0/ her knife, begins 10 scrape Ihe skin from Ihe
inside ollhe large lips.
Wilh Ihe abrasion o/Ihe skin compleled, according 10
Ihe rules. Ihe operalOr closes Ihe bleeding large lips and
fixes Ihem one againsllhe olher wilh long acacia Ihorns.
Allhis slage oflhe operalion Ihe child is so exhausled
Ihal she slaps crying. bUI often has convulsions. The
women Ihen/orce down her Ihroal a concoclion olplams.
The operalor's chiel concern is 10 leave an opening no
larKer Ihan a kernel ol corn or jusl big enoughl 10 allow
urine. and laler Ihe menslrualflow. 10 pass. Thefamilv
honor depends on making Ihe opening as small as possible
because wilh Ihe Somalis, Ihe smaller Ihe arlifical passage
is, Ihe grealer Ihe value ollhe girl and Ihe higher Ihe bride
price.
When Ihe operalion isJinished, Ihe woman pours waler
over Ihe genilal area 0/ Ihe girl. and wipes her wilh a rag.
Then Ihe child. II'ho was held down all Ihis lime. is made 10
sland up. The u'omen Ihen immobilize her Ihighs by lying
Ihem IOgelher lI'ilh ropes 0/ goal skin. This bandage is
applied/rom Ihe knees 10 Ihe waisl oflhe girl. and is left in
placelor abOUilwo weeks. The girl muSI remain Iving on a
matfor Ihe enlire lime, while all Ihe excremem evidem/l'
remains wilh her in Ihe bandage.
Afier Ihal lime. Ihe girl is released and Ihe bandage is
cleaned. Her vagina is now closed. and remains so umif
her marriage. Comrary 10 whal one would assume, nol
many girls die from Ihis IOriure. There are, of course,
various complicalions which frequemlr leave Ihe girl
crippled and disabled/or Ihe reSI a/her life. "
Many colorful myths are related all over Africa as reasons
for the operations. Though all the myths are still believed by
the ethnic groups involved in the rural areas, many of the
reasons are contradictory, and none of them are compatible
with biological facts.
Most Africans who practice these operations believe that
excision is a custom decreed by the ancestors; therefore, it
must be complied with. Most often, men refuse to marry girls
who are not excised. Since marriage is still the only career for
a woman in most of Africa and the Middle East, the opera-
tions continue. "No proper Kiku.l'u would dream ofmarrying
a girl who has nol been circumcised. "slaled lama Kenyalla,
Ihe revered leader ol Kenya in his book. "Facing Mount
Kenya," which was wrillen in Ihe 1930s and cominues 10 be
published and is also sold in lOurisl shops in Nairobi.
As President of Kenya for life, Kenyatta had great influ-
ence on Africans well beyond the borders of Kenya, and his
much quoted statement is responsible for the mutilation of
many thousands of helpless little girls and untold suffering
and deaths.
The successor of Kenyatta, President Arap Moi
categorically prohibited female genital mutila-
tion operations in 1982.
THE TRUTH SEEKER -24-
The successor of Kenyatta, President Arap Moi categori-
cally prohibited female genital mutilation operations in 1982.
He also alerted the Health Services that no more operations
may be done in hospitals, which shows that the Kenyan
Health Services were involved in the mutilations. Unfortu-
nately, there has been no follow-up, teaching or educating the
people against the mutilations. As a result, they have gone
underground.
Excision, by cutting out the most sensitive
tissues of a woman's body, extinguishes sexual
sensitivity, pleasure and response to touch. The
elimination of female sexual pleasure is the rea-
son most frequently given for the genital mutila-
tions, which is to keep "moral behavior of
women in society" and "to assure the faithfulness
of women to their husbands" - who usually
have several wives.
Excision, by cutting out the most sensitive tissues of a
woman's body, extinguishes sexual sensitivity, pleasure and
response to touch. The elimination of female sexual pleasure
is the reason most frequently given for the genital mutilations,
I
which is to keep "moral behavior of women in society" and
"to assure the faithfulness of women to their husbands" -
who usually have several wives. In many ethnic groups, for
instance in Mali and Francophone West Africa, the opera-
tion traditionally is performed just before marriage, as a
puberty rite; it is claimed that a woman can be accepted into
adult society and get married only after she is operated upon. ,
Women who do not have their genitals
mutilated are considered to be prostitutes.
In the Sudan and the Middle East, and in Moslem socie-
ties, for instance in Somalia, it is said that a woman is
incapable of controlling her sexuality - hence she must be
excised or infibulated or she will disgrace her family. Women
who do not have their genitals mutilated are considered to be
prostitutes.
It is said that women's external genitalia are ugly
and must be removed to make her acceptable to
a man.
Excision is also perceivedas a way to increase/ertility; and
the wish 0/ most women is to have as many children as
possible, especially sons, on which their status in society
depends. The biological facts about reproduction are un-
known or ignored. It is widely believed, for instance, in Mali
and Burkina Faso, and all over West Africa, that the clitoris
connotes maleness, and the prepuce of the penis, femaleness.
Hence, both have to be removed before a person can be
accepted as an adult in his/ her sex and society. It is also
believed that a girl who is not operated on will run wild and
disgrace her family. In Egypt, aesthetic reasons are some-
times cited for the operation, and this is occasionally said in
other areas of Africa as well. It is said that women's external
(Conlinued on next page)
JULY/AUGUST 1989
 9{g:turaf 115. Infi6ufation

Natural

Infibulated

INFIBULATION: IMMEDIATE RESULTS

Cutting away the exterior genital organs and infibulating a girl can start bleeding that cannot be stopped and may kill your
child. Dangerous infections may also result that may make your daughter very ill. Later, it may prevent her from having
children of her own. The damaging operations cause much needless suffering.

