Pro-social pedophilia, pro-social siphon: Why children should play freely (in the presence of parents)

Many parents think certain forms of play are immoral. Other parents overschedule their children with activities that interfere with free play. The Bible commands gentle, attached parenting, which does not allow for interference of free play except when children are endangering themselves. Parents are to channel their child's energy towards them.

It says in Colossian 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: as is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure and warm rest in the love and grace of parents, just like adult believers rest in the warmth and security of Christ. It is closeness to parents, leading to respect and admiration for parents later on. This rest was one of freedom, meaning freedom channeled to parents, with parents being safe people for childhood's every expression, with children playing freely within the supervision of parents, being able to be themselves, telling parents anything and everything under the sun, not expecting any punishment or reprisal from parents, with parents expecting absolutely nothing in return for allowing this rest, just as Christ asked for no gifts for His sacrifice for His children on the Third Day. Children were treated as infants up until age 3 in biblical times, and breastfed as such. Children in ancient Israel and adjoining cultures co-slept in the nude with mothers, with mothers and daughters being inseparable. Respect for parents then was one based off of honesty to parents, not fear of parents, meaning parents respected the input and honesty of children. This context applies today.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "stirring up" upset and resentment in children, referencing the Jewish idiom of "stirring the pot" regarding your child's emotions. This refers to offenses against children, meaning the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, with this including corporal punishment or other forms of punishment or harshness, meaning any punitive parenting. Anything that offends the child is, therefore, objectively child abuse. The Apostle Paul was confronting Hellenistic Christian parents on their use of punitive tactics in parenting, as it was Greco-Roman custom to spank children who disobeyed their parents. Paul would have none of it in the churches he oversaw as a deacon. Corporal punishment in the Bible was linked directly to the death penalty, meaning in order for a second chance at life, you had to endure corporal punishment, or 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, and the rod of correction was only for adults, as only legal adults over the age of majority could stand trial, and only literally in the Old Testament. Christ abolished the death penalty and all corporal punishment by way of enduring it, and thus the Early Christians used shunning and not harsh capital or corporal punishments. Paul handed out parenting manuals that recommended against punishing children, and for attachment parenting, with said attachment parenting based on the Living Example of Christ, meaning in terms of His Sacrifice on the cross. This ultimately amounts to charitable and generous treatment of children that asks nothing in return, and this includes allowing free play in the shelter of parents. This example of charity and selflessness imparted onto children teach such values to children. Parents are to be a child's first role model, and the attitudes you take as a parent are what are going to be mirrored right back to you. That was the whole message behind the commandment not to provoke children to anger or wrath.

Children have the right to play freely, without interruption. In ancient Judeo-Christian culture, children were allowed to play freely, but in close range of parents, especially mothers. Children need a safe context to play freely, and that is at home with parents, or elsewhere within the parent's line of sight. Pro-social pedophilia refers to the siphoning aspect of the pedophilic personality when a pedophile befriends a child, where the pedophile siphons the attention of children away from parents and towards them. Pro-social pedophilia, pro-social siphon reverses the trend, channeling the energy and attention of children away from predators, instead being best friends with your child. That is the kind of respect commanded in the Bible.

Overscheduling children takes away from free play, meaning many parents involve their children in sports and a whole list of other activities, when children need to be children and play freely, as they are only little once. Never take away their free time. When children are given free time, they learn to structure their own time and discipline themselves in the Living Example of Christ imparted by parents.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let the parents who punish their children be cast away into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!