WHAT IS FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the collective name given to a number of cultural practices that involve the partial or total cutting of female genitals. FGM can be performed as early as infancy and as late as age thirty. However, most commonly, girls experience FGM between four and twelve years of age. The origins of FGM remain unclear.

FGM IS A HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION
FGM violates a number of human rights of women and girls. Since FGM involves the removal of healthy sexual organs without medical necessity and is usually performed on adolescents and girls, often with harmful physical and psychological consequences, it violates the rights to non-discrimination, health, and bodily integrity. Although FGM is not undertaken with the intention of inflicting harm, its damaging physical, sexual, and psychological effects make it an act of violence against women and children.

Finally, FGM sometimes threatens the lives of girls and women, thereby violating their human rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women explicitly recognize that practices harmful to women such as FGM are violations of human rights.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF FGM
Short-term complications include severe pain and a risk for hemorrhage that can lead to shock and death. In addition, there is a very high risk for local and systemic infections, with documented reports of abscesses, ulcers, delayed healing, septicemia, tetanus, and gangrene. Long-term complications include urine retention resulting in repeated urinary infections; obstruction of menstrual flow leading to frequent reproductive tract infections and infertility; and prolonged and obstructed labor. In addition to the physical complications, there are psychological and sexual effects.

PRE-VALENCE OF FGM
It is estimated that about 130 million women worldwide have undergone FGM, with an additional two million girls and women undergoing the procedure every year. FGM is prent in about 28 African countries and among a few minority groups in Asia. Prence varies significantly from one country to another. For example, the prence rate is 92% in Mali, compared to 28% in Senegal. In addition, there are many immigrant women in Europe, Canada, and the United States who have undergone FGM. It is estimated that 15% of all affected women have undergone the most severe form of FGM—infibulation, which involves the stitching and narrowing of the vaginal opening. However, approximately 80% to 90% of all female genital mutilations in Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan are of this type.

The act of FGM is a cultural tradition generally performed across central Africa, in the southern Sahara, and in parts of the Arab peninsula. ALTHOUGH BOTH EASTERNERS AND WERSTERNERS BELIEVE THAT FGM IS ASSOCIATED WITH ISLAM, IT IS NOT. FGM is not condoned by any religions and is condemned by religious leaders. The practice however crosses religious barriers. Muslims, Christians and Jews in these regions have been known to subject their girls to FGM. FGM’s false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it.

WHY IS FGM PRACTICED?
The reasons behind FGM are multifold and very complex. The fear of stopping this practice is also very real. Parents who support FGM believe that having it done will empower their daughters, ensure their ability to get married and protect the family’s reputation. In some groups, FGM is performed as a rite of passage into womanhood. It also is performed to preserve a woman’s chastity by restraining her sexual behavior. FGM is believed (by those who practice it) to lower a woman’s sexual desire. In some communities, women who are not subjected to FGM can be viewed as dirty and be treated as outcasts. As mentioned above, religion is also used as a method of perpetuating the practice. Some communities believe that in order to be a good Muslim, one must 'cut' their daughters.

There are also many superstitions surrounding female genital mutilation, such as:

The clit*ris will continue to grow as a girl gets older and so it must be removed.
The external genitalia are unclean and can actually cause the death of an infant during delivery.
This controversial practice is deeply engrained into the community and the majority of parents are truly viewing their role as protecting their daughter’s future, and not harming or mutilating them.

Sources http://www.reproductiverights.org/pub_fac_fgmicpd.html

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/easyread/fgc-etr.htm

WHAT IS FGM?
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the collective name given to a number of cultural practices that involve the partial or total cutting of female genitals. FGM can be performed as early as infancy and as late as age thirty. However, most commonly, girls experience FGM between four and twelve years of age. The origins of FGM remain unclear.

FGM IS A HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION
FGM violates a number of human rights of women and girls. Since FGM involves the removal of healthy sexual organs without medical necessity and is usually performed on adolescents and girls, often with harmful physical and psychological consequences, it violates the rights to non-discrimination, health, and bodily integrity. Although FGM is not undertaken with the intention of inflicting harm, its damaging physical, sexual, and psychological effects make it an act of violence against women and children.

