Christians vow to break smacking law !!! (punishment, experience, bible, organizations)

[TashaN]

Here is the link about the breaking smacking law issue:
http://www.storesonline.com/site/846699/page/846125


And here are proofs from the bible jusifying this act "according to the website" for why they wants to do so:
http://www.storesonline.com/site/846699/page/590391

What do you think, as a parent or as a son/daughter of this?

Is it permissible to punish children physically?

[Doktormartini]

I'm a little confused! Are these people saying that they have the right to physically abuse their children because the Bible says to do so?

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by Doktormartini

I'm a little confused! Are these people saying that they have the right to physically abuse their children because the Bible says to do so?

Yes, that's exactly what they are saying.

[Victor]

I would come to no conclusion without getting clarification of:
.....the reasonable use of force to discipline children.

This isn't necessarily child abuse.

[TashaN]

Do you think the bible agree with them in this issue or they are just using it as an excuse to prsuade the other devoted christians?

[Victor]

Originally Posted by The Truth

Do you think the bible agree with them in this issue or they are just using it as an excuse to prsuade the other devoted christians?

I don't even know what their conclusion is without further clarification.

[CaptainXeroid]

I don't have a problem with parents giving unruly children a swift smack on the bum or the back of the hand, but striking the child any where else on the body, particularly the head, is child abuse.

I found 2 things mildy amusing about the article. It mentioned that 55 people spoke about the pending bill, and that only 22 did so in support. I guess that means the other 33 opposed it.

Second, it mentioned people in counseling related to childhood traumas. The acts they described are already against the law, and none of them claimed that their parents' discipline was limited to a smack on the bum.

I am 36 and most people my age were spanked as children, and the vast majority have grown up to know right from wrong and stay out of trouble with the law. Sure, none of us liked getting it, but we quickly learned not to do the 'bad thing' that got us spanked again.

The way I see it, the answer is not more laws but more rigorous enforcement of existing laws. Perhaps community organizations could hold group discussions in which expecting parents could talk with experienced parents about the challenges they face. Child abuse is a crime and does cause long term physical and emotional damage to the child, but reasonable corporal punishment is not child abuse.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by Doktormartini

I'm a little confused! Are these people saying that they have the right to physically abuse their children because the Bible says to do so?

Oh, that's hardly unique. We had quite a case of it here in Atlanta a few years back.

The usual quote is "Spare the rod -- spoil the child."

It never occurs to such people that that "rod" is a shepherd's crook, and it is used to tap a sheep who has gone astray to guide him back to the right path. It is NOT used to beat the snot out of the sheep.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by Booko

Oh, that's hardly unique. We had quite a case of it here in Atlanta a few years back.

Yes, I remember that one. The reverend of The House of Prayer and other adults were convicted and served jail time for "systematically" abusing children in church.

Originally Posted by Booko

The usual quote is "Spare the rod -- spoil the child."...

I had a another post ready to submit, but you said it better than I did. So, I'll just add the complimentaryBible version.

Originally Posted by Bible

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.