Tags: Genital cutting
Religion should not be a roadblock to child safeguarding in healthcare
A new paper highlights barriers to reforming guidance on non-therapeutic circumcision. The author, Dr Antony Lempert, explains why religion is one of the biggest barriers of all. Read More »
Our health system is failing to protect children from ritual circumcision
While UK medical bodies tie themselves in knots on ritual male infant circumcision, untold numbers of boys are being... Read More »
Recent studies agree: the risks of circumcision outweigh any benefits. It’s time to rethink our permissive approach to genital cutting.
Dr Antony Lempert says the findings of two recent medical papers critical of infant circumcision should prompt us... Read More »
All children should have the right to refuse circumcision
A judge has ruled that a boy who was taken into care shouldn't be subjected to non-consensual, non-therapeutic genital... Read More »
The medical profession should protect all children from unnecessary genital cutting
Doctors in Britain should follow the lead of those who have declared ritual male circumcision a breach of medical... Read More »
Election 2019: Where do the major parties stand on secularist issues?
Megan Manson studies the election manifestos for the main UK-wide parties – and says religion will continue... Read More »
Election 2019: pledges that should be in the parties’ manifestos
As the UK's political parties consider their manifestos for the upcoming election, NSS chief executive Stephen Evans... Read More »
The chief rabbi has made an anti-democratic attempt to shut down criticism
The chief rabbi has asked secularists to stop campaigning against practices such as faith schools and infant circumcision.... Read More »
A woman is convicted over circumcision. What happens next?
A pharmacist has been convicted for having a baby boy circumcised against his parents' wishes. Megan Manson says the... Read More »
Charity law shouldn't support infant genital cutting
The existence of religious charities that support and facilitate infant circumcision demonstrates the urgent need... Read More »
Let’s face facts: FGM has something to do with religion
Politicians who insist female genital cutting has nothing to do with religion set a dangerous precedent that undermines... Read More »
The BMA’s genital cutting guidance is a disturbing departure from evidence-based, patient-centred policy making
The body which represents doctors has missed the opportunity to take a stand against medically unnecessary child circumcision... Read More »
Genital cutting and the laws of unintended consequences
This week's developments on ritual genital cutting in the US and Denmark highlight the need to adopt a consistent... Read More »
How secularism protects people who have religious faith
For Interfaith Week 2018, campaigns officer Megan Manson explains how the National Secular Society's work protects... Read More »
Genital cutting: the search for ‘health benefits’ is disingenuous and inconsistent
The principle of bodily autonomy is enough reason to end genital cutting, says Brian D. Earp. Allowing 'health benefits'... Read More »
Male circumcision is an issue of religious freedom - and should be prohibited as such
Proponents of ritual genital cutting often claim a 'right' to religious freedom justifies their position. But individuals... Read More »
Religious freedom isn't a licence to violate others’ rights
Increasing clashes between religious orthodoxy and secular liberalism highlight one of the most pressing challenges... Read More »
How cutting cultures deny dissenters their voice and identity
As Icelandic lawmakers consider whether to ban cutting infants' genitals for non-medical reasons, Dr Antony Lempert... Read More »
Forced cutting of young boys’ genitals violates the most fundamental medical ethics
Too often those who carry out forced cutting of young boys' genitals escape with gentle admonishment, rather than... Read More »
Yes, we can talk about this
London's National Theatre recently hosted a debate about Freedom of speech, multiculturalism and Islam called Can... Read More »
Yes, we can talk about this
London's National Theatre recently hosted a debate about Freedom of speech, multiculturalism and Islam called Can... Read More »
Convictions for female genital mutilation: France - 100; Britain 0
Back in 1999, a group of MPs criticised the author Germaine Greer. They were astonished by her claim in a book that... Read More »
The “cutting season” and FGM in the UK: A national disgrace, a national shame
Last month, a coalition of Egyptian NGOs launched a campaign, 'Kamla' (meaning 'complete' in Arabic), against female... Read More »
The “cutting season” and FGM in the UK: A national disgrace, a national shame
Last month, a coalition of Egyptian NGOs launched a campaign, 'Kamla' (meaning 'complete' in Arabic), against female... Read More »
It’s OK to criticize religious practices
By Brian D. Earp
In 2012, a German court ruled that religious circumcision of male minors constitutes criminal bodily... Read More »