Finally, FGM sometimes threatens the lives of girls and women, thereby violating their human rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. Additionally, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women explicitly recognize that practices harmful to women such as FGM are violations of human rights.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF FGM
Short-term complications include severe pain and a risk for hemorrhage that can lead to shock and death. In addition, there is a very high risk for local and systemic infections, with documented reports of abscesses, ulcers, delayed healing, septicemia, tetanus, and gangrene. Long-term complications include urine retention resulting in repeated urinary infections; obstruction of menstrual flow leading to frequent reproductive tract infections and infertility; and prolonged and obstructed labor. In addition to the physical complications, there are psychological and sexual effects.

PRE-VALENCE OF FGM
It is estimated that about 130 million women worldwide have undergone FGM, with an additional two million girls and women undergoing the procedure every year. FGM is prent in about 28 African countries and among a few minority groups in Asia. Prence varies significantly from one country to another. For example, the prence rate is 92% in Mali, compared to 28% in Senegal. In addition, there are many immigrant women in Europe, Canada, and the United States who have undergone FGM. It is estimated that 15% of all affected women have undergone the most severe form of FGM—infibulation, which involves the stitching and narrowing of the vaginal opening. However, approximately 80% to 90% of all female genital mutilations in Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan are of this type.

The act of FGM is a cultural tradition generally performed across central Africa, in the southern Sahara, and in parts of the Arab peninsula. ALTHOUGH BOTH EASTERNERS AND WERSTERNERS BELIEVE THAT FGM IS ASSOCIATED WITH ISLAM, IT IS NOT. FGM is not condoned by any religions and is condemned by religious leaders. The practice however crosses religious barriers. Muslims, Christians and Jews in these regions have been known to subject their girls to FGM. FGM’s false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it.

WHY IS FGM PRACTICED?
The reasons behind FGM are multifold and very complex. The fear of stopping this practice is also very real. Parents who support FGM believe that having it done will empower their daughters, ensure their ability to get married and protect the family’s reputation. In some groups, FGM is performed as a rite of passage into womanhood. It also is performed to preserve a woman’s chastity by restraining her sexual behavior. FGM is believed (by those who practice it) to lower a woman’s sexual desire. In some communities, women who are not subjected to FGM can be viewed as dirty and be treated as outcasts. As mentioned above, religion is also used as a method of perpetuating the practice. Some communities believe that in order to be a good Muslim, one must 'cut' their daughters.

There are also many superstitions surrounding female genital mutilation, such as:

The clit*ris will continue to grow as a girl gets older and so it must be removed.
The external genitalia are unclean and can actually cause the death of an infant during delivery.
This controversial practice is deeply engrained into the community and the majority of parents are truly viewing their role as protecting their daughter’s future, and not harming or mutilating them.

Sources http://www.reproductiverights.org/pub_fac_fgmicpd.html

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/easyread/fgc-etr.htm

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the first time i had heard about this was about 8 years ago while i was in Germany. I was taking classes and one of the teachers there was very involved in this type of group. It impacted me that i could not believe that at this time and age such ignorance could still exist. I hope to learn about this heartless procedure that is done on young girls and be part of the people to try to stop this unfathomable procedure.

the first time i had heard about this was about 8 years ago while i was in Germany. I was taking classes and one of the teachers there was very involved in this type of group. It impacted me that i could not believe that at this time and age such ignorance could still exist. I hope to learn about this heartless procedure that is done on young girls and be part of the people to try to stop this unfathomable procedure.

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Welcome Pily and thanks for you support:)

Welcome Pily and thanks for you support:)

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Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a destructive, invasive procedure that is usually performed on girls before puberty. Part or all of the clitoris is surgically removed. This leaves them with reduced or no sexual feeling. Orgasms are sometimes impossible to experience later in life. Many health problems result from the surgery.

FGM originated in Africa. It was, and remains, a cultural, not a religious practice.

Among individuals and groups opposed to the mutilation, it is seen as a method of reducing the sexual response of women in order to make them less likely to become sexually active before marriage or to seek an extra-marital affair after marriage.

To some who promote the operation, it is seen as a cultural requirement that has health benefits and makes women more physically beautiful. These views are not shared by the rest of the world.

The operation is forced on approximately 6,000 girls per day, worldwide -- about one every 15 seconds. Since FGM is practiced when the girls are young, they are unable to give their informed consent.

FGM: A cultural not a religious practice:
This mutilating operation is often associated mainly with the religion of Islam. This is incorrect. FGM is primarily a social practice, not a religious one. Female genital mutilation predates Islam. It originated in Africa and remains today a mainly African cultural practice. Some indicators of this are:

It is widely practiced in countries where the predominant religion is Christianity: Examples are Ethiopia and Kenya.
In multi-faith countries, it is often forced on girls whose families follow all faiths: Animism religions, Christianity, and Islam. For example, it is frequently practiced among both Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
FGM was practiced among Falachas (Ethiopian Jews). It is not known if the Falachas continue to practice FGM after their emigration to Israel.
FGM has spread to countries in or near Africa (e.g. Egypt) which are Muslim. But FGM is rare or nonexistent in many other Muslim countries. Examples are Iran, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Also, It is not done in the Maghreb countries of Northwest Africa.
FGM is only occasionally found in Indonesia and other predominately Muslim countries in Asia.
One of the motivations for this essay is the misperception by many people that the practice is a religious one. That belief has led to unjustified religious intolerance against Muslims.

Nawal El-Saadawi, a Muslim victim of infibulation, stated:

"The importance given to virginity and an intact hymen in these societies is the reason why female circumcision still remains a very widespread practice despite a growing tendency, especially in urban Egypt, to do away with it as something outdated and harmful. Behind circumcision lies the belief that, by removing parts of girls' external genitals organs, sexual desire is minimized. This permits a female who has reached the dangerous age of puberty and adolescence to protect her virginity, and therefore her honor, with greater ease. Chastity was imposed on male attendants in the female harem by castration which turned them into inoffensive eunuchs. Similarly female circumcision is meant to preserve the chastity of young girls by reducing their desire for sexual intercourse."

Nawal El-Saadawi, "The Hidden Face of Eve, Women in the Arab World," translated and edited by Sherif Hetata, Zed Press, London, 1980, P. 33.
the above information is an excerpt of the article on FGM from:
http://www.religioustolerance.org

Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a destructive, invasive procedure that is usually performed on girls before puberty. Part or all of the clitoris is surgically removed. This leaves them with reduced or no sexual feeling. Orgasms are sometimes impossible to experience later in life. Many health problems result from the surgery.

FGM originated in Africa. It was, and remains, a cultural, not a religious practice.

Among individuals and groups opposed to the mutilation, it is seen as a method of reducing the sexual response of women in order to make them less likely to become sexually active before marriage or to seek an extra-marital affair after marriage.

To some who promote the operation, it is seen as a cultural requirement that has health benefits and makes women more physically beautiful. These views are not shared by the rest of the world.

The operation is forced on approximately 6,000 girls per day, worldwide -- about one every 15 seconds. Since FGM is practiced when the girls are young, they are unable to give their informed consent.

FGM: A cultural not a religious practice:
This mutilating operation is often associated mainly with the religion of Islam. This is incorrect. FGM is primarily a social practice, not a religious one. Female genital mutilation predates Islam. It originated in Africa and remains today a mainly African cultural practice. Some indicators of this are:

It is widely practiced in countries where the predominant religion is Christianity: Examples are Ethiopia and Kenya.
In multi-faith countries, it is often forced on girls whose families follow all faiths: Animism religions, Christianity, and Islam. For example, it is frequently practiced among both Muslims and Christians in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.
FGM was practiced among Falachas (Ethiopian Jews). It is not known if the Falachas continue to practice FGM after their emigration to Israel.
FGM has spread to countries in or near Africa (e.g. Egypt) which are Muslim. But FGM is rare or nonexistent in many other Muslim countries. Examples are Iran, India, Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. Also, It is not done in the Maghreb countries of Northwest Africa.
FGM is only occasionally found in Indonesia and other predominately Muslim countries in Asia.
One of the motivations for this essay is the misperception by many people that the practice is a religious one. That belief has led to unjustified religious intolerance against Muslims.

