So religiously, cosmetically, and medically, there seemed to be no compelling reason for us to circumcise.

CNN: Circumcising our son -- How do we decide?

Yet to circumcise simply because that was familiar to me seemed unfair to my son.

CNN: Circumcising our son -- How do we decide?

The Jewish Torah, however, is inconveniently specific: God told Abraham to circumcise his heirs on the eighth day.

ECONOMIST: Circumcision in Germany: Incisive arguments | The

Jews, of course, can argue that God's covenant with Abraham requires them to circumcise their boys, thus making the practice a matter of religious freedom.

ECONOMIST: Banning circumcision