US

Muslims and Jews Unite, File Lawsuit Against San Fran Circumcision Ban

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An unlikely coalition of Jews and Muslims on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to block a San Francisco ballot measure that would ban the circumcision of male children, a procedure widely practiced by members of both faiths.

The case filed in San Francisco Superior Court asks the court to remove the voter initiative from the city’s Nov. 8 ballot, arguing that California law bars local governments from restricting medical procedures.

The plaintiffs include five Jews, three Muslims, two physicians who regularly perform circumcisions, the Anti-Defamation League and the local chapter of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

“It’s a measure that would basically infringe upon my rights as a Muslim to practice here,” said plaintiff Leticia Preza, 31, who has a 4-year-old son and baby daughter. “It would also take away my rights as a parent to choose what’s a good procedure for my child.”

San Francisco is set to be the first U.S. city to hold a public vote on banning male circumcision after city elections officials confirmed last month that the initiative had enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

The measure would prohibit circumcision on males under the age of 18, making it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. There would be no religious exemptions.

Supporters of the ban say male circumcision is a form of genital mutilation that parents should not be able to force on their young child. They say the procedure is unnecessary, extremely painful and even dangerous.

Backers of the so-called San Francisco Male Genital Mutilation bill did not immediately respond to an email request for comment.

The ballot measure is running into fierce opposition, especially among Jews and Muslims who consider circumcision a sacred religious rite. They say the ban would violate their constitutional rights and run counter to San Francisco’s tradition of cultural and religious tolerance.

“As Jews, we take the threat of banning circumcision personally,” said plaintiff Jeremy Benjamin. “This measure singles us out, along with the Muslim community, as illegitimate and unwanted in our own city.”

International health organizations have promoted male circumcision to help reduce the spread of the AIDS virus, but there hasn’t been the same kind of push in the U.S., in part because nearly 80 percent of American men are already circumcised, compared with the worldwide average of 30 percent.

Comments (88)

  • GadsdenPatriot
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:29am

    These perverts don’t like snip-snip. But, it’s okay to ruthlessly murder an unborn child. “Logic fail.”

    Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:00am

    God creates Man in his image.
    Man created in perfection.
    God commands Man to distorts God’s perfection.

    Logic fail

    Report Post »  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:28am

      God created Man in his image
      God gave Man free will
      With free will, Man fell short of the glory of God
      God commands man to get close to Him again

      You’re right! Your logic and reading comprehension for that matter, is an utter failure.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
  • el_gancho
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 3:11am

    If it were just those of the jewish faith that were complaining, then nothing would happen. However, I’m betting that since those of the muslim faith are complaining, this will not pass or even be voted on.
    It’s amazing how we are now constantly siding against our allies and with those that have vowed to destroy America. Is it just me, or is something wrong with that picture?

    Report Post »  
  • UlyssesP
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:55am

    What, no foreskin lampshades?

    Report Post » UlyssesP  
  • Stu Burguiere
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:43am

    Where’s the ACLJ on this one?

    Report Post » Stu Burguiere  
  • christianUSA
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:42am

    Thought this issue dead that even SF was not dumb enough to push this to a vote then courts if not already in court. Gay anti-religious bigots what fools.

    Report Post »  
  • AG47GAMERNUT
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:12am

    The sun of God …… Is real light :)

    Revelation 13:17 The name of the beast or the number of its name.

    Its name = beast = 47

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+13%3A17&version=ESV

    Genital mutilation in the name of God , you sick people

    Loo Cipher

    Report Post » AG47GAMERNUT  
    • DTOM_Jericho (escaped PA)
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:25am

      This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

      All you had to do was keep reading… but it calls for wisdom.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • RED PILL PATRIOT
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:54am

      @DTOM_JERICHO (ESCAPED PA)

      Two points to make
      1. you’re a bigot.
      2. Let’s not bash religions on an article about groups/government bashing religions. Seems kind of counter productive.

      Report Post »  
  • Diamond Girl
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:52am

    Yay…now what about the Goldfish and Happy Meals?

    Report Post » Diamond Girl  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:48am

    How about a bill to outlaw sodomy? Huh, fudge packers?

    I think I read on the internet that the Sufis, whirling dervishes, I think I remember, have been pretty much exterminated and banned in Iran by the odorous hard core freaks of nature Muslim animals.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
  • FugMan
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:35am

    Good for them. That gives me a shimmer of hope. Leave it to San Francisco to force enemies to unite inorder to overcome the left wing pervertedness of that city.

    Report Post » FugMan  
  • FugMan
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:31am

    Wow. That gives me a shimmer of hope. Leave it to San Francisco to force mortal enemies to unite in order to fight the wackos from that sick perverted city. Good for them.

    Report Post » FugMan  
  • NuffSaid
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:16am

    You go SF Keep American penisi beautiful and un touched. What a city Standing Tall for the rights of America. Stick up for your rights. Long live Bagdad by the Bay, spiritual home of Anthony Wiener.

    An earthquake can’t come to soon.

    Report Post »  
  • CHICAGOTHUGBUCKET
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:10am

    I am going to San Francisco to get a touch up on my hoodie!

    Report Post » CHICAGOTHUGBUCKET  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:09am

    all those San Fran meddling gays better be concerned, muslims actually hate gays as much as they hate Israel. they intend to behead both, anyway.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Sam Brown
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:47pm

    Yes it true EX congressman wiener needs a job and he certianly knows something about the subject so maybe he could represent the wiener defense??

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:44pm

    It just proves that we are all human and that we can come together. God loves all of us, no matter what nationality, He loves the sinners to.. I applaud them for coming together on something!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:39pm

    Gotta love this! Now that a Muslim has spoken out, the ban goes away……..Don’t want to offend any of them, that’s for sure. Praise be to Allah!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:35pm

    this is the “ tip ” of a new relationship

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • Scaz
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:32pm

    I didn’t the gays liked Hooded Cobras.

    But then again, any law that hates on Religion is a good law to a secular progressive.

    Report Post » Scaz  
  • RLTW
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:32pm

    Liberals fight like cats and dogs for the right to kill the unborn, but can’t except the removal of foreskin?

    Truly the world has gone mad!

    Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:40am

      You‘d be surprised how many libs don’t know circuumcision is an Islamic rite. Otherwise, they would have left it alone. I mean, who would want to risk having a death fatwa placed on his head (pardon the pun)?

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:30pm

    .
    Here a wiener, there a wiener Please for the Love God stop with the wiener stories.

    But if anybody knows where I can find a relative of the guy who invented the zipper please e-mail me. You may ask why Spank? Well when I was about 9 a zipper grabbed my frank. Damn near went blind.

    I have been looking for that guy ever sense…..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:28pm

    What the…Who the..WHAT?

    Report Post »  
  • nomercy63
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:19pm

    It is amazing how many people want to tell me what to do with my penis, have a few suggestions of my own!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • endgamer
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:10pm

    No, just move out of San Francisco and leave the freaks be.. Have your child elsewhere that’s non intrusive to your personal freedom to foreskin or not to foreskin and tell them “Do you know what F.O. means??”

    Report Post » endgamer  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:19pm

      Maybe, but it’s not right that one should have to move from the area because demented politicians feel they have the right to “rule” to their constituents.

      Maybe the citizens should think more wisely before they cast their votes.

      Report Post »  
    • endgamer
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:22pm

      You do have the power of the feet.. look at Detroit..

      Report Post » endgamer  
    • silentwatcher
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:43pm

      Yes, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave a crumbling society such as Detroit,,,,,but to leave (S.F) because of deplorable gov‘t leaders’ serious imposition on the rights taxpayer is sad.

      Report Post »  
    • endgamer
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:31am

      When the government starts taking away your rights and will not listen to you then do not give them a tax base.. If you can beat the the tyranny stay.

      Report Post » endgamer  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 3:34am

      Worth a click
      http://www.barackobama.com/signup/dinner-with-barack

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • Ron_WA
    Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:02pm

    Leave to Frisco to get cats & dogs to lie down together

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:07pm

      Thank You Glenn Beck for exposing the sickos of San Fransicko !
      They caved..they did !!!
      and I’m proud I mocked those idiots online RELENTLESSLY ..HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:20pm

      Leave to Frisco to get cats & dogs to lie down together
      ——————
      Hey they have common penile interests
      :P

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:23pm

      That is actually kind of amazing. It would be nice for us to be able to see that there are some Muslims that don’t want to just kill us. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNaZeZBGD2c

      Report Post » lovenfl3  
    • kentuckypatriot
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:34pm

      Well I’ll be dipped. Who’d of thought Jews and Muslims working together. Perhaps some good can come out of this. Unfortunately, I seriously doubt the lib supporters of this measure really care about anyone other than themselves.

      Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:44pm

      Huh? I think it’s good. They are figuring out that it is actually them against the beast.

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:44pm

      .
      My wife said it was just a bunch of men worried about their Junk….Then she hit me….

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Oil_Robb
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:48pm

      Unreal……I think I just saw a pig fly

      Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:48pm

      In the end this whole thing eventually doesn’t end well for the flamers.

      Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on June 22, 2011 at 11:57pm

      FORRRRRRESKIN!!!!!

      FORRRRRRRRRRRRRRESKIN!

      lmfao

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • sm29
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:18am

      Christianity and Islam are both sects of Judism. Mecca was built by Abraham… a Jew.

      Report Post » sm29  
    • the hawk
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:27am

      There not working together ! Just sharing the lawyer bill !
      And by the way SUFI MUSLUMS dont want to kill anyone!
      It’s THE Sheites, sunnies, & wahabbies that want to kill everyone, even themselfs!

      Report Post »  
    • fastfacts
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:32am

      A task everyone should get behind, everyone of every faith should stand up against this because they are targeting a religion, a faith, and a way of life.

      I was shocked to see the Muslims around Palestine being taught through cartoons to attack the Jews in Israel: http://tiny.cc/6l03h . This is why there will never be peace. And most of it will be because of the Palestinian pride and hatred towards Israel.

      Report Post »  
    • jblaze
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:39am

      sm29
      Christianity and Islam are both sects of Judism. Mecca was built by Abraham… a Jew.

      Please read the Old Testament, Abraham was NOT a Jew!!! The first mention of the Jew (which is a nick name for Judah or Judean) is in 2 Kings 16:6 where Israel is at war against Judah (the Jews) Jacob who was renamed Israel had 12 sons, of which ONLY one Son was Judah (Jews). Look at any historical map and you will see Judah was one nation and Israel was another. The bible references this fact multiple times. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who was renamed Israel by God. See the timeline!

      Report Post » jblaze  
    • DTOM_Jericho (escaped PA)
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 12:41am

      Off with their heads! Oh wait… no… let me rephrase…

      @SM29
      You’re a moron. Neither pagan christianity or islam are off shoots of Judaism. They are BOTH off shoots of the roman catholic “church”. You need to do some actual studying outside of mainstream paradigms(lies).

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • DTOM_Jericho (escaped PA)
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 1:14am

      @JBLAZE
      Wow, what crappy internet copy and paste internet “research”.
      Avram was a pagan. Avraham was the first Jew by common nomenclature. Nomenclature that even evolved IN Scripture which you lazily used in your copy and paste. Since we can agree that the term Jew as it is used today would include Avraham; let’s look instead at some at some examples in Scripture of the expansion of the term Jew and the concept of the hereditary father of Judaism via The Covenant.

      Rom 11:1 I say then, … For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
      Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew

      So Paul is a liar? Clearly not of the tribe of Yehudah. And who does he trace his lineage to? Avraham.

      John 6:4
      The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
      Was this a Judean only Festival? Of course not, it was actually Adonai‘s Festival given to the sons of Yisra’El. ALL of them.

      Romans 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

      Lineage traced to? Avraham

      You don’t even have to believe in Yeshua(“jesus”) but you see the evolution of the word Jew as written by Jews… all the way to today. Avram was not a Jew, but Avraham was the first.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 3:58am

      @Dtom
      What are you going off about? First off Abraham is spelled with a B not a V. Second, a Jew is a descendant of Judah, or someone from the Kingdom of Judah . Abraham was a Hebrew, not a Jew.

      And as for your quotes:

      Rom 11:1 I say then, … For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
      Acts 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew

      The Kingdom of Judah was comprised of 3 tribes of Israel, Judah, Benjamin, and Levi. The official religion of the Kingdom of Judah was Judaism. Those who were from the Kingdom of Judah were Jews.

      Thus:

      Paul, being a member of the tribe of Benjamin, was of the Kingdom of Judah, and thus a Jew.

      Report Post »  
    • jcannon98188
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:00am

      whoops, looks like I need to do more research. Apparently it is acceptable to spell Abraham with a V or a B.

      Report Post »  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 4:40am

      Come on guys. The word Jew refers to one’s ethnicity. Judaism refers to the religion.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • Erabin
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:54am

      “And most of it will be because of the Palestinian pride and hatred towards Israel.”

