'I am very sorry': A contrite Russell Crowe apologises for calling circumcision 'barbaric'



What a difference a few hours makes. Late last night Russell Crowe revealed on Twitter that he thought circumcision was 'barbaric and stupid'.

Now less than 24 hours later, the Oscar-winning actor is apologising for his controversial comments saying: 'I am very sorry.'



The outspoken star, 47, risked the wrath of the Jewish and Muslim communities when he declared the practice of removing some or all of a male's foreskin as 'immoral'.

Controversy: Russell Crowe, pictured in Italy on Wednesday, hit out at the practice of circumcision on Twitter

Crowe, who is currently on holiday in Italy, staunchly defended his viewpoint until it made headlines around the world, sparking outrage in some corners.

Today he took to Twitter again to say he didn't mean to offend anyone.

'My personal beliefs aside I realize that some will interpret this debate as me mocking the rituals and traditions of others. I am very sorry,' he wrote.



Contrite: Just a few hours after his controversial comments, Crowe issued this apology on Twitter



'I have a deep and abiding love for all people of all nationalities, I'm very sorry that I have said things on here that have caused distress,' Crowe continued.



'This is a great forum for communication,I, like any human have my opinions and you all have yours, thank you for trusting me with them,' the actor added.

American director and actor Eli Roth, who follows Crowe on Twitter has also rushed to his friend's defence.

Staunch defence: Crowe made his views on circumcision plainly clear in his early morning Twitter rant

Feud: Crowe refuted accusations he was 'against Jews', insisting he had many Jewish friends

Roth took to Twitter earlier today to say that Crowe is 'One of the nicest people I have ever been lucky enough to meet and work with. AND RESPECTFUL OF ALL RELIGIONS.'

The Inglourious Bastards actor also lashed out at Crowe's critics saying: 'What's more disturbing is that there are real antisemitic incidents every day that they clearly could care less about. They attack a friend.'

Crowe, who has two sons Charlie, seven, and Tennyson, four, with wife Danielle Spencer, believes babies are 'perfect' and should not be tampered with.

He said: ' Circumcision is barbaric and stupid. Who are you to correct nature? Is it real that GOD requires a donation of foreskin? Babies are perfect.'

When one Twitter user 'Hodanismail' claimed 'there's actually a scientific reason for it', Crowe answered: ' My friend, "human" science has caused too much damage, don't be a moron.'

Things took a stronger tone when another user ' BarackMcBush' insisted ' It's more hygienic and nobody remembers it'.

The Tweet then prompted Crowe to blast: ' Hygienic? Why don't you sew up your a** then?'

Proud father: Crowe, pictured hereon a boat in Italy on Wednesday, has two young sons

After Crowe retweeted two followers comparing circumcision to sexual mutilation, she said: ' Honestly you are comparing sexual mutilation with a Jewish ceremonial act?!'

What is circumcision?

The word circumcision derives from Latin circum (around) and cædere (to cut). It is believed the practice originated in ancient Egypt due to evidence in murals.

In Judaism, newborn babies have a bris ceremony when they're eight days old. Although not mentioned in the Qu'ran, circumcision is widely performed on Muslim males. Even though the Catholic Church condemned the practice in 1442, it now maintains a neutral stance on the issue.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate 30 per cent of males are circumcised. From this figure, around 68 per cent are Muslim. Over half of American males are circumcised, although research found it is more common for parents to be influenced by their son's self-image or friends' opinions, rather than medical concerns.

Circumcision is more commonly found in large parts of Asia, Africa in the U.S., but less so in Europe and South America.



He said: ' Can you actually read the words you just typed "a ceremonial act"? F**K that. The Mayans had ceremonial acts too.'

Crowe insisted he didn't mean to offend any religions and insisted he had many close friends who were Jewish, including director Eli Roth, who he is currently working on a film with.

He explained: ' Many Jewish friends, I love my Jewish friends, I love the apples and the honey and the funny little hats but stop cutting your babies @eliroth.'

When a user tried to whip up further controversy by claiming the newspapers would claim 'Russell Crowe against Jews', he hit back: ' You should delete that tweet because it makes you look like an idiot.

' We can get by without little fingers and toes too, we can can still be fully human missing limbs.'

When a follower said her fiancé wished he had been circumcised as a young boy, Crowe continued: ' Same as tattoos/plastic surgery; he is an adult and he "wants" it, then off you go, mothers were right to keep their babies intact.'

He finally attempted to finish the row by reiterating his views: ' I will always stand for the perfection of babies, I will always believe in God, not man's interpretation of what God requires.

' Last of it, if you feel it is your right to cut things off your babies please unfollow and f**k off, I'll take attentive parenting over barbarism .'

Another Twitter follower then tried to bring up the controversial issue of abortion.

'Jamiemiller74' wrote: ' I'm still waiting for @russellcrowe to give his opinion on abortion since he loves babies and all...'

