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'Spare the rod and spoil the child' is a scipture that I am very familiar with and that seems to continue to be the climate for raising children in AL. I agree with your concern about 'too much doubt on gma's intent'.
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Proverbs was written by Solomon. Nowhere else in the scriptures is this written or even hinted. Solomon also betrayed God and worshiped idols, one in particular (even built a shrine to), Molech, who sacrificed children. Solomon's own children grew up to express behavior sadly and horrifically reflecting what we've come to see when children are abused. For all his beatings in order to know the Lord, Solomon's son, Rehoboam "did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord" (II Chronicles 12:9,14).
Proverbs also says: "A rod for the fool's back" (Proverbs 26:3).
Those in favor of corporal punishment conveniently forget this Proverb, understandably so.
Jesus warned, "It were better for him if a millstone were hanged around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should offend one of these little ones" (Luke 17:2).
While Jesus didn't
advocate throwing child abusers into the sea with millstones around their neck. He just says
it would be better for them if it happened.
There are some who will cite Proverbs as an excuse to beat and "run" their precious children to death. But they feign ignorance on the subject of millstones.
It infuriates me when ignorant, and that is what they are, ignorant, people selectively quote scriptures from the Bible to fit their heinous behavior.
What would Jesus do? He'd bend beside this beautiful gift his Father gave an ungrateful family, and he'd cry - he loves children for their love of life, wonder, innocence, and unaffected grace.
I think he'd recommend a slate of cement be thrown around grandma's neck and that she be thrown into the sea. I mean, she wants to adhere to the scriptures, get a rope.
