“The Bible says that if you spare the rod you’re going to spoil the child,” [the pastor says]. “I have the Scriptures that give me the right to do it.”
“I’m not saying you can’t whip your children, I’m just saying you can’t leave marks like this on them,” [the judge ruled].
[The parents] said no child is permanently injured and the bruises go away.
Read the article if you think you can. This link was beaten out of David Gagne, but it’s okay, because his bruises aren’t permanent.
On the one hand, I think what these parents (if you can call them that)are doing to their children is absolutely repulsive and reprehensible. “The bruises go away”? What the hell kind of talk is that?
You know…I was going to say “on the other hand, there is religious freedom to consider”, but in thinking about it, I really can’t defend these people. I would love to know what version of the bible they’re reading – you know, the one that says it’s OK to go medeival on your child for misbehaving in school. I work for a bookstore, and I don’t remember ever coming across that version.
This brand of religious fervor reminds me of a gag from “Red Dwarf”. Rimmer’s parents were Seventh Day Advent Hoppists. There was a misprint in their version of the Bible – instead of “Faith, hope and charity” it said “Faith, HOP and charity.” So they hopped everywhere.