Below are the public comments made by endorsers of the Montagu Resolution. Feel free to browse through the list
using the letters above and below the table of comments.
| Name—Country | Comment |
| labant, thomas—USA |
i wish i could sue the doctor who curcumcised me and there should be
punishment for all who performed this operation on a healthy baby
this practice needs to be a felony in all states and parents need to
loose there rights as parents for sugesting having it done because
they oviously unfit to be loving parents god i hate amerika.. |
| Ladley, Christopher—United Kingdom |
Routine infant circumcision is disgusting, barbaric, and unethical in
western society. |
| Ladoulis, Nicolette—France |
Never heard of this movement, but refused to have my son circumsized
solely based on the horrible descriptions of the pain and the
apparent lack of evidence to support the need. DISGUSTING CUSTOM!
Educate the public AT LEAST to let them know there is a choice! |
| LAGENDIJK, Peter—USA |
for me the circumcision is a crime executed on defendless children.
who gives the right to any doctor to execute ? who gives the right
to parents to execute ? the argument about more hygenic is stupid .
|
| laird, ramona—USA |
no human should be able to cut off a functioning part of another human
without their informed consent. the barbaric mutilation of our
children has got to stop. |
| laliberté, mario—Canada |
A man should not undo what god create.
|
| Lammi, Robert—USA |
I believe that we need to stop the violence of circumcision as a
ritual because it is only meant to divide people under which
condsitions there can never be peace. |
| Lange, Monica—USA |
Genital control of sexuality, gentital conformity and genital
normalization are socially constructed 'ideals' generated by the
privileged and powerful to justify mutilating the most precious parts
of the body. Each and every one of us has a right to be proud of the
genitals we're born with and we should be the ONLY ones to decide what
will or won't be done to, on or with them. Any altering of genitals
imposed on us for reasons OTHER THAN medical necessity (i.e., to make
something functional that isn't or to reduce or stop pain) without our
informed consent (NOT our parents' or guardian's) should be
universally outlawed!! |
| Lange, Stephen—USA |
As an intact male whose sons were circumcised without my permission, I
strongly support this and any effort to outlaw the wholesale
mutilation of children in the name of tradition. |
| Larkin, Donna—USA |
Children are not our property, they belong to themselves; there is
simply no justification for harming them in such a way, and turning
away when they scream. My heart aches that the process of ending
genital mutilation continues to take so long. It needs to cease NOW,
before another precious child is betrayed.
When we talk about Human Rights, while circumcision continues, it is
only lip-service...let's stop deceiving ourselves that children are
protected, respected and treated as the precious future they are. The
truth about circumcision/genital mutilation needs to be pulled out of
the tightly closed closet and exposed to the light of day. All
children deserve the basic right of genital integrity and protection
from harm. |
| Laroche, Normand—Canada |
Respect of the integrity of the body.
No suffering. Mentally sick people make
others suffer. They must be stop,they
won't be stop alone. |
| Laroche, Normand—Canada |
It's about time. Stop the butchery.
They are unconscious people and dangerous. |
| Larue, Gerald—USA |
Biblical Scholar and USC Professor-Emeritus opposed genital
mutilations in "Religious Traditions and Circumcision" (Truth Seeker
July/August 1989). Dr. Larue provided the following additional
statement:
The practice of male and female circumcision is based on mindless
adherence to outmoded folk customs and questionable religious and
medical dogma. It is not enough simply to protest this barbaric
maltreatment of children; it is necessary to exercise control to
protect children. Only world-wide legislation outlawing circumcision
(except in extreme cases of medical necessity) and providing fines
and punishment for those who continue to mutilate children's sexual
organs, whether in the name of religion or tradition , will provide
the needed protection.
