Only responsible persons should answer this question and shouldn't be taken lightly. Well, anyways, the topic is Child Discipline. The Bible says "Spare the rod, Spoil the child", but how many people do you know misinterpret the word "rod". Rod has many meanings in the Bible. Rod can mean guidence, leadership, and yes, discipline. Who said discipline is spanking or hitting your children. No one. A shepard has "rod" his staff, but he uses it to gently guide his sheep, not hit them, and children are most certainly more precious then sheep. I feel God wouldn't like an adult hitting God's children. Everything else in the Bible has to be thought through before you can understand, so why take the word "rod" litteral?
2007-10-13 17:14:41 · 8 answers · asked by Jen. E 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I agree rod back then could mean something totally different today. My parents raise7 kids and none of us where spanked.To me it is hypocritical to teach a child not to hit in anger then hit them.
2007-10-15 05:52:05 · answer #1 · answered by Autumn S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible also says that slavery is OK and it's OK to hit a slaves as long as he does not die, " When a slave owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner's property, " Exodus 20-21.
So, basically, I'm saying you can't take the Bible literally. If one person reads "rod" as guiding...then OK. But, if another reads it as "hitting"........that's OK to. The Bible is not full proof, nor was it directly written by God. It actually has distinctive writers and authors. As for God not wanting to someone to hit one of God's children......you need to re-think that. Re-evaluate the above quote from Exodus.
Anyway..........
I do believe in spanking (not child abuse). I think a good spanking here and there IS beneficial to a child's behavioral development.
2007-10-13 17:23:22 · answer #2 · answered by Je Adore 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
To me, and in these times, I would take the rod as meaning discipline. No hitting. We all teach our children hitting is wrong, why would it then be okay to hit them? lol. I never understood that. Not as a form of discipline. Maybe as a one time swat on the tush when the run into the street.
I believe in discipline though. For sure! Children these days are SO spoiled, they have everything they want without having to ask practically. It's just assumed kids are owed everything. They need to earn more, like they did in the olden days! By being good human beings. Not simply for being born!
2007-10-13 17:20:25 · answer #3 · answered by paperpenandtea 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
people and read to what ever suits their own interpretation. I agree with you that 'rod' doesn't mean a 'rod' exactly.
I for one do an occasional swat when required. That's not abuse. Too many people misinterpret a spank to abuse. But it's the level of how you do it. A spank to me is one spank on the bum when all other methods fail first. Abuse is just wacking your kid b/c you're an angry messed up person who likes to hurt the weak ones. BIG DIFFERENCE! But as I said, it's open to interpretation.
2007-10-13 23:33:49 · answer #4 · answered by Yummy♥Mummy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It could be a metaphor as you are saying, but it could also be referring to physical discipline since that was probably considered a part of a parent's duty during the time the scripture was written. Perhaps "when in Rome" would apply to us because we are living in a different time and place.
2007-10-13 17:21:55 · answer #5 · answered by luv2bfit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Considering the gospels have multiple versions of the same stories with different interpretations, it would be ridiculous to take everything word for word. Plus consider that its translated. If it was that simple, there wouldnt be so many different religions.
I also agree that God wouldnt like an adult hitting Gods children.
2007-10-13 17:19:12 · answer #6 · answered by lillilou 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It takes a lot of self-discipline to not spank a child. It's a lazy and angry parent that reacts with a spanking. Take the time to take a deep breath and think the situation through and look at the big picture. Take the time, even if it's hours, to discipline in a humane manner, such as repeatedly returning a child to their timeout spot until they fulfill their time. Remember, 1 minute for every year old. i.e. 5 years olds get 5 minute timeouts. Guide them with that rod, don't beat them.
2007-10-13 17:27:04 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle 3 · 1⤊ 5⤋
go out in public. look around.
99% of the time you can tell immediately which kids get spanked and which don't.
2007-10-13 17:23:55 · answer #8 · answered by daddy's girl 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