One of the sad legacies of Armstrongism was the oftentimes violent methods of corporal punishment used upon church children and teens. The Mt Pocono Feast site in its early years almost was shut down because of the beating of children. Members of the public who came to check out the weird church heard and witnessed parents beating their kids in the official Spanking Tent.
The minister we had in Cincinnati, Ohio (Carn Catherwood) said that a child must get 20 hard swats with a thick paddle and that he expected to hear them crying afterward. He also instructed the local Spokesman Club to sell 1-inch thick paddles with holes drilled in it to cut down wind resistance. They did this as a fundraiser. Imagine raising money off beating children!
Samuel Martin. some of the late Earnest Martin has been on a decades-long crusade to end corporal punishment of children.
This is his latest book:
STRATEGIES TO EMPOWER CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CONCERNING ENDING THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF CHILDREN:
DEALING WITH OPPOSITION FROM SPOUSES AND EXTENDED FAMILIES CONCERNING THE SUBJECT OF SPANKING CHILDREN
The subject of corporal punishment (spanking/smacking) is one which causes serious challenges in families especially when one spouse is in favor of spanking/smacking, while the other is not.
This issue creates serious tension between husbands and wives and in extended families and communities who pressure parents to spank/smack their children.
Christian families who choose not to spank may face loneliness, isolation and serious opposition to their decision to pursue peaceful parenting.
In some families, where spanking/smacking has been taking place for generations, the choice not to spank/smack by one of the parents may create situations in a marriage where major tension exists surrounding the subject of spanking/smacking.
This research study seeks to empower Christian spouses who have taken the often difficult decision not to spank/smack to provide them with simple Bible based tools to engage their spouses, extended families and communities thoughtfully concerning this most difficult subject.
This research study delves into God's Word in a deep but practical way to provide those in favor of peaceful parenting with Bible based teachings to help them engage with those around them who still believe in spanking/smacking.
This research study is based on almost 20 years of feedback that the author has received from scores of Christian families who have decided on a new path for their parenting journey that seeks to leave the experience of spanking/smacking behind.
The research study provides practical specific Bible based information to help Christian families engage the subject of spanking/smacking in a mature and thoughtful way with the goal of growing peace and love in our homes.
Martin's previous books: