In news that is currently breaking the Internet (Ukraine? What?), American Pie actor Jason Biggs and his wife Jenny Mollen have posted photographs of their brand new baby son Sid on the day of his circumcision.

Jenny, who gave birth to Sid on 15th February, put the pics on Instagram with the caption: “Today was not a good day to be Sid’s penis. #babybiggs #circumcision.”

And she followed up with this amusing tweet about the family dog, Teets and his, ah, appetite.

“Right after we decided not to bury the foreskin in our backyard for fear that Teets might find it and bring it into the bed to sleep with us. That’s so Teets! #babybiggs #circumcision #teets.”

She was joking, you guys. Joking. Probably.

Predictably, the photographic evidence of a celebrity couple circumcising their child has incited some pretty heated debate.

Judging by the comments on Jenny’s Instagram, the #babybiggs had made quite a stir among those vehemently opposed to the practice, even for religious reasons. Sid’s mother is Jewish and it’s customary for Jewish baby boys to be circumcised on the 8th day after they’re born.

“He has to live with a mutilated penis because his parents are ignorant. #humanrightsviolation,” One commenter wrote. “Someone needs to educate this mama! There is absolutely no good reason to circumcise a baby, not even for religious reasons,” another commented.

Meanwhile, others offered their congratulations.

“Congrats and welcome to parenthood where everyone is right except for you! Where everyone judges what you do with YOUR baby! The comments, critiques and constant corrections are never ending! Mazel tov!”

If you’re not Jewish, it’s hard to appreciate or understand the cultural significance of a bris (pronounced “briss”) so let me try and explain. It’s a bit like a naming ceremony or christening. Admittedly, neither of those things include blood or sharp implements but circumcision has been a Jewish tradition for thousands of years. Even Jewish people who aren’t particularly religious tend to do it because it’s such a cultural thing.

I have been to many brises and all three of my sons had one. I won’t lie. For the mother in particular, they can be difficult and upsetting. It goes against your instincts to hand over your child to experience pain, no matter how fleeting. Think about how you feel when your newborn gets vaccinated and you have a sense of what it’s like.

For a long time before my first son was born I struggled with it. We’re not a very religious family at all even though my husband and I are both Jewish and were raised in laid back families who were more culturally Jewish than orthodox.

I talked to a lot of doctors and read a lot of medical information because I’m a big fan of science. I steered well clear of ‘dedicated’ sites about circumcision because they tend to be run by people who are extreme – on one side or the other.

In the end, I was heavily influenced by the science around lower rates of HIV transmission (and other STDs) due to circumcision. For me (and I’m not telling you what you should do or should have done so park any defensiveness please!), this was the deciding factor. I was already leaning towards doing it for cultural reasons and knowing that there is also science behind it made me feel better about my choice, so I didn’t feel like it was just a cosmetic thing.

I also personally know two guys who tore their foreskins during sex and had to be circumcised during their late teens or early twenties. But that’s another story…..

My sister’s son recently had his bris and this may be hard for non-Jewish people to understand but it was a beautiful, emotional family occasion. A bris usually happens at the baby’s home – a special rabbi called a Moile comes and does it and family and close friends are invited. It’s usually in the morning and there is always cake and coffee! Jewish people love any excuse to eat cake.

My sister chose instead to do it in a doctor’s office who specialises in circumcisions – he’s not even jewish – and our rabbi came and did the blessings and our immediate family was there to witness it (no, I never look, not ever).

In truth, the baby does cry but only ever breifly. And then you don’t hear a peep out of them even when you have to change the dressing. Anyway – before you condemn Jenny and Jason Biggs for choosing to circumcise their son Sid, just remember that jewish circumcision is not considered mutilation and not done simply for cosmetic reasons.

I wish them and their family mazel tov (which means congratulations).

And I’m glad they didn’t bury the foreskin. I made my son’s into earrings.

JUST KIDDING.