Heidi Wordhouse-Dykema

>(snip)Their family is Christian and spanks
>as they say that the bible says so. (snippity)
>She had a point but I still disagree. (snip, snip) How is that
>biblical?

Smacking kids is not biblical and she does NOT have a point.

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child (which I am assuming is the biblical
reference at issue here) speaks about GUIDING those for whom one is
responsible, not smacking 'em.

The Rod spoken of, is the shepherds rod, their crook (think Mary Go Peep
with her sheep sort-of-a-thing.) Remember, the bible is set in a
shepherding-rich society! Their sheep are their livelihood! No sheep, no
riches and no food for the family! Shepherds used their rods to GENTLY
nudge the sheep on the side to keep them on the path to the fields/market,
to lever them out from gullies, to defend the flock against predators,
etc. Spare the rod and not only don't have any sheep at market, but you've
got a whole bunch of them stuck in the bottom of gullies and eaten by
sharp-toothed critters!

So, the next time someone uses the rod reference as a defense for smackin'
kids, you'll be able to guide them into a more Christ-like pathway.

It's Spare the Guidance and Spoil the Child, not Spare the Smackin' and
Spoil the Child!

This info brought to you by the grand-daughter of a Reverend, who went and
decided she was Athiest after all. I can still speak the lingo when called
upon, though.

HeidiWD


Get all the fools on your side and you can be elected to anything. - Frank Dane

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In a message dated 10/31/2003 5:35:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
heidi@... writes:
The Rod spoken of, is the shepherds rod, their crook (think Mary Go Peep
with her sheep sort-of-a-thing.) Remember, the bible is set in a
shepherding-rich society! Their sheep are their livelihood! No sheep, no
riches and no food for the family! Shepherds used their rods to GENTLY
nudge the sheep on the side to keep them on the path to the fields/market,
to lever them out from gullies, to defend the flock against predators,
etc.
*******************************************
Well, I don't think I could always use this analogy. We have sheep, and
believe me, using the rod is not always a "gentle" affair. We don't hit them in
any way, shape, or form, but catching one in the crook of your rod usually
makes them kick, struggle and fight violently (most of them) to try and get free.
LOL! I wonder what sort of analogy we could make out of that?...

Well, I know that the ones I bottle fed (mom sheep aren't able to "count" how
many babies they have, and sometimes if they have more than 2 (only 2 teats)
the 3rd will die of starvation) are very tame, sweet, will follow me anywhere.
Attachment parenting? I know we are also always very quiet and calm around
the sheep, and they respond best to gentleness.

Nancy B. in WV


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