Natural

Infibulated

1 INFIBULATION / PHARAONIC CIRCUMCISON

Infibulation - cutting a way the external genital organs and then closing the opening to the vagina by scarification - is a very
dangerous operation that causes many life-long health problems. It interferes with a woman's natural sexuality. In the top
row, you see the natural genitals of a girl and a woman. In the pictures below, you see a girl bleeding after the operation and a
woman who is infibulated: only a tiny opening is left.
From: The Universal Childbirth Picture Book;
by Fran P. Hosken; pictures by Marcia L. Williams, published by Women's International Network News.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -25- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
The Catholic Church has sanctioned the genital
mutilation of all female children of its converts
on those grounds since the 17th century when
the Pope sent a medical mission to Ethiopia.
genitalia are ugly and must be removed to make her accepta-
ble to a man.
Hypertrophy of the clitoris - by which is meant an unus-
ual enlargement of that organ - is cited as reason for exci-
sion in Ethiopia and also in parts of igeria. The Catholic
Church has sanctioned the genital mutilation of all female
children of its converts on those grounds since the 17th
century when the Pope sent a medical mission to Ethiopia.
Health reasons are often cited, especially in urban areas
where the traditional myths are forgotten. Cleanliness is the
reason given also by middle class women in areas as far apart
as Cairo and Bamako.
A Iso, in Sudan, genital mutilations are connected with
cleanliness and is called "Tahur" which in Arabic means
purity. A woman is considereddirty andpolluted unless she is
mutilated The same is often said in Somalia.
Obviously, all of the myths are designed to
justify and continue the female genital mutila-
tions, from which men derive power and con-
trol over women as a group.
Many of the reasons given by local populations are quite
similar, though they have been arrived at quite independ-
ently, as no connection or communication exists between the
population groups involved. Most of these myths are pro-
moted by men, which once more documents the amazing
world-wide similarity of male attitudes concerning female
sexuality.
Obviously, all of the myths are designed to justify and
continue the female genital mutilations, from which men
derive power and control over women as a group. This is,
of course, the real reason why these operations continue
today, and why they are being rapidly introduced into the
modern sector throughout the African continent with the
collusion of Western men, and especially the male-domi-
nated health system. Though the social rites and ceremo-
nies are minimized or forgotten, the surgery continues: and
a lot of money can be made from this.
The genital mutilations are now performed on much
younger children especially in the towns, as it is feared by
men that the girls will resist once they go to school. Even in
areas where traditionally the operations were a coming-of-
age custom, they are now done on very young children,
sometimes a few years old, or even shortly after birth. The
stated purpose of the operation - introduction to adult
life - has disappeared. Nevertheless, the mutilations con-
tinue to be practiced even in families of government officials
The genital mutilations are now performed on
much younger children especially in the towns,
as it is feared by' men that the girls will resist
once they go to school.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Figure 2: Tribal Genital Mutilation. A later scene from
Figure 1 showing the raw bloody flesh of the excised
genital area.
and political leaders where many of the men have been to
European or Western universities. The reasons given by these
men are "tradition" - yet the men have rejected all African
traditions for their own Westernized personal lives.
The patriarchal family structure and ideology of
male supremacy supported by religion provides
the under-pinning for genital mutilations both
past and present.
The patriarchal family structure and ideology of male
supremacy supported by religion provides the under-pinning
for genital mutilations both past and present. It is wellrecog-
nized that religious beliefs are invariably cited to support the
"necessity" for having the genitals of daughters excised
and/or infibulated. The operations are practiced by animists
- those who believe in ancestor worship - stating that "the
ancestors decreed these operations and their wishes must be
followed." They are practiced by Moslems - indeed in the
Sudan and also in West Africa the local sheiks and mara-
bouts claim that excision or infibulation is a required or
"preferable" Moslem rite. But Egyptian Moslem religious
authorities at the recognized El Azhar University state there is
no requirement for female genital mutilation in the Koran.
Male circumcision, however, is an absolute command.
Excision and infibulation are practiced by Christians of all
denominations. As stated earlier the Papacy of the Roman
Catholic Church has officially supported the genital mutila-
tions ever since a medical mission was sent from Rome to
Ethiopia in the 18th Century which declared that genital
mutilations are "necessary."
(Continued on next page)
But Egyptian Moslem religious authorities at
the recognized EI Azhar University state there is
no requirement, for female genital mutilation in
the Koran. Male circumcision, however, is an
absolute command.
-26- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
;<;:;;
Figure 3: Tribal Genital Mutilation. The pain and shock
of a young girl as she stands up after her external
genitalia have been cut away.
Thefollowers of the Ethiopian Christian Church and the
Copts in Egypt (more than 7 million adherents) have
always mutilated the genitals of their female children.
Indeed, all religions (with the exception of the Scottish
Protestant Church in Kenya in the 1920s) have actively
supported or tolerated the mutilation of girls to make them
pliable subjects of the dominant patriarchal community
that vests all rights in the males. There is no doubt that
genital mutilation does permanent life-long physical and
psychological damage to women. The full impact of the
often terrible psychological consequences have never been
systematically investigated though it is known that numer-
ous young women commit suicide, asfor instance reported
in Burkina Faso.
Patriarchal Religions - there are no others in
Africa/The Middle East - provide the intellec-
tual basis for men to keep their power and privi-
leges in society. Who is going to question "the
hol~ religious beliefs expressed by men?
Patriarchal Religions - there are no others in Afri-
ca/The Middle East - provide the intellectual basis for
men to keep their power and privileges in society. Who is
going to question "the holy religious beliefs expressed by
men? Certainly not women - the vast majority in Africa
and the Middle East are still illiterate (in some countries up
to 90%). And men from Western countries especially those
concerned with development, have been warned by the
militant male politicians to keep hands off their "culture"
which in Africa and the Middle East sanctions polygamy,
wife beating (the diameter of the stick is specified in some
countries), the bride price (selling of young girls into mar-
riage by their fathers), unilateral divorce, child marriage
and female genital mutilations.
Over the centuries and due to their isolation, women
have come to believe that the mutilation of their genitals
are "necessary." Indeed, many women think that they are
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Over the centuries and due to their isolation,
women have come to believe that the mutilation
of their genitals are "necessary."
done all over the world. Thus, they are accepted as "natural."
Some African women even now cannot believe that the
operations are not done in other parts of the world.
The wholesale support ofcultural traditions by anthropol-
ogists without critical evaluations of the often terrible dam-
age done to the most vulnerable members ofeach community
- children, especially female children and women - is
completely irresponsible. There is hardly a major develop-
ment program in Africa by the U.S. Agency for International
Development - especially in health -that does not consult
an anthropologist. I have frequently run into those "devel-
opment advisers" who impose their ethnocentric views on
multi-million dollar health programs in Africa. As a result,
the terrible health damage done to girls and women by tradi-
tional practices is ignored because it is the "culture." I testified
repeatedly before Congressional Committees - especially
those concerned with appropriations for Foreign Aid to
attract attention to the health needs of women, especially in
Africa, about the modernization of female genital mutila-
tions which are a violation of human rights.
I stated in my Congressional testimony, "My research in
Africa shows that genital mutilations are increasingly per-
formed in the modern sector in Africa, including hospitals,
often on small babies, stripped of all traditional rites. This is a
gross abuse of modern medicine. As Editor of WIN NEWS,
I must advise this Committee that frequently health equip-
ment, tools and training contributed by the U.S. and other
Western donors is used to mutilate female children. Speaking
for American women and taxpayers, I strenuously object to
the use of U.S. monies and contributions to carry out sexual
castrations - that is clitoridectomies and infi bulations - on
non-consenting children in Africa and the Middle East."
African women have now started to organize to
fight against these terrible genital mutilations in
a systematic way.
The desire for modernization and especially all kinds of
imported equipment and tools, especially by men, provides
a unique opportunityfor men to teach their African broth-
ers that these genital mutilations are not acceptable. Only
men can reach their African counterparts on this subject
- especially since sexuality is involved, to teach them the
biological facts in a persuasive way and from their own
experience. Unfortunately, no one has ever really tried to
reach African men who make all the decisions in each
family about the truth regarding female genital mutila-
tions. Men also have been left out where family planning
programs are concerned - which are all imported by
Development and Population experts. As a result, family
planning in Africa has and is failing.
It is up to the male development and health advisers and
all those who have contact with African men - for
instance, the way many students from Africa at Western
(Continued on next page)
-27- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
Universities - to talk to them about excision and infibula-
tion and to explain to them why these genital mutilations are
unacceptable. But unfortunately, such educational programs
have not been tried.
African women have now started to organize to fight
against these terrible genital mutilations in a systematic way.
The Inter-African Committee was created in 1984, five years
after the ground breaking seminar, organized by WHO, on
the "Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women
and Children" held in Khartoum, Sudan.
As a temporary adviser to WHO - the sponsor of the
meeting - I provided an overview of female child genital
mutilations around the globe. This meeting opened up the
international discussion on female genital mutilations which
had been a tabu subject until then. That was in 1979. The
seminar attracted world-wide attention with delegations and
observers from the health departments of nine African and
Middle Eastern countries, as well as many Sudanese physi-
cians and health officials. Unfortunately, limited action fol-
lowed this seminar.
Figure 4: Tribal Genital Mutilation. A pre-pubertal male
has his foreskin stretched far over the glans where the
tip of the foreskin is cut away. This form of circumci-
sion is one of the more benign procedures which pro-
duced little blood flow (as could be detected from the
film) and is substantially less painful and traumatic
than the genital mutilation of the pre-pubertal girls.
Four recommendations were unanimously voted by the
delegates at the end of this fateful meeting:
• Adoption of clear national policies for the abolishment
of female circumcision;
• Establishment of national commissions to coordinate
and follow up the activities of other bodies involved
including, where appropriate, the enactment oflegisla-
tion prohibiting female circumcision;
• Intensification of general education of the public,
including health education at all levels, with special
emphasis on the dangers and the undesirability of
female circumcision;
• Intensification of education programs for traditional
birth attendants, midwives, healers and other practi-
THE TRUTH SEEKER
tioners of traditional medicine, to demonstrate the
harmful effects of female circumcision, with a view to
enlisting their support along with general efforts to
abolish this practice.
The Inter-African Committee, formed in 1984 at an inter-
national meeting and headed by Berhane Ras-Work, by now
has affiliated National Committees in 14 African countries
and has offices in Addis Ababa (at the ECA - Economics
Commission of Africa) and Geneva. They held several over-
flow meetings at the 1985 UN Decade Conference for
Women in Nairobi and have published an "Action Plan"that
provides an excellent set of guidelines for the National Com-
mittees to follow - who have held meetings in many African
countries.
A ground breaking International Seminar on "Strategies to
Bring About Change" was held in June 1988, in Mogadishu,
to draw world attention to the Somalian 01mpaigne to Erad-
icate Infibulation - which was started two years ago.
The SWDO (Somali Women's Democratic Organization),
jointly with AIDoS (The Italian Association for Women in
Development) has organized a national campaign, fully sup-
ported by the Somalian Government, to eradicate these dam-
aging traditional practices. Indeed, every department of the
Somalian Government is involved in this national initiative
led by the outspoken president of the S W DO, Muraio Garad
Ahmed, who wields considerable political power.
AIDoS, led by Daniela Colombo and with the assistance
of the Italian Government, has worked jointly with the
SWDO in Somalia to develop viable strategies and extensive
teaching aids for all different kinds of programs addressed to
different sectors of the population.
The secrecy surrounding infibulation has only recently
begun to be lifted in Somalia. It took considerable courage
for the SWDO to take up this issue. Thanks to the persever-
ance of its leadership, it now has become a national campaign
supported not only by the health ministry, but also by all
other ministries, especially education. The campaign to erad-
icate female child genital mutilation is going on in all the
schools; it is discussed on the radio and TV. Indeed, no
occasion is missed to create awareness among the population
about the damage done by infibulation. All families are urged
to stop having their daughters "done."
This international seminar had been preceded by a national
meeting which had developed a program of action for the
joint SWDO-AIDoS Information Campaign. At the interna-
tional seminar in Mogadishu, many influential national and
international leaders gave speeches at the opening and closing
sessions in the great hall of the Parliament. The speakers
included a representative of the President of Somalia, the
Minister of Health, the SWDO President, the Italian Ambas-
sador, representatives of UNICEF, WHO, AIDoS and
others.
Delegates from several African countries, including Egypt,
Sudan, The Gambia and igeria presented outlines about the
successful campaigns and strategies to eradicate female child
genital mutilations in their countries. Egypt, with a program
sponsored by the Cairo Family Planning Association, led by
Aziza Kamel, has the most extensive experience in conduct-
ing a multitude of successful grassroots initiatives. From
(Continued on next page)
-28- JULY/AUGUST /989
 Circumcision: The Legal and Constitutional Issues
by Charles A. Bonner and
Michael J. Kinane
INTRODUCTION
Circumcision has origins dating back 4,000-5,000 years, to
a time before Abraham and his covenant with God to circum-
cise his people. Through the ages, civilization has witnessed
numerousforms of child abuse enjoying significant popular-
ity, including sterilizations, female circumcision, infanticide,
ritual sacrifice, binding of the feet, and ritual piercing and
mutilations. While almost 80% of the world's populations
have ceased or avoided the ritual of circumcision, nearly 60%
of American infant males and the majority of Moslems and
Jews still suffer this mutilation.
With the exception ofJews, for whom circumci-
sion has long been a tribal sign, widespread cir-
cumcision in the United States appears to be
largely a late nineteenth-century development.
Anthropologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists have
offered a variety of explanations for the practice: enhanced
sexual performance, decreased sexual pleasure to prevent
moral degeneration, social prestige, sacrifice to fertility gods,
tribal signs, tests for endurance, reincarnation, and hygienic
reasons. However, with the exception of Jews, for whom
circumcision has long been a tribal sign, widespread circum-
cision in the Unit.ed States appears to be largely a late
nineteenth-century development. For non-Jews, it serves
neither as a~means of tribal integration, or separa.tion and
identification, nor as an initiation rite to establish male iden-
tity. The customary justificationfor malegenital mutilation is
hygienic, but it seems to have been primarily grounded in
anti-masturbation hysteria of the late 1800s andjlourished
following mass military circumcisions during WWlI. (23
FAML 337).
CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL ISSUES
Circumcision, as an unnecessary medical treatment, raises
four major legal issues, beyond the traditonal malpractice
cause of action for a negligent procedure.
1. Do parents have the authority, constitutional or statu-
tory, to consent to unnecessary medicalsurgeryfor theil
infant son?
2. What is the extent of the State's interest in protecting
children from unnecessary surgery?
3. What is the standardfor thirdparty consent to intrusive
surgery?
4. What civilor criminalremedies are available to victims of
circumcision?
LIMITATIONS TO PARENTS' CONSENT
Decisions regarding child rearing, care and education have
been recognized as being entitled to protection as a funda-
mental right of personal liberty under the Constitution.
[Walen v. Roe (1977) 429 U.S. 589,599-600; Peoplev. Privit-
era (1979) 23 Cal. 3d 697, 702; In re Roger S. (1977) 19 Cal. 3d
THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT
921,928.] However, this parental duty and right is subject to
limitations "if it appears that parental decisions will jeopard-
ize the health or safety of the child, or have a potential for
significant social burdens." [Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) 406
U.S. 205, 234; Peoplev. Privitera, supra, 703; In re Roger S.,
supra, 928.] If these conditions are present the state may
assert important interests in safeguarding health and safety
and in maintaining medical standards. [Roe v..Wade (1973)
410 U.S. 113, 153-154; People v. Privitera, supra, 703.] In
Privitera, the Supreme Court recently held that when impor-
tant interests of health and safety are involved the State's
regulations shall be tested under the rational basis test. [Peo-
ple v. Privitera, supra, 702, fn. 2, 703.]
A parents' right to consent to medical treatment is not
statutory in California, butl rather derives from the common
law. In Kate's School v. Department of Health (1979) 155
Cal. Rptr. 529, - a case regarding a parents' right to pres-
cribe their treatment of choice for their mentally disordered
children, the court held that "the regulation of intrusive and
possibly hazardous forms of treatment of mentally disor-
dered children, such as involved in behavior modification
therapy through corporal punishment, is a proper exercise of
the states' police power and bears a rational relation to the
state's interest in the protection of the health and safety ofthe
children ... " This decision establishes that parents' rights to
consent to treatment are not unlimited. Surgical removal of
an infant'sforeskin, without medicaljustification, presents a
more serious threat to the health and safety of the child than
corporalpunishment, thereby justifying exercise ofthe state's
police power.
In an unpublished 1987 decision of the Court of Appeal,
1st District, No. A032040, London v. Glassner et aI., petition
for review denied, parental consent to "any . . . medical
treatment" is found to be without apparent limitation, regard-
less of purpose. Civil Code §25.8 cited as authority for this
decision provides: "Either parent if both parents have legal
custody, or the parent or person having legal custody or the
legal guardian, of a minor may authorize in writing any adult
person into whose care the minor has been entrusted to
consent to ANY X-ray examination, anesthetic, MEDICAL
OR SURGICAL diagnosis or TREATMENT and hospital
care to be rendered to the minor under the general or special
supervision and UPON THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN
AND SURGEON licensed under the provisions of the Medi-
cal Practice Act or to consent to an X-ray examination,
anesthetic, dental or surgical diagnosis or treatment and
hospital care to be rendered to the minor by a dentist licensed
under the provisions of the Dental Practice Act." (emphasis
added.) This court then held "(a) circumcision is a medical,
surgical treatment," rejecting plaintiffs public policy argu-
ment that children should be protected from suffering unjus-
tifiable pain or risk - based on the premise that parents
cannot consent to surgical procedures which have no medical
purpose." While this section does not specifically grant any
direct authority for parental consent, the trial court found the
legislative history was to extend the common law/authority
of parents. (Continued on next page)
-SI- JULY/ AUGUST 1989
 Circumcision: The Legal and ConstitutionaHssues (Continued)
Infants, legally mentally incompetent, are there-
fore protected from nonrequired medical treat-
ment under the Probate Code.
The London decision is unsupported and contradicted by
the California Supreme Court's decision in Conservatorship
of Valerie N. v. Valerie N. (1985) 219 Cal. Rptr. 387). The case
deals with the rights of parents of a mentally incompetent
adult to consent to sterilization, a recognized medical treat-
ment. The court found that the parents as "conservators, were
not entitled to have conservatee, who was unable to consent
to sterilization, sterilized inasmuch as there was neither evi-
dence of necessity ... nor sufficient evidence that less intrusive
means were not presently
available to conservatee." This ~ourt further holds "... as to
those medical procedures permitted after court authorization
the Legislature has required ajudicial determination that the
condition of the conservatee 'require the recommended
course of medical treatment'" as provided in Cal. Probate
Code section 2357, subd. (h)(I). Infants, legally mentally
incompetent, are therefore protected from nonrequired med-
ical treatments under the Probate Code.
The State's interest in an infant's First Amend-
ment constitutional rights of Safety, Liberty,
Privacy, and Happiness exceed the State's inter-
est in protecting parents' constitutional rights.
THE STATE'S INTEREST IN
CIRCUMCISION
The State's interest in circumcision, beyond financial con-
siderations of Medi-Cal coverage and the maintenance of
ethical medical standards and procedures, involve the protec-
tion of an infant's constitutional rights to Liberty, Privacy,
Safety, and Happiness under the California Constitution
Article I, the Federal protection against arbitrary deprivation
of Due Process and Equal Protection under the Fourteenth
Amendment, and the violation of criminal statutes against
child and sexual abuse.
The State's interest in an infant's First Amendment consti-
tutional rights to Safety, Liberty, Privacy, and Happiness
exceed the State's interest in protecting parents' constitu-
tional rights.
Parental rights to the custody and control of their minor
children are as old as civilization itself. Modern judges refer
to parents' custodial rights as "sacred," as a matter of"natural
law" and as "inherent natural rights, for the protection of
which, just as much as for the protection of the rights of the
individual to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, our
government is formed." 23 ]FAML 337. The generalized
claims of parental constitutional rights have not been without
challenge; courts aLall levels of the judicial hierarchy have
occasionally intruded into the family relationship to protect
children. Ibid. The most important Supreme Court cases
reflecting state and judicial intervention are Prince v. Massa-
chusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944), and the cases involving the
rights ofteenage females to have abortions, Bellotti v. Baird,
THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT
443 U.S. 622 (1979); Carey v. Population Service Interna-
tional, 431 U.S. 678 (1977). Ibid. The essence of the Prince
decision is captured in the statement that "parents may befree
to become martyrs themselves. But it does notJoUow they are
Jree . .. to make martyrs oj their children beJore they have
reached the age oj full and legal discretion when they can
make that choiceJor themselves. " Prince, supra, 170. Under
Yoder, supra, 234, parental authority and discretion may be
challenged "if it appears that parental decisions will jeopard-
ize the health or safety ofthe child ..." This demonstrates that
the child's right to safety overcomes parental constitutional
rights.
"The preservation of one's bodily reproductive
functions is a fundamental right, and the termi-
nation thereof constitutes a serious invasion of
the sanctity of the person."
In California, Valerie N., supra, the court held that "The
courts have ... recognized individual Liberty in things of the
body as a touchstone," (Note, Due Process Privacy and the
path of progress (1979) U.III. L. Forum 469, 504-505, 515; see
Union Pacific R. Co. v. Botsford (1981) 141 U.S. 250,251-
252 (common law right of personal injury plaintiff to be free
of compulsory physical examination), cited in Roe v. Wade
(1973) 410 U.S. IB, 152; Schmerberv. California (1966) 384
U.S. 757, 778-779 (dis. opn. of Douglas); Breithaupt v.
Abram (1957) 352 U.S. 432, 441-442 (dis. opn. of. Warren,
C.] .); Id., at 443-443 (dis. opn. of Douglas,].). "The preserva-
tion of one's bodily reproductive functions is a fundamental
right, and the termination thereof constitutes a serious inva-
sion of the sanctity of the person." Guardianship of Tulley
(1978) 83 Cal. App. 3d 698, 705. "Liberty means more than
freedom from servitude, and the constitutional guarantee is
an assurance that the citizen shall be protected in the right to
use his powers of mind and bpdy in any lawful calling." Smith
v. Texas (1914) 233 U.S. 630, 636. "Although the Court has
not assumed to define 'liberty' with any great precision, that
term is not confined to mere freedom from bodily restraint.
Liberty under the law extends to the full range of conduct
which the individual is free to pursue, and it cannot be
restricted except for a proper governmental objective." (BoI-
ling v. Sharpe (1954) 347 U.S. 497, 499-500. There is no
proper government objective which justifies restricting the
infant's right to keep his bodily parts intact and enjoy a full
range of use of his sexual organs.
There is no proper government objective which
justifies restricting the infant's right to keep his
bodily parts intact and enjoy a full range of use
of his sexual organs.
In the California discussion of sterilization of mental
incompetents, Valerie N., supra, it cites with approval In
Matter of Guardianship of Hayes (198) 93 Wash. 2d 228
where the Washington court concluded: "In the rare case
sterilization may be indeed in the best interest of the retarded
person ... However, the court must exercise care to protect
the individual's right ofPRIVACY, and thereby not unneces-
(Continued on next page)
-S2- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Circumcision: The Legal and Constitutional Issues (Continued)
sarily invade that right. Substantial medical evidence must be
adduced, and the burden on the proponent ... will be shown
by clear, cogent and convincing evidence that such a proced-
ure is in the best interest of the retarded person." Valerie N.,
supra, goes on to find that it is necessary to "preserve the right
... to be free of intrusive medical and surgical procedures ... "
The State's interest in protecting an infant's rights to due
process and equal protection is derived from the incompe-
tency of his age and the accident of birth, his sex. To deprive a
baby boy of his constitutional rights of Liberty, Safety, Pri-
vacy and Happiness must serve a "compelling state interest."
While ensuring the constitutionalrights ofparents in care and
child rearing is an important state interest, that interest is
subordinated to the child's when the parental discretion may
jeopardize the health or safety of that child A reasonable
method to protect a child's due process rights, would be to
provide for ajudicial hearing, with the child represented by a
disinterested guardian ad litem, to insure the necessity of a
medical procedure risking the health and safety of the incom-
petent minor. See Hayes, supra. In order to justify routine
circumcisions for male infants which are not required or
allowed for femakinfants, requires a "compelling state inter-
est" to meet established equal protection analysis require-
ments. No state interest ofany kind is served by the policy of
sexually discriminatory routine circumcisions, and it there-
fore violtiLes both the State and Federal Equal Protection
clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.
STANDARD FOR THIRD PARTY
WARENTA~CONSENT
Hayes, supra, cited with approval in Valerie N., supra,
provides a reasonable framework establishing a standard for
third party consent to intrusive medical and surgical proced-
ures. While Hayes and Valerie concern cases of sterilization is
medically indicated as the last and best resort for the individ-
ual. Can it be shown by clear, cogent and convincing evi-
dence, for example that other methods of birth control are
inapplicable or unworkable?" ... "The decision can only be
made in a superior court proceeding in which (I) the incom-
petent individual is represented by a disinterested guardian ad
litem, (2) the court has received independent advice based
upon a comprehensive medical, psychological, and socia'
evaluation of the individual, and (3) to the greatest extent
possible, the court has elicted and taken into account the view
of the incompetent individual." "Within this framework, the
judge must first find by clear, cogent and convincing evidence
that the individual is (I) incapable of making his or her own
decision ... , and (2) unlikely to develop sufficiently to make
an informed judgement ... in theforseeablefuture." "Next, it
must be proved by clear, cogent and convincing evidence that
there is a need ..." "Finally, there must be no alternative ...
The judge must find clear, cogent and convincing evidence (I)
all less drastic .. methods, ... have been proved unworkable
or inapplicable, and (2) the proposed method ... entails the
least invasion ofthe body of the individual. Valerie N., supra,
466-467.
THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT
Neonatal circumcision shares sufficient characteristics
with sterilization of mental incompetents to justify utilizing
the same standards to approve third party consent. Both
practices remove a natural, healthy part of the anatomy
without therapeutic necessity, in an irreversible procedure.
Both restrict the full and complete enjoyment of the repro-
ductive organs. Both have a tradition of government sup-
ported abuse. Both force the acceptance of an involuntary
risk of surgical complications and death. Both restrict the
patient's individual constitutional rights to Privacy, Liberty,
Safety, Happiness, Due Process, and Equal Protection.
The primary difference between thirdparty ~onsent in the
cases ofneonatal circumcision and involuntary sterilizations
of incompetents is that infants will one day be competent to
make their own choices.
This justification for granting third party
consent for circumcision can not survive review.
The court in Valerie, supra, 448, justifies the necessity of
granting a third party consent for mental incompetents to
protect their constitutional right to procreative choice. "We
do not pretend that the choice of the (incompetent's) parents,
her guardian ad litem, or a court is her own choice. But it is ...
one designed to further the same interests she might pursue
had she the ability to decide herseIf." In re Grady, supra, 426
A.2d at 481. This justification for granting third party consent
for circumcision can not survive review.
An operation or medical procedure
without valid consent constitutes battery
and false imprisonment.
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL REMEDIES
FOR NEONATAL CIRCUMCISION
Critical to the issue of civil liability, absent medical neg-
ligence, is the lack of actual or "informed consent." The
well recognized legal incompetence of an infant precludes
direct or personal consent. An operation or medical proced-
ure without valid consent constitutes battery .and false im-
prisonment. (See Rainer v. Community Memorial Hospital.
(1971) 18 Cal. App. 3d 240, 255; City of Newport Beach v.
Sasse (1970) 9 Cal. App. 3d 803, 810.) Third party consent to
a surgical procedure can be granted with validity, conditional
upon the circumstances, by a parent, guardian ad litem, or the
courts. (See Valerie N., 219 Cal. Rptr. 387) The substituted
consent doctrine is often invoked to permit consent by
parents or guardians for surgery on an incompetent conserva-
tee or minor. (See Probate Code §2353, 2355,2357) However,
"even as to those intrusive medical procedures permitted after
court authorization, the Legislature has required a judicial
determination that the condition of the conservatee 'RE-
QUIRES THE RECOMMENDED COURSE OF MEDI-
CAL TREATMENT.'''(emphasis added) (Valerie N., Supra,
452.) Civil Code §25.8 which generally provides a right for
parents to extend consent for any medical treatment ren-
dered, UPON THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN AND
SURGEON must meet the same standard as specified under
the Probate Code, that is the child "requires the recom-
mended course of medical treatment."
(Continued on the next page)
-S3- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Circumcision: The Legal and Constitutional Charles A. Bonner, J.D. is in private practice in San Fran-
Issues (Continued) cisco, California, with a -speciality in personal injury and
medical malpractice.

The Code of Medical Ethics prohibits Michael J. Kinane is a law student at the Hastings School of
Law, San Francisco, California.
a physician from advising unnecessary
medical or surgical treatment.
The Code of Medical Ethics prohibits a physician from
advising unnecessary medical or surgical treatment. The
AA P has declared there is "no absolute medical indication for
routine circumcision." Certainly, ifthere is a recognized med- The Politics of
ical indication for an individual neonatal circumcision, the
attending physician would have no difficulty advising that the
procedure is required. This medical determination and advice
would allow the parents, guardians, or court to make a valid
Reproductive
"informed consent" on the part of the minor, for the surgical
procedure of circumcision. Absent a recognized medical indi-
cation and physician advice, no third party would be in a
position to make a valid "informed consent." Absent a valid
Ritual
"informed consent" the physician and those assisting (par-
ents, staff, hospital) in the non-consensua~ intentional con-
finement and operation on a minor can be held liable for Karen Ericksen Paige
battery and false imprisonment.

The civil law presently offers more

fruitful avenues of approach to
prevent genital mutilations.
Suits for damages against surgeons, hospitals, and con-
ceiva bly parents, are possible because malice in the sense of iii
will or a desire to cause injury is not essential to sustain a
recovery for intentional wrong doing. It is enough for the
plaintiff to show that the defendant knowingly and intention-
ally did the act which caused the damage and that damage
was substantially certain to follow. The limitation posed by
suits for negligence in this area is grounded in societally
determined assumptions and expectations. which are slowly
changing to recognize circumcision as mutilations. (See 23
JFAML 337)
Once it is shown that a childhas been subject to an injury to
his sexual organ, without valid "informed consent" or medi-
calnecessity, a case may be madefor enforcement ofexisting
state laws prohibiting assault and battery, conspiracy to
assault and batter, childabuse, andsexualabuse. However it
will be extremely difficult to get a conviction, since circumci-
sion is not culturally acknowledged as child abuse at the
present time. Additionally, in some jurisdictions it may be
difficult to establish the requisite criminal intent. For this
reason, the civil law presently offers more fruitful avenues of
approach to prevent genital mutilations.
Perhaps a promising approach would be a civil rights
classdaction against hospitals designed to prevent routine
neonatal circumcisions, that is, in cases where circumcision is
not medically warranted. A class action suit wouldfocus on
the individuals most culpable since competent surgeons are
aware that routine neonatal circumcision is not goodmedical
practice. It would also avoid the constitutional issues of
parental rights, as well as religious issues, since the Orthodox
Jewish circumcision ceremony is not normally performed in
medical centers by medical personnel. (23 JFAML 337)
THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT
and Jeffery M. Paige
"The single most important work
on the subject to date."
- Morris Zelditch, Jr.
"A welcome addition. They argue that rituals
of reproduction in preindustrial societies are
essentially political. In these societies, they say,
men need to control the reproductive power of
women in order to establish political power;
where there is no law or central government,
ritual is used as a way of gaining control. The
type of ritual will vary, they conclude, accord~
ing to the economic base of the society ... for
those who are interested in the subject, this
book is indispensable. Its thesis is challenging
and the documentation is excellent. Paige and
Paige have made an essential contribution to a
long debate, and their theory is sure to stir new
and lively controversy." _ Science Digest
University of California Press
Berkeley - Los Angeles - London
Berkeley, CA 94720
$11.95
~S4- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 CliTORidECTOMY: A NiNETEENTIt CENTURy ANSWER TO MASTURbATiON
by John Duffy
It was not until the second half of the
19th century that masturbation became
one of general concern.
I In the early 19th century perceptive physicians were
becoming increasingly dubious of the traditional medical
I theories and began turning to clinical experience. Unfortu-
nately, lacking an understanding of physiology and with no
knowledge of bacteriology, they were frustrated in their
attempts to prevent or cure disease. In desperation physicians
intensified their use of the traditional therapeutics - bleed-
ing, blistering, vomiting, purging and sweating, heroic ther-
apy which only served to increase public suspicion of the
profession. Seeking to compensate for their inability to deal
with disease, physicians increasingly began assuming the role
of moral leaders. In the process they seized upon issues such
as abortion and masturbation.
The prudishness of Victorians and veil of silence they cast
over sexuality is well known, but what is not so well known is
their preoccupation with masturbation. Little attention had
been given to masturbation until late in the 18th century, and
it was not until the second half of the 19th century that
\ masturbation became one of general concern. It first came to
public attegtion through the efforts of a few moralists, but it
( was not until the medical profession, seeking to bolster its
status in society, transformed the moral question of mastur-
bation into a medical condition that it became a significant
issue.
In the case of males, the apprehensions about masturba-
tion were engendered by a widespread assumption that the
loss of semen endangered the brain and nervous system. In
America the superintendent of the Massachusetts Lunatic
Asylum gave credence to this belief when in his 1848 annual
report he asserted that 32 per cent of admissions were for
"self-pollution," one of several euphemisms for masturba-
tion. Reflecting in part the Victorian preoccupation with
sexuality, by the late 19th century medicaljournals in Europe
and America were attributing almost every conceivable med-
ical condition to this "secret vice."
Loss of semen was considered a
real danger to males ...
Since loss of semen was considered a real danger to males,
then it followed that nocturnal emissions were equally
J hazardous. To solve both ofthese problems, a whole array of
mechanical devices were constructed. They included such
items as strait jackets, genital cages, and penis rings with
sharp points on the inside. Most of these objects were devised
by laymen, but the medical profession, which has generally
reflected prevailing beliefs, was not to be outdone. Young
men driven by guilt who sought a physician's help, or who
confessed to masturbation under close questioning by their
physician, were treated with blistering agents, mild acid solu-
tions, or leeches applied to the genitals. Bloodletting and
cutting the foreskin were also used in serious cases. 1 In at
THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT
least one extreme case, at the request of a desperate patient
who feared for his sanity, his physician castrated him. The
physician in his report of the case declared that the patient
was gaining weight, somewhat lethargic, but morally sound.
Reprehensible as was masturbation among males, it was
an even graver problem among Victorian females, who were
viewed as delicate, sensitive, frail, and emotional creatures. In
response to an article in a local paper urging the medical
regulation of prostitutes, the editor of the New Orleans Medi-
cal and Surgical Journal began by pointing out that the
morality of American women was much higher than that of
women in other countries. Most prostitutes in New Orleans,
he observed, were foreigners. Having settled this point, he
turned to "onanism" or masturbation, a practice "very injudi-
cious to the health of both males and females." Men, he
wrote, occasionally admitted to it, but the case with women
was far different.
"In my opinion, neither theplague, nor war, nor
smallpox, nor a crowd of similar evils have
resulted more disastrously for humanity, than
the habit of masturbation: it is the destroying
element of civilized society. "
To ask for or expect information from adult females about
this practice, he wrote, "is altogether useless and vain,
although many of their diseases, as leucorrhoea, uterine hae-
morrhage, falling of the womb, cancer, functional disorders
of the heart, spinal irritation, palpitation, hysteria, convul-
sions, haggard features, emaciation, debility, mania - many
symptons called nervous - un triste tableau. have been
referred to masturbation as the cause." Even ifthese disorders
did not originate in masturbation, he continued, "its practice
would certainly aggravate them." The editorial concluded
with a quote from a French physician: "In my opinion,
neither the plague, nor war, nor smallpox, nor a crowd of
similar evils have resulted more disastrously for humanity,
than the habit of masturbation: it is the destroying element of
civilized society." 2
Dr. Isaac Brown Baker, who claimed success in
treating epilepsy and other nervous disorders in
female patients by excising the clitoris.
In 1866 an American medical journal discussed the work of
a British physician, Dr. Isaac Brown Baker, who claimed
success in treating epilepsy and other nervous disorders in
female patients by excising the clitoris. After noting that the
great mass of English medical opinion was strongly opposed
to Baker's ideas and had "unqualifiedly condemned" his
operation, the American editor concurred with the English
medical profession, declaring that to remove the clitoris "to
allay sexual irritability is about as unphilosophical as to
remove the analogous organ of the male." 4
(Continued on next page)
-55- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Clitoridectomy: (Continued)

