Planned corporal punishment ban shortsighted: iLIVE

20 February 2012 - 12:29 By Rev. Mike Effenga, Rev. Dr. Dawie Oosthuysen, Rev. Jim van Helsdingen, Deon Visser, Dan Bosman, John Haupt, Rev. Kurt Schnackenberg.
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Recently there was a report in the media of a proposal being handed in to have corporal punishment in the home declared a criminal offence.

Cane
Cane
Image: Reuters

This is very short-sighted in the light of the reports coming from a country like Britain who are now seriously investigating the possibility of reinstalling controlled corporal punishment in their schools!

This speaks volumes. Why must South Africa plunge into the wrong paths of western Europe while they begin to realise that there is something wrong?

We are living in a sick and perverse generation. Parents and educators are not allowed to discipline disobedient rebellious children using corporal punishment but at the same time governments allow the murder of unborn children through abortion.

So-called "elite" secular thinkers are encouraging the abandonments of discipline which is causing an alarming rise of juvenile delinquency. This massive rebellion against authority and out of control rage of children is often seen on television in the riots in many countries around the world.

This caused Britain to rethink. The Bible teaches that in the last days "lawlessness will abound".

As God-fearing Christians we believe that the absence of caring loving reproof and correction, including corporal punishment, of children during the formative years enhances disrespect and rebellious behaviour. There is a huge difference between discipline and abuse.

Any form of abuse and violent outbursts are harmful for the child. Verbal abuse is just as harmful as corporal abuse. These are not done to bring the child back in line.

While corporal punishment should not be the first and only way of correction, we believe that it should always remain at the very least the last resort. We believe this, because we trust the certain word of our Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 12, 5-6+11): "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. ... For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Just like our Lord deals with us, we want to deal with our children. On the one hand children need clear rules and consistent discipline appropriate to their wrongdoing. On the other hand they need parents who assure them of their genuine love for them. They need forgiveness.

They need to hear:

You are forgiven. They need a hug which is a form of corporal reconciliation.

We believe, teach and confess that God's word has indeed never proven wrong and it blesses those who follow it's genuine teaching in the context of the whole of Scripture. It always has the last say.

We call on all concerned parents to voice their objection at the Department of Justice and Constitutional development: Ms Conny Nxumalo Chief Director: Families and Social Crime Prevention, Tel: 012 312 7686, E-mail: connyn@dsd.gov.za

This letter is signed by:

Rev. Mike Effenga, Rev. Dr. Dawie Oosthuysen, Rev. Jim van Helsdingen, Deon Visser, Dan Bosman,

John Haupt, Rev. Kurt Schnackenberg.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now