George Raath says NO to the Childrens’ Amendment Bill – “We must beat our kids”

Posted on September 21st, 2007 by Richard Catto 3,215 views

Back in May, I wrote about the Childrens’ Amendment Bill which, if passed, will outlaw all corporal punishment of children.

Now George Raath of Life Enrichment Ministries has told a Parliamentary committee dealing with the proposed amendment that Christians do not have a choice about whether or not to administer corporal punishment. According to Raath, God commands Christians to beat their kids with a rod.

It is Raath’s contention that the amendment represents a direct attack on religious freedom, because it would criminalise many Christians who preferred to place their religious beliefs above the law of the land. He feels that people have a constitutional right to beat their kids (with a rod).

So, in Raath, South Africa has a brave crusader for child abuse.

Source:
Children’s Bill: Christians back corporal punishment

Tags: bashing, beating, caning, child abuse, Children's Amendment Bill, corporal punishment, discipline, george raath, hitting, parenting
Filed under Children's Amendment Bill, South African law |

8 Responses to “George Raath says NO to the Childrens’ Amendment Bill – “We must beat our kids””

1. Guy McLaren Says:
   September 21st, 2007 at 08:35

   Richard are you suggesting that punishing children is abuse. There is a huge difference between a loving parent using a rod and beating the crap out of a kid. Abuse is punishable by law as it stands. Preventing parents from disciplining children using a means of punishment that has proven its efficacy by turning the parents into criminals is criminal.

   Personally I have used the rod in extreme circumstances and it has worked, sometimes a time out or a grounding is not enough. lazy parents use the rod as a first re, but preventing me from using it as a last re is foolish.

2. WindWhisperer Says:
   September 21st, 2007 at 08:36

   I feel that one of the biggest problems in our schools is the lack of discipline caused by the fact that teachers have no way to keep the kids in line. I do not agree with abuse and I know that some people/teachers/parents take corporal punishment to the level of abuse. I had many hidings when I was a child and I am not brain damaged, unable to do maths and science, psychologically scarred for life because of it. I am a believer in the punishment should fit the crime as long as it does not involve abuse.

3. Richard Catto Says:
   September 21st, 2007 at 18:24

   In practice, so I’ve read, it turns out that if the law allows any form of corporal punishment, it becomes difficult to successfully prosecute the over-zealous beater.

   Whatever. I consider even one smack to be child abuse.

   Also the personal argument that “beatings didn’t harm me” are not good enough. Fact is, beatings hurt some people.

   Allowing children to be physically assaulted is a bad practice, open to abuse.

4. candy Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 01:53

   Richard, there is a reason why I enjoy reading you. You speak my language.

5. Richard Catto Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 08:35

   Candy, please tell everyone how you deal with your children when they need correction, without you hitting them.

   I think people need to realise that hitting a child is NEVER an option.

6. candy Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 11:03

   Children are people. The misguided conception that children belong to their parents is perhaps what is at the root of such ignorant, unnecessary and ultimately destructive parenting. It has been my experience that children respect adults who behave ‘respectably’. It is impossible to respect someone you fear.

   The logic I apply to guiding and nurturing the consciencious and well-mannered behaviour of my children is precisely the same logic I apply to everyone’s behaviour. For instance, if my employee did not arrive for work on time, I certainly would never consider physically assaulting the person in an effort to correct their tardiness.

   Instead, I encourage and reward good behaviour. I make sure that those over which I have any kind of authority, in terms of how my actions affect their lives, have a voice. I am available and I listen to explanations, which I take seriously. I try to behave in such a way that nurtures confidence in my reactions – through fairness and consistence.

   Frankly, the topic at hand has fuck-all to do with religion. It’s as simple as that.

7. Richard Catto Says:
   September 22nd, 2007 at 16:15

   Candy, it’s true that both religious and a-religious people feel strongly that they have a right to discipline their own children by bashing them.

   I don’t pretend to understand why people hold that opinion.

   It’s always struck me as morally wrong. As a child myself, holding that view, I did not respond well to physical assault. My rebellion increased, my destructiveness increased. I creatively found new ways to cause more damage than what I originally intended and make the people who hurt me suffer (in retaliation). The net effect was to embitter me. So when people tell me that being hit helped them grow up, I consider that an example of insanity.

8. candy Says:
   September 23rd, 2007 at 16:52

   i agree with you wholeheartedly

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