Looks like they made it.
Activists seeking to ban circumcision in San Francisco have apparently collected more than enough signatures to get their measure on the fall ballot. Once the Department of Elections certifies the petitions, most likely it’s on to the Nov. 8 polls.
Jews and all people who believe in parental rights, religious freedom and the First Amendment must now unite to crush this odious initiative.
When word of the ballot measure first broke a few months ago, San Francisco once again became a laughingstock. Even Jon Stewart took a few potshots. But when forces line up to take away basic rights from citizens, it is no laughing matter.
Let us not discount the possibility that this thing could actually pass. Imagine if that happens: Jewish parents who undertake the ancient rite of brit milah in San Francisco would be subject to fines. Mohels could be sent to prison.
Odds are it won’t ever get that far. We believe voters, even in progressive San Francisco, will see this measure as an obscene attempt at government overreach, a slam against religious freedom and, yes, arguably anti-Semitic.
Were it to pass, we would expect an immediate court fight, injunctions and ultimately a definitive ruling that any law that deprives parents of the right to circumcise their sons is unconstitutional.
Parents, including Jewish parents, are perfectly within their rights to reject circumcision for their children. Even though the evidence of long-term health benefits of circumcision is overwhelming, we have no problem with anti-circumcision activists making their case. It’s part of the marketplace of ideas that defines American-styled freedom of expression.
Once activists cross over the line to some sort of dictatorial, government mandate, however, they have left that marketplace and entered into utterly unacceptable, un-American territory.
Recently in New Zealand and parts of Europe, efforts were launched, unsuccessfully, to ban kosher slaughter. Now, in our own backyard, we see this effort to turn parents, doctors and mohels into criminals. Proponents vehemently deny their actions are anti-Semitic, but we cannot help but suspect a deeper venality afoot when others attempt to erode religious freedoms.
We will no doubt follow this story all the way through to the November election. Between now and then, we are certain Jewish groups will help establish a coalition of the interfaith, legal and medical communities to fight the ban.