For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Jack Croach
Spanking is a form of correction, done correctly is necessary children need to understand that life has rules and if those rules are broken they have to pay the price. The world is in the mess we are in because too many people have not paid the price for their actions. Spare the rod, spoil the child.
Nicky Homann
My personal opinion is that the rod mentioned in the Bible is the "rod of discipline/ correction." I don't think we can teach children not to use hitting to resolve differences if we smack ourselves.
Danny Hickman
I agree Nicky. I was always telling my kids to keep their hands to themselves and off of others. How could I then get angry when they disobeyed and hit them? That makes no sense to me. Violence is either acceptable or it's not.
I could understand the thinking a little better if it was also promoted to get grownups to act right. But it only applies to children. Why, because they can't hit back?
I think you're also right about the scripture on sparing the rod. Do people actually believe the "rod" is a stick or cane pole or something to beat your children with? That's hard to believe.
Danny Hickman
I chuckle every time this question pops up in my feed, and I read Mr Houdmann's example of spanking three year olds to stop them from running out into the street. That's not the problem in many households.
Is that the right example? What about the child who challenges his/her parents' authority by refusing to do anything they're told? I'm talking about a hard headed child who makes you ANGRY!! Is hitting that child the best way to get him / her to obey?
It didn't work for my mom with me. I challenged her BECAUSE of it. My dad didn't believe in hitting.
The bible has been used to condone all kinds of things that I would never want to be a part of. Owning people, war, polygamy, among other things.
I'm not saying that spanking is not morally right. I'm saying I think it does more harm than good... In the long term ... It teaches that violence is sometimes necessary. In this world violence IS sometimes necessary. But should we learn that lesson from a parent, an ally? How do we determine when the time is right to use it?
I think the best place to learn that is on the playground.