Corporal Punishment

[thelordskingdom777]

What are your thoughts on corporal punishment and do you believe that it is biblical? Also do you believe any idle words (see Matthew 12:36) have been spoken about corporal punishment that should not be said?

 

[amariselle]

If corporal punishment is used as as part of true discipline (teaching) sure. Too often however, I think it is an automatic response that comes out of anger. Children must have it explained to them why their actions merit such a punishment, and they must be old enough to understand. If a parent is not teaching their child or children, but is instead lashing out in rage or anger, than corporal punishment is only abuse.

It's a fine line and one that must be walked carefully in my opinion.

And yes, as with everything, I'm sure idle and thoughtless words have been spoken. Corporal punishment should, in most cases, be a last resort.

 

[1watchman]

Very good, Amariselle! I think "corporal punishment" is interpretive, and means different things to people. The dictionary doesn't say it is always severe or harsh, yet that is often the thought people have. Much depends on whether it is society or family matters, I think.

 

[The Portuguese Baptist]

What are your thoughts on corporal punishment and do you believe that it is biblical? Also do you believe any idle words (see Matthew 12:36) have been spoken about corporal punishment that should not be said?

I believe that corporal punishment is acceptable and should not prohibited by the state (as currently happens). So long as it is not exaggerated, it is OK. Yes, it is biblical.

As for the idle words, I am having a hard time understanding what you mean…

 

[thelordskingdom777]

I believe that corporal punishment is acceptable and should not prohibited by the state (as currently happens). So long as it is not exaggerated, it is OK. Yes, it is biblical.

As for the idle words, I am having a hard time understanding what you mean…

I mean like if it leads to criminal behavior against a child but someone may idly say that it was a good thing in the name of discipline.

 

[The Portuguese Baptist]

I mean like if it leads to criminal behavior against a child but someone may idly say that it was a good thing in the name of discipline.

Hmm… I'm not sure I'm there yet. Let me see if I get it: are you talking about defending exaggerated corporal punishment, even if it leads to serious physical injury, because of discipline? If so, I obviously disagree.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

What are your thoughts on corporal punishment and do you believe that it is biblical? Also do you believe any idle words (see Matthew 12:36) have been spoken about corporal punishment that should not be said?

The Bible instructs it for both adults and children. I'm all for whipping a guy as punishment for his crime rather than locking him in a cell. It's much more humane.

 

[Sketcher]

I see no Biblical problem with corporal punishment. It is against Scripture to take it too far into abuse, but that's different.

 

[The Portuguese Baptist]

The Bible instructs it for both adults and children. I'm all for whipping a guy as punishment for his crime rather than locking him in a cell. It's much more humane.

That is an interesting perspective. I had never thought about that…

 

[jimmyjimmy]

This is corrective.

"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The Bible instructs it for both adults and children. I'm all for whipping a guy as punishment for his crime rather than locking him in a cell. It's much more humane.

It's also usually more just, quicker, more effective, and millions of dollars less expensive also.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I see no Biblical problem with corporal punishment. It is against Scripture to take it too far into abuse, but that's different.

I mean like if it leads to criminal behavior against a child but someone may idly say that it was a good thing in the name of discipline.

Society is horrible at distributing justice. An abject failure almost.
They have corrupted and broke up many many more families for the money they receive directly for doing so (in the untied states, and elsewhere Probably too)
than for what is right and true and just. The criminal prosecuting attorney and others in that area said they hate what the (so-called) civil courthouse does contrary to evidence, without justice, without any oversight, without any checks and balances practically. (Criminal procedures have much stricter guidelines and at least officially require real evidence)

Think the courts do what is right ?
What then did they do to Jesus ?
And babies today ?
And martyrs around the world ?
Justice? no. just the opposite!
i.e.
don't trust the court system anywhere except God's heaven.

 

[thelordskingdom777]

I guess you guys are right, only God's law matters in the end.

 

[thelordskingdom777]

.