"SexuaIPervers;on;n the Female" (1894) refer-

red to female masturbation as a "moral leprosy. "
While the clitoridectomy was only rarely performed in the
English-speaking nations, the subject of female masturbation
continued to intrigue the public and the medical profession.
As the century drew on, more articles on the subject began
appearing in medical journals and the clitoridectomy was
revived. In 1889 Dr. Joseph Jones, a former president ofthe
Louisiana State Board of Health and a medical professor,
stated that "hopeless insanity" was one of the many conse-
quences of masturbation and that the child of a masturbator
was liable to hereditary insanity. 8
Dr. A.J. Bloch of New Orleans in an article entitled "Sex-
ual Perversion in the Female" (1894) referred to female mas-
turbation as a "moral leprosy. "In one of his cases, he des-
cribed how a schoolgirl of fourteen suffering from nervous-
ness and pallor had been cured by "liberating the clitoris from
its adhesions" and by lecturing the patient on the dangers of
masturbation. 10
As far as can be ascertained, Dr. Bloch was one ofthe last
American surgeons to report taking such drastic measures.
By this date medical studies were beginning to demonstrate
that masturbation caused no serious functional disturbances
and that the psychological problems involved arose from the
social attitude towards the practice rather than the act itself.
As these ideas gained medical acceptance during the next
thirty years, the subject of masturbation in normal individu-
als gradually disappeared from medical journals.

References:
I. Haller, John S. and Robin M., The Physician and Sexu-
ality in Victorian America, Urbana, Chicago, and Lon-
don, 1974, pp. 195,207-209.
2. Editorial: Review of European Legislation for Control of
Prostitution, New Orleans Medical Surgical Journal
1I: 700-705, 1854- I855. ACTION GVIDE Published by WINNEWS
3. Castellanos, J.: Summary Prepared from French Jour- $5.00 per copy prepaid,
nals, South J Med Sci 1:495-96, 1866-1867.
4. Editorial: Clitoridectomy, South J Med Sci 1:794, please add $2.00 for air abroad.
1866-/867.
5. West, D.C.: Clitoridectomy, Brit Med J 2:585, 1866. This ACTION GUIDE is based on
6. DownJ., and Langden, H.: Influence of Sewing Machine research of the:
on Female Health, New Orleans Med Surg J 20:359-360,
1867-1868. Hosken Report: Genital/Sexual
7. Comment: New Orleans Med Surg J (new series) 9:67, Mutilation ofFemales.
1881-1882. Published by WIN NEWS
8. Jones, J.: General Medicine - Diseases of Nervous
System, Trans La Med Soc 1889, pp. I7o-I7I. 117.00per copy prepaid,
9. Tait, L.: Masturbation, Med News 53:1-3,1888. please add 15.00 for air abroad.
10. Block, A.J.: Sexual Perversion in Female, New Orleans
Med Surg J (new series) 22:1-7,1894-1895. Please sendyour order to:
II. Duffy, J.: Masturbation and Clitoridectomy. The Jour-
nal of The American Medical Association. October 19, WIN NEWS, Fran P. Rosken
1963, Vol. 186, pp. 246-248. 187 Grant Street
Lexington, MA 02173 U.SA.
John Duffy, Ph.D. is Clinical Professor Emeritus, Tulane Uni-
versity School of Medicine and Professor Emeritus of History,
University of Maryland. Dr. Duffy is a medical historian with WIN IS A NON-PROFIT
some nine published books and 80 articles. His newest book is CHARITABLE ORGANIZAnON
The Sanitarians: A History ofAmerican Public Health. Univer- Contributions to WIN are tax deductible.
sity of Illinois Press to be released in February 1990.

THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT -56- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Social-Behavioral Characteristics Of Affectionate/Nurturant
And Non-Affectionate/Non-Nurturant Primitive Cultures
by James W. Prescott

SOCIETAL CHARA CTERISTICS

HIGH AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES LOW AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES
I. Martrilineal I. Patrilineal
2. Polygyny has low incidence 2. Polygyny has high incidence
3. Women's status not inferior 3. Women's status inferior
4. Low avoidance of In-Laws 4. High avoidance of In-Laws
5. Low incidence of Mother-Child households 5. High incidence of Mother-Child households
6. Small community size 6. High community size
7. Low societal complexity 7. High societal complexity
8. Large extended family 8. Small extended family
9. Wives are not purchased 9. Wives are purchased
10. Slavery absent 10. Slavery present
II. Grand-parental authority over parents is absent II. Grand-parental authority over parents is present
12. Subsistence is primarily by food gathering 12. Subsistence is primarily'by food production
13. Low class stratification 13. High class stratification
14. Political integration at community and family level 14. Political integration at state level
15. Metal working is absent 15. Metal working is present

INFANT/CHILD CHARACTERISTICS
HIGH AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES LOW AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES
16. High infant physical affection 16. Low infant physical affection
17. Low infant physical pain 17. High infant physical pain
18. High infant indulgence 18. Low infant indulgence
19. High reduction of infant needs 19. Low reduction of infant needs
20. Immediate reduction of infant needs 20. Delayed reduction of infant needs
21. Low infant / child crying 21. High infant / child crying
22. Prolonged breast-feeding over 2% years 22. Breast-feeding less than 2% years
23. Low child anxiety over performance of 23. High child anxiety over performance of
responsible behavior responsible behavior
24. Low child anxiety over performance of 24. High child anxiety over performance of
obedient behavior obedient behavior
25. High smiling, laughter, humor 25. Low smiling, laughter, humor
26. Low anxiety over transition: infancy/childhood 26. High anxiety over transition: infancy/childhood
27. High number of food taboos during pregnancy 27. Low or no food taboos during pregnancy
28. Abortion permitted 28. Abortion highly punished
29. Strength of desire for children is low 29. Strength of desire for children is high

SEXUAL BEHA VIORAL CHARACTERISTICS

HIGH AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES LOW AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES
30. Premarital coitus permitted 30. Premarital coitus punished
31. Extramarital coitus permitted 31. Extramarital coitus punished
32. Post-partum sex taboo less than one month 32. Post-partum sex taboo greater than one month
33. Sex disability absent 33. Sex disability present
34. Castration anxiety is low 34. Castration anxiety is high
35. Low sex anxiety 35. High sex anxiety
36. Narcissicism is low 36. Narcissism is high
37. Low exhibitionistic dancing 37. High exhibitionistic dancing

THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT -57- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Social-Behavioral Characteristics of Primitive Cultures (Continued)
WAR/VIOLENCE/CRIME CHARACTERISTICS
HIGH AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES LOW AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES
38. Low adult physical violence 38. High adult physical violence
39. Low or no warfare 39. High warfare
40. Low military glory 40. Military glory emphasized
41. Bellicosity is low 41. Bellicositiy is extreme
42. Low or absent killing, torture, mutilation 42. High killing, torture, mutilation
43. Low personal crime 43. High personal crime
44. Incidence of theft is low 44. Incidence of theft is high

JUSTICE/RELIGIOUS/SUPERNATURAL CHARACTERISTICS
HIGH AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES LOW AFFECTIONATE/NURTURANT CULTURES
45. High God is mainly absent 45. High God is present
46. Low or no religious activity 46. High religious activity
47. Superordinate justice absent 47. Superordinate justice present
48. Supernaturals are benevolent 48. Supernaturals are aggressive
49. Fear of humans rather than fear of supernatural 49. Fear of supernatural rather than fear of humans
50.
51.
Belief in reincarnation absent
Low ascetecism in mourning
50.
51.
Belief in reincarnation present
High ascetecism in mourning
~
52. Witchcraft low or absent 52. Witchcraft highly present
53. Religious specialists are part-time 53. Religious specialists are full time \

NOTE: The above social-behavioral characteristics of
primitive cultures have been derived from: R.B. Textor
(1967) A Cross-Cultural Summary, HRAF Press New
Haven. Matrilineal cultures are those where inheritance fol-
lows the female line; Polygynous cultures are those where
men have several wives and is a measure of sexual exploita-
tion and control of women by men; High desire for children is
a measure that reflects exploitation of children: high value of
male and female fertility; and use of children as economic
resource, thus, its linkage with abortion being punished.
Presence of a Supernatural (High God) with high religious
activity in low affectionate/nurturant cultures reflects the
)
need for "divine love" when human love is absent or signifi-
cantly diminished. Similarily, God is made unto the image
and likeness of man - violent cultures have violent Gods;
peaceful cultures have peaceful/ benevolent Gods.

James W. Prescott is a developmental neuropsychologist and a

cross-cultural psychologist who received his doctorate in psycho-
logy from McGill University, Montreal, P.Q. Canada. He served as
Assistant Head, Physiological Psychology Branch, Office of Naval
Research (1963-1966); as Health Scientist Administrator, Devel-
opmental Behavioral Biology Program, National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development, NIH (1966-1980); and President,
Maryland Psychological Association (1970-1971).
He was the recipient of the "Outstanding Contributions To Psy-
chology Award, Maryland Psychological Association (1977); the
CINE GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD for his contributions, as
Scientific Director, to the award winning Time-Life film, "Rock A
Bye Baby" (1971); and has given expert testimony on the origins of
human violence, particularly domestic violence, before the Senate
of Canada; the U.S. Congress; and many other legislative and
professional organizations.
Dr. Prescott is currently President, BioBehavioral Systems;
Director, Institute of Humanistic Science; Editor, THE TRUTH
SEEKER; and is residing in San Diego, CA.

THE TRUTH SEEKER SUPPLEMENT -58- JULY/AUGUST /989

 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
London, Stella Efua Graham, a native of Ghana and Presi-
dent of FOR WARD (the Foundation for Women's Health),
outlined her educational work among African immigrants to
the U. K. A doctor from Indonesia discussed how female
circumcision in Indonesia had now been changed into a
purely symbolic rite. Berhane Ras Work, the president of the
Inter-African Committee (lAC) on "Traditional Practices
Affecting the Health of Women and Children" founded in
1984, talked about its work all over Africa.
Women's International Network (WIN) was represented
at the Seminar by Fran P. Hosken, who spoke about the
actions against female child genital mutilations all over the
world, and about the UNIVERSAL CHILDBIRTH PlC-
TU RE BOOKS with additions to prevent excision and infib-
ulation that WIN has developed and introduced all over
Africa with much success. The books are currently being
translated into Somali and will be used by the SWDO for
their campaign, by the Family Planning Program, the Health
Ministry, etc. Figure 5: Tribal Genital Mutilation. The excised
tip of the foreskin is placed on the toe of the boy
as a symbol of the completed puberty ritual.
These damaging traditions of genital mutila- Again, no blood on this foreskin could be detect-
tions must be eradicated as a prerequisite for ed in the film of this circumcision.
normal healthy development and to protect have their daughters' genitals mutilated and to teach their
the basic human rights of children and women. family and neighbors about the damage done by these mutila-
tions. We offer books to anyone who is willing to sign such a
The successful joint SWDO-AIDos education cam-
statement.

) paign, highlighted by this international meeting, should be

an example to both governmental and non-governmental
organizations that the time has come to address these
problems, and to provide more international support for
the eradication of these harmful, traditional, cultural prac-
tices. These damaging traditions of genital mutilations
must be eradicated as a prerequisite for normal healthy
development and to protect the basic human rights of
children and women. Most importantly, it is the wish of
African women and men concerned about their children's
health and future.
Men must become involved in this interna-
tional campaign to end the genital mutilation
of female children.
African women are working, supported by women
worldwide, to protect their daughters and to eradicate
these damaging traditions of female genital mutilations
that have no place in our world. But where are the African
men and other men in the rest of the world to support those
African men who are openly opposing thesb mutilations?
Men must become involved in this international campaign
to end the genital mutilation of female children.
WIN NEWS has been sending Childbirth Picture Books
(C B PBs) with the Additions to Prevent Excision and
Infibulation to midwifery schools all over Africa, to com-
munity health workers, secondary schools, indeed to all
who write for copies. The CBPBs are now circulating on
the grass-roots level- as our growing correspondence and
requests for more books confirms. In each book with the
A ddition to Prevent Excision. we enclose a short note to
ask the receiver to write a short statement that they will not
The success of this grass roots initiative has been remark-
able. We are mailing more and more small packages of books
and many of the requests, as well as letters describing their
efforts to teach in their own communities against excision,
are from men. Excerpts of some of the letters received are
printed in several issues of WIN NEWS.
It is possible to create a network of participants
and of support groups much like Amnesty
International has successfully done. Such a
man-to-man consciousness-raising network is
long overdue. This suggestion will, I hope,
encourage men to use their imagination and to
support this world-wide goal to end female geni-
tal mutilations.
Professional men in the u.s. should contact male profes-
sionals and leaders in Africa in affected countries and help
them to organize and speak to the issue publicly - to make it
known that, as community leaders, they reject these female
genital mutilations and that they do not practice them in their
own families. This can also be done without going to Africa,
without raising large amounts of money first, but on a per-
sonal basis. It is possible to create a network of participants
and of support groups much like Amnesty International has
successfully done. Such a man-to-man consciousness raising
network is long overdue. This suggestion will, I hope,
encourage men to use their imagination and to support this
world-wide goal to end female genital mutilations. Genital
mutilations are a violation of human rights.
(Conlinued on nex[ page)

THE TRUTH SEEKER -29- JULY/AUGUST /989

 Female Genital Mutilation - Strategies For Eradication (Continued)
RESOURCE LIST:
Women's International Network News (WIN NEWS) publishes Investigation of Genital Mutilation
a column on "Female Circumcision/Genital and Sexual
Mutilation" in every issue (quarterly) since 1975, where
Practiced in USA by Immigrants
information - including names and addresses - contacts WIN NEWS has a proposal for a systematic investiga-
are reported from all over the world. For subscriptions tion to be conducted by members of each ethnic com-
write to: WINNEWS, 187GrantSt., Lexington, MA02173 munity to research and record the facts. For more
The Hosken Report: Genital/Sexual Mutilation of Females by
information, please write to Fran P. Hosken, Editor,
Fran P. Hosken (Third Revised and Updated Edition),
WIN NEWS, 187 Grant Street, Lexington, MA 02173
Published by WIN NEWS, Winter 1982/83, 344 pages,
USA.
with case histories from: Sudan/ Egypt/Somalia/ Kenya/
Ethiopia/Nigeria/Mali/Upper Voltajlvory Coast/Sene-
gal/ Sierra Leone/ Arab Peninsula. Asia: Malaysia/ In-
donesia. The Western World.
Female Genital Mutilation in the World Today: A Global
Review, by Fran P. Hosken, International Journal of
Health Services, Editor-in-Chief: Vincente Navarro, Johns
Hopkins University, Baywood Publishing Co., 120 Marine ON Crime and Punisfimmt
St., P.O. Box D, Farmingdale, NY 11735 (Vol. II, No.3,
You. cmmot separate thejust jium the tu9ust
1981, pp. 415-530).
The Childbirth Picture Books: by Fran P. Hosken, pictures by aru! the 900c! jium the wicWi
Marcia L. Williams, published by WIN NEWS, 187 Grant For thty staIu! t!J9et11er 6efore thefaa 'ifthe sun. even as the 6fack
St., Lexington, MA 02173. Available in English/French/ tftmu{ aru! the wfiite. are woven t!J9etFter.
Arabic with Additions to Prevent Excision and Infibu-
lation/ and Spanish. Printed in India by CHETNA, 2nd And wlien the 6fack tIiread &reaRs, the weaver sliaf[ fook. inW the
Floor, Drive-in Cinema Bldg., Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad wlioCe c£otFt, aru! lie sliaf[ e;wmine the foam l1&J.
380054, in Hindi and other Indian languages. 'I1ie Propliet
Inter-African Committee: Africa Hall, Room 605, P.O. Box 1(aIiBI (jiDran
3001, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Or: 147 rue de Lausanne,
CH-1202 Geneva, Switzerland. A Newsletter is available in
English or French (2x year). f
AFRICA
1 ETHIOPIA
2 SUDAN
3 SOMALIA
4 KENYA
S EGYPT
, UGANDA
7 TANZANIA
I DJIBOUTI
9 CENTRAL AFRICA.
10 NIGERIA
11 GHANA
12 UPPER VOLTA
13 IVORY COAST
14 MALI
IS GUINE A
" SIERRA LEONE
17 SENEGAL
\I THE GAMBIA
19 MAURITA~IA
20 LIBERIA
21 TOGO
22 BENIN
23 CAMEROON
H CONGO
2 S GABON _EXCISION
21 ZAIRE
27 CHAO
21 NIGER
29 LIBYA
30 ALGERIA
31 SOUTH YEMEN
32 SAUDI AR A BIA
:>3 ANGOLA
34 ZAMBIA
3S MOZAMBIOUE
J& SAHARA
37 MOROCCO
31 RWANDA
39 BURUNDI
40 MALAWI
Copyright@ 1982 Fran P. Hosken

