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mbrock59 · Jan 26, 2004, 11:13 pm

Some cultures and religions (notably the Muslim Religion) practice what is commonly known as female genital mutilation, or female circumcision. this normally involves removal of the clitoris, and cutting away of the labia. This is done on young girls. Pretty much insures the young woman will never enjoy sex at all, much less achieve orgasm.
Spome surgeions here in the United States perform this procedure for Muslim families on their daughters. Is this ethical? Should this be legal? Are we interfering with a religious practice, or upsetting ancient culture if do we outlaw this? What about parents that perform this procedure at home without medical attention or pain killers? Are they legally liable?
This is very common in the Middle East and Africa, and does go on in the United States.

white rice · Jan 26, 2004, 11:57 pm

It's marked by mysticism and tradition, and I think that it is one thing that no culture should accept. It's a very traumatic experience especially in Africa where sterilization and anesthetics are luxuries, and I don't think the girl knows what's at stake here. Most leave without any feeling in that region for the rest of their lives.

The thing is, the combination of animist and Muslim teachings that's predominant in some parts of Africa give it a lot of clout as a way of life. The shamanistic clerics often tout that Mohammed (sp?) condones the practice yet there is nothing about FGM in the Koran. Moral relativism be damned, this thing should be rooted out.

mbrock59 · Jan 27, 2004, 10:37 am

Whch brings us to male circumsion..a cultural, and in many cases, religious, ceremony here in the USA. although it does not prevent orgasm, is it ethically right to remove a foreskin of an infant because it is the wishes of the parents?

FC Mellon · Jan 27, 2004, 01:05 pm

Since some in the world believe/think/want these kinds of practices to insure others don't achieve any pleasure/satisfaction in their lives....why stop here...why not cut off everyone's arms/legs...and if these 'courageous leaders' who want to prove to their own citizens/congregations that they are the 'Masters of Their Existences'....why not go all the way and 'cut off their own heads'?
Oh yea....without their heads they may not be able to witness the 'tails/tales' of 'their past'...no matter which direction 'their own evolution' meanders into 'their future'. }?[
p.s. ...well at least their tongues 8?!
...if not their heads! ;?)
p.p.s.s. ...these stories imho show what 'insanity is possible'...no matter ones stead in life...even when one appears to be a leader. 8?(

Man Against Time · Jan 30, 2004, 06:34 pm

I think its pretty stupid and contrary to just about every higher and lower law I can envision.

That being said... it isn't my people. Doesn't happen in my culture (even if its in US borders, it isnt among people I would associate with or mainstream). Doesn't happen to people I know. Doesn't happen to people I will ever care about. Doesn't set off a chain of events that destroy what I value. Doesn't affect any part of my life whatsoever. Why should anyone go out of their way to make it their problem? That sounds fake to me, like you are just trying to get attention or feel compassionate. Leave it the hell alone.

melpomene · Jan 30, 2004, 07:01 pm

This is a disgraceful practice.

Disgraceful.

Archaic and rooted right smack on the doorstep of men being terrified of the power of the female and female body.

Man Against Time · Jan 31, 2004, 08:42 am

I have a lot more respect for cultures that are perceptive enough to understand the danger and power of Woman than I do for cultures like ours that think being a slave to it is a great and progressive thing and mark of high civilization.

But mauling a woman's genitals is not how anyone genuinely interested in overcoming woman behaves. The idea is to no longer allow the infiltration of such power in yourself, not, mortify sexuality by surgery.

I am still at a loss about the intent of the practice though. Do these cultures keep women who are spared from this so that sex is still interesting for the men? Otherwise you might as well just masturbate; how boring.

eburchelli · Jan 31, 2004, 10:48 pm

I think men in those cultures are only interested in a woman who will produce offspring. Most poor Muslims tend to have large families. They don't want a wife who will enjoy sex. They just want one who is fertile. I can only imagine that the reason this procedure is done on young girls, is her parent's hope and expectations, that she will be wed to a suitable and acceptable partner. This might mean another goat for her family when she gets married.

Suburbanite · Jan 31, 2004, 11:59 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (mbrock59,)
Whch brings us to male circumsion..a cultural, and in many cases, religious, ceremony here in the USA. although it does not prevent orgasm, is it ethically right to remove a foreskin of an infant because it is the wishes of the parents?<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

It is the parent's choice above any other. I have mixed feelings. With proper cleaning, there is no difference between the two. Some women find circumcised penises more attractive. This is one of those things where it is the individual choice of the parents, the good and the bad are too relative. I am personally glad my parents chose to, I would hate to choose to later in life, it would hurt too much.

Paavo · Feb 1, 2004, 10:02 am

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by

It is the parent's choice above any other. I have mixed feelings. With proper cleaning, there is no difference between the two. Some women find circumcised penises more attractive. This is one of those things where it is the individual choice of the parents, the good and the bad are too relative. I am personally glad my parents chose to, I would hate to choose to later in life, it would hurt too much.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

You can't really compare the two,
"removal of the clitoris, and cutting away of the labia" <---
That's just horrific abuse of a person, and it affects her entire life thereafter. I think it's a barbaric act and shouldn't be allowed in places where it can realistically be prohibited.

**Pooeypants** · Feb 1, 2004, 11:00 am

I don't think that it should be done without the consent of the person whom is mature enough to make that choice. Mutilating the body like that is just sick and shouldn't be practiced (unless the person having it done consents to it) and thats my personal opinion.

Man Against Time · Feb 2, 2004, 01:04 pm

This is a subjective argument founded on your own opinion that individuals have some kind of absolute right over everything the ego can call its own. This is a relatively new belief alien to foreign cultures.

bluenadas · Feb 10, 2004, 02:19 am

I think it's horrific. You can not compare the removl of foreskin in a man to the removal of the clitoris in a women. Maybe castration would be a proper comparison. I don't think it should be allowed here in the US as it seems to be a form of control over a person.

What would be intersting to se is why the act became common. What inspired people to do such a thing? Sounds to me like it was to prevent the women from looking past the husband therfore tying her down to one man. If sex is blah, or in some cases with this prcedure....painful, why would she go elsewhere for it?

james? · Feb 13, 2004, 06:58 pm

Anyone ever think that maybe their intentions aren't evil? Or that maybe they, as a very different culture than ours, find it perverted for a female to enjoy sex (to exemplify this, like how our culture would obviously find it perverted for a mother to find sexual pleasure in nursing an infant)?

You have to try and conceive others' perceptions and realize that anyone with beliefs or practices that oppose yours are not necessarily trying to warp or control anyone that is different or threatening to them.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Paavo,)
You can't really compare the two,
<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
No one's trying to. Suburbanite was simply giving their view on that subject, and had nothing to say about the other.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Pooeypants,)
I don't think that it should be done without the consent of the person whom is mature enough to make that choice. Mutilating the body like that is just sick and shouldn't be practiced (unless the person having it done consents to it) and thats my personal opinion.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
I'm with you on this one, even though this solution is fragile and easily disputed.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Man Against Time,)
This is a subjective argument founded on your own opinion that individuals have some kind of absolute right over everything the ego can call its own. This is a relatively new belief alien to foreign cultures.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>
Great, great point.

Texas Lynn · Feb 23, 2004, 03:08 am

Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence.

This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.

james? · Feb 24, 2004, 06:57 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Texas Lynn,)
Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence.

This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

By whom, for what offense, and through what maximum sentence?

Leopard · Feb 25, 2004, 02:27 am

I was about to add my passionate cry to those who appose such practices: my reasoning being that any bodily disfigurement without express consent of the disfigured is an initiation of force... no matter what the supposed 'reason' may be. But then I thought of surgery which is definitely an expression of force (even tho the supposed reason is to benefit the health of the person undergoing the operation) and that we, as humans, do not know exactly everything and the decisions we make today (in the name of being right or moral or healthy or whatever) might be considered in a totally opposite light tomorrow after more is known about a situation. For instances: blood letting. It was once thought as a method for curing certain illnesses and diseases, today we have evidence otherwise, yet tomorrow it MAY be discovered that there might be other benefits we have discovered yet.

In my qunadry, I can say this: I would never participate in this type of action, and I would be vocal against others doing so - but when it came to giving government the power to determine 'good' and 'bad' for the citizenery, I would have to listen to the arguments of those both older and wiser than I.

michael

Mia · Mar 3, 2004, 07:31 pm

Fortunately, "most muslims" don't do this anymore - and it goes on in more remote places like Africa than in the Middle East. It is an archaic and barbaric practice that has been dropped largely, but it's a very important issue for the few that still do it - those poor women.

BTW, it's not true to say Muslims don't want their wives to enjoy sex. (but you are right whoever wants this done to their wife obviously doesn't). And this practice NEVER came from the Islamic religion. Someones twisted view of it at one time, but not the religion itself.

Mia · Mar 3, 2004, 07:35 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (james?,)
<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Texas Lynn,)
Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence.

This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

By whom, for what offense, and through what maximum sentence?<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

That's a tough one - but this is a subject largely ignored by human rights agencies. Why? Feminists say this is because we only care about torture if it includes men.....that doesn't seem right. We always get more fired up about "women and children", don't we?

I guess it's the "cultural practice" argument. Ugh. I'm so glad that's not my culture!

CherryPie · Mar 20, 2004, 03:08 pm

First of all this topic makes me nauseous.... the thoughts of having that entire area removed, the clitoris, labia, etc, without any anaesthetic is a terrifying thought for me... I can't even imagine how bad that would be, especially since that practice is generally performed on 11-14 y/o girls (and sometimes much younger!), I don't think that is something I could handle now let alone at that age. They do not use any kind of disinfectant and do not perform this in sanitary conditions. Also, the cutting instrument is not necessarily a sharp razor blade, quite often it is a piece of broken glass or a tin lid, or scissors, the girls legs are held open, and everything is cut away. It is not uncommon for girls to die as a result of this operation and if they don't die when it is done, then there are sever complications when giving birth to children, and labour often takes days because of the scar tissue that builds up as a result of the procedure, and quite often the skin/scar tissue has to be cut to allow for childbirth. Also this is not a religious practice; it is not endorsed by ANY religion (that i know of, if am wrong let me know).

btw, here is an interesting article on the subject >>> http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm#a2

Jan 26, 2004, 11:57 pm	#2 (permalink) (top)
white rice Igneous Magma Posts: 372	It's marked by mysticism and tradition, and I think that it is one thing that no culture should accept. It's a very traumatic experience especially in Africa where sterilization and anesthetics are luxuries, and I don't think the girl knows what's at stake here. Most leave without any feeling in that region for the rest of their lives. The thing is, the combination of animist and Muslim teachings that's predominant in some parts of Africa give it a lot of clout as a way of life. The shamanistic clerics often tout that Mohammed (sp?) condones the practice yet there is nothing about FGM in the Koran. Moral relativism be damned, this thing should be rooted out. Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups

Jan 30, 2004, 06:34 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Man Against Time Molten Ash Location: NJ Posts: 113	I think its pretty stupid and contrary to just about every higher and lower law I can envision. That being said... it isn't my people. Doesn't happen in my culture (even if its in US borders, it isnt among people I would associate with or mainstream). Doesn't happen to people I know. Doesn't happen to people I will ever care about. Doesn't set off a chain of events that destroy what I value. Doesn't affect any part of my life whatsoever. Why should anyone go out of their way to make it their problem? That sounds fake to me, like you are just trying to get attention or feel compassionate. Leave it the hell alone. "Die! Fall upon your sword. Fall upon your knee. Die like your Son, nailed to his Tree. Die by my hand. Die in my heart, plucked from the Ice; forever cold."

Jan 30, 2004, 07:01 pm	#6 (permalink) (top)
melpomene I can smell fear ... Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 21	This is a disgraceful practice. Disgraceful. Archaic and rooted right smack on the doorstep of men being terrified of the power of the female and female body. <Insert witty sig here>

Jan 31, 2004, 08:42 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
Man Against Time Molten Ash Location: NJ Posts: 113	I have a lot more respect for cultures that are perceptive enough to understand the danger and power of Woman than I do for cultures like ours that think being a slave to it is a great and progressive thing and mark of high civilization. But mauling a woman's genitals is not how anyone genuinely interested in overcoming woman behaves. The idea is to no longer allow the infiltration of such power in yourself, not, mortify sexuality by surgery. I am still at a loss about the intent of the practice though. Do these cultures keep women who are spared from this so that sex is still interesting for the men? Otherwise you might as well just masturbate; how boring. "Die! Fall upon your sword. Fall upon your knee. Die like your Son, nailed to his Tree. Die by my hand. Die in my heart, plucked from the Ice; forever cold."

Jan 31, 2004, 11:59 pm	#9 (permalink) (top)
Suburbanite BANNED Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,203	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (mbrock59,) Whch brings us to male circumsion..a cultural, and in many cases, religious, ceremony here in the USA. although it does not prevent orgasm, is it ethically right to remove a foreskin of an infant because it is the wishes of the parents?<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> It is the parent's choice above any other. I have mixed feelings. With proper cleaning, there is no difference between the two. Some women find circumcised penises more attractive. This is one of those things where it is the individual choice of the parents, the good and the bad are too relative. I am personally glad my parents chose to, I would hate to choose to later in life, it would hurt too much.

Jan 26, 2004, 11:13 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
mbrock59 Sedimentary Rock Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 12	Some cultures and religions (notably the Muslim Religion) practice what is commonly known as female genital mutilation, or female circumcision. this normally involves removal of the clitoris, and cutting away of the labia. This is done on young girls. Pretty much insures the young woman will never enjoy sex at all, much less achieve orgasm. Spome surgeions here in the United States perform this procedure for Muslim families on their daughters. Is this ethical? Should this be legal? Are we interfering with a religious practice, or upsetting ancient culture if do we outlaw this? What about parents that perform this procedure at home without medical attention or pain killers? Are they legally liable? This is very common in the Middle East and Africa, and does go on in the United States.

Jan 27, 2004, 10:37 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
mbrock59 Sedimentary Rock Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 12	Whch brings us to male circumsion..a cultural, and in many cases, religious, ceremony here in the USA. although it does not prevent orgasm, is it ethically right to remove a foreskin of an infant because it is the wishes of the parents?

Jan 27, 2004, 01:05 pm	#4 (permalink) (top)
FC Mellon Molten Ash Location: So Cal Posts: 51	Since some in the world believe/think/want these kinds of practices to insure others don't achieve any pleasure/satisfaction in their lives....why stop here...why not cut off everyone's arms/legs...and if these 'courageous leaders' who want to prove to their own citizens/congregations that they are the 'Masters of Their Existences'....why not go all the way and 'cut off their own heads'? Oh yea....without their heads they may not be able to witness the 'tails/tales' of 'their past'...no matter which direction 'their own evolution' meanders into 'their future'. }?[ p.s. ...well at least their tongues 8?! ...if not their heads! ;?) p.p.s.s. ...these stories imho show what 'insanity is possible'...no matter ones stead in life...even when one appears to be a leader. 8?(

Jan 31, 2004, 10:48 pm	#8 (permalink) (top)
eburchelli Molten Ash Posts: 106	I think men in those cultures are only interested in a woman who will produce offspring. Most poor Muslims tend to have large families. They don't want a wife who will enjoy sex. They just want one who is fertile. I can only imagine that the reason this procedure is done on young girls, is her parent's hope and expectations, that she will be wed to a suitable and acceptable partner. This might mean another goat for her family when she gets married.

Feb 1, 2004, 10:02 am	#10 (permalink) (top)
Paavo Location: Finland Posts: 712	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by It is the parent's choice above any other. I have mixed feelings. With proper cleaning, there is no difference between the two. Some women find circumcised penises more attractive. This is one of those things where it is the individual choice of the parents, the good and the bad are too relative. I am personally glad my parents chose to, I would hate to choose to later in life, it would hurt too much.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> You can't really compare the two, "removal of the clitoris, and cutting away of the labia" <--- That's just horrific abuse of a person, and it affects her entire life thereafter. I think it's a barbaric act and shouldn't be allowed in places where it can realistically be prohibited.

Feb 1, 2004, 11:00 am	#11 (permalink) (top)
Pooeypants Neo Moderator Location: England Posts: 5,467	I don't think that it should be done without the consent of the person whom is mature enough to make that choice. Mutilating the body like that is just sick and shouldn't be practiced (unless the person having it done consents to it) and thats my personal opinion. War is Peace Freedom is Slavery Ignorance is strength Harness the power of Ingsoc, then you can capture someone killed the year before

Feb 2, 2004, 01:04 pm	#12 (permalink) (top)
Man Against Time Molten Ash Location: NJ Posts: 113	This is a subjective argument founded on your own opinion that individuals have some kind of absolute right over everything the ego can call its own. This is a relatively new belief alien to foreign cultures. "Die! Fall upon your sword. Fall upon your knee. Die like your Son, nailed to his Tree. Die by my hand. Die in my heart, plucked from the Ice; forever cold."

Feb 10, 2004, 02:19 am	#13 (permalink) (top)
bluenadas Sedimentary Rock Location: Juneau, AK Posts: 14	I think it's horrific. You can not compare the removl of foreskin in a man to the removal of the clitoris in a women. Maybe castration would be a proper comparison. I don't think it should be allowed here in the US as it seems to be a form of control over a person. What would be intersting to se is why the act became common. What inspired people to do such a thing? Sounds to me like it was to prevent the women from looking past the husband therfore tying her down to one man. If sex is blah, or in some cases with this prcedure....painful, why would she go elsewhere for it? Liberty in your Lifetime

Feb 13, 2004, 06:58 pm	#14 (permalink) (top)
james? Molten Ash Location: Minnesota Posts: 84	Anyone ever think that maybe their intentions aren't evil? Or that maybe they, as a very different culture than ours, find it perverted for a female to enjoy sex (to exemplify this, like how our culture would obviously find it perverted for a mother to find sexual pleasure in nursing an infant)? You have to try and conceive others' perceptions and realize that anyone with beliefs or practices that oppose yours are not necessarily trying to warp or control anyone that is different or threatening to them. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Paavo,) You can't really compare the two, <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> No one's trying to. Suburbanite was simply giving their view on that subject, and had nothing to say about the other. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Pooeypants,) I don't think that it should be done without the consent of the person whom is mature enough to make that choice. Mutilating the body like that is just sick and shouldn't be practiced (unless the person having it done consents to it) and thats my personal opinion.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> I'm with you on this one, even though this solution is fragile and easily disputed. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Man Against Time,) This is a subjective argument founded on your own opinion that individuals have some kind of absolute right over everything the ego can call its own. This is a relatively new belief alien to foreign cultures.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Great, great point.

Feb 23, 2004, 03:08 am	#15 (permalink) (top)
Texas Lynn Sedimentary Rock Posts: 4	Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence. This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.

Feb 24, 2004, 06:57 pm	#16 (permalink) (top)
james? Molten Ash Location: Minnesota Posts: 84	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Texas Lynn,) Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence. This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> By whom, for what offense, and through what maximum sentence?

Feb 25, 2004, 02:27 am	#17 (permalink) (top)
Leopard Propertarian Posts: 568	I was about to add my passionate cry to those who appose such practices: my reasoning being that any bodily disfigurement without express consent of the disfigured is an initiation of force... no matter what the supposed 'reason' may be. But then I thought of surgery which is definitely an expression of force (even tho the supposed reason is to benefit the health of the person undergoing the operation) and that we, as humans, do not know exactly everything and the decisions we make today (in the name of being right or moral or healthy or whatever) might be considered in a totally opposite light tomorrow after more is known about a situation. For instances: blood letting. It was once thought as a method for curing certain illnesses and diseases, today we have evidence otherwise, yet tomorrow it MAY be discovered that there might be other benefits we have discovered yet. In my qunadry, I can say this: I would never participate in this type of action, and I would be vocal against others doing so - but when it came to giving government the power to determine 'good' and 'bad' for the citizenery, I would have to listen to the arguments of those both older and wiser than I. michael Take on the responsibility to be free

Mar 3, 2004, 07:31 pm	#18 (permalink) (top)
Mia Retired Posts: 7,312	Fortunately, "most muslims" don't do this anymore - and it goes on in more remote places like Africa than in the Middle East. It is an archaic and barbaric practice that has been dropped largely, but it's a very important issue for the few that still do it - those poor women. BTW, it's not true to say Muslims don't want their wives to enjoy sex. (but you are right whoever wants this done to their wife obviously doesn't). And this practice NEVER came from the Islamic religion. Someones twisted view of it at one time, but not the religion itself. "...with like-minded people one cannot discuss. With like-minded people one can only participate in a church service, and you know how I feel about church services." Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Mar 3, 2004, 07:35 pm	#19 (permalink) (top)
Mia Retired Posts: 7,312	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (james?,) </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Texas Lynn,) Anyone who does it to an underage female-and all adults aware of it-should be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence. This is one area where respect for other cultures does not excuse reprehensible behavior.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> By whom, for what offense, and through what maximum sentence?<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> That's a tough one - but this is a subject largely ignored by human rights agencies. Why? Feminists say this is because we only care about torture if it includes men.....that doesn't seem right. We always get more fired up about "women and children", don't we? I guess it's the "cultural practice" argument. Ugh. I'm so glad that's not my culture! "...with like-minded people one cannot discuss. With like-minded people one can only participate in a church service, and you know how I feel about church services." Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Mar 20, 2004, 03:08 pm	#20 (permalink) (top)
CherryPie Redhead Location: Canada Posts: 28	First of all this topic makes me nauseous.... the thoughts of having that entire area removed, the clitoris, labia, etc, without any anaesthetic is a terrifying thought for me... I can't even imagine how bad that would be, especially since that practice is generally performed on 11-14 y/o girls (and sometimes much younger!), I don't think that is something I could handle now let alone at that age. They do not use any kind of disinfectant and do not perform this in sanitary conditions. Also, the cutting instrument is not necessarily a sharp razor blade, quite often it is a piece of broken glass or a tin lid, or scissors, the girls legs are held open, and everything is cut away. It is not uncommon for girls to die as a result of this operation and if they don't die when it is done, then there are sever complications when giving birth to children, and labour often takes days because of the scar tissue that builds up as a result of the procedure, and quite often the skin/scar tissue has to be cut to allow for childbirth. Also this is not a religious practice; it is not endorsed by ANY religion (that i know of, if am wrong let me know). btw, here is an interesting article on the subject >>> http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/femgen/fgm1.htm#a2 Easy as 3.1415926538979323846264338.......