Nawal El-Saadawi, a Muslim victim of infibulation, stated:

"The importance given to virginity and an intact hymen in these societies is the reason why female circumcision still remains a very widespread practice despite a growing tendency, especially in urban Egypt, to do away with it as something outdated and harmful. Behind circumcision lies the belief that, by removing parts of girls' external genitals organs, sexual desire is minimized. This permits a female who has reached the dangerous age of puberty and adolescence to protect her virginity, and therefore her honor, with greater ease. Chastity was imposed on male attendants in the female harem by castration which turned them into inoffensive eunuchs. Similarly female circumcision is meant to preserve the chastity of young girls by reducing their desire for sexual intercourse."

Nawal El-Saadawi, "The Hidden Face of Eve, Women in the Arab World," translated and edited by Sherif Hetata, Zed Press, London, 1980, P. 33.
the above information is an excerpt of the article on FGM from:
http://www.religioustolerance.org

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Every year several million women approach childbirth knowing that the risk will be greater because some or all of their genitalia has been cut away by the traditional practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Approximately 2 million girls are mutilated every year. Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and the Sudan account for 75% of all cases. In Djibouti and Somalia, 98% of girls are mutilated.

Apart from the immediate fear and pain, the consequences can include prolonged bleeding, infection, infertility, and death. For those who suffer infibulation – the severest form of FGM in which all external sexual organs are cut away – the trauma of recutting is repeated with each new birth to allow passage of the baby. Both moderate and severe forms increase the risks of childbirth.

Mutilation is not required by any religion. It is a tradition designed to preserve virginity, ensure marriageability, and contain sexuality.

As the table shows, several African governments have begun to move against the practice. So far, only Ghana has translated policy into law. The Government of Burkina Faso, which has actively campaigned against FGM since 1990 through its National Anti-Excision Committee, has escalated its work in the past three years as the result of increased national support: law cases involving deaths caused by FGM have been brought to court under existing criminal laws.

Usually inflicted on girls aged 4 to 12, FGM is one of the worst violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The 1990s have seen growing pressures against the practice from women's groups, human rights organizations, child welfare groups, and professional organizations.

Action has also been taken in some industrialized countries with significant numbers of African refugees or immigrant groups. In 1994, Australia and Norway joined Sweden and the United Kingdom in passing laws against FGM. As of December 1995, bills to make FGM a criminal offence were before the US Congress and the Canadian Parliament.

Africa: the FGM record

Estimates of the numbers and percentages of women who suffer female genital mutilation

Country
Estimated
% of women
Estimated number
of women (millions) 1994




Nigeria 60
32.8


Egypt 80
24.2


Ethiopia 90
23.9


Sudan (northern) 89
9.7


Kenya 50
6.8


Somalia 98
4.5


Mali 80
4.3


Cote d'Ivoire 60
4.1


Burkina Faso 70
3.5


Ghana 30
2.6


Sierra Leone 90
2.0


Chad 60
1.9


Eritrea 90
1.6


Guinea 50
1.6


Tanzania 10
1.5


Benin 50
1.3


Cameroon 20
1.3


Zaire 5
1.1


Togo 50
1.0


Liberia 60
0.9


Niger 20
0.9


Central African Rep. 50
0.8


Senegal 20
0.8


Gambia 89
0.5


Uganda 5
0.5


Djibouti 98
0.3


Guinea-Bissau 50
0.3


Mauritania 25
0.3



Source:
FGM: Nahid Toubia, January 1996 update from her study, Female Genital Mutilation: A Call for Global Action, Women, Ink., New York, revised edition, 1995. Population: United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects: The 1994 Revision, 1994.

Every year several million women approach childbirth knowing that the risk will be greater because some or all of their genitalia has been cut away by the traditional practice of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Approximately 2 million girls are mutilated every year. Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and the Sudan account for 75% of all cases. In Djibouti and Somalia, 98% of girls are mutilated.