THE TRUTH SEEKER -30- JULY/AUGUST /989

 Epidemiology of Female Sexual Castration In Cairo, Egypt
by Mohamed Radawi
INTRODUCTION
In 1985 a group of 350 urban Egyptian women were
selected to self-report on their recall of their female sexual
castration (FSC) which they experienced as children. Two
years of field observations of female genital mutilations in
Cairo have resulted in a wealth of quantitative, qualitative
and photographic information on the various aspects of
female genital mutilations, as observed and practiced through
1985.
The purpose of this pilot study was to provide preliminary
baseline information for a future epidemiological study of
female genital mutilations and its relationship to female fertil-
ity and psychological trauma, particularly psychosexual
functioning. This report summarizes selected descriptive find-
ings from the pilot study that was conducted in Cairo, Egypt
in 1985 and were reported at the First International Sympo-
sium on Circumcision held at Anaheim, CA (1989). This pilot
study has provided some insights into the public health
aspects of female genital mutilations; the social- religious
factors that compel these practices; age, socio-economic and
other factors that place children at risk for FSC; nature and
circumstance of genital mutilations; and the personal psycho-
logical trauma experienced from these genital mutilations.
METHODOLOGY
A non-random sample of women were selected from var-
ious communities and socio-economic sectors in Cairo,
Egypt. Participants were not drawn from clinical patient
populations. The characteristics of the female participants
that were interviewed are summarized as follows:
AGE (Years): <l20: 16%; 20-29: 60%; 30-39: 16%; 40-49:
5%; 50+ 3%.
RELIGION: Muslim: 94%; Coptic: 6%.
MARIT AL STATUS: Single: 59%; Married: 37%;
Divorced: 2%; Widowed: 2%.
EDUCA nON: High School: 52%; College: 27%;
Elementary: 8%; Illiterate: 2%.
WORK: Employed: 46%; Housewife: 27%; Student: 27%.
INCOME: <lL.E. 100 Month: 78%; L.E. 100-500 Month:
19%; L.E. 1,000+ Month: 3%.
In brief, the female sample studied can be described as
young, Muslim, single, educated, employed and of lower
incomes in Cairo.
The data was collected during a single interview with each
female participant with no follow-up interviews. A three page
semi-structured questionnaire developed by the author was
used to obtain information in the following areas: a) person-
al/ family data; socio-economic status; conditions and char-
acteristics of the genital mutilation experience; and its effects
upon their psychological and psychosexual functioning.
The data collected was coded and edited to protect the
privacy of each participant. Computer encoded data included
no references to the identity of the participants. 93% of the
subjects completed the interview. Women who refused to
participate in this study were almost always accompanied by
THE TRUTH SEEKER
their husbands or a male figure. Women who willingly partic-
ipated in this study were either alone or accompanied by a
younger person of a lesser age or in the presence of another
woman.
PREVALENCE OF GENITAL MUTILATION
In this study, a majority of women reported being sub-
jected, at least once, to genital mutilations Almost 8 out of 10
(81.6%) Egyptian women reported being subjected to genital
mutilations. This incidence is in agreement with findings
from other investigations that have been made over the past
12 years. The average incidence of FSC in these studies is
80.5% (See Table I). Although these surveys are not without
methodological problems, they are all reasonably consistent
in their report of the prevalence offemale genital mutilations.
A true national survey has yei to be conducted on the inci-
dence and characteristics of female genital mutilations.
Almost 8 out of 10 (81.6%) Egyptian women
reported being subjected to genital mutilations.
SOCIAL-BEHA VIORAL CHARACTERISTICS
OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATIONS
The social-behavioral characteristics of female sexual cas-
tration in Egypt with respect to age, place, agent and form of
genital mutilations are summarized in Table 2. The majority
offemale genital mutilations occur between 6-11 years of age:
81.2%; 4.5% occur under 6 years of age; and 14.3% occur after
age of II years. Virtually all genital mutilations occur before
the age ofmenstration, i.e. it is a pre-menstrual or pre-fertility
ritual.
The majority offemale genital mutilations occur
between 6-11 years of age: 81.2%;
The home of the girl is the primary place for genital
mutilations where 79.3% of genital mutilations occur; 13.5%
occur in clinics; 4.1% in street booths, and 3.0% in hospitals.
The home of the girl is the primary place for
genital mutilations where 79.3% of genital muti-
lations occur;
The primary person that inflicts the genital mutilations is
the midwife - Daya (60.9%); followed by physicians
(22.9%); and then barbers (16.2%). It must be emphasized
that physicians who perform these genital mutilations are not
following medical procedures that are taught in the medical
schools; and that they are violating their medical oath and
ethics that prohibit unnecessary medical practices. These
physicians have abused and exploited their medical knowl-
edge and skills to compete with traditional healers for the
people's limited money.
The primary person that inflicts the genital
mutilations is the midwife - Daya (60.9%);
(Continued on nexi paxe)
-31- JULY/AUGUST /989
 Epidemiology of Female Sexual Castration In Cairo, Egypt (Continued)
NATURE OF FEMALE GENITAL
MUTILATIONS
I have personally observed over 100 completed female
genital mutilations with photographic documentation. The
genital mutilation technique almost always involves the rem-
oval of the clitoris and labia minora and to a lesser extent
slashing the labia majora when it is bulky and protruding. In
practice there is a wide range of technical variation of genital
mutilations which differ within the same practitioner across
time, instrumentation used, and with the socio-economic
status, age, location, traditionalism, and ethnicity of the child
and her family. This issue of variation of degrees of genital
mutilations has yet to be systematically studied and
documented.
INFORMED CONSENT
The majority of children (77.4%) subjected to genital muti-
lations were never informed as to what they were being
subjected to, let alone given the opportunity to give informed
consent. The women reported that they were deceived,
assaulted, chased and violently immobilized to be forced to
have their genitals mutilated. The remaining percentage of
women (22.6%) reported that they were deceived, misin-
formed, and misled as to the imminent danger of physical
violence and genital mutilation. Their "consent" was not
"informed" in any legal sense of the word.
Figure 1: An Egyptian girl shows shock, pain, trauma
and angUished disbelief as she views her genitals being
mutilated. The shock In her eyes cannot be shown In
order to protect her Identity.
PERSONAL RESPONSES TO FEMALE
GENITAL MUTILATION
The following personal comments were recorded from
the women who were interviewed:
THE TRUTH SEEKER
"They told me: YOU MUST BE PURIFIED
LIKE THE REST OF YOUR SISTERS, YOU
ARE NO EXCEPTION"
"/ was terrified to say No"
"/ dare not say NO"
"/ wasn'tfully comprehending what was happening to me.
/ wanted someone very much to explain what was being
done to me in vain. "
"/ was shocked and never was I able to comprehend until it
was over.
"Please don't make me remember what happened, / am
trying to forget"
"/ cried and screamedfor help and no one helped"
"/ cried like mad, shouting YOU ALL CHEATED ME ..
" (then the respondent wept silently with a choking
voice).
"They told me: YOU MUST BE PURIFIED LIKE THE
REST OF YOUR SISTERS, YOU ARE NO
EXCEPTION"
"They attacked me by surprise"
"I saw the Daya holding a razor, then she hurt me"
"I couldn't believe my mother was with them; they all
attacked me one early morning while I was still sleeping"
The above are some of their emotional recalls of what had
happened to them. The intensity of their recall, as I remember
well, was very strong and vivid and commonly associated
with weeping and remembered pains and humiliation. The
lifelong psychological effects of these genital mutilations
needs to be systematicaly studied.
"I couldn't believe my mother was with them;
they all attacked me one early morning while I
was still sleeping"
EFFECTS OF GENITAL MUTILATIONS UPON
PSYCHOSEXUAL FUNCTIONING
The effects of genital mutilations upon responses to sexual
stimulation was examined in a subset of FSC women com-
pared to non-mutilated (normal) women. There were 133
FSC women and 26 normal women who were compared with
respect to sexual excitement in response to stimulation of the
clitoris or clitoral area; stimulation of the labia areas; and
intercourse.
It was found that 7.7 times as many normal women expe-
rienced sexual excitement to stimulation of the clitoris/
clitoral area than did the genitally mutilated women. Mas-
turbation (involving labia as well as clitoral areas) was the
method of choice for sexual satisfaction that was 2.2 times
more frequent in normal women than in the genitally muti-
lated women. Manual stimulation ofthe clitoris/clitoralarea
resulted in the experience of orgasm in 50% of the normal
women and in 25% of the genitally mutilated women.
(Continued on next page)
-32- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Epidemiology of Female Sexual Castration In Cairo, Egypt (Continued)
Mothers are directly responsible for arranging
the genital mutilation of their daughters.
There are two notable findings from this preliminary sur-
vey. The first is that only 50% of normal (non-mutilated)
women experienced orgasm with manual stimulation of the
clitoris; and as much as 25% of the genitally mutilated women
were able to experience orgasm in response to stimulation of
the clitoral area. The extent to which orgasmic potential in
the mutilated women is related to the nature and degree of
genital mutilation is a subject for future research.
SUMMARY
In overview, the majority of women with genital mutila-
tions came from modest and low socio-economic family
status (SES); illiterate and partially educated parents (al-
though the majority of daughters who were subjected to
genital mutilation had a high school or college education
(79%); and came from rural regions, particularly southern
communities. Girls of urbani rural areas (living in urban
areas but raised in rural areas) remain at a higher risk for
genital mutilation than urbani urban girls. Girls of rural( ru-
ral families remain at the highest risk for genital mutilation.
Regional factors involving peer and ancestral pressures influ-
ence the family's decision to have their daughter's genitals
mutilated.
Religious beliefs are a strong predisposing factor
for female genital mutilations.
Mothers are directly responsible for arranging the genital
mutilation of their daughters. However, without a male
authority (marital dissolution, separation, sickness, labor
migration and death), mothers are likely to have second
thoughts about subjecting their daughters to genital mutila-
tion. Also, daughters of financially independent mothers are
seldom exposed to genital mutilation, as a mother's financial
independence seems to allow her parity in family decision-
making.
Religious beliefs are a strong predisposing factor for
female genital mutilations. A large percentage of women
whose genitals are mutilated are affiliated with the Islamic
religion despite the fact that female genital mutilation is not
prescribed by the Islamic religion. Female genital mutilation
is apre-Islamic religious practice with its roots in the officially
banned Africanfaiths and practices which dominated Egypt
for thousands of years in pre-historic times.
In the dawn of monotheism - Judaism, Coptism and
Islam - many Egyptians who converted to monotheism
have assimilated their predominant traditional (African)
beliefs and practices with their chosen monotheism. To a
keen observer, many features of "Muslim" Egyptian faith
lifestyle and religious practices (such as ancestral worship,
Zar cults, circumcision and many other forms of blood and
flesh sacrifices) meet earlier African faith standards and not
current monotheistic beliefs (except for Judaic male
circumcision).
By understanding African religions and faith practices
many of the traditional religious behaviors of "monotheistic"
Egyptians become meaningful. Forexample, women located
THE TRUTH SEEKER
There is no clear and definite statement in the
Koran, the principal religious authority of Islam,
that supports the practice offemale genital muti-
lations.
in the Southern regions of Egypt (upper Egypt which is closer
to African Cultures), whether Muslim or Coptic. are at a
higher risk for genital mutilations and other forms of reli-
gious physical mutilations than are Muslim or Coptic women
located in the Northern or coastal regions of the country
(lower Egypt). Finally. there is no clear and definite statement
in the Koran, the principal religious authority of Islam. that
supports the practice of female genital mutilations.
Religious institutions and ancient social customs
are primarily responsible for the genital mutila-
tion of female children.
CONCLUSIONS
Female genital mutilation is a common and popular prac-
tice throughout Egypt where every day thousands of young
girls are subjected to this torture and mutilation. Religious
institutions and ancient social customs are primarily respon-
sible for the genital mutilation of female children. The full
social and psychological consequences of mutilating the geni-
tals of female children have yet to be evaluated. Preliminary
evidence, however, suggest that the psychological conse-
quences of female genital mutilation is very similar to that of
rape victims.
What can be done to bring an end to female genital mutila-
tion in Egypt and other countries? The use of force would
only drive it underground and increase the resistance to
cultural change. Educational programs that are directed to
Egyptian families; the agents that perform the genital mutila-
tions (midwives. doctors. barbers); and the social-political
and religious leaders on the harmful and devastating effects
that these procedures have upon women will contribute sig-
nificantly to the elimination of female genital mutilations.
Specific attention must be given to the effects of genital
mutilations upon reproductive processes, the birth of the
child and the marital sexual relationships. Men need to
understand that their maritalsexual relationships and happi-
ness will be significantly enhanced when the female genitals
are not mutilated. Finally, the education of women must be
accelerated if these objectives are to be realized.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
MOHAMED BADAWI, M.D., M.P.H., is a graduate of
Cairo University, School of Medicine (1973); a graduate of
the University of Michigan, School of Public Health (1981);
a graduate of AI-Azhar University School of Medicine, Cairo
(1985); and is currently completing a doctoral program at the
Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. This
pilot study was supported by the personal funds of Dr.
Badawi.
(Cuntinued unnexi page)
-33·- JULY(AUGUST 1989
 Epidemiology of Female Sexual
Castration In Cairo. Egypt (Continued)
REFERENCES:
Assaad, M. (1980) Female circumcision in Egypt. Studies in
Famill' Planning, January II (I): 3-6.

Baasher, T. (1982) Psycho-social aspects of female circum-

cision. In: Baasher, T., Bannerman, R., Rushwan, H.,
Sharaf, I. (Eds). Traditional Health Practices AffeCling
The Health of" Women and Children. WHO Regional
Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. EHO EMRO
Technical Publication. 2(2): 162-180. and

PS.I'chological Aspects of Female Circumcision WHO

East Mediterranean Regional Office, Alexandria (1977).
EI-Saadawi, N. (1977): Women and Sex. Madbouly
Publishers.
Smith, E. (1980) Female Circumcision in £,'{I'Pt. Higher Insti-
tute for Nursing (Unpublished).
Figure 2: Female Sexual Castration (FSC) and Circumcision
Booth. This unlicensed booth is located on one of the busi-
est streets in Cairo. Although, most FSCs occur in the home,
some FSCs are conducted in the booth since a public decla-
ration of the daughter's FSC is desired by the family. Male
circumcisions are commonly performed in these booths. If
complications occur, the operators disclaim all knowledge
of the event.

TABLE 1.
THE PREVALENCE OF FEMALE CASTRATION IN EGYPT
ABSTRACT OF STUDIES FROM 1977-1985
FINDINGS STUDY
BADAWI SMITH (4) ASSAAD (1) BAASHAR (2) SAADAWY (3)
(1985) (1980) (1979) (1979) (1977)

Percent* 81.6% 77% 90.8% 70.0% 81.8%

Sample Size n=350 n=125 n=54 n=70 n=160
Population General Students Patients Patients Patients
Location Cairo Alexandria Cairo Alexandria Cario
*80.5% is the average of female genital mutilation in the above studies.

TABLE 2.
SOCIAL-BEHAVIORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE SEXUAL CASTRATION
IN EGYPT: AGE, PLACE, AGENT AND FORM OF GENITAL MUTILATIONS
- PERCENTAGES -
AGE: <16 YEARS 6-8 YEARS 9-11 YEARS 12 YEARS +
PERCENT 4.5% 38.7% 42.5% 14.3%

PLACE: HOME CLINICS STREET BOOTHS HOSPITALS

PERCENT 79.3% 13.5% 4.1% 3.0%

AGENT MIDWIFE PHYSICIANS BARBERS

PERCENT 60.9% 22.9% 16.2%

GENITAL CLITORAL CLITORAL LABIAL INFIBULATION

MUTILATIONS CIRCUMCISION REMOVAL REMOVAL
PERCENT NONE 100% 100% NONE

THE TRUTH SEEKER -34- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 FIRST, DO NO HARM!
by George C. Denniston

Physicians are, for a fee, cutting off a normal Figure 1

body part. They are causing newborn American
boys incalculable pain arising in their most sensi-
tive pleasure organ.
Now that more and more men are willing to express their
feelings about their own circumcision, lawmakers, doctors,
third party payers, and certainly parents will want to take a
new look at this procedure.
The small number of A merican doctors who still perform
circumcision are violating the first rule ofgood medical care
-PRIMUM NON NOCERE-First, do no harm! Physi-
cians are, for a fee, cutting off a normal body part. They are
causing newborn American boys incalculable pain arising in
their most sensitive pleasure organ. They are doing it without
the consent of the person being operated on. And they often
do it without the full understanding and consent of his
parents.

Circumcision is truly foreskin amputation.

The penis at eight weeks. Illustration from R. Hunter

Most parents are not fully informed about circumcision

gins to develop two downward growing folds of tissue. like
before it is performed on their newborn son. Circumcision is
the twin hulls of a catamaran. (Fig. 2) By the 15th weck these
truly foreskin amputation. If they really understood this,
folds have fused at the bottom creating a tube within the
would they really want to convey to him that this is the way
glans. (Fig. 3) Now the urethra is extended to the tip*
those who love him are going to treat him? Do they really
want to permit someone else to inflict excruciating pain in his
most sensitive organ? The painful message of circumcision Figure 2
can stay with him throughout his life, according to many
scientists, and some of the victims.

The painful message of circumcision can

stay with him throughout his life,
Being fully informed about circumcision includes having
both parents watch a videotape as it will be performed on
their son. There is no other way that they can know what is ~ .

actually being done. Without this actual witnessing, there .:,\).! '<Cj
I.
cannot be informed consent. . )
/
Few doctors really understand what they are doing when
they amputate the foreskin, for they have never studied how
./; I! ... !
I
the penis develops before birth.'
The penis begins its development as a microscopic protub- -il'/
erance in the male fetus six weeks after conception. As it }. '--II hi
grows outward, a thick layer of epithelial cells, which will '7..-. :J
become skin, piles up at the base in folds during the next two
Cross-section near tip of penis - 10 weeks
weeks. (Fig. I) At this stage, the tube within the shaft, the
Illustration from R. Hunter
urethra, has developed only part of the way down the shaft.
With further growth of the shaft and of the glans penis, the
Few doctors really understand what they are skin comes forward to completely cover it by the 15th week.
doing when they amputate the foreskin, for they (Fig. 4)
(Co/1/inlled on neXf page)
have never studied how the penis develops
before birth. */fthis sfep.fails to take IJlace, a conditiun knoll'n as 17.I'fJospa-
dias, lI'here the lIrethra upens shuI'! ufthe tip, lI'il/ he presel1l at
Then, at the 10 week horizon, the glans, seen head on, be- hirth.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -35 - JULY/AUGUST /989

 First, Do No HannI (Continued)

Beginning around the 15th week and continuing Figure 5

gradually for as long as 17 years, a process be-
gins which ultimately separates the foreskin
from the glans.

From the 15th week on. the skin covers the glans com-
pletcly, with a small opcning at the tip. A distinct layer of cells
attaches the skin most firmly to the entire surface of the glans.
This skin is the skin of the glans penis. It has not yet separated
to create two distinct organs. the glans and the foreskin.