I heartily support The Ashley Montagu Commemorative Resolution to End
the Genital Mutilation of Children Worldwide. |
| Lassu, Tamas—USA |
Male circumcisison is a harmful, barbaric practice that has been
forced upon us for political reasons. Its effects include fear,
paranoia, agression and insensivity, thus it is very important to
fight this retarded practice. |
| Latham—USA |
I pray that we will see an end to routine male circumcision in the
US in the next decade. Of course all other forms of genital
mutilation need to end too. |
| Latimer, Adam—USA |
Circumcision or MGM is the downfall of the American society. I
believe that men are unfulfilled and resort to violence against
women, drug use and other devices. I don’t wont to live in a
country that propounds sexual modulation against the defenseless
children. I am seriously considering leaving the US on this basis
alone. |
| Lauwers, Danny—Belgium |
1% of what is spend on military issues would suffice to eradicate
all such barbarian practices AND hunger AND most common
diseases in third world countries. |
| Lavin, Melissa—USA |
I am looking to mobilize Connecticut residents to assist me in
helping the state of CT to be the 13th state to drop Medicaid funding
for the elective non-medical procedure of neonatal male circumcision.
feel free to contact me if you are prepared to assist.
Whoops! Maine beat us to the punch on 3 February, 2004! Let's try for 14th! |
| lawrence, peter—Australia |
patriachal abuse which has become entrenched in some cultures. |
| Lawrence, Susan—USA |
Genital mutilation is extremely painful, humiliating, risky, pointless
and permanent. It is nearly always done on unwilling children and
babies. It must be universally condemned, and it must be stopped
forever in all countries. |
| Lazarus, Jonathan—USA |
Any circumcision should be considered illegal, hostile and criminal
by all individuals involved. Many parents are not informed about
repercussions of circumcision. They are simply told its a standard
proceedure which is neccessary for the health of the child. This is a
criminal, barbaric, illegal and unneccessary act carried out on a
child who has no ability to defend himself against this mutilation.
The foreskin is natural and neccessary to maintain health and create
sexual pleasure. A well conspired medical profession generates
hundreds of millions of dollars a year through this sadistic and un-
Godly practice. |
| Leaf, Alice—USA |
I truly hope that the American tradition and social acceptance of
circumcision of unconsenting male children will end. I hope that
some day in the near future, our boys will be afforded the same
respect and legal protection as minor females. Despite a rather
solid cultural basis, children born into a circumcising religion
shall also be afforded the right to their bodily integrity. Everyone
deserves freedom of religion and not to have someone else's religion
(i.e. their parent's) carved into their skin.
|
| Lee, Bill—USA |
America will never truly be a civilized nation as long as we fail to
provide our infant males with the same right to genital integrity and
protection from genital mutilation that we have provided for infant
females since 1996.
MGM is an insidiously destructive human rights abuse, and our failure
to protect our newborn babies from this abuse has already cost those
individuals numbered among its victims, as well as our society in
general.
It's time to stop this barbaric and disgusting treatment of our boys,
and make the nation's circumcisers criminally and civilly liable for
their horrific actions. |
| Lee, Claudia—USA |
Circumcision is bodily harm. The only person to decide should be the
child, not the parents. |
| Lee, Randolph—USA |
These acts should be considered even more depraved than the sexual
molestation of children. |
| Lee, Randolph—USA |
In the Columbine movie Michael Moore raises an interesting question:
Why is there so much murder in the US over other nations that have so
many common characterisics? He raises and discards many possible
answers and never comes to any conclusion.
I believe the answer lies in the widespread genital mutilation carried
out on defenseless male babies in the US. This is the only nation in
the western world where such a barbaric practice continues.
Signed,
Another Victim
|
| Legutko, Julia—USA |
I am so surprised that this is legal. Something has to be done to put
an end to this. If it is wrong to shake a baby or dangle one from a
building rooftop, how is it right to strip him from his right to a
healthy penis??? Hipocricy is the greatest sin in this case.
Unfortunately so few people are really educated on this matter or take
it like "it's just skin" approach. Let's put a stop to that once in
for all. End circumcision today!!! |
| Lemaitre, Roger—France |
Circumcision is a so huge crime that it should be considered as a
murder attempt on defensless baby by parents that should be protecting
them. No forgiving possible, ever. |
| lemay, GĂ©rald—Canada |
I was circumcised out of sheer ignorance and I think it is very sad.
