Didn't G. Jackson tell the ARC that JW's don't smack their kids?

Splash

The WT book "Family Life" (1978) had something to say on this topic:

*** fl chap. 10 pp. 131-132 pars. 2-5 The Value of Disciplining in Love ***
"Many child psychologists put a “hands off” sign on children [...] But in his Word, God says: “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” (Pr 13:24, RSV) A few decades ago, particularly in Western nations, books on child training, with their theories of permissiveness, flooded the market. Discipline would inhibit the child and stunt its development, the psychologists said; and as for spanking, just the thought of it was horrifying to them. Their theories collided head on with Jehovah God’s counsel. His Word says you ‘reap what you sow.’ (Galatians 6:7) "
"A spanking may be a lifesaver to a child, for God’s Word says: “Do not hold back discipline from the mere boy. In case you beat him with the rod, he will not die. With the rod you yourself should beat him, that you may deliver his very soul from Sheol [the grave] itself.” Again, “Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline is what will remove it far from him.” (Proverbs 23:13, 14; 22:15) If parents hold their children’s life interests dear to them, they will not weakly or carelessly let disciplinary action slip from their hands. "

The latest mention of it is from a 2006 WT which still condones it:

*** w06 11/1 p. 5 Reliable Advice for Raising Children ***
What the EXPERTS Say . . . What the BIBLE Says
On Discipline:
Dr. James Dobson wrote in The Strong-Willed Child (1978): “Corporal punishment in the hands of a loving parent is a teaching tool by which harmful behavior is inhibited.” On the other hand, in an article adapted from the seventh edition of the popular book Baby and Child Care (1998), Dr. Benjamin Spock said: “Spanking teaches children that the larger, stronger person has the power to get his way, whether or not he is in the right.”
With regard to discipline, the Bible states: “The rod and reproof are what give wisdom.” (Proverbs 29:15) However, not all children need physical punishment.

When I was small it was common for kids to be taken out and smacked for not being able to sit still for 2 hours straight. It happened at every meeting, especially the late night mid week ones.
Despite WT still considering this acceptable to the point of being desirable, I've not seen it quite so much recently.
Maybe parents are deciding for themselves that there are better ways, and it's just the old guard in each congregation who sit and silently fume when children are not marched out the back for a good beating.

nowwhat?

We cannot pick and choose what parts of gods word to follow or not. Any brother that fails to beat the living shit out of their children should not be considered for appointment of m.s. or elder. Surely how could one preside over the congregation if their children are not living in fear of their parent. Although most land's do not permit the stoning of disobedient children perhaps a suitable substitute will do. Maybe a simple thrashing within an inch of their lives will do. "Bill" an elder in southern United states used a lighter weight baseball bat to administer discipline. " after a good whoopin' my boys will sit still for 8 hrs for an assembly!" of course each parent will have to decide which implement is right for their circumstance.

oppostate

Taking out children to the back of the hall and "disciplining" physically is still going on and nobody at the hall will say a peep about the screams and cries coming from the back-room.

Geoff Jackson lied, and he knows he's perjured his sworn oath on top of "his" sad gray Bible translation. The man is a shameless liar on this and many other topics he was asked about at the ARC.

rebelfighter

If this lady were in a KH, I would dial 911 in a heart beat if that went on.

When I raised my children and now I watch my grandchildren 5 days a week all I do is say their names get their attention and say "I just don't think you want to be doing THAT". After a while all I have to do is say their name and they know to change what they are doing. I never hit my kids and I do not plan to hit my grandkids.

Those who hit someone smaller then them are bullies.

Phoebe

I've seen little kids have the living daylights thrashed out of them because they couldn't sit still during the meeting. Poor little things. I never took my kids out and hit them. It's barbaric. I would go and walk them around the block or the car park. I couldn't sit still myself for two hours never mind expect a toddler to do it!

I wasn't even allowed to go to the toilet during the meeting when I was very young. I remember once being absolutely desperate to go and my parents said I had to wait until the meeting was over, needless to say I wet myself for which I was slung in the car and told 'you wait till we get you home!'

So cruel. My parents treated me so badly.

sparky1

Dr. James Dobson, author of The Strong Willed Child is an Evangelical Christian. At one time, the New York Times called him: 'the nation's most influential evangelical leader." You are in good company, Governing Body (tm) of Jehovah's Witnesses. Keep making asses of yourselves by quoting on the one hand and then condemning with the other hand members of mainstream Christianity.

OUTLAW

Didn't G. Jackson tell the ARC that JW's don't smack their kids?

Those of us who got the shit beat out of them..

In the Kingdom Hall, back room, bathroom, or parking lot..

Know Better..

steve2

To be fair, the first JW publication you cite is just short of 40 years old. Back then, corporal punishment was still used in schools. Policies and practices on raising and disciplining children did not exist or were in their infancy (no pun intended).

It is possible to go back 40 - or even 30 years - and find statements made by various religious groups that make it clear that physically disciplining children is a parental right and absolutely essential.

The 2006 JW publication quotes Evangelist "Dr James Dobson" supportive views on "corporal punishment' but the article from that year rounds out the topic by stating, "Not all children need physical punishment [emphasis in original]."

[This is a telling example of selectively mining quotes made by "authorities" in other religious groups to support your views.]

The tone of the 2006 article has changed from the overt admonition of 1978.

You'll now be very hard pressed to find any JW publication that explicitly admonishes parents to hit (or spank - a more PC word) their children. But if you can, I will sit up and take note.

jwfacts

I did an article on this is response to Geoff's evasion and lies.

http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/child-discipline-corporal-punishment.php

konceptual99

You'll now be very hard pressed to find any JW publication that explicitly admonishes parents to hit (or spank - a more PC word) their children. But if you can, I will sit up and take note.

Agreed, so in typical JW fashion, their lack of clarity on the matter allows the extreme to continue.

I recently had an uncomfortable discussion with a sister a similar age to me about smacking and she was very much of the view there should be more of it. She didn't like me asking her how she managed to stop her self hitting her child in anger, sit down, get calm, think about a suitable response and then muster up some kind of feeling (which can't be anger) but allows her to do it anyway as per the WTS advice.

Didn't G. Jackson tell the ARC that JW's don't smack their kids?

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