Figure 3

Whorl of cells between foreskin and glans

Illustration from R. Hunter

cess begins with the flattening of some cells in the area

between the glans and the foreskin. These flattened cells
round up into a ball, containing many layers of cells. The
central cells are necessarily cut off from nutrients, and die,
forminga space filled with the products of dead cells. (Fig. 5)
'\ /11
\."
:'.::>'
/'::.:/
Many such whorls of cells form in this area between the glans
and the foreskin. and create spaces; these spaces coalesce. and
I., (j eventually create the preputial space, permitting full retrac-
') /1
/N\ tion of the foreskin from the glans.
Cross-section near tip of penis - 15 weeks
Illustration from R. Hunter At birth, virtually all males have a glans penis
covered with skin. In almost all of them (96%),
Beginning around t he 15th week and continuing gradually this skin is still attached to the glans like normal
for as long as 17 years, a process begins which ultimately
skin. Only 4% have a fully retractable foreskin at
separates the foreskin from the glans. This fascinating pro-
birth.
Figure 4
At birth, virtually all males have a glans penis covered with
skin. In almost all of them (96%). this skin is still attached to
the glans like normal skin. Only 4% have a fully retractable
foreskin at birth. 2
The implications of this finding are enormous. Any doctor
or other person who inserts a probe into this space between
the foreskin and the glans thinking that he is breaking adhe-
sions is mistaken. Anyone who attempts to forcibly retract
the skin is tearing the skin off an extremely sensitive organ.
This person is literally skinning tht penis alive. The facts of
penis development tell us so.
lt is not until the third year of life that 90% ofyoung boys
have fully retractable foreskins, and it is not until seventeen
years of age before virtually all boys have fully retractable
foreskins. 2
Anyone who attempts to forcibly retract the skin
is tearing the skin off an extremely sensitive
organ. This person is literally skinning the penis
Penis at 15 weeks (wax plate reconstruction) alive. The facts of penis development tell us so.
Illustration from R. Hunter
(Co/llil1l1ed 017 l7e,I'I page)

THE TRUTH SEEKER -36- JULY/AUGUST /989

 First, Do No Harm! (Continued)
Since the penis is used for procreation only a few
times in the entire life of the individual, sexual
pleasure must also be one of it's major functions,
and the foreskin is an integral part ofthat sexual
pleasure.
The facts of penis development demonstrate to us that an
unusual process separates the foreskin from the glans in its
own good time, covering the infant glans tightly to protect it
from fecal contamination; covering the glans to protect it
when, while its owner is a child, it is not required for procrea-
tion; and finally, freeing up the cover when it is needed for
reproduction. There is no reason to interfere with this natural
process.
What is the most important function of the foreskin? To
answer that, it is first necessary to look at the function of
another organ - the penis. The penis has two obvious main
functions. It is used for urination and for procreation. But the
penis is not required for urination. Witness the female of the
species. She does not have a penis, and yet she is perfectly
capable of urination. The penis may be a convenient organ
for urination, but it is certainly not required.
We can then say that the major function of the penis is
procreation - the perpetuation of the species including sex-
uallove. Without the penis, there would be no more humans.
The penis cannot procreate nor engage in sexual love in the
relaxed or flaccid state. It must be erect, engorging with
blood, to perform its major functions. With this change in
condition, from flaccidity to rigidity, comes an increase in
length of approximately 50% Now where does this enlarged
erect penis obtain skin to cover its elongated shaft? From the
foreskin!
In the relaxed state, the tip of the penis of the intact adult
male is covered by the foreskin, which consists of a long
tubular fold of skin. As the shaft of the penis elongates with
erection, this double fold of skin becomes a single layer which
covers it.
Some have tried to argue that the foreskin does not have a
function. When I was a medical student, several decades ago,
it was thought that the appendix was the one organ without a
function. I was taught that the appendix was a vestigial
organ, left over from the remote past. We now know that this
is not true. The appendix functions as part of the immune
system, producing large numbers of lymphocytes. Since the
known parts of the body have a function, the probability of
the foreskin not having one is low indeed.
The foreskin covers the elongated shaft of the penis during
erection; at other times it protects the sensitive glans penis.
The foreskin contains many minute muscle fibers which give
it tone. This helps it to cover the glans snugly, and helps
prevent the glans from developing a thick, many layered
epidermis, which happens in the absence of the foreskin. This
thickened epidermis reduces sensitivity. Since the penis is
used for procreation only a few times in the entire life of the
individual, sexual pleasure must also be one of it's major
functions, and the foreskin is an integral part of that sexual
pleasure. Many psychologists and anthropologists believe
that sexualpleasure with an available mate contributes to the
THE TRUTH SEEKER -37-
"There's something very wrong and very fright-
ening about a society that systematically tortures
and mutilates babies. "
stability ofthe pairbond. Surely it is not the aim ofdoctors to
interfere in matters of such vital importance.
"Butchers!"
Listen carefully to what men have to say about their own
circumcisions. These are direct quotes, compiled by John
Erickson and Jeffrey Wood.
"I think I could have accepted a deformity that was an
accident of nature, but I can't accept that someone did this to
me."
"My feelings about the doctor who circumcised me are too
violent to describe."
"I have never been able to accept the fact that when I was a
baby someone cut part of my penis off. The sheer monstrous-
ness of it haunts every waking moment of my life. Sometimes
I'm beginning to make some sort of adjustment to it, but then
I see an unmutilated man in a shower or magazine and I
become overwhelmed by uncontrollable feelings of outrage
and disbelief that I was made the victim for life of something
so sick."
"There's something very wrong and very frightening about
a society that systematically tortures and mutilates babies."
"I am Jewish and I hate the tradition that robbed me of my
best part."
"I was circumcised when I was five - seventy years ago. I
felt rage then and I still feel rage now."
"The worst thing about circumcision is that it produces
circumcisers. "
"I wish I could circumcise every uncircumcised man in the
world, so they'd all be like me. I don't have a foreskin and no
one else should have one either."
"Butchers!"
"I was circumcised by force when a child, and it has ruined
my entire life as far as I'm concerned."
"Fear, pain, crippling, disfigurement and humiliation are
the classic ways to break the human spirit. Circumcision
includes them all."
Despite the foreskin's important functions, the amputa-
tions continue. Doctors who do them try to justify their
actions. Prevention of cancer of the penis and prevention of
urinary tract infections in infant males are now cited as
possible reasons for amputating the foreskin.
"Fear, pain, crippling, disfigurement and humi-
liation are the classic ways to break the human
spirit. Circumcision includes them all"
There is general agreement that the hygiene of men who
develop cancer of the penis has been poor. If the simple act of
cleaning beneath the foreskin could prevent cancer of the
penis, doctors could wait until the man is of age, and let him
choose!
(Continued on next page)
JULY/AUGUST 1989
 First, Do No Harm! (Continued)
Cancer of the penis is very rare - one case
in 100,000 - usually in older men.
Cancer of the penis is very rare - one case in 100,000
- usually in older men. Even if circumcision could prevent
it, 100,000 foreskin amputations would be necessary to pre-
vent one cancer of the penis. One hundred thousand infants
would be mutilated, and several infants would die to prevent
that one case of cancer. Who could scientifically advocate
foreskin amputation for this reason?
The same argument applies to the alleged prevention of
urinary tract infection in male infants. 3 The largest number of
infections that could be prevented by foreskin amputation,
according to the author Dr. Thomas Wiswell, is 20,000 per
year in the United States. So we should do 1,500,000 foreskin
amputations to prevent infections, now treatable with antibi-
otics, in less than 2% of these infants?
In an intact infant, the
proper care is to do nothing.
Besides, this type of infection may well be caused by two
improper medical procedures. Swedish scientists from the
Karolinska Institute in Stockholm claim that such infections
are caused by colonizing the newborn infant with foreign
bacteria from the hospital nursery. They recommend strict
rooming-in to permit colonization of the infant by its own
mother which would thus prevent these infections. 4
Second, Wiswell's colleagues taught the mothers in the
study to retract the foreskin - perhaps tearing the skin off
the glans - in the mistaken belief that this was proper care.
This raw surface may then become a good site for the growth
of bacteria which can ascend the urethra causing urinary tract
infection. In an intact infant, the proper care is to do nothing.
If the infants who had not been circumcised had been left
alone, they might not have developed nearly as many urinary
tract infections.
It is sometimes argued that removal of the fore-
skin prevents masturbation. Dr. Leonard Marino
points out that only coma prevents masturbation!
It is sometimes argued that removal of the foreskin pre-
vents masturbation. Dr. Leonard Marino points out that
only coma prevents masturbation! Dr. Benjamin Spock, in
the early edition of his influential book on child-rearing,
recommended circumcision for appearance and to help pre-
vent masturbation. Dr. Spock recently retracted his support
of circumcision and expressed the wish that he had had the
foresight to recommend against circumcision in earlier
editions.
Virtually all European males are intact. Europeans recog-
nize that there are no medical indications for routine neonatal
circumcision. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also
been saying that for 18 years, and they continue to say it, even
though in their most recent pronouncement in March 1989,
they hedge a bit. This latest pronouncement seems to be an
attempt to protect those doctors who have failed to follow
their recommendations these past two decades.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Dr. Spock recently retracted his support of cir-
cumcision and expressed the wish that he had
had the foresight to recommend against circum-
cision in earlier editions.
The irony is that this mutiliation is perpetuated by a small
percentage of the doctors in America - perhaps five or six
percent. The vast majority of doctors have nothing to do with
it, and most do not approve of it. Yet those few who continue
the outdated practice are giving the entire profession a bad
name. Operating on a human being without a medicaljustifi-
cation and without his consent is indeed malpractice.
Operating on a human being without a medical
justification and without his consent is indeed
malpractice.
Circumcision, or foreskin amputation, is big business.
Each one costs over $100, divided between the doctor and the
hospital. At its peak, there were over one million a year. This
added up to well over 100 million dollars every year. Those
who decide how our health care dollars will be spent should
identify circumcision as unnecessary surgery, and refuse to
pay for it.
Circumcision, or foreskin amputation,
is big business.
References:
I. Hunter, Richard H (1935): Notes on the Development of
the Prepuce, J. Anal., 70:68-75.
2. Gairdner, Douglas (1949): The Fate ofthe Foreskin, Brit.
Med. J., 2:1433-1437.
3. Wiswell; T.E., Smith F.R., Bass J.W. (1985): Decreased
incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised male
infants. Pediatrics, 75:901-03.
4. Winberg, Jan et al (1985): The prepuce: a mistake of
nature? Lancet, 1:598-9 Mar 18.
George Clinton Denniston; M.D., M.P.H., specializes in
Preventive Medicine and Gynecology and has published
extensively in his field of speciality. He has produced a
number of medical training films and documentaries and has
served with many medical and professional organizations. He
was formerly Associate Medical Director of Planned Parent-
hood, Federation of America, New York. He is currently
Medical Director, Population Dynamics, Seattle, W A; Pres-
ident, Population Dynamics and Consultant, Alaska
Womens Health Service.
M
V
-38- JULY/AUGUST /989
 The Problem of Circumcision in America
by James L. Snyder
"First, do no harm. "
In the matter of circumcision of newborn males, it must be
recognized that the child is normal as born, and that circum-
cision inflicts loss of a normal body part and leaves a scar.
This is contrary to the motto of medicine which is "First, do
no harm."
"There is no absolute medical indication
for routine circumcision of the newborn. "
In the United States alone of industrialized societies, and in
the two generations born since about 1940, routine newborn
circumcision has become such an accepted routine in the
process of birth and delivery that for some people it is a
surprise to discover that there is controversy over the desira-
bility of the procedure. In 1975, The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) published the report of a committee formed
to study circumcision, whose opinion was that "There is no
absolute medical indication for routine circumcision of the
newborn. " This statement is contained in the body of the
Report of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Circumcision from the
Committee on Fetus and Newborn of the AAP (Published in
Pediatrics, Vol. 56 No.4, October 1975, and modified in
March 1989). The body of the report addresses most of the
commonly voiced concerns, such as phimosis, hygiene, care
of the penis, cancer, balanitis and venereal disease, surgical
risks, and contraindications to circumcision. The Report also
called for "true informed consent" and a "... program of
education leading to continuing good personal hygiene
(which) would offer aI/the advantages of routine circumci-
sion without the attendant surgical risk. " And finally stated,
"Therefore, circumcision ofthe male neonate cannot be con-
sidered an essential component of adequate total health
care.
"Circumcision of the male neonate cannot be
considered an essential component of adequate
total health care. "
Almost immediately the American College of Obstetri-
cians and Gynecologists and the American Urological Asso-
ciation - medical specialty societies with an immediate
interest in the question - published positions which in very
nearly the same words supported the position of the AAP.
The expected result should have been an immediate drop in
the number of newborns subjected to routine circumcision.
The procedure would have been discarded or, at least, physi-
cians who continued to perform significant numbers of cir-
cumcisions would have been under the same critical review as
those who continued to perform large numbers of unneces-
sary tonsillectomies when that operation fell into disrepute.
Curiously and, in some instances, tragically, no such thing
occurred. Even today, more than thirteen years after the
AAP made its findings known, the Report, only slightly
modified in March 1989 to emphasize balance of risks versus
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Contrary to the recommendations of the
American Academy of Pediatrics, circumci-
sion continues to be performed in rates vary-
ing from 50% to 90% of newborns in various
parts of the country.
benefits, continues to be ignored by physicians and to be
unknown to the lay public. As a result, and contrary to the
recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
circumcision continues to be performed in rates varying from
50% to 90% of newborns in various parts of the country. Just
why this is tragic is what I propose to show. Initially, it must
be recognized that the statement of the AAP, "There is no
absolute medical indication lor routine circumcison of the
newborn, "has been perceived to mean that, while circumci-
sion is not necessary, it is perfectly all right to continue to do
it. Therefore, physicians who would refuse to give a child an
unnecessary shot of penicillin simply because it was requested
by parents are continuing to perform an operation on the
request or by the compliance of parents.
Sadly, there have even been instances when a
child was circumcised without the parents'
wishes or consent.
It must be acknowledged that there are numerous reasons
why circumcision continues to be performed upon children.
Some parents request the operation because of the influence
offamily or friends and find that their physician will comply.
Some physicians continue to insist that th'e operation be
performed on children in their care and persuade young and
impressionable parents that they have no choice, or that it is
in the child's best interest. Sadly, there have even been instan-
ces when a child was circumcised without the parents' wishes
or consent.
In the case of adult circumcision, the operation is never
performed unless the individual seeks the procedure for
genuine medical need or for his own aesthetic reasons. This is
a choice that less than 10% of uncircumcised adults will ever
make. In Europe, more than 90% of men who are fortunate
enough to have their normal anatomy willfind no reason to
seek a circumcision.
The proponents of circumcision in recent years have pub-
lished articles which are claimed to show as a scientific fact
that uncircumcised males are at greater risk of acquiring a
number of benign diseases and one rare malignancy. It has
been stated, for instance, that circumcision would reduce the
opportunity to acquire syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes, venereal
warts, urinary infections, and other benign conditions. The
fact is that circumcision confers no immunity to any of these
diseases, which any physician treating large numbers of cir-
cumcised American men - as in the military services - can
readily observe, If all men were circumcised, only circumcised
men would contract these diseases, for most of which there
(Continuned on next page)
-39- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The Problem of Circumcision in America (Continued)
The fact is that circumcision confers
no immunity to any of these diseases,
are satisfactory antibiotic treatments. Most recently, there
has been speculation that circumcision would offer protec-
tion from infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the
suspected causative agent of the disease AIDS. The stated
basis for this is the observation of the AI DS infection pattern
in a small number of African men who frequented AIDS
infected prostitutes. The proponents of this speculation
choose to ignore the obvious fact that AI DS infections were
first recognized in American homosexual men who were
overwhelmingly Caucasian, middle class, and circumcised.
Thousands of men with AIDS fill the hospital beds of our
major cities and are testimony to the failure of circumcision
to offer any degree of immunity to AIDS infections.
Circumcision is the only surgery which
is used to prevent disease.
The most significant argument that has been put forth for
circumcision is that it prevents cancer of the penis. This may
be true, but even proponents of circumcision admit that there
have been occurrences of penile cancer in men circumcised as
infants. Cancer of the penis occurs, on average, in men aged
55 years, and is one of the least common malignancies in men,
representing Y2 of I % of all cancers in men and occurringat a
rate of less than one case per 100,000 per year in the United
States. This is the same incidence as in the countries of
Northern Europe, where infant circumcision is almost un-
known. Proponents of circumcision would like to have the
public believe that the low incidence of penile cancer in the
United States is due to infant circumcision, but they ignore
the fact that the population of American men born before
1940, who are now in the over 50 age group at risk for this
cancer, is a group of predominantly UNCIRCUMCISED
men. It is known that the rate of occurrence of penile cancer
in the men of India, China, and the Caribbean areas (where
circumcision is not customary and where sanitary facilities
are primitive) is 20-30 times more common than in the uncir-
cumcised men of Northern Europe. Therefore it is apparent
that the variable of circumcision or non-circumcision is not
the primary variable influencing the occurrence of penile
cancer. Referring again to the Report of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, it must be concluded that " . . .
continuing good personal hygiene . .. "may be a significant
factor protecting the uncircumcised men of Europe and
A merica from penile cancer.
No-one seriously advocates removing the
breasts of female infants to prevent this more
common malignancy of breast cancer.
Circumcision is the only surgery which is used to prevent
disease. In contrast, consider that in absolute numbers over a
ten-year period (1943-1953) the Danish Cancer Registry
reported 25 I cases of penile cancer and for the same period
reported 10,000 cases of breast cancer in women. Yet, nobody
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Circumcision must be recognized as an'equally
serious mutilation of men with equally insub-
stantial justification for continuing the practice.
seriously advocates removing the breasts of female infants to
prevent this more common malignancy of breast cancer.
Almost certainly such a proposal would be greeted by howls
of outrage over such a mutilation of women to prevent breast
cancer. Circumcision must be recognized as an equally
serious mutilation of men with equally insubstantialjustifica-
tion for continuing the practice.
The child who simply has been cut too short will
then become a sexually dysfunctional adult.
The risks of newborn circumcision are ail underreported
and ignored factor in this argument. Most often a poor
surgical result is not recognized until years after the event.
By the time a child reaches the age of maturity and discov-
ers how he has been mistreated, the surgeon cannot be
found, and parents may be beyond the age of interest in
such matters. The child who simply has been cut too short
will then become a sexually dysfunctional adult. Some of
the men who have realized that they have been deprived of
a normal part of their bodies have sought plastic surgical
procedures to reconstruct their bodies with the same moti-
vation as persons who have lost other portions of their
bodies by accident or disease, and who have sought to
regain normal bodily integrity. The more serious complica-
tions of circumcisions are increasingly being reported in
the lay press:
The Des Moines Register (Iowa) Saturday, Nov. 201982,
reported a grand jury investigation of the bleeding
death of a Des Moines infant after circumcision.
The East Cobb Neighbor (Marietta, Georgia) of Nov.,
1985, reported that "In September, two male infants
were burned and horribly mutilated in a 'routine cir-
cumcision' at Northside Hospital (Atlanta). One of
the infants has had a necessary sex change operation
and the other is still under doctors' care. "
The Lake Charles A merican Press (Louisiana) of Wednes-
day, May 28,1986, reported a $2.75 million award in
the case of a young boy whose penis had to be ampu-
tated after it was severely burned during a routine
circumcision.
The Times Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) of Thurs-
day, May 15, 1980, reported on a Mineola, N.Y. boy
who was mistakenly circumcised four days after his
birth in 1976. It was reported that the family had not
wanted the circumcision performed, and that the hos-
pital officials tried to "cover-up" the error by falsifying
records to show that the circumcision was done for
"medical reasons." An out-of-court settlement for
$ I5,000 was reported in a suit over the matter.
The above reports, drawn from the lay press, almost
(Continued on next page)
-40- JULY/ AUGUST 1989
 The Problem of Circumcision in America (Continued)

On balance, circumcisiun is an unjustifiable

preventive for penile cancer with an unaccepta-
ble number of serious complications.
certainly represent only a small part of the number of unfa-
vorable results of routine newborn circumcision, as most of
the families in such incidents shun publicity.
My own personal experience as a urologist with nearly 25
years of practice has included two children who must be
numbered in these tragedies and are likely to be genital
cripples. In Florida, in 1976, I was called to see a newborn
immediately after his circumcision with a Gomco clamp. This
child had suffered complete removal of the skin of the penile
shaft, but the surgeon had left the foreskin in place. In panic,
he had discarded the skin and tried to conceal the mishap.
The obviously raw surface of the penile shaft required an
urgent surgical procedure to cover its surface by grafting (for
a similar child see Figures I and 2.) In 1982, I was called to see
a Virginia infant who had been circumcised using a Gomco Figure 1: illustration of a surgical repair of a circumci-
clamp and electrocautery. The result was complete loss of the sion In which excessive penile skin was removed.
glans and shaft of the penis due to a full thickness burn. After
this child's penis fell off at the level of the scrotum, he
underwent a series of surgical procedures at major medical
In summarizing the complications of
centers which have created a tube for urination through a
pedicle skin graft. There is, of course, no tissue to create an circumcision accidents, I would like to
erection and no nerves for genital sensation in this graft (see state that they are not uncommon.
Figure 3) Although this child's tragedy cannot be measured in
dollars alone, he will recover $1 million in the out-of-court newly diagnosed penile cancer, two of which were in men
settlement of a lawsuit. He will never fully recover his sexual of truly advanced years or who died within a year of other
functions, which had been destroyed in the circumcision causes. On balance, circumcision is an unjustifiable pre-
tragedy. ventive for penile cancer with an unacceptable number of
These two personal experiences in the career of one physi- serious complications.
cian, together with a number of lesser complications of cir-
cumcision should be compared with the fact that in the same In summarizing the complications of circumcision acci-
period of time I have only encountered four patients with dents, I would like to state that they are not uncommon.
Because of their sensitive and confidential nature, how-
ever, they are usually unrecognized by outside parties and
they have not been seriously studied in the medical litera-
ture except on an occasional or anecdotal basis. I believe
that the cases I have presented in this paper represent only
the tip of the iceberg in terms of the size of this problem.