I feel I've been cut off of mormality the more I learn about what it
is to be intact. I started restoring a year ago. |
| Lemay, Gloria—Canada |
I want my tombstone to read "She spoke up for babies." |
| Lengyel—USA |
Advocates of routine infant circumcision are genital terrorists. |
| Lewis, Benjamin—USA |
The right to the safe and secure possession of one's own body is the
basic right that we must secure for each person. It is in this
atmosphere of safety that we will be able to go on to achieve
Spiritual Freedom for all.
Recorded Pain and Unconciousness keeps Mankind in Chains.
The U.N. has passed a Law against Torture.
Genital Mutilation is Torture and must be stopped if we are to live
in a Peaceful and Trusting World.
Maybe the gradient to World Peace should be to Declare World Peace
for the Infants and Children of the World.
If we can not stop hurting the babies and children of the World,
how, in God's name, will we quit hurting each other.
A Peaceful and Trusting World is worth working toward. We certainly
do not have one now.
I appluade all those who are working to end genital mutilation and
all other forms of Human Torture. Much Love, Ben Bridges Lewis. |
| Lewis, Joseph—USA |
Author of many atheist classics. Stated in his essay, "In The
Name of Humanity" (1947):
"It is almost impossible to believe that parents who love their
children could stand by and see them so unmercifully tortured for a
religious purpose." |
| Lewis, Karri—USA |
Genital mutilation is barbaric and children should not have to suffer
needlessly. I believe that this practice should be stopped. |
| Lewis, Marian—USA |
Education is the most powerful tool to bring truth that circumcision
is genital mutilation. All individuals' human rights begin with
their bodies and no one has the authority to harm another. These
rights need to be upheld even in the face of religious practice.
Understandably, this takes evolution of consciousness and compassion
on all sides. |
| Lewis, Van—USA |
Real men and women castrate circumcision. |
| lewis (mrs george lewis II), clifton—USA |
Main interest and work, along with my late husband, George Lewis II,
human rights, world federalism, and support of the United Nations.
Active in civil rights movement. George Lewis was Chairman of the
Florida Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil
Rights. I believe in thinking locally and globally at the same time.
World Peace through World Law. FSU Law School dropout! Norman Cousins
a mentor a friend. I am very proud of our second son, Van (William Van
Brunt Lewis), who has given years of intelligent, persistent, and in
my opinion very effective work to obliterate circumcision/genital
mutilation. He is also an organic farmer, clam aquaculturist, and
early environmentalist of the highest order. |
| Lightfoot-Klein, Hanny—USA |
Author, Prisoners of Ritual (1989)
Within recent years, the morality of female circumcision has come
increasingly into question. ...With expanding educational
opportunities for women, their voices have at this time become strong
enough to be heard for the first time, and there are many that are
questioning the necessity and advisability for continuation of the
practice. |
| Lillie, David—USA |
We should not be inflicting trauma on our babies |
| Limerick, Joe—USA |
When i witnessed a circumcision, I was convincedd that it was not
only wrong, but barbaric as well. |
| Lindquist, Bryan—USA |
I was circumsized as an infant. I do not harbour hard feelings
towards my parents for this decision however, I wish they had chosen
to leave my foreskin intact. I like millions of other circumsized
males have had negative side effects do to my circumcision.
This is a barbaric practice that needs to stop immediately. This is a
physically altering practice that can have many physical and mental
reprocussions later in life. The infants are having this procedure
forced onto them.
Circumcision should only take place in cases of emergency medical
need or for consenting adults. |
| Lindsay, Heather—USA |
Genital mutilation of any minor, whether done to a male, female, or
intersex child, whether in the context of a religious ceremony or
not, is an inexcusable violation of human rights. Education and
legislation are the keys to ending these atrocities. |
| Linsman, Justin—USA |
genital mutilation is child abuse |
| linsman, justin—USA |
i don't understand why genital mutilators aren't tortured and
executed by children on a regular basis. |
| List, Dan—USA |
Common sense tells us circumcision is wrong. Supporters of
circumcision are delusional or have other mental and/or emotional
problems. Religion is no escuse. If your religion favors child
abuse, get a new religion.
