I am a survivor of an evangelical upbringing, replete with beatings that were delivered with a variety of painful items such as a paddle with holes drilled in it, a belt, and if my father was in the mood to really drive a punishment home he would make us go pick our own switch off the weeping willow tree. I cannot overstate the amount of damage I feel this did to my siblings and I.
Very insightful. For generations, churches , regardless of denomination, use the very scriptures you state - thank you for this much needed clarification.
“the rod” Proverbs are not about spanking toddlers and preschoolers, and Hebrews 12 is not parenting advice.
Thank you for calling this out, and especially for naming the s3xual component that people are so reticent to talk about. To me, that should be the trump card: that if even a tiny percentage of children are at risk for feeling s3xually violated because of spanking, it must be off the table for Christian parents. I have been shocked to discover that even in the face of the reality of hundreds of people being brave enough to name this as CSA in their experience, some Christian parents are still unwilling to give up the practice or admit that it is wrong.
I am a survivor of an evangelical upbringing, replete with beatings that were delivered with a variety of painful items such as a paddle with holes drilled in it, a belt, and if my father was in the mood to really drive a punishment home he would make us go pick our own switch off the weeping willow tree. I cannot overstate the amount of damage I feel this did to my siblings and I.
I'm so very sorry you and your siblings endured this.
I am so sorry. We can, I believe, freely call this abuse, no matter how much parents try to hide behind the word "discipline."
Whoof. This component of conservative Christian culture truly deeply hurts and angers.
100% It’s long past time for us to acknowledge the harm and repent of it.
Very insightful. For generations, churches , regardless of denomination, use the very scriptures you state - thank you for this much needed clarification.
“the rod” Proverbs are not about spanking toddlers and preschoolers, and Hebrews 12 is not parenting advice.
Thank you for calling this out, and especially for naming the s3xual component that people are so reticent to talk about. To me, that should be the trump card: that if even a tiny percentage of children are at risk for feeling s3xually violated because of spanking, it must be off the table for Christian parents. I have been shocked to discover that even in the face of the reality of hundreds of people being brave enough to name this as CSA in their experience, some Christian parents are still unwilling to give up the practice or admit that it is wrong.
Agree. 💔
I've often said I wish I had been spanked in rage instead of calm. The calm was horrible and so confusing to my little brain and body.
💔❤️🩹I’m so sorry.