The adverse long-term consequences of infant circumcis-

ion on the sexual health of American men must be recog-
nized by physicians, parents, and legislators. The con-
tinued practice of infant circumcision must be recognized
as the unjustified mutilation of the bodies of children
largely for the cosmetic or aesthetic gratification of other
persons - a serious assault and battery on children who
are poweless to resist.

The adverse long term consequences

of infant circumcision on the
sexual health of American men
Figure 2: Showing the completion of the surgical repair must be recognized by
in Figure 1. Even though this child's own skin has been physicians, parents, and iegislators.
replaced, he will have scarring which will likely make
him a genital/sexual cripple.
(Continued on next page)

THE TRUTH SEEKER -41- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 The Problem of Circumcision
in America (Continued)
Figure 3: This child suffered the complete loss of the
glans and shaft of the penis due to a full thickness burn
from a circumcision using a Gomco clamp and electro-
cautery. A pedicle skin graft creates the appearance of
a penis. In this graft there Is no tissue to create an
erection and no nerves for genital sensation or pleasure.
J ames Leigh Snyder, M. D., F.A.C.S., is a 1961 graduate of
the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, a member
of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and a
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a
diplomate of the American Board of Urology and past
President of the Virginia Urologic Society. He holds the
rank of Commander in the Medical Corps of the United
States Naval Reserve and practices Urology in Clifton
Forge, Virginia.
Having conducted dozens of discussions on this
subject. I have found one reaction typical among
Jewish physicians. I will paraphrase their comments:
"I agree that there are no health benefits. 1 even feel
that it may be wrong to do it. Yet, if 1 have a son, 1
will have him circumcised. Please don't ask me why. I
am not in the least bit religious. 1 know it is irrational,
but 1 will do it."
Will the liberal rabbinate, in view of the impending
changes in the medical approach to nonreligious
circumcision, also suggest changes in the Jewish
ritual? Let us hope that sanity, not hysteria, will pre-
vail in approaching this potentially vexing problem.
From: Edward Wallerstin.
Circumcision and Anti-Semitism:
An Update. Humanistic Judaism
Winter 1983.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Ethical and Legal Issues
Religion plays an important role in the growth and devel-
opment of many children and families. However, when par-
ental practices have potentially harmful consequences for the
child, state intervention may be warranted.
The boundary between parental freedom in child rearing
and the interest - or even basic rights - of the child is
unclear. However, the constitutional guarantees of freedom
of religion do not sanction harming another person in the
practice of one's religion, and they do not allow religion to be
a legal defense when one harms another.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all
pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, and AAP state chapters
vigorously take the lead to (I) increase public awareness of
the hazards to children growing out ofreligious exemptions
to child abuse and neglect legislation; (2) support legislation
in each state legislature to correct statutes and regulations
that permit harm to children under the shield of religious
exemption; (3) work with other child advocacy organizations
and agencies to develop coordinated and concerted public
and professional actions for recision of religious exemptions.
The Academy must unequivocably defend the rights of all
children to the protection and benefits of the law and medi-
cine when physical harm - or life itself - is in the balance.
Committee on Bioethics, 1986-1987
Norman C. Fost, MD, Chairman
William G. Bartholome, MD
William Reed Bell, MD
Alan R. Fleischman, M D
Arthur F. Kohrman, MD
William B. Weil, Jr, MD
Liaison Representative
Kenneth J. Ryan, M D
AAP Section Liaison
Anthony Shaw, MD
From: Religious Exemptions From Child Abuse Statutes.
Pediatrics January 1988
CiRCUMCisioN SyMposiUM
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One Hour Summary of Highlights ($29.95)
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-42- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Cultural Bias and The Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Circumcision Controversy
by Martin S. Altschul
It is first necessary to understand that child-
hood UTI is in general a difficult and confus-
ing diagnosis.
Recently much discussion in the circumcision controv-
ersy has centered on the issue of infant urinary tract infec-
tions (UTI). This is largely a technical question but it has
some bearing on the larger ethical and social issues of
routine newborn circumcision.
In order to discuss infant UTI intelligently, it is first
necessary to understand that childhood UTI is in general a
difficult and confusing diagnosis. If a careful physician and
an adult patient have a telephone conversation that leads to
the diagnosis of UTI, the diagnosis will usually, though not
always, be correct. But if the same conversation passes
between the physician and the parent of a healthy pre-school
girl, the UTI diagnosis has, in my experience, an 80% chance
of being wrong. The comparable figures for a pre-school boy
approaches 95%
Even if the child is examined and a urine specimen is
obtained, UTI misdiagnosis rates are stillsubstantial because
of the difficulty of obtaining "clean" urine specimens from
small children. The physician who wishes to avoid mistakes
either of over- or under-diagnosis must be prepared to make
the best possible initial diagnosis (UTI or not UTI) and then
mistrust his (her) first impression sufficiently to make the
correct diagnosis in the end. This caveat applies both to
individual clinical cases and to research projects.
This brings us to newborn circumcision, a surgical
procedure that is now alleged to prevent UTI. Until
recently the state of medical "common knowledge" regard-
ing infant male UTI was as follows:
In all age grou ps except earll' infancy, females have a
much higher rate of UTI than males. Male infants
are more likely to be born with abnormalities of the
urinary tract. Although such abnormalities are rare,
they are the predominant cause of infant UTI. Infant
UTI is therefore a serious condition that often
requires surgical correction of an underlying cause.
Now enter Dr. Thomas Wiswell, Army pediatrician who
did a prospective study of UTI in infants, targeting the role,
if any, of circumcision. The result, which drew widespread
attention both inside and outside the medical community,
was that the uncircumcised boys appeared to have twenty
times as many UTI's as the circumcised ones (4% YS. 0.2%).
Obviously this result does not fit with our "common
knowledge." A condition with 4% incidence is no longer
rare. And perhaps more disturbing, the crucial connection
between UTI and urinary birth defects is broken. Circum-
cision could conceiveably prevent UTI but it cannot pre-
vent birth defects without violating Einstein's Law of Rela-
tivity. Because of these concerns and others of a similar
THE TRUTH SEEKER
We are a long way from understanding the
relationship, if any, between infant UTI and
circumcision.
technical nature, a controversy erupted over Wiswell's
result, and Wiswell responded with more data by doing an
indirect review of all available hospitalized Army cases.
This review also showed a twenty-to-one ratio between the
two groups of boys but with different rates (1.0% and
0.05%). I then did a similar review in Northwest Perma-
nente Hospitals.1 found not a single confirmed case of UTI
in a normal male infant. A II of the confirmed cases
occurred in infants who had clear-cut urinary birth defects.
Not only is my result dramatically different from Wis-
well's, my result is perfectly consistent with "common
knowledge." Now "common knowledge" can be wrong
- flat earth and so on. But we should never jump to the
conclusion that it is wrong without hard evidence. In the
present case, we have some unconfirmed evidence of
infants with bacteria in their urine. The evidence that the
infants are actually harmed by these bacteria is practically
nonexistent. Indeed, if Wisell's 4% figure was correct, there
would have been 80 uncircumcised infant boys with UTI in
my study. What happened to these patients if they never
got diagnosed? They didn't die, they didn't turn up with
sepsis (blood poisoning) or meningitis, they didn't have
kidney transplants. It might be supposed that the undiag-
nosed babies turn up as adults with urinary problems, but
neither scientific evidence nor "common knowledge" sup-
ports this notion.
It is "common knowledge"that girls who have recurrent
UTI in childhood and are "lost to follow-up" in adoles-
cence sometimes turn up in adulthood with serious kidney
problems. The closest we get to this in the medical lore of
the male is that middle-aged men often suffer urinary
problems due to teen-age gonorrhea.
We are a long way from understanding the relationship,
if any, between infant UTI and circumcision.
The incidence of UTI seems to vary widely depending on
whether the investigator passively collects cases or goes
fishing for them. How then can this confusing and ambig-
uous scientific question be factored into the larger social
and ethical controversy over the legitimacy of routine
newborn circumcision. I believe one must start by estab-
lishing a basis for discussion that is free of cultural bias.
Although the numbers vary somewhat, the U.S. is about
75% circumcised in the post-war period. However, white
middle class "baby-boomers" are almost all circumcised. It
is not so long since the "routine" circumcision was "Rou-
tine" with a capital "R," done without discussion or paren-
tal consent. Many parents still expect it to be done this
way. Also, the (male) physicians in the U.S. who discuss
this issue are almost all circumcised. It is therefore inevit-
(Continued on next page)
-43- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 Cultural Bias and The Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Circumcision Controversy (Continued)
It is therefore inevitable that these circumcised
physicians have an "I'm OK, you're OK" atti-
tude about the state of being circumcised.
able that these circumcised physicians have an "I'm OK,
you're OK" attitude about the state of being circumcised. I
can vividly recall seeing a Hispanic boy with an intact
foreskin exactly 30 years ago. I though he had a weird
abnormal growth. Bible stories notwithstanding, it took
me a couple of years to figure out the truth. In an attempt
to escape this bias, I have put newborn (male) circumcision
on a list of primitive cultural practices that can be discussed
together. Starting with the most obnoxious:
I. Castration
2. Foot binding
3. Radical female circumcision or infibulation
4. Scarification
5. Ubangi lip stretching
6. Limited female circumcision
7. Male circumcision
8. Mayan head deformation
9. Maori tatooing
10. Ear and nose piercing
It takes awhile for the white middle class American
physician to digest the fact that newborn (male) circumci-
sion fits on this list. It also takes awhile to digest the fact
that circumcision was introduced into this country not as a
physical hygiene measure but as a mental hygiene measure
to prevent masturbation. In this context, male circumci-
sion was promulgated in the same breath with clitoridec-
tomy (removal of the clitoris) and frontal lobotomy.
When an American physician says that circumcision
prevents UTI or cancer of the penis, he is sincere. But, it is
like a medieval Chinese physician saying that foot binding
prevents flat feet. If someone asks me, "What rate ofpre-
ventable UTI wouldjustify male circumcision?"I respond
by asking, "What rate of preventable UTI would justify
routine female circumcision?" The second question is pat-
ently absurd unless one's cultural bias allows a sympathetic
view of female circumcision. Therefore, the first question
can be only slightly less absurd.
To put it another way, if newborn circumcision were
introduced as a new procedure, it would have to be proven
"safe and effective." It is conceivable that circumcision
could be proven effective, i.e., that the significant UTI
prevented might exceed the significant complications of
\\T~EREfoRE, T~E ~iG~EST Good is SOME SORT of
plEASURE, dESpiTE T~E fACT T~AT MOST plEASURES
ARE bAd, ANd, if you likE, bAd iN T~E UN9UAli-
fiEd SENSE of T~E wORd."
ARisTOTlE, Vlichomachean ethics,
Book 7 historical truth, but its tidy logic is appealing. So we may
THE TRUTH SEEKER
circumcision was introduced into this country
not as a physical hygiene measure but as a men-
tal hygiene measure - it was supposed to pre-
vent masturbation.
the procedure. But to prove safety, it is necessary to prove
that circumcison does not interfere with the sexual func-
tioning of the penis. In the "I'm OK, you're OK,"
culturally-biased discussion, this point is easily overlook-
ed. For example, one hears the following argument:
The foreskin may have been useful to early man who ran
naked through the brambles but modern man wears
clothes and has no need of the thing, so he might as well
get rid of it and cut down the cancer risk.
My response to this argument is a slight change in the
wording:
Breasts may have been useful to early woman who had
no choice but to suckle her babes. But modern woman
has many infant feeding options and therefore has no
absolute need of breasts. She might as well get rid of
them and cut down the cancer risk.
Incidentally, breast cancer is 5,000 times more common
than foreskin cancer. Ounce for ounce, the rate might be
the same.
Incidentally, breast cancer is 5,000 times more
common than foreskin cancer. Ounce for ounce,
the rate might be the same.
Finally, what is the relationship between the cultural
bias in this country and the religious aspect of circumci-
sion? The history of religious circumcision contains some
positive elements. It appears that circumcision spread in
the early Hebraic period as part of a campaign of religious
reform that suppressed pagan religions that practiced
human sacrifice. Medieval Jewish writings specifically
denied any hygienic function for circumcision. Jewish phy-
sicians were forbidden by law to perform "secular" circum-
cison of gentiles. Therefore the promulgation of secular
circumcision in this country from 1880 to 1950 cannot have
been a "Jewish" activity.
It is a mistake for Jews, Christians, or Mos-
lems to buy into the notion that these secular
arguments are a legitmate part of their cultural
heritage.
On the other hand, the modern secular Jew likes to
explain religious law as a reflection of practical
considerations:
The eating of pork was forbidden because pigs
carry Trichinosis.
This statement probably does not contain a grain of
just as well say:
(Continued on next page)
-44- JULY/AUGUST /989
 Cultural Bias and The Urinary Tract Infections
(UTI) Circumcision Controversy (Continued)
(1930 version)
Biblical circumcision was performed in order to
improve penile hygiene and prevent venereal
disease. Cl1rCUmC1Slon
or:
(1890 version)
Biblical circumcision was performed in order to we have btroken a child's spitrit
prevent wicked masturbation and the mental he looked at me
illness that it causes.
Any day now I expect to see the following update in print:
befotre we began
(1990 version) and knew me fotr who i am
Biblical circumcision was performed in order to
decrease the risk of contracting AIDS. hey he said to me
It is a mistake for Jews, Christians, or Moslems to buy into in his gentle smile of trecognition
the notion that these secular arguments are a legitimate part hey you atre the same as me
of their cultural heritage.
you must be who i am
and then i held down his legs
Martin S. Altschul, MD received his doctorate as we cut off his fotreskin
in medicine from TheJohns Hopkins University
Medical School; an M.S. degree in statistics infinitely sotre tendetr life of otrgasm
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; we trejected his life
and is currently a staff pediatrician at the
Northwest Region Kaiser Foundation Hospital, fotrce
Salem, Oregon. powetr
he could not Aght us off
despite the fact
that he fought with all his might
American Academy of Pediatrics he gave up the Aght
Report of the Task Force his legs lay beneath the ten ton Atre
on Circumcision of my hands
and stayed thetre
with all his might dtrained
even afretr i had let him up
i cannot believe
that it does not hatrm so tendetr a life
to have his spitrit btroken
at this tendetr time hf his life
at my hands
who has ushetred in his life
Karen Hope Erlich
birth song

