When a state limits or prohibits male or female circumcision does that violate the freedom of religion of those whose religion says that such procedures are desirable or required?

Answer 1

A:The only significant groups that practise female circumcision are among some Muslims. Islamic religious authorities say that there is no requirement in Islam for this practice, and that it is only a cultural practice. One view is that the practice of female circumcision originated in order to make sex unpleasurable for women, so that they would be less likely to commit adultery, which is purely a patriarchal notion. On any score banning the practice of female circumcision, an idea which most find repugnant, does not infringe on legitimate religious freedoms.

Banning male circumcision may well violate the freedom of religion for Jews or Muslims who practise male circumcision. Religious freedom is not necessarily an absolute right, but any legislature that anticipates such action would need to determine whether the good which it believes would arise from such a ban would outweigh the possible loss of a religious freedom.