Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To the Editor:
 When I was a child in Elizabethton in the late 1960s to 1970s parents often spanked their children and the schools spanked. Even when my child was in school in Elizabethton in the late 1990s to early 2000’s parents and teachers would give students the spankings they deserved and needed.
Now with less fathers than ever raising their children, less children are getting the spankings they need at home. Most of the media and most states are now 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. Parents must closely watch who their children talk to on the internet. Never let children send pictures or their address to strangers. Seven men were just arrested and charged with seeking illicit sex from minors in Erwin human trafficking operation. Children are kidnapped and made sex slaves every day and some of it is satanic according www.skywatchtv.com.
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 or said no to their children at any time. (Eli in 1Samuel) 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 if Jesus spanked or not, but we do know God will soon punish spoiled, defiant America and all countries that reject Jesus and go against the Bible. 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!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton