But let us confront the facts first. It is true that circumcision is painful, and while it is ritually performed on all Jewish boys (and others, of course – Coptic Christians for example) by non-medical men (their only training is a basic guide on how to do the job) it is done so because it is divinely commanded, not performed with any particular respect to health issues. That the pain is only transient is not a serious defence. Inflicting suffering on a minor (who is unable of signalling any choice in the matter), or any non-consenting individual, is abuse, regardless of the intensity or duration.