It’s extremely rare for me to jump into social media wars, but when I do, oh boy… Recently, I got into a debate on Instagram with the most evil, vile, off-the-wall bunch of people.
These folks are anti-circumcision crusaders who call themselves “Intactivists.” (I call them fools, frauds, and downright liars.) Beyond spreading junk science, their main ideology seems to be an obsession with sex and also a large amount of anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic feeling.
Sparked by my post about Iceland trying to ban circumcision, these trolls went crazy. I was hit with a full-force barrage like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I was sworn at, called terribly vulgar names (the “C” word) and viciously slurred (the “K” word.)
In addition to telling me why I’m no good in general, I was then told that the Jewish community, all because we choose circumcision, are, and I’m quoting here: “child abusers, child molesters, rapists, blood drinkers, and rusty-knife users who belong in prison for life.”
No, I am not exaggerating, and yes, it hurt me to my core. I was left crying, shaking, and very near vomiting. I would never injure anyone, least of all a child, and to be told that I’m sick for following Judaism is just unbearable.
To think that somebody could ever believe such lies is not only shocking, it’s horribly offensive. No one I know would ever associate those behaviors with circumcision!
I suspect that the “Intactivists” have never even witnessed one in person (I have seen many). It is not bad, not barbaric, and it’s definitely not child abuse. It is done for both religious and health reasons and it does not hurt anyone, in any way.
When people push a fringe agenda, to suit their own twisted views, it hurts everyone, because an uninformed person may fall prey to their evil. And, it’s yet another way to spread unwarranted fear and hatred of other religions. (Look at the current state of Europe as a perfect example.)
Every medical study has shown that circumcision reduces infections for both men and women, cancer rates for both men and women, and it’s also more aesthetically pleasing to both men and women.
If “Intactivist” parents choose not to circumcise their sons, that’s their choice—live and let live. But I sincerely don’t understand why they’re trying to interfere with our practices, which are safe, legal, and healthy.
Regardless of their cruel lies, the Jewish community knows it’s moral (and over 1 billion Muslims do it too). We will not stop practicing God’s holy commandments, period. They can slur me, lie about me, and even threaten me, but there is nothing they can do to separate me from the truth.
Words can hurt, and they did, but they’ll never make me pretend something that’s so good and decent could ever be wrong. If I had 100 sons, I’d make sure each and every one was circumcised according to Jewish Law. If that makes me a villain to them, so what? They don’t have the moral authority from which to judge.
An intelligent person respects all people, all faiths, and all ideas, even ones contrary to their own. I don’t tell them what to believe; they need to extend the same courtesy my way.