The Constitution of the United States of America states
that "religions which practice human sacrifice will be dealt with
severely." Well, I'm waiting. How 'bout a class action lawsuit
against the AMA and all religious organizations which foment this
crippling act? Get'em in their deep pockets. |
| Little, Nicole—USA |
Male Genital Mutilation (circumcision) is the sexual assault,
mutilation and torture of innocent little boys, with potential life
long concequences. Female Genital Mutilation is a felony in the US
(even so much as a nick to the clitoris, which is much less involved
procedure than circumcision). It's time to protect our country's
little boys, too. |
| Llamas, Jamie—USA |
After having my first 2 boys circumcised I would never do it again.
That's why when my 3rd son came along I told myself and others who
asked why I wasn't having it done that he was born with it and why
put a perfectly healthy beautiful boy through something like this.
God created them like this for a reason!!!! |
| lodewijks, kristof—Belgium |
I find that RIC should be forbiden immediately and circumcision
should only be applied when there's no other option left. Every man
should be able to decide whether he wants to be intact or not.
|
| Loewen, James—Canada |
|
| Longfellow, James—USA |
Future generations will look back at this barbaric mutilation and
wonder what kind of civilization allowed this atrocity to be carried
out on their innocent children. We will be and should be judged
harshly for it. |
| Lopez, Jesse—USA |
I completely support this action and I hope the bill passes, good
luck! |
| Lotti, Robert—USA |
An individual has a right to keep what he or she was born with. Only
the indivdual should have the right to modify their own body. |
| Loutfy-El-Sayed, Kareem—USA |
The bottom line is that is the unnecessary amputation of a healthy
organ, which is a human rights violation. |
| Loutzenhiser, Velex—USA |
My name is Velex Eva Loutzenhiser, and I'd like to show my support for
ending the horrible practice of and medical dishonesty surrounding
routine male genital mutilation. Please do not lose focus of the tragedy of male genital
mutilation, commonly known as routine circumcision, in favor of "horror stories"
about female circumcisions. I've had to make myself infertile because
the pain of erections, probably due to my circumcision, was
unbearable. I would not have had to make this choice if I had a right
to "my body, my choice." Please do not be distracted by feminists who
say that genital mutilation is a female only issue.
|
| Love, Phil—USA |
My circumcision resulted in crippling of my adult sexual performance
and profoundly impacted my personal relationships and life plans.
Some of these problems have been mitigated by my late-life foreskin
restoration. I view routine infant circumcision as on a par with
criminal torture and arrogant manipulation of a child's inherent
right to bodily integrity. |
| Low, Ron—USA |
Only the adult informed owner has the right to consent to bodily
alteration. |
| Low, Ron—USA |
The foreskin is valuable erogenous tissue, and causes no special
health or hygeine problems. Only the informed adult owner can
morally consent to its amputation. |
| Lowenfels, David—USA |
All humans deserve the right to an intact body, and to make their own informed decisions
regarding modification of their genitalia. To do otherwise is mutilation and sexual abuse.
Essentially rape with a scalpel! |
| lucretia, laurian—USA |
it is time to stop violence to our newborns- as soon as i wrote this
statement the coyotes have been howling away- even nature is speaking
to this truth!!!! |
| Ludden, Kirk—USA |
Circumcision is NOT NEEDED. One loses many things. Although
restoration is possible {I have restored after 15 months with the TLC
tugger}, one still can't get back the natural stuff that is lost.
Circumcision should only be for MEDICAL EMERGENCY & not a "standard"
in the industry. |
| Lukes, Keshia—USA |
torture. |
| Lund, Laura—USA |
There is no medical indication to circumcise. Therefore,
circumcision is cosmetic surgery performed on unconsenting minors.
It is cruel to subject infants to the horrible pain and lifelong
consequences of having part of their genitals removed in order to
satisfy their parents' or society's ideal of an attractive penis. No
one should permanently alter someone else's body without that
person's permission. If it's not your body, it's not your decision.