      No, I think most of it is because of continuous illegal encroachment of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land and the unwillingness of Israeli politicians to accept Palestinian peace offerings despite them offering literally everything Israel wanted and more.

      http://www.thehypertexts.com/images/israel-palestine_map.jpg

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_papers

      Report Post »  
    • Veritatis Dicentis
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 5:58am

      This is a fine example of how we should unify together to fight our causes!

      Hear my case on the importance of standing united, and my advice to do so at: http://veritatisdicentis.tumblr.com/

      United We Stand!

      ~*~ Can Man Rule Himself? http://veritatisdicentis.tumblr.com/ ~*~

      Report Post »  
    • jedi.kep
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 6:38am

      That’s it. I’ll be in my bunker…

      Report Post » jedi.kep  
    • old white guy
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 7:45am

      i guess this would be the only thing that i agree with muslims on.

      Report Post »  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 8:44am

      These yo-yos are against surgically removing foreskin, but they’re OK with abortion?

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:27am

      @jcannon98188
      Paul being Jewish was my point. The purpose was to lay reasoning; disputing a previous post concerning Avraham.
      P.S. the Hebrew consonant used is a Vet not a Bet… using a V would be his phonetically correct name. A much lesser change through translations then something like Yochanan to John or Ya’kov to James –a much bigger discussion.

      @GadsdenPatriot
      I disagree. Hebrew is an ethnicity, Israeli is a nationality and “Jew” has seen many changes especially starting with Hitler then the progressives. A Jew is one that subscribes to Judaism. You cannot convert to an ethnicity.

      Report Post » DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 10:07am

      There is a 2006 film called “The Brotherhood” where producer PBS states: “Award winning Newsweek journalists Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff investigate a movement that preaches peaceful co-existence but also supports suicide bombings in Israel and offers inspiration for many violent jihadi groups.“ The Muslim Brotherhood was also part of the Holyland Foundation trial where prosecutors submitted a Brotherhood plan to takeover the United States through a ”Civilization Jihad.” These investigations and court transcripts point to the Brotherhood as a deceitful organization that puts on a non-violent, moderate front, while supporting worldwide jihad to establish an Islamic Caliphate under Sharia Law.

      At a June 20 reelection fundraiser with Democratic Friends of Israel, the president said of the US-Israel relationship: “There are going to be moments over the course of the next six months or the next 12 months or the next 24 months in which there may be tactical disagreements in terms of how we approach these difficult problems.” The tactical disagreements are actually related to the White House strategy of working with the Muslim Brotherhood to overthrow Middle Eastern rulers and creating states even more hostile to Israel and the United States. This does not bode well for America. The Lord said to Abram of Israel in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee.” Promoting Islam is not a blessing.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 10:27am

      women can kill babies in their body, But I can’t refuse a breath or blood test at a DUI check point ?

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • SacredHonor1776
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 2:12pm

      I understand the Jewish tradition for circ… But is the Muslim reason a part of Sharia?

      Report Post »  
    • GadsdenPatriot
      Posted on June 23, 2011 at 9:19pm

      @DTOM… You’re half right. I don‘t know where you’re getting all your info, however you’re misinformed. You can be Jewish but not practice the religion of Judaism. Example, George Soros is at least part Jewish(not Israeli,) yet does not practice the religion of Judaism. Yet you can practice Judaism and not be Jewish. It’s the same problem people have with the names, Arab and Muslim or Islam. Yes, it has become accepted that, Jew is interchangable to mean both an ethnicity and a adherent of Judaism. But, especially in a theological debate Jew and Judaist are segregated to avoid ambiguity.

      Report Post » GadsdenPatriot  
    • SacredHonor1776
      Posted on June 26, 2011 at 8:21pm

      Isn’t jewishness passed by the practicing Jewish mother, but not the father? Through matriarchal system.

      Therefore a the son/daughter of Jewish father with a gentile mother would not be a Jew.

      The son/daughter of a Jewish mother and gentile man would be jews. But only the daughter could pass on Jewishness to her children as she is the matriarch of the next generation.

      Beyond that the only way to become a Jew is through conversion. So unless the sons chose to be practicing Jews they would not be considered Jews.

      If I’m mistaken on this, I apologize in advance. I defer to any rabbis and other experts out their.

      Report Post »  

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