Is Spanking an Acceptable Form of Discipline?

You have probably heard the expression, "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Do you agree with it? Perhaps you were spanked as a kid. Was it appropriate? Some people see spanking as an outdated method of punishment or even child abuse, while others view a swat on the bottom as a parent's prerogative. Where do we draw the line when it comes to disciplining our children?

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Regarding Objection

No Support in the Bible for Spanking

- From Center for Effective Discipline

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When has Proverbs stopped being an authority on raising children?

How's is it that now we can't read Proverbs and say, "Oh this is the book of wisdom....we should do what it says." Proverbs is just as important as the Gospel Records and has just as much authority as the books regarding Jesus.

Also, Jesus never had any children.....and why would he have disciplined children for wanting to see him? Now, if you're saying we spank kids for wanting things (like seeing Jesus) the I agree....but it's clear in the Bible what God thinks of things like rebellion (he calls it witchcraft actually).

- reb412 August 30, 2008 10:14AM

Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Yes

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- http://www.religioustolerance.org/spankin8.htm
  
  Extracted from the website above:
  
  The results of corporal punishment, as described in the Bible:
  As mentioned above, from a conservative Protestant point of view, it is probable that these passages in Proverbs describe Solomon's own parenting style when he raised his son Rehoboam. The Bible subsequently records the negative effect that this parenting style had on his son. Rehoboam became a widely hated ruler after his father's death. At one point, he had to make a hasty retreat to Jerusalem to avoid being assassinated by his own people:
  
  1 Kings 12:13-14: "And the king [Rehoboam] answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." (ASV)
  
  1 Kings 12:18: "Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the men subject to taskwork; and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem." (ASV)
  
  These same events are recorded in 2 Chronicles 10:6-19.
  
  It can be argued that:
  
  Most conservative Protestants believe that the Bible is completely accurate and inerrant - free of error.
  
  The passages in Proverbs probably accurately and precisely portray Solomon's parenting style.
  
  As an adult, Solomon's son Rehoboam, was vicious, unfeeling, inconsiderate to his subjects, had no regard for human rights, and was widely hated. He barely escaped assassination at the hands of his own people.
  
  Perhaps the Bible's true message here is: If you don't want your children to grow up to be like Rehoboam, then you should not follow Solomon's parenting style, as it is accurately described in the Bible.
  
  You should avoid using spanking or any other form of corporal punishment.
  
  These conclusions seem to agree with recent studies which indicate that one out of every three boys has a genetic problem that will almost certainly cause him to engage in criminal or anti-social acts later in life if he is physically abused. It is unknown what level of corporal punishment will push these children over the edge and make them become violent and aggressive as adults."
  
  - crunchymom November 5, 2008 12:28AM
  
  Reply to this Recommend (1) Side: No
  
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  - Conclusions based on flawed interpretation of bible verses
    
    I just finished updating our corporal discipline link to include an opposing view response to this link:
    
    www.religioustolerance.org/spankin8.htm
    
    Our response is at this link:
    
    www.creationists.org/corporal-discipline.html #eisegesis
    
    I didn't read all of the replies to this posting, but the ones I did read all appeared to have one thing in common. The authors don't have a proper understanding of what the Bible actually has to say on the matter of corporal discipline. Our link will help to clarify some of the points. However, the best explanation we've ever seen anywhere is a videotape by Dr. S. M. Davis. We don't sell any products of any kind on our web site, but we do refer people to materials that we believe to be of high quality. This tape will set the record straight on this matter:
    
    http://store.solvefamilyproblems.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=S&Product_Code=010285&Category_Code=Parenting
    
    We have six children ages 5 - 24. We have used these tried and true methods of discipline. They not only work very well, but they have virtually none of the alleged side affects that the so called secular "experts" claim they do. In fact we regularly receive compliments on how well behaved and how mature our children are. We don't take the credit for that. We give all the credit to God because it was he who taught us the best way to train and discipline our children.
    
    - creationists February 27, 2009 5:35PM
    
    Reply to this Recommend (0) Side: Uncommitted
    
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