If it's not your penis, it's not your right to decide whether or not
you should cut off part of it. Bodily integrity is a right that
should be extended to include all people, regardless of gender. We
do not circumcise our female infants. We should not circumcise our
male infants, either. |
| Lund, Rob—USA |
Circumcision is a barbaric practice that must be stopped
immediately. In the United States, the following steps should be
taken without delay to achieve this end. First, the public should be
informed of the risks and lack of necessity of routine circumcision.
The discussion of such subjects as sexual health, respect for the
pleasures of sex and the common practice of genital mutilation is the
ultimate taboo in American society, and this silence must be broken
for us to become a healthy people. All places where circumcisions
are performed or where people are counseled on the subject must be
required to present a complete argument opposing the practice. As
part of this argument, graphic pictures and videos of circumcisions
and its immediate and continuing effects on the victims should be
required. This constitutes the minimum requirements for informed
consent, and public funding should be available for such an
information campaign. Second, federal as well as state legislation
must be passed to outlaw circumcision that has no medical
justification; that legislation should impose severe penalties and
leave the violator open to civil action. Third, doctors who have
been performing this surgery need to expiate their crimes--they have
sworn an oath to do no harm in their practice of medicine, and they
have violated that oath as well as the minds and bodies of their
victims. They should make a public apology for their behavior and
contribute, with their labor and their wealth, to undoing some of the
wrongs that they have caused. Fourth, public and private funding,
some of which should come from the medical professionals and
hospitals performing circumcisions, must be available to correct the
psychological and physical damage done by unnecessary circumcisions.
There are two groups of victims--the first, obviously, is composed of
the individuals upon whom the surgery was performed. They have
suffered lifelong trauma, diminished sexual function, psychological
and physical impairments which can either be corrected or mitigated.
They deserve a massive effort to do so. The second group is the
parents who, through ignorance, misinformation and manipulation by
authority figures have consented to the torture and mutilation of the
infants they loved and cherished. Whatever their reasons and
justification for doing so, it was an act of their volition that
caused the pain, fear and lifelong mental and physical damage
suffered by the children they were obligated to nurture and protect.
This is a dreadful burden to bear, and when understanding of the
consequences of their acts becomes common knowledge, they will need
considerable outside help in dealing with the guilt and remorse that
they will experience. Without these remedial efforts, the evil
consequences of circumcision will continue to spread anger,
bitterness, hatred, self-pity and Pandora's box of obstacles to
achieving a healthy resolution to the problems caused by this
uncivilized practice. |
| Lundberg, Jan—USA |
Regarding male circumcision:
It seems likely that the cutting away of some of the mass of the
penis is not what the enlarge-the-penis medical scam movement
intends to address, but the people caring about their own penis size
should be against circumcision. And, those caring about sensitivity
would want a natural penis and not one with scar tissue which
lessens sensitivity.
I think we need to address Western Medicine and Western Civilization
in general, to deal with insane practices such as mass
circumcision. Circumcision happens because it pays, just as
destruction of the Earth happens because it pays.
Thanks for your valuable work.
Jan Lundberg
www.culturechange.org
Arcata, California |
| Lunetta, Abigail—USA |
I see no rational reason why this continues to be practiced in the
united states, where we pride ourselves on being defenders of human
and individual rights. this is a barbaric practice that continues
solely on the basis of social reasons, and it should no longer be
tolerated. |
| Lunt, RoseAnna—USA |
There are people in the world that need to know that genital
mutilation is not necessary...and usually not beneficial. As a women,
our sisters must know that there are other options that will make our
bodies not suffer. Women should not be 'sewn up' until the time of
procreation, but trusted and cared for respectfully. |
| Lutley, Jeffrey—USA |
I have been psychologically damaged by my circumcision that I have
thought about killing in the past. I do not think about killing
anymore, but I experience deep pain and resentment among other things. |
| Lyon, Mary—United Kingdom |
A special kind of ignorance that allows and enables this barbaric
act to continue, people seriously need educated on this issue but I
wonder do they REALLY want to know? Until they DO want to know and
DO want to do something about this then it will continue. |