To the editor:
The Elizabethton Board of Education did the right thing in allowing corporal punishment in city schools with parent or guardian approval. The best thing to do is have parents sign a letter saying either they allow spanking or they don’t. If they don’t allow spanking they must come and get their child if they become unruly.
Most of the media and most states are against spanking children. Most of the states allowing spanking are in the South. The United Nations wants to outlaw spanking throughout the world. Because a majority think spanking is harmful doesn’t make it so. Dr. James Dobson said it’s beneficial to spank a willful defiant child. One that sasses, flies into a rage, or deliberately breaks things.
According to a 2010 Wall Street Journal article, spanking children makes them happy, a study at Calvin College found. The study found teens that were spanked as children ended up with a “sunnier outlook” were “better students,” had “more positive academic records and optimism about the future,” and “volunteered more” than their never-spanked peers. In 11 behavioral variables analyzed the never-spanked group never scored the best. This showed the never-spanked group was found to be more selfish, self-centered and spoiled. The saying, “Spare the rod and spoil the child,” has a biblical basis (Proverbs 13:24) and is true. Words without action prove very ineffective. We forget that indifference and not disciplining children are also forms of child abuse. Spanking isn’t the answer to all behavior problems but it’s beneficial if administered quickly especially when a child is defiant but should always be administered in a biblical, loving way. Dr. Dobson said grounding from T.V., computer, telephone and car are best punishments for teenagers.
Sexual and physical abuse of children is unlawful, immoral and unbiblical. However, loving discipline is necessary to produce mature, well-rounded, self-controlled, respectful adults. Self-willed, undisciplined children who grow up are a danger to themselves and society. The Bible speaks out harshly against parents who never restrained or displeased their children at any time. (Eli in 1 Samuel) Many so raised children end up in an early grave. Parents follow the Bible and Jesus and train up your child in the way he should go. Parents please act now and save yourself the tears and that bitter regret of having to look upon the grave of your child that went wrong because you never disciplined him or ever said no to him!
We don’t know for sure but some Bible experts say Jesus would spank a willfully defiant child with a flexible switch made from an olive branch, across the upper thigh or fleshy part of the buttocks. We know God will soon punish all countries that go against Israel. The number one word in America has been selfie and the number one spiritual problem has been self-worship. The Bible records that Jesus made a whip and used it on the people who defiled God’s house. Jesus our Great Shepherd’s first choice is the staff. But when the sheep are defiant and rebel, he loves them enough to break out the rod! The Bible says after the soon coming 7-year tribulation, Jesus will rule the world forever with a rod of iron!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton