NB : Found this on line it may help those trying to persuade either way

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision but faith which worketh by love .
from the KJ bible

First of all let me say that it has been a while since I've been on this site due to computer problems (bleh!)

Second, I guess I just don't see the harm in circumcision. I know, I know. Some of you will say that it is unnecessary, there are potential risks, etc. But if someone is informed of the benefits and risks of such a procedure and feels that they want to continue with the procedure I really don't see the problem (both of my sons are in tact).

Third, choosing to not serve any clients who choose circumcision feels eerily similar to not serving any clients who choose an elective cesarean or induction of labor (when it isn't medically necessary) or an epidural.

Now, let me tell you this about my background: I held off on becoming a doula for a long time because I was afraid that I was too judgmental. When someone told me that they were going to have an epidural as soon as they set foot in the hospital I judged them. They were (in my head) either wimps or too selfish to do the best thing for their child (much like, in my own head, women who chose not to breastfeed for fear of having sagging breasts). I judged anyone who had a cesarean and anyone who induced labor (my brother was born prematurely due to an induced labor - he was a big baby - and almost died).

Then I heard or read somewhere that not every woman would make choices that promoted the changes we would like to see in the "birth world." I realized then that my judgements weren't helping anything. Each woman will (generally) do what is best for herself and the baby based on the information she has at the time. I saw this first hand when I had my first child. Based on the knowledge I have NOW there are many things I would do differently and I would have had a different outcome. But at the time, I made the best decisions I could with the information I had been given. And therein lies the key.

The key isn't in judging these women or making them feel guilty for decisions they have made or refusing to serve them if they are making decisions you don't like. Refusing to serve someone who is planning to circumcise their baby still most likely results in a circumcised baby. The only hope we have in actually effecting change is to educate, educate, educate. Because the more information women have, the better the decisions they will make.

My opinion. End of Rant. :-)

No ignorance here! It was a decision we made, we are not uneducated or ignorant, but we feel its part of our families belief system. My husband is circed, my son is too.... They are both so happy and glad that they are.
My Son In law is also...and their unborn son ( which we all think it is, but aren't sure) will be too. There again, my daughter and Sil are not uneducated or ignorant, its just what they also believe to be the best thing.

I don't believe in the bible. But just what the heck does that mean??

I believe that it means that because Jesus Christ was born and died for our sins that to get in to heaven, it doesn't matter if you are circumcised or not, loving faith is the only thing you need.

I am in Saudi and practising. I am totally against circ, male and female (gag) but am educating myself to so i can inform parents. I tried to watch it being done but couldnt
From what I have discovered the quran is actually against/or in the least isnt pro circ so thats great! Im trying to gather as much information as possible to inform parents that they do have a CHOICE and thats what it boils down to. Im totally new to this game and havent come across it yet but know I will. As for saying NO... thats a hard one. We are all different, have different skills etc and the RIGHT to say no. Although that doesnt line up with our collective beliefs we should have the right to conduct our businesses in a manner we see fit.

i am sure jesus was circ'd... as he was born jewish and that was the local custom...

observant jews and muslims circ their boys.. it's very hard to convince them otherwise and even though, i might not agree, i will be respectful of their beliefs.. i would not turn down a client for this...btw, my boys are circ'd, something i was very against, but too much for my family to handle...it was a very difficult decision to make, and i did see my younger son suffer a lot after it...he seemed to be in a lot of pain on many levels..
my boys are now young men, and i recently brought it up with them...as they have lots of friends that are not circ'd... they both said they were happy that they were...

One of the toughest jobs being a doula is not giving my opinion. I find myself having to remind myself this isn't your birth, body or baby. It is theirs. I would never turn any body away for wanting differently than what I would choose.

I don't feel that circumcision is a "parent's decision". I very strongly feel that it should be the decision of the person who has the penis. Period. If any of my sons decide to become circumcised as adults, fine. That is their choice. But I will not make that (permanent) decision for them.

Obviously I am against infant circumcision, but would I turn down a client based off their decision to cut their child? No. I would see it as an opportunity to educate and as a lesson to myself that I cannot control the world and the world's choices.

A doula is a servant, it's not our job to make the decision, only our job to inform parents. And when I say inform that means to give them the unbiased pros and cons for both sides! Yes, there are pros and cons for both! Once they make their own decision, all you have to do is provide sincere heartfelt support for them, and you can wash your hands of the whole matter. After all, they are the ones that have to live with their decision, not you.

Perhaps it is something that you should be up front with at your first consultation. " I plan to educate you on how wrong circumsision is".
Then the parents have the opportunity to say "No thanks, you are not the right doula for us". That way you are not turning down circ'ing parents but instead they are not hiring you.

I won't refuse a client over this or if they breastfeed or not. It is not my decision. I want their birth to be a positive one. Heck, I'm not even there for the circ....I am hired to provide information which I do and it is BALANCED information (not Ann's opinion) and I assume everyone I work with is intelligent. It irratates me to think somethinks I am "ignorant" because I circ'd my sons and bottle fed. For crying out loud, I have a college degree. I will have to face my sons some day and tell them why I did it and I will be a-ok if they don't circ their sons. Last time I checked, it is still legal to circ so....my clients can make whatever choice they want...and I support them all the way

Exactly! There was chat about this on my local doula groups Facebook and I said the same thing. Its THEIR choice. I do think that if you cant be supportive you should not be there doula. I am not the right doula for everyone and if something is going to be an issue in our doula client relationship its only right for me to refer them on to someone else. I have never had to make a the circ choice bc I have 2 girls but I have lots of information available for clients about the pros/cons of circ, how its done etc.

I can't support a parent choosing to circ their son, but that's not what they pay me for. My couple now knows how I feel about it and I know mom doesn't want to do it and dad does so they are wanting to go forward w/ it and it saddens me. There is no reason I have to support every choice a parent makes and it would be ignorant of me to do so. I don't support everything else everyone else does so why should I in this situation. I like the idea of being up front w/ them at the first appt though and telling them I will be sharing information on circumcision w/ them in one of our appts if chosen.

Having a college education doesn't automatically make you educated and not ignorant. I know nurses who are uneducated and ignorant when it comes to circing and breastfeeding.