~~---

==-
~ ~
Submitted by: John Erickson, Biloxi, MS

THE TRUTH SEEKER -45- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Care of The Intact Male
by Paul M. Fleiss, M.D., M.P.H.
Every newborn infant is special. Amazing is the newborn in
that he is born intact with eyes that see, ears that hear, a nose
that smells, and skin that feels. The healthy newborn infant
has needs to be loved. to be held, to be talked to, to be
touched. He does not need to have the agonizing pain of part
of his body surgically removed without any anesthesia
inflicted upon him for non-existing health reasons. He does
not need to be circumcised for reasons of religion or social
customs or superstition. An ancient ignorance has made the
care of the newborn's penis quite complicated when it should
be quite simple, "Leave it alone" is the commandment to all
parents and health workers that should be heard around the
world. The newborn needs to be appreciated for the amazing
being he is and the care of his penis should be: Do not hurt it!
Do not amputate it! Do not attempt to retract it! One may
wash the entire organ without attempting to pull back or
clean the foreskin. One can easily wait until the boy can take
Circumcision Is Fascism?
Yes. a not her "circumcision" letter. This is in response to
the responders whose letters you printed Dec. 8,1988. I am
shocked and amazed by what passes for intelligence in our
most compassionate profession. In my view, these opin-
ions are at best idiotic, at worst fascist.
What these folks are supporting is the expenditure of
hundreds of millions of dollars to torture newborn babies
(of thei r own sex) because, as a society, we are too morally
bankrupt. disorganized. and/ or lazy to teach little boys
and their parents how to wash a penis, or to conduct
thorough sex education. We are told that all little boys
should have a mutilating and excruciating experience in
their first days of life, to prevent a few men (who have the
understanding to deal with the operation and the guaran-
tee of receiving anesthesia) from having cancer or YO,
which can be prevented in cheap and painless ways.
One can only guess at the sort offundamental emotional
outlook which can calmly rationalize this cold-blooded,
wholesale cruelty. And isn't it amazing how often people
turn to the Old Testament to support violence and intoler-
ance - certainly not the best of use of the highest wisdom
of a people.
I applaud the resolution of ACOG (the American Col-
lege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) to oppose this
recurrent atrocity. I encourage all of us to look to the
society we continue to create; we show little or no respect
or understanding for children nor for the lessons they begin
to learn, so early in life, about the treatment they will
receive at the hands of those who love them. Those who
consider this "much ado a bout nothing" have stepped over
the boundary separating responsible intellect from hubris-
prone ego, leaving humility and compassion behind. How
much woe comes from that little step!
David S. Bate, M.D.
Skyland, N.C.
Letter To The Editor, Medical Tribune
23 February 1989,30:6
THE TRUTH SEEKER
care of his own penis. The foreskin has a function. It does
keep the glans of the penis warm, moist, and sensitive. It
protects from infection and it keeps the opening of the penis
adequate.
Complications of "routine" newborn circumcisions are
grossly underreported. The medical literature does report the
major mutilations, the major hemorrhages, and the major
infections, however many males that are left with a deformed
gland or a meatus (opening) too small or an insensitive glans
have never been counted. The procedure has many risks even
when performed with the skill of the most able surgeon.
Repeating the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics
1984 brochure on Care of the Uncircumcised Male is good
advice to all parents, to all nurses, doctors, and health care
workers LEAVE IT ALONE! Let the newborn male take
care of his own foreskin when he is able to do it without any
trauma or pain. Leave the penis of the newborn infant alone.
Circumcision Of Infants
Misguided
The American Academy of Pediatric's recent statement
(The Sun Herald. March 6) about infant circumcision
misses the point with a precision that can only be
deliberate.
The foreskin is a highly specialized, uniquely sensitive,
multifunctional organ of touch.
When you cut off a baby's foreskin, you are cutting off
one of his means of perceiving, experiencing, sharing and
enjoying his existence. You are literally censoring his life.
The vast majority of males who are not circumcised
value their wholeness and keep their foreskins intact, for
the same reason they keep the rest of their body intact.
When you circumcise a baby, in other words, you are, in
effect, cutting his foreskin off by force.
Many males circumcised as babies see themselves as
harmed by that amputation - regardless of the reason
they were circumcised.
The endlessly debated "health benefits" of infant cir-
cumcision are therefore a false issue and would not justify
depriving a baby of his foreskin even if they were real.
If the American Academy of Pediatrics isn't aware of
those considerations, why isn't it? If it is aware of them,
why does it remain silent?
John A. Erickson
Biloxi
Letter To The Editor, The Sun Herald
March 27,1989
-46- JULY/AUGUST /989
 TItE FiRST CiRCUMCisioN CASE
by Richard W. Morris
This was strictly an issue of law since the physi-
cian's own form stated that circumcision had no
medical purpose, all we had to argue about was
whether or not a parent can consent to surgical
procedures which had no medical purpose.
The first case to challenge circumcision anywhere, the
United States or any other country, was the Adam London
case. The challenge was decided first in the Superior Court of
California, Marin County, then heard by the Court of
Appeal. A petition to have the California Supreme Court
review the rulings of the lower courts was summarily rejected
by the Supreme Court. This is the story of the issues and the
happenings.
The lawsuit was begun by Adam's mother, as guardian ad
lileJl1 for Adam (the plaintiff). Just before the circumcision,
she had signed an "informed consent" form provided by the
medical facility. On the form it stated that there was no
medical purpose for circumcision. She does not remember
the form or having signed it. She was upset at the time
regarding the circumcision. Adam's father did not sign the
form.
The lawsuit against the physician who performed the cir-
cumcision (and the medical facility where it was performed)
alleged eight separate causes of action. I will list them with a
short explanation.
COM MON LAW BATTERY In that without the knowl-
edge and consent of plaintiff, they forcibly removed the
foreskin from plaintiff's penis by cutting the foreskin
completely off.
VIOLATIO OF WILLFUL CRUELTY STATUTE
(Penal Code 273a), in that in doing the circumcision
they inflicted unjustifiable physical pain upon plaintiff
in violation of California Penal Code Section 273a.
VIOLATION OF INFLICTION OF PAIN STATUTE
(Penal Code 273d) in that in doing the circumcision
they inflicted unjustifiable physical pain upon plaintiff
in violation of California Penal Code Section 273d.
VIOLATIO OF WILLFUL CRUELTY STATUTE
[Health and Safety Code 11165, Penal Code Section
273a( I) and Penal Code Section 273a(2)] in doing the
circumcision they willfully inflicted unjustifiable physi-
cal pain upon plaintiff in violation of California Health
and Safety Code, Section 11165, subparagraph (c),
subsection (2), sub-subsection (d), in violation of Penal
Code Section 273a, subsection (I) and Penal Code
273a, subsection (2).
VIOLATION OF CHILD ABUSE STATUTE (Health
and Safety Code 11165) that in doing the circumcision
they committed a tort of willfully inflicting unjustifia-
ble physical pain upon plaintiff in violation of Califor-
nia Health and Safety Code, Section 11165, subpara-
graph (g). . The issue then, is not the religious freedom ofthe
VIOLATION OF KIDNAPPING STATUTE (Penal
Code 207) in that when they took Adam to the circum-
cision room they committed a tort Of willfully taking
THE TRUTH SEEKER
and carrying plaintiff from one location in the Medical
Center to another location within the Medical Center
for the sole purpose of committing mayhem and muti-
lation of the body of plaintiff in violation of California
Penal Code Section 207.
VIOLATION OF MAYHEM STATUTE (Penal Code
203) Defendants, and each of them, committed a tort
by willfully, unlawfully and maliciously depriving
plaintiff of his foreskin and of permanently disfiguring
plaintiffs penis in violation of California Penal Code
Section 203.
The defendants brought a motion to have all of these
causes of action stricken. The court struck all except the
battery and the kidnapping and false imprisonment causes of
action. A -decision then had to be made as to whether to
appeal at that time or go forward on the remaining two causes
of action. The decision was made to proceed on the two.
The defendants then brought a motion for summary
judgment saying that all of the facts were agreed to and that
the mother's consent excused both the charge of battery and
of kidnapping and false inprisonment.
The case now revolved around this sole issue: DOES A
PARENT HAVE THE LEGAL POWER TO CONSENT
TO A SURGICAL PROCEDURE WHICH HAS NO
MEDICAL PURPOSE?
The Superior Court ruled in the favor of the defendants
without ever really dealing with the only issue in the case. We,
of course were faced with how to give an enlightened response
to judicial absurdity. The case now had to go to the Court of
Appeal. This was strictly an issue of la w since the physician's
own form stated that circumcision had no medical purpose,
all we had to argue about was whether or not a parent can
consent to surgical procedures which had no medical purpose.
In the Court of Appeal we fared no better. The brief was
extensive. You may obtain a copy of it from Marilyn Milos.
During the oral argument one of the Justices of the Court of
Appeal asked me if the Court ruled as I argued would it not
infringe upon religious freedom. My response was the
"Cocker Spaniel" answer.
A cocker spaniel is born a cocker spaniel and will remain a
cocker spaniel all of its life. A human being is not born as a
Christian, a Moslem, a Jew, or any other religion. The fact
that the child is born from parents of a particular religion
does not make the child a member of that religion by choice.
Yet it is by choice that a person selects either the religion of
the child's parents, some other religion, or no religion at all.
The issue then, is not the religious freedom of the parents as
presented by the Court but the religious freedom of the child.
Keeping in mind the religious freedom of the child, some
religions (such as Hindu) ostracize or prohibit a male who is
circumcised to become a member ofthe religion. However, if
(Conrinued on nex[ paKe)
parents as presented by the Court but the reli-
gious freedom of the child.
-47- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The First Circumcision Case (Continued)
The issue here deals only with the limitation
placed upon the legal power of parents to con-
sent to surgical procedures to be conducted
upon their children.
the child (for example) was born of Jewish parents and
elected at the age of majority to become a member of the
Jewish religion, he could then cut off his foreskin to join.
Asfar as the religiousfreedom ofthe parents is concerned,
they could do a symbolic ritual of circumcision rather than
the actual circumcision (as they do for other religious cerem-
onies), This would leave the child free to choose which reli-
gion, if any, the child would like to choose when the child
became of the age to do so.
The three Justices of the Court merely chuckled, looked at
each other, and moved on. We received a ruling from the
Court that the lower court's Summary Judgment was sus-
tained, and an opinion that a parent could do whatever the
parent wanted to do to the child.
We then moved onward, and upward, to the California
Supreme Court. Here is what we argued to the Supreme
Court.
To the Honorable Chief Justice, and to the
Honorable Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court of the State of California:
J.STATEMENTOFISSUEPRESENTEDFORREVIEW
Does a parent have the legal power to consent to a
surgical procedure which has no medical purpose?
2. PETITION FOR REVIEW
Appellant London hereby petitions for review of the deci-
sion of the Court of Appeal of the State of California, First
Appellate District, Division Four, filed in this action on May
20,1987, affirmingthejudgment of the Superior Court of the
Suite of California in favor of Respondents.
A copy of the decision of the Court of Appeal showing the
date of its filing is set forth herein as Appendix I.
Review by this Court is necessary on the ground that the
decision of the Court of Appeal is not in line with the authori-
A MAN'S MiNd STRUcilEd by A NEW idEA
CAN NEVER GO bAck TO iTS ORiGiNAl
diMENSiONS.
OliVER WENdEll HolMES
(1841.19J~)
U.S. SUpREME COURT JUSTiCE
QUOTEd by RobERT M. HUTcltiNS
THE TRUTH SEEKER
ties cited herein and this Court's ruling is necessary because
an important question of law is at issue herein requiring
settlement by this Court.
3. INTRODUCTION
Both the Superior Court and the Court of Appeal appar-
ently understood the case of Appellant to be that of arguing
the merits of circumcision. That is not, and was not the issue,
presented.
The relative merits of the surgical procedure are to be
argued at the trial court after the presentation of evidence.
The issue here deals only with the limitation placed upon
the legal power of parents to consent to surgical procedures to
be conducted upon their children.
Section 25.8, however, permits parents to con-
sent to any surgical procedure, regardless of
purpose.
Appellant here desires only a statement on the law of the
State of California by petitioning this Court to answer one
question:
DOES A PARENT HAVE THE LEGAL POWER
TO CONSENT TO A SURGICAL PROCEDURE
WHICH HAS NO MEDICAL PURPOSE?
4, SUMMARY OF FACTS
Respondent Mark Glasser, acting within his scope of
employment as an employee of Permanente Medical Group,
removed the foreskin from Appellant Adam London's penis.
Appellant brought an action for assault and battery,
among other causes of action, against Respondents.
Respondents defended on the sole ground that the parents
of Appellant consented to the removal of the foreskin.
The Superior Court granted a motion for Summary
Judgment based upon the consent of the parents.
It is the position of Appellant, that to grant a
parent the legal power to consent to a surgical
procedure which has no medical purpose is to
grant a parent an unlimited license to abuse their
children.
The Court of Appeal affirmed the Superior Court, stating
the "Plaintiffs public policy argument - that children should
be protected from suffering unjustifiable pain or risks - is
based on the premise that parents cannot consent to surgical
procedures which have no medical purpose. Section 25.8,
however, permits parents to consent to any surgical proce-
dure, regardless of purpose.'"
Appellant disagrees with the Court of Appeal, and con-
tends that parents do not have the legal power to consent to
any surgical procedure regardless of purpose, and that the
purpose sets the limit upon the parental authority.
5, THE ONLY ISSUE:
DOES A PARENT HAVE THE LEGAL POWER
TO CONSENT TO SURGICAL PROCEDURES
WHICH HAVE NO MEDICAL PURPOSE?
(Col1/inued on nex{ paKe)
-48- JULY/AUGUST 1989
 The First Circumcision Case (Continued)
The Court of Appeal holds that Civil Code Section 25.8
grants to a parent the legal power to consent to surgical
procedure upon their children "regardless of purpose."
It is the position of Appellant, that to grant a parent the
legal power to consent to a surgical procedure which has no
medical purpose is to grant a parent an unlimited license to
abuse their children.
For example, amputation is a surgical procedure. Appel-
lant finds it impossible to believe that any court would grant
to a parent the legalpower to consent to the amputation ofall
the healthy limbs of a child, making a healthy, normal, child
into a quadriplegic.
In other words, Appellant contends that there are limits
upon the power to consent to surgical procedures, and that
the limit should be the power to consent to surgical procedure
only for medical purpose.
6. BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF REQUEST FOR REVIEW
POINT I
APPELLANT HAS SUFFERED A LOSS OF
HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF
SAFETY AND PRIVACY
The Constitution of the State of California, Article I, Section
I, provides:
I. Inalienable rights.
Section I. All people are by nature free and independent
and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying
and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possession, and
protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety,
happiness, and privacy."
This constitutional principle has been implemented in
Civil Code Section 43:
43. General personal rights.
The right of safety and privacy must necessarily limit the
power of parents to consent to surgical procedures which
have a medical purpose.
Appellant's individual constitutional right of safety must
be paramount to all rights ofparents regarding their children.
Parental autonomy is not absolute. The Court of Appeal of
the State of California has so ruled. 2
"However, the constitutional guarantees of
freedom of religion do not sanction harming
another person in the practice ofone's religion,
and they do not allow religion to be a legal
defense when one harms another."
C90mmittee on 13ioethics
..American ..Academy of1Oedicatrics
"Pediatrics, " January /988
THE TRUTH SEEKER
Since parental autonomy is not absolute, what defines the
limit?
Appellant's position is that the limit must be defined by the
definition of medical treatment, not mere "procedures."
Appellant's safety was placed at risk. and Appellant was
permanently deformed, by the circumcision in violation of
the Constitution of the State of California, Article I. Section
I, and in violation of the Civil Code, Section 43.
POINT 2
IF IT AI IT BROKE. DONT FIX IT
A parent's legal power to consent to acts to be done to their
children must have limits. The limits have been defined by
other courts as being limited to the power to consent to
medical treatment.
The Texas Court of Appeal faced this very same issue in
the context of a kidney transplant. A 14 year old. mentally
incompetent but otherwise perfectly healthy, daughter ap-
plied (through a guardian ad litem) for an order authorizing
the mother to consent to the removal of a kidney from the
daughter's body, for the purpose of transplanting the kidney
to the body of a son who was suffering from endstage renal
disease.
The Texas court held: NO. The court, in so ruling. stated:
"Significantly, however, for our purposes, this power of par-
ents ... to consent to surgical intrusions upon the person of
the minor ... is limited to the power to consent to medical
'treatment. '" Little v Little, 576 S. W.2d 493. at page 495.
This is the very same rule Appellant asked the Court of
Appeal, and now asks this court to rule. This Review of the
Court of Appeal is not concerned with arguing the merits of
the particular surgical procedure involved in Appellant's
case: that is an issue for the trial court.
Appellant contends that the error of both the Trial Court
and the Court of Appeal is they concerned themselves with
the merits of the surgical procedure itself and not with the rule
of law which must first be addressed before the evidence
regarding the merits of the surgical procedure can be
considered.
Other than the Little case in Texas, only one other appel-
late level court has, to the knowledge of Appellant, even
considered the issue of defining the limits of parental power
to consent to surgical procedures. That other court was the
Louisiana Court of Appeal.
Again, the Court was dealing with whether or not a guard-
ian could consent to a surgical procedure to remove an organ
from a healthy child and have that organ transplanted to an ill
child. The surgical procedure had no medical treatment value
for the healthy child.
The Louisiana Court ruled that the surgery could not take
place, and that the Court owed "protection to a minor's right
All courts have held that the surgical removal of
any normal, healthy, non-diseased, uninjured
part of the body is not treatment.
(Conlinued on next page)
1. Opinion of the court of Appeal, page 42
2. In Re Phillip B, 92 Cal.App.3d 796, 801. Cert. Denied as
Bothman v. Warren B., 445 U.S. 949.
-49- JULY/ AUGUST 1989
 The First Circumcision Case (Continued)
to befree in his personfrom bodily intrusion to the extent of
the loss of an organ unless such loss be in the best interest of
the minor." In re Richardson 284So.2d 185, at page 187.
This, again, is the same rule Appellant asks this Court to
Rule. Medical treatment defines the limits of a parents power Newborn Circumcision:
to consent. Black's Law Dictionary. (Rev. 4th Ed., St. Paul:
West Publishing Co. 1951) p. 1673, citing cases. Medical Necessity Or
Medical treatment is universally defined as: "A broad term
covering all the steps taken to effect a cure of any injury or
disease; the word including examination and diagnosis as
Useless Mutilation?
well as application of remedies. "3
The Little case adopted this very definition, saying: "Even
ascribing to the word 'treatment' its broadest definition, it is,
- Resolution -
nevertheless, limited to the steps taken to effect a cure of an
injury or disease ... including examination and diagnosis as
well as application of remedies." 4 WHEREAS The California Medical Association is
To be termed "treatment," all courts require that there be a looked to by Californians for authoritative
disease, an injury, or an abnormality of some sort which is medical advice and
sought to be corrected. The process of that correction is
"treatment. " WHEREAS the responsibility of the CMA is to give the
All courts have held that the surgical removal of any public the most enlightened, factual, evi-
normal, healthy, non-diseased, uninjured part of the body is dence-supported modern medical advice
not "treatment. "
available and
Whether or not the circumcision in Appellant's particular
case was or was not "treatment" is an issue for the court to
WHEREAS newborn male circumcision is a procedure
determine after hearing evidence.
It was the function of the Court of Appeal to set forth a without factual, demonstrable, supporta-
clear rule defining the limit of the legal power of parents to ble medical indications in the overwhel-
consent to surgical procedures by setting the limit at medical ming majority of cases and
treatment.
The error of the Court of Appeal is that it specifically ruled WHEREAS newborn male circumcision has many
that a parent has the power "to consent to any surgical complications rarely communicated to the
procedure, regardless of purpose." Even if there is no medical parents and
treatment connected with the purpose of the surgical
procedure.
Appellant contends that this is not, and should not be, the WHEREAS most medical authorities worldwide feel
law of the State of California. That a parent has the legal that newborn males have a right to remain
power to consent only to surgical procedures which have a "intact" except in rare instances,
medical purpose, and that the standard is, and should be: "If
it ain't broke, don't fix it." RESOLVED: That the CMA withdraw its 1988 endor-
The California Supreme Court denied our Petition for sement (305-88) of newborn circumcision
Review. This was done without comment as to why it was as an effective public health measure and
denied There is now only one place to go: The United States
state that newborn circumcision is mostly
Supreme Court. The only problem was that there was no
money left to pay for the filing fees and the printing of the unnecessary and contraindicated, and
brief We had come to the end of the line. wherever done be accompanied by a par-
ents' informational brochure or video and
3. Black's Law Dictionary, (Rev. 4th Ed., St. Paul: West Publishing an informed consent.
Co. 1951) p. 1673, citing cases.
4. Little v Little, supra.

•
Resolution submitted by
John W. Hardebeck, M.D.
March 4-8, 1989
Richard E. Morris is an Attorney-at-Law
in private practice,
San Diego, California.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -50- JULY/ AUGUST 1989