Apart from the immediate fear and pain, the consequences can include prolonged bleeding, infection, infertility, and death. For those who suffer infibulation – the severest form of FGM in which all external sexual organs are cut away – the trauma of recutting is repeated with each new birth to allow passage of the baby. Both moderate and severe forms increase the risks of childbirth.

Mutilation is not required by any religion. It is a tradition designed to preserve virginity, ensure marriageability, and contain sexuality.

As the table shows, several African governments have begun to move against the practice. So far, only Ghana has translated policy into law. The Government of Burkina Faso, which has actively campaigned against FGM since 1990 through its National Anti-Excision Committee, has escalated its work in the past three years as the result of increased national support: law cases involving deaths caused by FGM have been brought to court under existing criminal laws.

Usually inflicted on girls aged 4 to 12, FGM is one of the worst violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The 1990s have seen growing pressures against the practice from women's groups, human rights organizations, child welfare groups, and professional organizations.

Action has also been taken in some industrialized countries with significant numbers of African refugees or immigrant groups. In 1994, Australia and Norway joined Sweden and the United Kingdom in passing laws against FGM. As of December 1995, bills to make FGM a criminal offence were before the US Congress and the Canadian Parliament.

Africa: the FGM record

Estimates of the numbers and percentages of women who suffer female genital mutilation

Country
Estimated
% of women
Estimated number
of women (millions) 1994




Nigeria 60
32.8


Egypt 80
24.2


Ethiopia 90
23.9


Sudan (northern) 89
9.7


Kenya 50
6.8


Somalia 98
4.5


Mali 80
4.3


Cote d'Ivoire 60
4.1


Burkina Faso 70
3.5


Ghana 30
2.6


Sierra Leone 90
2.0


Chad 60
1.9


Eritrea 90
1.6


Guinea 50
1.6


Tanzania 10
1.5


Benin 50
1.3


Cameroon 20
1.3


Zaire 5
1.1


Togo 50
1.0


Liberia 60
0.9


Niger 20
0.9


Central African Rep. 50
0.8


Senegal 20
0.8


Gambia 89
0.5


Uganda 5
0.5


Djibouti 98
0.3


Guinea-Bissau 50
0.3


Mauritania 25
0.3



Source:
FGM: Nahid Toubia, January 1996 update from her study, Female Genital Mutilation: A Call for Global Action, Women, Ink., New York, revised edition, 1995. Population: United Nations Population Division, World Population Prospects: The 1994 Revision, 1994.

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Welcome, Pily!

Welcome, Pily!

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Thanks, Ray, for the added info!:)

Thanks, Ray, for the added info!:)

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I was wondering, do we really think it necessary to lie about the reasons behind FGM, and to place the blame on African culture? Is there a reason why the group introduction states that the group is not in opposition to religion even though your summary Roche is quite clear that "FGM's false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it?" I find that qute shocking though -- despite the possible expediency -- that they would seek to alienate by means of such blatant falsehoods anyone who does make a connection between FGM and religion, since that connection is so glaringly obvious.

I was wondering, do we really think it necessary to lie about the reasons behind FGM, and to place the blame on African culture? Is there a reason why the group introduction states that the group is not in opposition to religion even though your summary Roche is quite clear that "FGM's false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it?" I find that qute shocking though -- despite the possible expediency -- that they would seek to alienate by means of such blatant falsehoods anyone who does make a connection between FGM and religion, since that connection is so glaringly obvious.

