God’s unapologetic view on corporal punishment

EDITOR: Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou BEATEST him with the ROD, he shall not die. Thou shall BEAT him with the ROD, and deliver his soul from hell. (Proverbs 23:13, 14)

Reference is made to a news article, dated Friday, October 6 2006 titled “Corporal Punishment is barbaric! – Tom Olsen.” Olsen, supported by Earl ‘Ole George’ Daniel, clearly stated and represented the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) unbiblical views in relation to Corporal Punishment.{{more}}

Any one who is honest-minded can see that Olsen’s position is totally in opposition to God’s word, and one can safely conclude that the view he propagates is an attempt to destroy the influence of the Bible and the preserving principles of Christianity, with an aim of exalting humanistic UN’s views.

Olsen said “It (Corporal Punishment) is undignified.” He also expressed his UN beliefs that this form of punishment is always abusive, and referred to parents, guardians and teachers who use it as ‘barbaric’.

Conversely and unapologetically here is what God, who is wiser than Olsen says through His servant Solomon: “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Prov. 22:15). The ROD and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame (Prov. 29:15). He that spareth the ROD hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes (Prov. 13:24).”

I appeal to parents and guardians to fulfill their God-given responsibility in regard to disciplining YOUR (not the UN’s) children. If this means using the physical rod when necessary, you have the right of way…from GOD. I hasten to add (though I believe right-thinking parents are not guilty) that any form of abuse is unacceptable and is not synonymous with properly administered corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is a form of correction or discipline used with the aim of deterring from bad or undesirable behaviour, which is unbeneficial to the child’s character and development.

On the other hand, child abuse or maltreatment is defined as intentional acts that result in physical or emotional HARM to the child. These acts include: sexual abuse, physical neglect and physical abuse- acts of violence that injure or even kill the child.

It is real sad that persons like Olsen and ‘Ole George’ refuse to see the distinction between the two above-mentioned terms. I pray that their views are not accepted by sound-minded Vincentians, or there will be dire consequences such as a remarkable increase of unruly behaviour and crimes committed by our nation’s youth. With the already downward moral path that our society continues to take, there will be chaos! Really, this type of outlook breeds young rebellious, disrespectful criminals, adding to the degeneracy of society. May God help us! With such anti-discipline view being pushed, it is easy to understand why other forms of punishment such as Capital Punishment are also branded as ‘barbaric.’

Again, it must be emphasized that the aim of these UN voices is to lessen or destroy the influence of Christian values in the minds of the people. Do we want to become like the present American society where most children have little or no respect for those whom God has put as their protectors and guardian? How refreshing and hope-filled it would be to hear these organizations (UNICEF etc) encouraging children to “obey their parents in the Lord, for this is right!”

Instead, parents who seek to instill discipline using the most effective means are labeled as uncaring and barbaric towards their OWN children, and in turn the children’s minds are poisoned against their parents as they grow deeper in their unrestrained, insolent behaviour.

How sad!

Dear Vincentians, let us save our children from destruction by using the ROD whenever needed. Let us wisely subscribe to the old adage of ‘bending the tree while it is young…’

Ann-Marie John