 by James L. Snyder
Mr. Chairman, Delegates and Guests, thank you. My
name is James L. Snyder. I am a Fellow of the American
College of Surgeons from Virginia and the past President of
the Virginia Urologic Society.
In 1986, I presented to the Virginia Urologic Society two
infants who had been circumcised with disastrous results.
One had suffered a degloving injury with loss of all the skin of
the penile shaft and required further surgery. The second
infant suffered gangrene and necrosis of the entire glans and
penis due to electrocautery. I was called as a consultant to see
both of these infants within hours of their injuries and can tell
you that both of these children will be lifetime genital crip-
ples.
As a result of this presentation, the Virginia Urologic
Society adopted a unanimous resolution against routine
newborn circumcision.
Imagine my surprise to learn the the California Medical
Association had adopted a resolution endorsing newborn
circumcision as a measure to prevent herpes, syphilis, gonor-
rhea, chancroid and lymphogranuloma venereum. Each of
these diseases has a known etiologic agent and as a physician
in the United States Navy I have treated circumcised Ameri-
can servicemen for each of these conditions, using specific
and effective antibiotics to cure what circumcision did not
prevent.
Recent speculation that routine newborn circumcision can
reduce urinary tract infections or prevent infection due to the
A IDS virus stretches reason.
Over 95% of male children never have urinary tract infec-
tions - regardless of the state of their foreskins.
The article on AIDS by Simonsen, et aI., cites the expe-
rience of 38 African men who became infected with the AI DS
virus after consorting with AIDS-infected prostitutes. Dele-
gates, American parents do not want to hear speculation
about 38 African men and their prostitutes. American par-
ents want to know why thousands of their children, brothers,
and cousins in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and
Miami were not protected from AIDS infections by the fact
that 60-90% of them have been circumcised at birth since
1940.
Routine newborn circumcision has failed to prevent each
of the conditions for which it has been proposed as a cure
- even masturbation.
If there is any condition that merits consideration it is
penile cancer. The proponents of this practice themselves
admit to the occurrence of penile cancer even in men circum-
cised early in life. After almost 25 years of urologic practice, I
have seen only four penile cancers de novo. My general
surgical colleagues, however, see many more women with
breast cancer, a disease equally preventable by minor surgery
on unconsenting infant girls.
Since my two personal experiences witnessing tragic infant
circumcision, I have gathered data which I bring here before
you on other tragic results of infant circumcision.
In 1982, an Iowa infant bled to death after circumcision.
THE TRUTH SEEKER
In 1983, another Virginia child suffered a degloving with his
circumcision, requiring skin grafting.
In 1984, a Louisiana child's penis was destroyed by a cir-
cumcision and sex-change surgery was advised.
In 1985, two children in an Atlanta hospital suffered des-
truction of their penis at circumcision. One under-
went sex-change surgery.
In 1986, an Alaska child's infected circumcision led to con-
vulsions and massive brain and kidney damage.
Numerous children are cut so short that their sexual func-
tioning is compromised and recently the medical literature
and the lay press have reported on significant numbers of
adult men who were so displeased with the fact of their
circumcisions that they have sought and submitted to plastic
surgical reconstruction of their penis.
Gentlemen, I bring before you documentation of these
facts by photographs, articles from the press and the medical
literature, and by the personal testimony of individuals and
parents of seriously injured children.
The part of the baby that we have been throwing out with
the bathwater is the birthright of the child and should not be
destroyed by the collusion of physicians and parents.
In parting, I would like to paraphrase the words of the
Emperor Charles V who viewed the destruction of the Great
Mosque of Cordoba and said "What you have done could be
done anytime - but what you have destroyed can never be
replaced."
PRESENTATIO
TOTHE
CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATIO
SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
118TH ANNUAL SESSION AND
WESTERN SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 4, 1989
Dr.spocft
On Circumcision
"I usel! to ltan towan! routine circumcision. at 6irth.
Now that circumcision. is not T'eCOITUtlDUfed to stop
mastwfution ant! now that the tfteory a60ut cervicaC
cancer lias 6een. disproved; there is no excuse for the
operation - except as a rellgious rite. So, 1 strollgo/
reconunenl! feaving the j"orfsfdn alOnL"
- '.BfJI.'.B'Y MfP CJiIDIJ CMt;£
(1985)
-51- JULY/A UGUST 1989
 DEClARATioN C9i1fcumcision Vlightma1fe
Of TItE FiRST
INTERNATioNAl SyMposiuM
ON CiRCUMCisioN
We recognize the inherent right of all human beings
to an intact body. Without religious or racial prejudice,
we affirm this basic human right.
We recognize the foreskin, clitoris and labia are nor-
mal, functional body parts.
Parents and/ or guardians do not have the right to
consent to the surgical removal or modification oftheir
children's normal genitalia.
Physicians and other health-care providers have a
responsibility to refuse to remove or mutilate normal
body parts.
The only persons who may consent to medically unne-
cessary procedures upon themselves are the individuals
who have reached the age of consent (adulthood), and
then only after being fully informed about the risks and
benefits of the procedure.
We categorically state that circumcision has unrec- June 25, 1989
ognized victims. Dear Jim:
In view of the serious physical and psychological
consequences that we have witnessed in victims of cir- It's so hard for me to put my thoughts down, just tell your
cumcision, we hereby oppose the performance of a sin- readers the truth. Our son will grow to be a man in a
gle additional unnecessary foreskin, clitoral, or labial wheelchair, he is blind, he may never speak, he may never
amputation procedure. say "Mommy, Daddy," or "I love you."
We oppose any further studies which involve the
performance of the circumcision procedure upon uncon- Sincerely,
senting minors. We support any further studies which Parents of "John Doe"
involve identification of the effects of circumcision.
Physicians and other health-care providers do have a
responsibility to teach hygiene and the care of normal In a lawsuit filed in the Superior Court for the State of
body parts and explain their normal anatomical and Alaska, August 28, 1987, parents claim that circumcision
physiological development and function throughout constitutes an assault and battery upon their son's body.
life. Allegedly, the baby's wound became infected by bacteria
We place the medical community on notice that it is while he was in the hospital. He was returned to the
being held accountable for misconstruing the scientific hospital for treatment of the acute infection, developed
database available on human circumcision in the world toxic shock, which led to seizures, and was improperly
today. treated. By virtue of the medical negligence and delay in
Physicians who practice routine circumcisions are proper treatment, the suit claims the baby sustained pro-
violating the first maxim of medical practice, "PRI- found brain damage, retardation, palsy, lack of brain
MUM NON NOCERE," "First, Do No Harm," and growth, damage to his vision and other related damages.
anyone practicing genital mutilation is violating Article To add to the horror of the story, the boy was born with a
V of the United Nations Universal Declaration of condition that requires circumcision not be done. The
Human Rights: parents say the boy would not have been circumcised had
"NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE they been told that the surgery is not necessary, causes
OR TO CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING pain, and has risks.
TREATMENT ... "
Adopted by the General Assembly
First International Symposium on Circumcision From: NOCIRC NEWSLETTER, Fall 1988
March 1-3, 1989, Anaheim, California Vol. 3, No. I, page 2

THE TRUTH SEEKER -52- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 UNivERSAl DEClARATioN ON CiRCUMCisioN, ExcisioN ANd INCisioN
WHEREAS, the Geneneral Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948 adopted and proclaimed the
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS; and
WHEREAS, said Declaration affirmed to "strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms
and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance ... ;"
and
WHEREAS, Article 2 of said Declaration affirms that "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this
Declaration without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, politicaJ or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status;" and
WHEREAS, Article 5 of said Declaration affirms that: "NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR TO
CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT;" and
WHEREAS, the practice of medically unnecessary surgical circumcisions, excisions and incisions on male and female
genitalia that are conducted:
a) without anesthesia, inflicts incalculable pain and human suffering, constitutes an act of TOR TU R E within the terms of
Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
b) with anesthesia, constitutes an "act of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment" within the terms of Article 5 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and
WHEREAS, other forms of male and female genital mutilation that are conducted as a matter of social and religious custom,
e.g. as in "ritual rites of passage," constitute acts of "TORTURE (A D) CRUEL, I HU MAN OR DEGRADI G TREAT-
MENT OR PUNISHMENT" within the language and intent of Article5 of the United Nations Universal Dec/aration of Human
Rights; and
WHEREAS, the above violations of Articles 2 and 5 of the Universal Dec/aration of Human Rightsfrequel1l/l' involves
helpless newborns and adolescents - religious and social customs notwithstanding;

litE FiRST INTERNATiONAl SyMposiUM ON CiRCUMcisiON:

a) Calls upon all persons and institutions to engage in "progressive measures" to end the practice of torture, cruelty,
inhuman and degrading treatment that is inherent in circumcisions and other forms of male and female genital mutilation
that are conducted as a matter of social-cultural and religious custom and which are defacto violations of Articles 2 and 5 of
the United Nations Universal Dec/oration of Human Rights; and
b) Calls upon all humane nations to pass legislation prohibiting the practice of torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading
treatment that is inherent in circumcisions and other forms of male and female genital mutilation that are conducted as a
matter of social-cultural and religious custom which are de facto violations of Articles 2 and 5 of the United Nations
Universal Dec/oration of Human Rights; and
c) Calls upon all humane nations to petition the INTERNATIONAL COURT OF THE HAGUE to formally render an
advisory opinion and judgment that the practice of medically unnecessary surgical circumcisions, with or without anesthesia;
and other forms of male and female genital mutilation that are conducted as a matter of social-cultural and religious custom,
e.g. in "ritual rites of passage" constitute defacto acts of violation of Article 5 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights which specifically states:

"NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR TO CRUEL, INHUMAN OR

DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT."

Submitted to the General Assembly, The First International Symposium on Circumcision, March 1-3, 1989,
Anaheim, California by James W. Prescott, Ph.D. which was passed unanimously.
The substance of the above resolution was also passed unanimously at the 1988 Annual Meeting of The Humanist
Fellowhsip of San Diego.

I, (name) support the Universal Declaration on Circumcision, Excision and Incision.

Signature _ Date _

THE TRUTH SEEKER -53- JULY/AUGUST 1989

/
 ft AN ACT To PRoltibiT GENiTAl MUTilATioNS ~
Preamble

The Legislature of the State of , having reviewed the expert evidence on the
medical and nonmedical claims for justifications of male and female genital mutilations of infants and children;
and recognizing that genital mutilation of female children is being increasingly practiced in this country by
certain religious and ethnic groups; and noting the extraordinary pain and suffering inflicted upon these infants
and children who are subjected to ritualistic genital mutilations (circumcision, excision, incision, and infibula-
tion) which produce long-term psychological and psychosexual trauma and dysfunction; and recognizing that
genital mutilations of male and female children constitute a defacto violation of Article Vofthe United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states:

"NO ONE SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE OR TO CRUEL,

INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT,"

Hereby enacts the following legislation:

''A II genital mutilations of male andfemale infants and children are expressly prohibited except for medical
necessity that involves clearly demonstratedpathology which requires surgery for correction and unanimously
affirmed, as such, by a committee ofthree physicians who shall represent expertise in the medical disciplines of
urology, gynecology, and pediatrics.

Violation of this provision is a felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed three years and a fine of
$100,000 that will be placed in trust for the benefit of the mutilated infant or child

In addition, the infant/child who is violatedunder this statute will have the right ofrecovery of civil damages
for tort until the age of majority plus the statute of limitations. "

I, , petition the Legislature of the

State of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , to enact the above human rights legislation.

Signature _

Address

Date

This petition is sponsored by the National League for Separation of Church and State, P.O. Box 2832, San
Diego, CA 92122-2832, and by the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
(NOCIRC), P.O. Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA 94960.

Please send signed petition to NOCIRC for forwarding to the appropriate state legislature.

Your support of this project is requested through your membership in the National League for Separation of
Church and State. Annual dues are $25 which includes a subscription to The Truth Seeker.

THE TRUTH SEEKER -54- JULY/AUGUST 1989

 Contin ued from last issue.
Book of Reason For the Man of Vision
Superior Men
by James Hervey Johnson
Publish ed By James Hervey Johnson , San Diego 1949
Chapter III (Continued)
The Probable Origin of Religious Festivals
There is little doubt that the origin of the folk stories of
spirits and fairies develop ed from the phospho rescent lights
of the swamps and fens, from the lightnin g bugs, fireflies, the
phospho rescent minute sea life, and. from the pho~phorescent
fungus in the forest. The strange lIghts, the ongIn of which
was unknow n to man for centurie s must have filled him with
a feeling of fear and forbodin g. Some of the Irish, and
Scandin avian stories of fairies and spirits can be traced to
such origin. Thus, it is understa ndable how religion evolved
and develop ed from these simple but mysteno us natural
phenom ena, and, as is explaine d in another c?apter, these
imagina tions and ideas, once started, were dIfficult to stop.
Primitiv e man feared to express any doubt as to the power of
any of these spirits or gods or devils. At times beinginv isible,
they might know what he was thinking about or talkIng about
and might harm him.
Today the more primitiv e tribes of the South Seas,
Africa North and South America , and India, carry a great
many kinds of amulets , tokens, stones, chains, ~eads, and a~l
manner of such things to protect them from the ImagIned evIl
influenc e of the spirits of the stones and trees, animals and
even other human beings. Many soldiers, fliers, and others
also carry these tokens of good luck as a protecti on against
possible evil happeni ngs. And many of them belIeve. In It. One
craftily devout compan y went so far as to advertis e a steel
covered Bible to be worn over the heart, probabl y recogmzIng
that the bullet-p roof steel would offer more protecti on than
the Holy Word.
The average man has never made a scientific study of the
success of those who wore the charms and amulets as com-
pared to those who did not.
As a matter of fact, for the most part natural things, such
as the trees and stones and rivers and seas and strange lights
never injured the average man and so it was easy for him to
believe, especially when he was so told, that these charms
protecte d him. Even lightnin g struck only occaSIOnally a~d
struck a person very rarely, and thus it was easy to explaIn
that that individu al had done somethi ng wrong. Most eve-
rybody has commit ted a sin of some kind and so disease and
acciden tal natural disaster s could be explaine d by the pnml-
tive witch-d octor, the priest or the religious leader as the
result of some transgre ssion by the individu al.
So by these simple steps evident and obvious ~o the
simple minds of early and uncultur ed men, more comphc ated
customs , practice s, and religious systems graduall y grew
through the ages to those of the present day.
Chapter IV
Dreams, Nightmares, VISIO NS
Once I dreamed of elephan ts fighting over me. Primitiv e
man, living in the midst of wild animals , probabl y had very
THE TRUTH SEEKER
-55-
Serialization of Superior Men
vivid nightma res of near death and attempt s to escape from
wild and horrid animals . Probabl y he saw lizards and reptiles
which impress ed and greatly scared him. Probabl y real
escapes in daytime were horribly exagger ated and repeated at
night in his dreams.
It is natural for primitiv e man to believe that the souls or
spirits of the animals were after him. Hence the efforts of
primitiv e man to appease the spirits of reptiles and other
animals .
The Hindus fear to kill the monkey s, the cobras and
tigers for fear the spirits of these offensive, destruct ive and
dangero us beasts will cause them death and injury. Hence the
depreda tions of the vast multitud e of animals which are not
extermi nated in India grows to great heights.
Witch doctors were swift to prey upon the imagina tion of
their weaker minded fellow men. They talked of their own gods,
manufac tured from their own dreams, nightma res and visions.
It was only a step to the manufa cture of horrible looking
devils and gods, often half men and half beast. Even the
Christia n devil has horns and tail.
The primitiv e races in China, Tibet, Japan, I ndia and the
savages of Africa, the South Seas and the Indians of the
America s and totems, tiger and animal gods, devIls, are
probabl y outgrow th of nightma res, visions, dreams and
imagina tion.
The savage primitiv e and medieva l rites of many reli-
gions practice d today, accentu ate the worship of all of these
fetishes, gods, devils and images. The dancing around them,
the sacrifice, the night rituals, the music, the tomtom 's repeti-
tions all served to impress the images of the spirit - devil
gods in the minds of the people and as they had little else to
think about they would dream and have VISIOns of these
things and that would serve to make them believe still more
the claims of the priests and witch doctors.
The great ritual and impress ive ceremon ies of the
Catholic Church cannot help but impress childish minds and
weak minds. Hence it is very reasona ble to attribut e the
visions of Saints, the Virgin Mary, and Christ to the dreams
and nightma res of those who have been subjecte d to the
influence of these rituals and ceremon ies. This probabl y
explains the many so-calle d visitatio ns whic~ appear from
time to time in the press where chIldren or pnests or Simple
minded people are visited by saints and gods with messages
which are claimed to verge on the miraculo us.
From time to time I dream of my father, who was my part-
ner and close associat e all my life until his death. Sometim es
the dreams are very vivid and I dream that I am discussi ng
various matters with him as I did when he was alive.
The dreams of ignoran t people may seem to them to be
meeting s with those in the spirit world. Knowin g that their
friends and relatives are dead, it is easy for ignoran t or insane
or eccentri c (off-cen ter emotion ally or mentally ) people to
believe that they are talking to the souls of the dead.
(This serialicalion olthe Superior Men
\I'ill he cul1linued in our next issue.)
JULY/A UGUST 1989
 Resources
BOOKS:
Anne Briggs (1985), Circumcision: What Every Parent Should
Know. Virginia, Birth & Parenting Publications.
Lightfoot-Klein, Hanny (1989), Prisoners of Ritual, An
Odyssey Into Female Genital Mutilation In Africa, The
Haworth Press, Inc., New York.
Paige, K.E. and Paige, J.M. (1981), The Politics of Repro-
ductive Ritual. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Romberg, Rosemary (1985), Circumcision: The Painful Di-
lemma, Bergin & Garvey Publishers, Inc., Massachu-
setts, (out of print).
Wallerstein, Edward (1980),Circumcision: An American
Health Fallacy, Springer Publishing Co., New York.
PAMPHLETS:
Paige, K. E. (1978), The Ritual of Circumcision, Human
Nature May 1987,40-48.
Wallerstein, Edward (1986), Circumcision: Information, Misin-
formation, Disinformation, NOC/RC, 1986, California.
Wallerstein, Edward (1985), Circumcision: The Uniquely
American Medical Enigma, The Pennypress, Washington.
Wallerstein, Edward (1980), The Circumcision Decision, The
Pennypress, Washington.
Wallerstein, Edward (1982), When Your Baby Boy is Not
Circumcised. The Pennypress, Washington.
Circumcision. Mothering Special Edition. Mothering 1988,
New Mexico.
Circumcision Why? NOC/RC 1986, California. (Available in
Spanish.)
HumanisticJudaism, Becoming Parents. Society for Huma-
nistic Judaism, Michigan, Summer 1988.
VIDEOTAPES:
A Matter ofChoice. Orion Express, 39 Marie Street, Sausa-
lito, CA 94965, 415/332-8489.
Newborn Circumcision. Foresight Productions, 1302 Oak-
land Avenue, Durham, NC 27705, 919/286-2793.
NOCIRC Conference Tape. P.O. Box 2512, San Anselmo,
CA 94960, 415/488-9883.
The Circumcision Questions. Perennial Education, Inc. 930
Pitner, Evanston, IL 60202, 1-800-323-9084.
The First International Symposium on Circumcision. Promo
Video, 2240 Morely Street, #7, San Diego 92111.
AUDIOTAPES:
The First International Symposium on Circumcision, Master
Duplicators, 11042 Bettes Place, Garden Grove, CA
92640, 714/530-1838.
NEWSLETTERS:
NOCIRC Newsletter, P.O. Box 2512, San Anselmo, CA
94960.
WIN Women's International Network News, Fran Hosken,
Editor, 187 Grant Street, Lexington, MA 02173.

II
DO YOU KNOW THE TRUTH /I"
- ABOUT AMERICAN CHILDREN?
DO YOU KNOW that in 1980 the United States ranked #6 in
infant mortality rate among the advanced industrialized
nations of the world; and this ranking deteriorated to #18 by
1988? In other words more infants under one year of age
DIED in the U.S. than in 17 other countries of the world!
DO YOU KNOW that since 1980 the leading cause of injury
death for American Infants under one year of age is
homicide?
DO YOU KNOW that suicide among American Children ages
10-14 rose 112% from 1980 to 1985?
DO YOU KNOW that the National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development, NIH has abandoned its agency
responsibility to support studies on the causes and conse-
quences of violence against infants and children and has
supported no new research on child abuse and neglect and the
developmental origins of violence since 1980?
DO YOU KNOW that Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D.
stated in his address on "Violence and Public Health" before
the A merican A cademy ofPediatrics (October 26, 1982) that:
"... violence... is one of the most extensive and chronic epi-
demics in the public health of this country"; and that the
Institutions closest to being able to provide a multi-disci-
plinary approach to research in the prevention of family
violence, for example, would be the National Institute of
Mental Health and the National Institute of Child Health
and Human Development?"
(Corrected Copy - The Truth Seeker - Vol. I, No.2) HELPl
THE TRUTH SEEKER -56- JULY/AUGUST /989
 •
PRISONERS OF RITUAL
An Odyssey Into Female Genital Circumcision in Africa

"Thi. i. an illuminative book ... It i" abo an illustriou.sly fair.

minded book. Among writing. on genital mutilalion., therefore,
PRl5DNt'RS
QFRITUAL
it i, unique in giving the reader a 360 degree underaJanding of
the .ocial and peraonal.igni/icance of,uch prcretice•. It Jell,
the truth and the truth i. devastating. For .mall gir", it i.
catastrophically traumatizing. Yet, becau,e the book doe. not
.enllationalize, wrath doe. not override compollSion, and the
gateway to change i, unlocked and kepi open. In addition to
being a contribution to the .cholar.hip of anthropological
.exolog" Prisoners of Ritual i, an adventure .tory-
an extroordinory mid/ife odyney of a .010 woman', de,erl

.... ....
'walkaboul'through the spaces and the mind, of Nilotic Africa.
There', nothing el.e quite like itt" ~ An Odyssey
John Mlrley, PhD, Dore<:lOO' Psychohofmonal Resea.-cn UM. prores<OO' 01 Medoc.aI Psychology.
and proresso<01 PlKlIalflCS,Eme-<llUs. TneJonnsHopklnsUnvefSlrySchoololtAlKhClne, 2! into Female Genital Circumcision
Tlle...lohm;HopIunIHo$p"al.~!ImOfe.Maryland

• W\
c in Africa
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hanny ligntloot·Klein studied the tOPiC :II!
.
~ ~------- ~
ollemale genital circumcision during a six·
year trek through Sudan, Kenya, and Egypt,
11"I
during which time she lived with African 1:1
families. An educator and family counselor, ~
she is the author of numerous articles on
the subjec1 of temale genital circumcision lID
that have been published in scien:ilic and
popular publications in England,the United ':i
Slales, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and
c
Sweden. She is a member 01 the Sociely
for the Scientific Study 01 Sex and the
Association for Women in Psychology. Ms.
Lightfoot·Klein received her MA in social
;e
psychology Irom the American University
in Washington, DC.

Harrington Park Press , ,

10 Alice Street. Binghamton, NY 13904·1580

ISBN 0-918393-68-X

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