James H. Boldt, like all parents, is responsible for the physical and religious upbringing of his child. He has the right to raise his son in his faith, and he has the right to order reasonable medical procedures for his son. This includes the time-tested, safe procedure of circumcision.
Proper nutrition and medical care is necessary for the body, and proper instruction in the faith is necessary for the soul. God wants us to take both physical and religious parental responsibilities seriously: "And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up."
We must take our children's wishes into account, though, and not break their spirits as we build up their souls.
