This story is so sad. The other children are now faced with the death of their sister, and all of the long term effects it has. The oldest child is 17, and I can only imagine the thoughts going through his/her head right now.
It is a fact that the WTBTS does advocate corporal punishment, perhaps this family took it to the extreme, but they were guided to do this. How many of us have seen the children taken in the back for not sitting still? Young children who do not have the ability to sit still for 2 hours! And to spank them for not doing someting they don't have the skills for yet is ridiculous!
I can count on one hand the times I have spanked my children. I can assure you all of the times were for life threatening things they did. I think when corporal punsihment is norm, children are not giving critical thnking skills they need further down the road. I feel it also gives them a roll over attitude as well. Always accepting what others tell them, never challenging anything they are told. This leads the way for woman to be more accepting of abuse form their mates. If you are going to punish your child with violence won't they then settle their problems with violence?
A few months ago, my children went to visit my family for a few weeks. When I finally got them back, they were mad, wild, insane! LOL My sisters had not punished them at all, and they were given full reign to do, say anything they wanted. It took me awhile to gather them back up and make them realize that the rules I have in place are still in place. It was not a very easy task, but I accomplished it without spanking them. My mother was trying to give me advice, even telling me that a Sunday talk she went to was about using the rod on the child. Sorry, I have my kids back without the use of the rod, I of course needed more patience with them. But as a parent I owe it to my children to show them patience, love, and discipline. All of this can be accomplished without spanking.
((((((hugs))))) to everyone here who has suffered beatings that stemmed from parents taken this scripture to heart. I know I carried many a black eye, bruises, sprains, and headaches while growing up. I can assure you that on several occasions I told the elders myself what was going on in our home. I was the one counseled! It is a viscous cycle that can only be broken one family at a time.
wendy
Blind faith can justify anything.~Richard Dawkins