Some Jewish parents break ranks

I was happy to see this article about Jewish parents choosing to not circumcise their young children:

The couple, of Berkeley, Calif., are among a small but growing number of American Jews who are questioning what is arguably the most sacred rite in Judaism. Despite an often strong affiliation with the Jewish community, they believe circumcision is inconsistent with the Jewish ethical imperative not to harm another human being.

And it only took several thousands of years for people to start to realize that and write books on the subject. Again, from the article:

But it would be difficult to overstate the significance of the practice in Jewish life, even for the non-observant. There are 613 commandments in Judaism, said Rabbi Moshe Kushner, director of the Chicago Rabbinical Council, but "that single commandment [to circumcise] is equal to the other 612 combined."

This is a mentality that I simply cannot fathom. In a day in age when an increasing number of Jews identify themselves as belonging to an ethnic group rather than a religion, why should God enter into it? Isn't there a voice of reason?:

"They're a little in hiding," she said. "But when people find out we didn't, they come out and say, 'Oh, we didn't either.' People are starting to realize it's not really that important. There are lots of biblical traditions we no longer follow, such as animal sacrifice and polygamy. Circumcision may be another one we don't all follow.

Oh, good. Let's look at this procedure for what it is, cultural body modification. Would we, in our modern society, look away if any group decided that their infants should be branded, tattooed, pierced, lip-disked or otherwise altered(1)? No. So why should this procedure be any different(2)?

(1) Okay, as a society we do accept ear piercings on infants, but I also find that practice deplorable.

(2) Islam, that question goes for you too.