Christian discipline?

Question

There was a documentary here in the UK a few months back that looked at Christian's in the US and their views on discipline.
I watched with interest, however, it came across quite badly. There was actually one guy that made wooden paddles. He wrote on them 'Never in anger' (although I think he is naive to think that would be adherred to). He advised that it was his calling from God to do this.
He advised that if he was wrong, then he would apologise to God. Again, this seemed a big feeble.

My question is this; is this a common view in the US amongst Christians that discipline should go this far. I know that in a lot of documentary's they have an agenda to suit their purpose. But I am interested, and a little concerned that this might be seen as acceptable.

p.s. I'm an atheist, but respect people's rights to have faith, this isn't a loaded question to bash Christians.

Answer 1

I don't know anyone who actually paddles their kids. Some of my friends do spank their kids, some don't... but I'd say Christians pretty much use the same parenting techniques as anyone else. Sure there are some people who do that kind of thing and base it on their religion, but then again there are also nonbelievers who just beat their kids up because they're angry. In either case, it's the extreme example, and not the norm.

Answer 2

The word of God says, "spare the rod and spoil the child."

The Word of God also says, "do not raise a rebellious child."

Have you ever seen a paddle board that you bounced a small ball on it? That is an excellent paddle for spanking a child. You go into the street you get a spanking with the paddle. You talk back to me, you get a spanking with the paddle. You lie, you get a spanking with the paddle. I raised two daughters. One is 41 and the baby is 37. They have both given me grandchildren. I spanked the oldest twice and never had to spank the youngest.

My confused friend, there is nothing wrong with spanking a child. There is nothing wrong with setting rules and enforcing them. My daughters respect me - yes, even today. My mother is dead and gone, but I always showed her respect and I received my two spankings in life also. Usually two spankings is all that a child needs. They learn discipline quickly. I've seen mother screaming at their children in the store and the kids screaming, kicking them and throwing things. Mine knew better than to do this, because the paddle was at home.

Don't raise rebellious children. It is a lack of love for them when you do this. It takes a lot of love to discipline children, but most of the time a threat of a paddle is sufficient.

Letting a child scream and kick you and throw a fit, doesn't teach that child anything. Teach them, that you will not tolerate such.

Answer 3

It is common for Christians and non Christians to spank children. Although there's more and more pressure on society to stop. God does call us to discipline our children "spare the rod and spoil the child." The lack of discipline in our country has gotten us in a terrible mess, especially in our school system. I've seen even Christian schools that do use a paddle, the thought being that you paddle the child, then the paddle goes away, the incident is over. As opposed spanking with hands that are always attached so the child has to always be on alert. There IS a difference between discipline and abuse. Discipline good, abuse bad!

Answer 4

I haven't seen the documentary, but I do know there are some sects who firmly believe in "spare the rod and spoil the child." They teach that paddling is okay, as long as the parent isn't angry when the paddling happens. I don't think it is a common belief, although many parents don't completely repudiate the idea of spanking.

Incidentally, in Texas corporal punishment is still legal in schools, within strict guidelines.

Answer 5

This is how some sects of Christianity have become distorted by it's leaders making crap up to suit their own ideolgy.
I once went to a Chrsitian school and was paddled. This was an extreme sect that did not believe in doctors or tv. While the teacher paddled me in the utility closet with my pants down, underwhere on. She cried for my sins and I giggled because she was not hurting me. My dad's belt was much worse than that.
Once I said a swear word in class and the teacher took me to the utility room and put water on a cleanx and put soap powder on it and put it in my mouth. She said it would cleans my soul.
Now I was only in third grade and I was smarter than that.
Don't judge all Christianity by this or other examples. It is run by people and people make mistakes in judgement. Some just get carried away with their own ideas of what is right and wrong.
It helps to view religion from a different perspective. That is why I'm a non-denominationl minister. So was Jesus.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 6

Having been raised in a Christian house where corporal punishment was used sometimes, I can speak from experience.

Punishing that way when you're angry is definitely a no-no. But I firmly believe that it is occasionally necessary. Sometimes kids get into a mode where nothing you say will get through (especially when they're younger and don't understand as much). Spanking shouldn't be with the intent of hurting. Rather the idea should be to snap them out of it and make them listen.

The 'rod' so often referred to in Bible passages is likened to the rod of a shepherd. A shepherd rarely uses his staff to smack his sheep around. He nudges and prods them in the right direction.

We should all remember that 'discipline' isn't instrinsically tied in with 'punishment'. 'Discipline' actually means to teach, and is related to the word 'disciple'. Did Jesus beat the apostles? Of course not. He taught them. 'Discipline' can include punishment of various kinds, but only with the idea of teaching.

Spanking with the intent of causing physical harm is abuse.

Answer 7

Corporal punishment is quite acceptable. This does not mean beating you children half to death, but if it doesnt hurt it doesnt do any good. Many modern folks dont whip their kids. They threaten to whip them but never do. This sends the wrong message to children. That message is there are no consequenses for bad behavior. I never got a licking I didnt deserve and every time my father whipped me he always let me know that he loved me afterwards. I have done the same with my sons and all 3 of them are fine men . Now I know what my father meant when he said just before whipping me ." This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you" He was right , It was hard to whip my kids , but it was the right thing to do . God says that he gets no pleasure from punishing the wicked either, but he nevertheless does.

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the @ss, and a rod for the fool’s back.

Ezekiel 33:11 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die...

Answer 8

That is a good, well worded , Q.
It is important not to hit in anger.
I think the hand should be used not a paddle.
I may have bought that paddle just for the
reminder printed on it.
I was an abused child so I chose not to hit my
children ,partly for fear that I might revert and
harm my child emotionally.

Answer 9

I'm not sure about how common it is, though I will say most of the Christians I have personally met, do not adhere to this strict level of discipline.

Me fiance and I do not believe in spanking a child at all. He has a son from a previous marriage, and we would never do that.

Answer 10

I am a Christian Preacher and when I needed to be disciplined as a child my Father whipped me with a razor strap.
Needless to say I didn't need to be disciplined very often.
My wife and I never had kids so I didn't inherit his razor strap.
I do, however, believe that part of the problem in America is caused by the lack of discipline given children to-day.
They have no respect for others and no fear of authority.