Father trying to have 12-year-old son circumcised

[Zadius]

...against the boy's will.

RichardDawkins.net

AN URGENT APPEAL FOR YOUR HELP TO PROTECT A 12 YEAR-OLD BOY

Those of you who are serious about protecting children from non-therapeutic circumcision have a unique opportunity to assist with a legal case in Oregon. An Oregon father, (an attorney), claims to be in the process of converting to Judaism and wants his now 12-year-old son, 'Misha', of whom he has custody, circumcised against both the child's and the natural mother's express wishes.

Sadly, a physician, a fellow congregant of the father, has already been found willing to ignore the child's wishes. The father claims a rabbi has insisted on the child's circumcision. The father's motives might even be sheer spite toward Misha's mother; we can't know.

An attorney working pro bono publico has donated more than $20,000 of his time to assisting the mother by attempting to block the circumcision in the courts. The case is now on its way to the Oregon Supreme Court after losses at both the trial level and an intermediate appellate court. Judges have affirmed without opinion or testimony that a non-medical circumcision of a 12-year-old is 'within the discretion of a custodial parent.' There is no medical necessity alleged at all by anyone. The circumcision would be purely cultural, even merely spiteful.

If you could possibly assist; I urge you to make a tax-deductible donation to Doctors Opposing Circumcision, in Misha's name, to be used only for his legal fees and costs. I will supply you with much more detail by pdf if you have a sincere wish to help. Even small sums, the cost of a restaurant meal, $25, $50, will help if enough people chip in, but if you can afford more, that would be deeply appreciated by the boy and his mother who cannot afford to oppose the attorney-father.

This is the clearest case of a parent's claimed religious beliefs trumping a child's right to an intact body that I have seen in 26 years of practicing law. It fairly screams out for justice, but justice costs, even when most of the legal help has so far been provided pro bono. (Those of you with an interest in reading how the US Supreme Court balances children's bodily rights vs. a parent's rights to the free practice of religion might considering reading Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 US Sup Ct 158: "Parents may be free to become martyrs themselves. But it does not follow they are free to make martyrs of their children.")

PLEASE feel free to re-post this at websites and bulletin boards where concerned and sympathetic souls browse.

And please note that my bona fides, and that of the attorney in Oregon, Clay Patrick, are both verifiable at the Oregon and Washington state websites authenticating licensed attorneys. The progress of the case is easily verified at the Oregon Courts website, though as a family law case, the file may be partially sealed for the child's protection:

"In re the Marriage of James Boldt and Lia Boldt, Jackson County (Oregon) Case No. 98-2318D3, Appellate Court Case No. A126175." (Affirmed 12/27/2006) Verifiable at:

http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us ... tm#2006ops

.John V Geisheker, JD, LL.M., Admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, #32033
Verifiable at: http://www.wsba.org/public/default.htm
by entering attorney license: #32033

Clay Patrick, Esq., Admitted to the Oregon Bar Association, #77298
Verifiable at http://www.osbar.org/members/start.asp
by entering Attorney license #77298

PLEASE HELP MISHA WITH AN EARMARKED DONATION TO D.O.C., AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.

John V. Geisheker, JD, LL.M.
Attorney-at-Law,
Executive Director,
Doctors Opposing Circumcision
Suite 42
2442 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107-4137
USA

Cell +1. 206. 465. 6636


Click here for more information:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision. ... ppeal.html

What a despicable case of child abuse.

[Superman]

Generally, I have no problem with circumcision. THIS, however, doesn't appear to be about circumcision; it's about a father abusing his pre-teen son with a completely unnecessary surgical procedure because of his screwball religious bullshit. Ugg...

[SirNitram]

Because mutilating kids is so much easier than teaching basic hygiene.

Yep, disgusted as usual.

[apocolypse]

Generally, I have no problem with circumcision. THIS, however, doesn't appear to be about circumcision; it's about a father abusing his pre-teen son with a completely unnecessary surgical procedure because of his screwball religious bullshit. Ugg...

Is the son even Jewish in this instance?

[General Zod]

Generally, I have no problem with circumcision. THIS, however, doesn't appear to be about circumcision; it's about a father abusing his pre-teen son with a completely unnecessary surgical procedure because of his screwball religious bullshit. Ugg...

Is the son even Jewish in this instance?

Read the article. It says his father is in the process of converting to Judaism. So my guess is no.

[That NOS Guy]

Unless I'm mistaken where in Judaism is it sanctioned to circumsize a non-Jew child?

Maybe when/if they convert to Judaism, or if their born to a Jewish Mother, but when did the father gain that right?

I'm so terribly mystified.

[General Zod]

Unless I'm mistaken where in Judaism is it sanctioned to circumsize a non-Jew child?

Maybe when/if they convert to Judaism, or if their born to a Jewish Mother, but when did the father gain that right?

I'm so terribly mystified.

Circumcision is mandatory in the old testament from what I can gather, but optional in the new testament. It seems the father is clearly doing this out of malice/spite.

[Cairber]

We (NOCIRC) have dealt with numerous cases of one parent wanting to force a circumcision on a child. The majority of the cases have been because one parent wants to piss off the other (sad but true). I believe the only other case like this in the USA is one from Cook COunty where a judge decided that a 9yr old could not be circumcised against his will. We are hoping that the ideas in this judgement sway the MIsha case. Numerous other cases in Canada and other countries have usually found for the child, deciding against forced circumcision. In the USA, however, circumcision is much more popular and accepted.

