Yes, Foxy, but the Christians who deviate don't risk death at the hands of their fellow Christians, not even in Northern Ireland, where the killing of Protestants, by their fellow religonists, for marrying Catholics is, it seems, a thing of the past.

No one can be expected to take this seriously when there is still mainstream male genital mutiltion going on. Both of these barbaric practices are. A violation of human rights.

Robbb,

As is ear piercing and allowing children under the age of consent to use pore clogging makeup.

We can't stop male circumcision in Australia because it is a cultural practice among some Aboriginal tribes,

"....Some tribes subincise (slit underneath), not just the foreskin, but most of the length of the penis, opening up the urethra. The reason given for the operation is to draw blood for ritual uses, but that does not explain why so much is done, and just there[*]...."

See: http://www.circumstitions.com/Australia.html for more on this.

"Sterility

The second reason blamed initiation into the law as inducing sterility among Aboriginal men. Included in the list of rites was circumcision and 'whistle cocking'. [16] While circumcision was widely used, sometimes a tribal group practised whistle cocking. This is a still current method used by Aboriginal males for contraception."
* Seems like an extreme form of 'whistle cock'

See: http://kudnarto.tripod.com/ch30.htm

Good on you Banjo. Female circumcision should be regarded as a crime punishable by law, despite the practice being part of some religious beliefs and customs. The definition as I read, I believe on this forum, causes even stronger feelings against this practice. ' The removal of the clitoris, (sometimes other exposed flesh) is to discourage promiscuity, often the girls parts are stitched closed(leaving only a space for urination) to enhance the sexual pleasure of the male.' When sexual intercourse does take place the girls have to be yet again, mutilated for entry.

Just in regards to one of the points in my last post. 'clitoris is removed to stop promiscuity'. I really cannot imagine any of these little girls being sexually promiscuous. Fearful and submissive yes. Likely to be the instigator of sexual intercourse? Of course not they are children. Even after FMG the girls are inspected to ensure they are still 'intact'. Adultery carries severe punishment for the female even if it taken by force. She has bought shame upon her family, and a family member/s carry out the punishment.
It appears the sexual promiscuity and lustful urges lie elsewhere. And the innocent ones become victims once again

Ahem, jodalie.

>>Female circumcision should be regarded as a crime punishable by law<<

FGM is indeed a crime punishable by law in Australia.

"At present, female genital mutilation is criminalised exclusively by State and Territory laws. All States and Territories have passed criminal legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation. Further, in each State and Territory, these laws apply extraterritorially to protect Australian residents from being subjected to female genital mutilation overseas. Accordingly, existing legislation provides extensive criminalisation of female genital mutilation both within and outside Australia"

http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/ReviewofAustraliasFemaleGenitalMutilationlegalframework-FinalReportPublicationandforms.aspx

Just setting the record straight, that's all.