Fellow parents (and future parents), we need to be aware of what is happening in government which could directly effect the way we raise our children. Bill S-209 is summarized very carefully on the government’s website. It simply says, “an Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).” Sounds innocent enough. However, further investigation uncovers something quite forbidding. This bill undermines the authority of parents to determine suitable discipline for their children. If the allowance for spanking was rescinded, as this bill calls for, then any parent who reasonably spanks their child could face criminal charges of assault!
Now before I go further, let me say I’m totally against people who beat their kids! While this bill may have good intentions of protecting children from this type of occurrence, from real abuse, it also takes away our right as parents to use proper corrective measures. It takes away the ability to use common sense and assumes all individuals and families are the same. (If you’re a parent with more than 1 child, you already know that no 2 kids are alike! ) Some children need a little extra “motivation” to get the point across — keeping in mind that the “punishment must fit the crime”.
Rather than government trying to run our families, why don’t WE, the people, do it ourselves? Rather than government trying to rule parents and tell them what they can and cannot do, why don’t we, the people, take a more active role in our local families and communities and govern ourselves accordingly? That’s how God wanted it done in the first place.
Proverbs 29:15 – The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.
Proverbs 13: 24 – He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
And for a little balance to the equation…
Ephesians 6:1, 4 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
It’s time government stopped interfering in our homes and let families be run the way God intended!
As of January 27, 2009, Bill S-209 has already gone through the first reading in the Senate. Take the time now to raise this issue with your MP (Mike Allen for those of us in Tobique–Mactaquac) and express your desire to see Parliament defeat S-209.
I know there are some parents, Christian and non-Christian alike, who strongly believe spanking is wrong. Now, while I will state loud and clear that I don’t personally believe this, I also respect other people’s opinions. There is a fine line between punishment and discipline (or correction), and perhaps some people haven’t quite got it. However, I hope all fellow Christians will agree with me that this issue, in the grand scheme of things, is not a “make or break” issue. No one will lose their salvation or come to the Lord because of spanking (no matter if you’re on the giving or receiving end ). If you do not agree with spanking (or “corporal punishment”), perhaps we must simply agree to disagree.
Where I hope you WILL agree with me is that government has no business making the decision for us! It is not the place of government to come into our homes and tell us how to raise a family. It is our responsibility to show our children, though example and teaching, how to be good parents. Whether that involves spanking is up to you to find out and pass on.
***
Update: March 16, 2009 – About a week ago I had requested an update on the status of this bill from Mike Allen. He stated in a reply email today that this bill “died on the order paper when the fall [2008] election was called.” I’m seeking confirmation on this since the government’s own website states that the bill passed its first reading on January 27, 2009.
Update: March 17, 2009 – Mike Allen’s assistant replied with apologies, and stated that because this is a Senate bill, it did not die on the order paper. Therefore, this bill is still active and could be passed! Please contact your MP today!
Parents’ freedom to discipline in danger again
Posted March 11th, 2009
by Jason Farris
Fellow parents (and future parents), we need to be aware of what is happening in government which could directly effect the way we raise our children. Bill S-209 is summarized very carefully on the government’s website. It simply says, “an Act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of children).” Sounds innocent enough. However, further investigation uncovers something quite forbidding. This bill undermines the authority of parents to determine suitable discipline for their children. If the allowance for spanking was rescinded, as this bill calls for, then any parent who reasonably spanks their child could face criminal charges of assault!
Now before I go further, let me say I’m totally against people who beat their kids! While this bill may have good intentions of protecting children from this type of occurrence, from real abuse, it also takes away our right as parents to use proper corrective measures. It takes away the ability to use common sense and assumes all individuals and families are the same. (If you’re a parent with more than 1 child, you already know that no 2 kids are alike!
) Some children need a little extra “motivation” to get the point across — keeping in mind that the “punishment must fit the crime”.
Rather than government trying to run our families, why don’t WE, the people, do it ourselves? Rather than government trying to rule parents and tell them what they can and cannot do, why don’t we, the people, take a more active role in our local families and communities and govern ourselves accordingly? That’s how God wanted it done in the first place.
And for a little balance to the equation…
It’s time government stopped interfering in our homes and let families be run the way God intended!
As of January 27, 2009, Bill S-209 has already gone through the first reading in the Senate. Take the time now to raise this issue with your MP (Mike Allen for those of us in Tobique–Mactaquac) and express your desire to see Parliament defeat S-209.
Bill S-209 & summary
***
Additional Note [Added March 25, 2009]:
I know there are some parents, Christian and non-Christian alike, who strongly believe spanking is wrong. Now, while I will state loud and clear that I don’t personally believe this, I also respect other people’s opinions. There is a fine line between punishment and discipline (or correction), and perhaps some people haven’t quite got it. However, I hope all fellow Christians will agree with me that this issue, in the grand scheme of things, is not a “make or break” issue. No one will lose their salvation or come to the Lord because of spanking (no matter if you’re on the giving or receiving end
). If you do not agree with spanking (or “corporal punishment”), perhaps we must simply agree to disagree.
Where I hope you WILL agree with me is that government has no business making the decision for us! It is not the place of government to come into our homes and tell us how to raise a family. It is our responsibility to show our children, though example and teaching, how to be good parents. Whether that involves spanking is up to you to find out and pass on.
***
Update: March 16, 2009 – About a week ago I had requested an update on the status of this bill from Mike Allen. He stated in a reply email today that this bill “died on the order paper when the fall [2008] election was called.” I’m seeking confirmation on this since the government’s own website states that the bill passed its first reading on January 27, 2009.
Update: March 17, 2009 – Mike Allen’s assistant replied with apologies, and stated that because this is a Senate bill, it did not die on the order paper. Therefore, this bill is still active and could be passed! Please contact your MP today!
Category: Commentary
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