A newborn cannot consent. A 5 year old cannot consent. A preteen cannot consent. To me, this is the biggest problem with routine infant circumcision in the USA, and it trickles into the higher ages. For example, often parents who adopt older children will have them circumcised.

[Cairber]

It was very powerful to be at the genital integrity march last month and have man after man come up to us and tell us how they are working on restoration of their foreskin or how they are the victim of a botched circumcision. One man told me he has been plagued by painful erections as the result of his too tight circumcision at birth. He has had two surgeries to attempt to correct the problem.

This father, like many Americans, probably feels the foreskin is worthless and that the surgery holds more beenfits than risks. I feel that the only person capable of making that decision is the owner of the penis. It should be the boy's decision if he wants his sex life to include his foreskin, just as it is my decision whether or not I want my sex life to invlude my clitoral hood.

[apocolypse]

Generally, I have no problem with circumcision. THIS, however, doesn't appear to be about circumcision; it's about a father abusing his pre-teen son with a completely unnecessary surgical procedure because of his screwball religious bullshit. Ugg...

Is the son even Jewish in this instance?

Read the article. It says his father is in the process of converting to Judaism. So my guess is no.

I did read the article. It said nothing about the son at all. Which is why I asked because I thought that maybe I had missed something. They've quoted the name "Misha" which implies that it may not be his birth name, therefore the question.

[DPDarkPrimus]

This is just disgusting. The father can't call himself a good parent if he's trying to force this kid to get a circumcision against his will.

[Zadius]

I did read the article. It said nothing about the son at all. Which is why I asked because I thought that maybe I had missed something. They've quoted the name "Misha" which implies that it may not be his birth name, therefore the question.

If the son was Jewish the article would have probably mentioned it.

[Saurencaerthai]

Unless I'm mistaken where in Judaism is it sanctioned to circumsize a non-Jew child?

Maybe when/if they convert to Judaism, or if their born to a Jewish Mother, but when did the father gain that right?

I'm so terribly mystified.

If a person is converting, then yes. It should be mentioned, though, that often a ritual is substituted where a symbolic drop of blood is let, in place of full our circumcision. That aside I don't believe it says anywhere that if a parent converts, they are obligated to as well. Furthermore, I would assume that if one wished to convert, they would have to go through the same vigorous steps of proving that they legitimately want to convert. If this kid had no interest, the Rabbi's wouldn't (or shouldn't) go through with anything.

In sum, this case reeks of bullshit.

[Rye]

I wish I could punch this fucking moron right in his post-circumcision dick. I mean, why are people so fucking insane that they feel compelled to go slicing their sons dicks off because they changed god brand? It's so alien, even if my parents had converted to judaism, I can't imagine anything like this happening, ever. What a total cockslicer.

[Ted C]

I'm getting reports on blogs that the story is a hoax.

[Cairber]

It's not a hoax. YOu can verify through the links at the end of this page:

http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision. ... ppeal.html

[Cairber]

Ha, I realize that is teh same things reposted above. Well, the only other evidence I can offer is that the head of the DOC was at the march talking about this case with people and handing out appeals for donations.

[TheLemur]

According to some English newspaper, England's health service refuses to do genital mutilation even when it is requested over a period of several years by an adult capable of consenting. Why should this be any different?

[DPDarkPrimus]

According to some English newspaper, England's health service refuses to do genital mutilation even when it is requested over a period of several years by an adult capable of consenting. Why should this be any different?

Because America loves circumcision. There's no easy answer as to why.

[Darth Wong]

I'm getting reports on blogs that the story is a hoax.

And "blogs" are worth ... what, exactly?

[TheLemur]

And "blogs" are worth ... what, exactly?

Sometimes blogs link to actual sources, so you can use them to find reports.

[Cairber]

my NOCIRC email box is currently jammed with people wondering if this is a scam. I called the head of Attorney's For the Right's of the Child, and Clay Patrick has confirmed that, indeed, this is truth and the donations made so far have not been to a scam. Attorney's for the rights of the child is preparing a press release right now to confront all the blogs and questions. This case has been ongoing for a long time and somehow everyone on the internet is just catching on; thus lots of people have donated over the years that this case has been active.

These blogs spreading lies and calling it a scam seem to be having a very negative impact right now. I know I have about 120 emails I need to deal with now from worried donors

[Broomstick]

Generally, I have no problem with circumcision. THIS, however, doesn't appear to be about circumcision; it's about a father abusing his pre-teen son with a completely unnecessary surgical procedure because of his screwball religious bullshit. Ugg...

Is the son even Jewish in this instance?

Given the information in the article, no.

You can not be converted to Judaism against your will. In fact, conversion is discouraged even among the willing (they only want folks who are really serious and committed to making some significant changes in their lives). The father can not speak for the son in this matter. Any rabbi who'd say otherwise is full of shit.

Since the boy is gentile, there is no reason for him to be circumcised unless he, the boy, decides to convert. As the age of adulthood in Judaism is a minimum of 13, even if the boy was willing he wouldn't be able to make such a decision for another year regardless.

[Justforfun000]

I can't believe this could actually be TRUE. I don't give a damn if this is a minor. This is not a medical emergency. How could a parent EVER override someone's wish to keep their goddamn penis intact? Is this some kind of sick joke?

[Yokel on an Island]

He's twelve. Losing your foreskin on the verge or early onset of puberty can't possibly be good for a boy's mental state, not matter how slight.

If this is not a hoax, it's good that it's gained some attention. If the parent wanted to do this he should have done it at birth (even if it's still repugnant)....at this point it's out of his hands as an ethical matter.