Spanking is NOT Biblical!!

[ameee]

I have been approached many many times by Christian parents who claim they feel it is their duty to spank their children and if they don't they are not obeying the Bible, however that simply is not true and here's why....

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." (Prov. 22:15)

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

"Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death." (Prov. 23:13-14)

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to itself disgraces his mother." (Prov. 29:15)

The Hebrew dictionary gives the word rod as meaning a shepards staff which is used to guide his sheep (not hit them!) and the word rod is also used as a symbol of God's word. If you were to use the word rod in a literal context then you would say that the Bible says when a child is hit with a rod he will not die and we know for a fact that this is incorrect as many children are killed every year from being hit by rods and other devices. However if you use the word rod as it's real meaning "God's word" then all of the proverbs and psalm's that use this word would make sense....

("Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." – Psalm 23:4). 

One side note: The phrase "spare the rod, spoil the child" is not Biblical at all (go ahead, pull out your Bible, you won't find this phrase anywhere in it). The phrase "spare the rod, spoil the child" is actually from a burlesque poem from the 1600s by Samuel Butler, and it's actually about sex. It's a "love" poem, between a fat man and a widow. Not a reading I care to get my parenting advice from.

Jesus' teachings were ones of love, guidance and respect and that is the way I  bring up my children!

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Tags: anti-spanking, discipline, god, no spanking, parenting, religion, spanking

Add A Comment

[andreamom]

Mar. 8, 2008 at 9:58 PM Thanks for sharing this.  It's good to know.

[smsampson13]

Jul. 11, 2008 at 2:27 PM

My church did a sermon all about this...I think you did a great job of putting all the info in an easy to read journal...thanks!

[rarestsweets]

Aug. 27, 2008 at 6:21 AM

Did you know that a shepherd's rod is called a cudgel or a small club? If you look up any of those three words (rod, cudgel, or club), they all refer to the same thing... beating something. Shepherds do use the rod to hit the sheep. They do it all the time to get the sheep to go where they want them to go. You are right about one thing though, they don't beat on the sheep. I don't believe in beating on children, and there is certainly a difference between beating and spanking, but spanking can be an important tool in raising your children. You should talk to your kids first and all the time, and try other forms of punishment first. If you love your children though, and you have tried everything else and really need to get their attention for their own good then you should spank them. My mom very rarely spanked my brother and me, but when she did it was needed. My brother and I love our mother more than anyone else, and neither one of us has ever been in any real trouble.

[Ladyhardison]

Sep. 29, 2008 at 12:51 PM

 I think that spanking is a way of discipline only when used as discipline and not a tactic of bullying!!!! There is a fine line between spanking and child abuse...wouldn't we all agree with that??  I think as mother's we all should choose not to judge each others parental skills and come together as a whole  for the sake our children. Society has put us on the defensive when all of us need to each others greatest allies. Whether it is interpreted that you should or shouldn't spank your child is always going to be a debate, but one thing is for sure. We are instrument in the people our precious babies become and we should all act accordingly.

[redneckmom777]

Oct. 20, 2008 at 3:51 AM

My husband and I own a farm.  And we carry a Staph around with us to keep the animals in line.  And yes they do and we do use the staph or rod to hit the animal on the backside to make it do what we want.  Its not beating it just lets the animal know hey your not doing it right.   We also use the Rod when the animal starts to attack us we pop it with the rod and they stop.  I believe in Spanking your children but not beating them.  That is a fine line there that many people do cross.  I never spank my children when I am angry.  I go cool off first.  I never ever use a rod, a belt, a switch, a wooden spoon or a fly swatter or anything else but my hand or a newspaper.  And I never  give them more than three licks.  I seldom have to spank them because I use other forms of punishment instead of spanking.  The rules are in my house.  You are asked one time to do something.  Then you are told to do it.  If you don't do it then you are sent to your room.  Then and only then spanking is used as a last resort.  But also the punishment fits the crime.  If you hit someone that is automatic One lick for every hit.  If you hit me that is automatic licks.  As my children have gotten older I do not spank them at all I use other forms of punishment because spanking does not work anymore.    

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    Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou  beatest him with the rod, he sall not die.

Proverbs 13:14     Thou shalt  beat him the the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Proverbs 13: 24    He that spareth his rod hateth his son;  but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 

Proverbs   22: 6     Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it