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Graeme, although Islam is currently the religion with the most supporters for FGM, the historical practice of FGM is not rooted in religion, or to put it more accurately, there is no clear evidence to claim that FGM originated as a religious tradition. It emerged long before any of the monotheist religions, but that said, it didn't take long for the practice to spread into Canaan and so also influence Judaism, from which it was passed on to Christianity. And of course, through those to Islam. I am not trying to create the impression that religion played no role in perpetuating it - if that is the impression that you get then I need to find a different way to express the idea - I am aware of a few Islamic sites where the hosting Imam declares that FGM is not required by Islam, but that the particular Imam still encourages it because he believes it ensures chastity. A rubbish claim of course and one which has been refuted by research in a variety of countries, including Muslim ones and non-muslims ones alike which demonstrate that there is no real link between FGM and increased observance of chastity, or non-FGM and a lack of observance of chastity. In the end, although Islam is playing a part in perpetuating the practice, the fact that it is also perpetuated in non-muslim cultures indicate that religion is not solely to blame for the continued FGM practice. The reason that I have chosen to not make the link between religion and FGM explicit in the introduction is to avoid turning this into a forum where people associate the anti-FGM campaign with an anti-religion campaign, even though I am aware that some people will still make that link because they would believe that FGM is part of their religious tradition, or because they don't distinguish between religion and culture. I think that if one can demonstrate that FGM does not have a religious origin and that it is in fact a 'pagan' tradition, religious people might actually look differently at it, if it is not from their god, then whose god is it from? Like I said, I agree there is link, but I think we need to demonstrate that religious scholars who try to emphasize that such a link is not from a pagan tradition are deceiving their followers.

I am glad that you joined this group, I look forward to reading your critical contributions.

Graeme, although Islam is currently the religion with the most supporters for FGM, the historical practice of FGM is not rooted in religion, or to put it more accurately, there is no clear evidence to claim that FGM originated as a religious tradition. It emerged long before any of the monotheist religions, but that said, it didn't take long for the practice to spread into Canaan and so also influence Judaism, from which it was passed on to Christianity. And of course, through those to Islam. I am not trying to create the impression that religion played no role in perpetuating it - if that is the impression that you get then I need to find a different way to express the idea - I am aware of a few Islamic sites where the hosting Imam declares that FGM is not required by Islam, but that the particular Imam still encourages it because he believes it ensures chastity. A rubbish claim of course and one which has been refuted by research in a variety of countries, including Muslim ones and non-muslims ones alike which demonstrate that there is no real link between FGM and increased observance of chastity, or non-FGM and a lack of observance of chastity. In the end, although Islam is playing a part in perpetuating the practice, the fact that it is also perpetuated in non-muslim cultures indicate that religion is not solely to blame for the continued FGM practice. The reason that I have chosen to not make the link between religion and FGM explicit in the introduction is to avoid turning this into a forum where people associate the anti-FGM campaign with an anti-religion campaign, even though I am aware that some people will still make that link because they would believe that FGM is part of their religious tradition, or because they don't distinguish between religion and culture. I think that if one can demonstrate that FGM does not have a religious origin and that it is in fact a 'pagan' tradition, religious people might actually look differently at it, if it is not from their god, then whose god is it from? Like I said, I agree there is link, but I think we need to demonstrate that religious scholars who try to emphasize that such a link is not from a pagan tradition are deceiving their followers.

I am glad that you joined this group, I look forward to reading your critical contributions.

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Likewise Roche there must then be no clear evidence on which to make the claim that FGM didn't originate as a religious tradition, but that hasn't prevented anyone from saying so. No, I don't suppose you are trying to create that impression. The sentence 'FGM's false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it' ties in nicely with the statement that no good god could want to see such a thing happening. Is it a false association because god is good, and this is not good? Why is it not good? Because we're telling you so. And we know god, we understand morality like you never will. Criticisms? Well, I don't know what other talk can possibly take place around this issue. We can all just agree how bad it is, and that it's an African cultural practice that has been falsely associated with religion..

Likewise Roche there must then be no clear evidence on which to make the claim that FGM didn't originate as a religious tradition, but that hasn't prevented anyone from saying so. No, I don't suppose you are trying to create that impression. The sentence 'FGM's false association with religion has played a major role in perpetuating it' ties in nicely with the statement that no good god could want to see such a thing happening. Is it a false association because god is good, and this is not good? Why is it not good? Because we're telling you so. And we know god, we understand morality like you never will. Criticisms? Well, I don't know what other talk can possibly take place around this issue. We can all just agree how bad it is, and that it's an African cultural practice that has been falsely associated with religion..

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