 

[Tull]

All one needs to do is look at many of our youth and their behaviour to see that whatever kind of discipline they are getting.....its not working

 

[The Portuguese Baptist]

All one needs to do is look at many of our youth and their behaviour to see that whatever kind of discipline they are getting.....its not working

Interesting. Indeed, most of the youth who behave incorrectly are born in non-Christian families, who tend to not be such great apologists of corporal punishment. So, corporal punishment might just work.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Practically no where in the world is
the BIBLE honored.
Instead, vile wickedness and sin and evil is usually promoted, i.e. greed and selfishness and idolatry and unlawfulness and disobedience to all authority.

That is an interesting perspective. I had never thought about that…

-------------------------------------------------
Also, a child left to public education/ government / most religions/ has little chance percentage-wise.

This is corrective.
"The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."

------------------------------------------------
Yes, that's what all Scripture says. YHWH'S WORD is right.
Mankind is both not kind, and is wrong.

I guess you guys are right, only God's law matters in the end.

------------------------------------------------
Well, that's really just because most youth by far are in non-Christian families.
To be factual, some might benefit (YHWH KNOWS) by YHWH'S DOING (YHWH'S PLAN) in the strangest circumstances totally unbeknownst to man.

But, Yes, As YHWH SAYS, HIS WAY WORKS (better than man's ways, always). (corporal discipline - not punishment - but strict training, disciplined upbringing -
training children in the way they should go) ....

Interesting. Indeed, most of the youth who behave incorrectly are born in non-Christian families, who tend to not be such great apologists of corporal punishment. So, corporal punishment might just work.

 

[Greg J.]

I've never been able to express my theories before, so I'll do so now, even though I have never raised children. Hopefully I won't continue to feel the need to share them (in favor of time-tested thoughts).

I have done a little dog and cat training. The principle is simple. Associate something negative with an unwanted behavior and associate something positive with good behavior. Since this works for human adults, I assume it also works for children.

In my mind corporal punishment should be used to associate wrongdoing with pain in young children. The most important is associating pain with being disobedient to their parents. It allows corporal punishment to stop at an very early age. Also when the child is older, they shouldn't have to struggle as much with the fact that God is in charge and must be obeyed. The parent needs to be aware that the child is sometimes punished enough by just seeing the displeasure in the parent. Overdoing corporal punishment can have life-destroying effects.

This is much different in its effect than non-physical methods that require a higher level of understanding of the cause and punishment. The quick administration of punishment for disobedience or wrongdoing bypasses the necessity of the child understanding "why." Instead they associate the thing they just did with pain. It does require wisdom to recognize when the punishment would be associated with the actual immoral part of what was done.

A subconscious association between immorality and pain makes it easier for a child turned adult to do what is right and avoid what is wrong without struggling as much. Who wouldn't like it to be easier to do what is right and easier to resist doing wrong? Along with other facets of child-raising, it can make it easier for a child turned adult to be self-disciplined—which means they struggle less to do what they know they need to do. It can make it easier to do homework, work hard, and eventually to give their own children the attention they need even though it is draining.

(It would be up to a child psychologist or experienced parents to transform my theories into something practical. I can't have thought of anything new though.)

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

This (below) is the whole point of YHWH'S WORD*.
It is TRUE as YHWH says that a child raised in the right way
will not depart from it when he is older.
(It is ALSO VERY RARE, btw).
A child raised the right way does not even think of telling a lie, or of stealing or of harming another person or of committing sexual sin, etc etc etc....
However, remember, they are OFTEN TEMPTED, as everyone is every day.
Remember also
that as YHWH says "BAD company corrupts GOOD morals" ..... so hanging out with BAD company (anyone who thinks sinning is okie-dokie)
might lead sooner or later to falling into sin worse than ever previously thought possible.

*
Proverbs 22:6 NASB - Train up a child in the way he should ...
Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. ..

makes it easier for a child turned adult to do what is right and avoid what is wrong without struggling as much. Who wouldn't like it to be easier to do what is right and easier to resist doing wrong?