spare the rod, spoil the child? - Page 4

[canadiyank]

Originally Posted by bamamom

I have a hard time letting go of my tendencies to want obedience all the time, and i try to remind myself that she is just two, but I seriously dont want my dd acting out of control and not listening, either!!

Sure, that's a pretty big fear. I second the ideas to check out the forums at www.gentlechristianmothers.com I think you will find a great balance there. It is absolutely possible to parent non-punitively w/o having "out of control" children. Also, articles at www.aolff.org and the group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PositiveChristianAP/ are good resources. HTH!

[kindergirl77]

Originally Posted by mike

no im just trying to make the point the bible or any book is not were to find out what is right or wrong you should just feel and know what seems right to you. you can read a book to tell you why what you feel is right. but the bible dosnt realy explain the why it just tells you shoulds.

Mike, the bible is a sacred book to me that is my instruction book to life. It IS where to find what is right and wrong. Going by my feelings, I would love to just smack my dd across the face sometimes when I am feeling angry at her. Just because I feel it, doesn't make it right. I do not believe that the entire bible in context is pro-spanking. It is Jesus's overall message of love, grace and forgiveness that is pro-gentle discipline. And as someone said before, the "spanking" verses are not law. I also belive those verses are true when you look at them symbolically and not literally.

[kindergirl77]

I also wanted to mention that Proverbs 20:30 is not to be taken literally, and expecially is not referring to parenting or even hitting small children. A few verses before in verse 17, it says that "Food gained by fraud tastes sweet to a man, but he ends up with a mouth full of gravel." Obviously the man does not literally end up with gravel in his mouth.

[sparkprincess]

Originally Posted by mike

Why do people insist on trying to justafy things with books the bible contridicts its self so much that you can read what ever you want out of it. I dont know how people decide what is metaphorical or literal or hyperbole. I think the bible very clearly is prospanking but why do you need a book to tell you what is right you should just be able to logicaly know and feel what is right. you can read the bible if you want but I dont know how you can interpet the blueness of thy wunds shall clencethe the of evil proverbs 20-30 but if you can interpet that any other way than literal tell me.

I've already told you how it can be interepreted differently.

Anyway, I understand the point you are trying to make and I'm positive the majority of the parents in this community probably agree with you regarding the Bible. HOWEVER, this isn't really what this thread is about.

While your opinion is certainly valid, it's not really going to do the OP any good. If she goes to her family and says, "well, ya know, the Bible is a complete mess and totally invalid" you can be sure that's the end of the discussion right there.

There are those of us who respectfully disagree with you and can offer the OP some insight on these verses from a Christian viewpoint.

Again, I totally understand that the Bible means nothing or very little to many people and therefore they can't understand what all the brouhaha (sp?) is about. But for Christians or those trying to relate to/understand where Christians are coming from you have to dig in and study the Bible, the root meanings of the words in scriptures, and the context surrounding those scriptures.

So, once again, if you would like to learn more about the Bible, and the validity of it or whatever, I encourage you to head over to the Spirituality forum. Lots of knowledgable women there. I'm just not sure it's doing much good here in this thread, ya know?

[bamamom]

lurking around here