Crowe brands circumcision 'barbaric and stupid'

The 'Gladiator' actor Russell Crowe launched a rant on twitter against the practice of cutting off a boy's foreskin – a Jewish religious requirement, a common Muslim practice and a standard procedure on newborns in the US – describing it as "immoral".

Russell – who raises two sons, Charlie, seven, and Tennyson, four, with wife Danielle - tweeted: "Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect. (sic)"