Original sin: How to bring your child up in the doctrine of original sin (without punishment or force)

The doctrine of original sin is one of the most misused and misunderstood of Christian teachings. Yet, at the same time, original sin is the backbone of Christianity. Without original sin, there would be no reason for a Christ. The doctrine of original sin is one of the first things children learn in their religious instruction.

Mankind is a fallen species. All human beings are depraved and decadent creatures deserving of nothing but non-existence. God hates all mankind for our very existence, in a distant and insignificant form of hatred. Only a few will inherit the Kingdom of God, with the rest headed towards eternal punishment. God hates us for our peacekeeping past, where children were kept down. See also Rom. 3:9-12.

Children should, at some point in childhood, learn about the reality of original sin. But, calling children sinners is not the way to instruct them in the doctrine of original sin. Children will eventually figure out on their own that they are sinners, and from there, the best way to help them understand that they are sinners is to comfort them. 

The doctrine of original sin is best taught within the context of the Christian doctrine of mutual submission. See Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and submission of parents. This word ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child. This secure attachment comes from parent submission, where parents are to submit to their children as they would to God, from beneath yet from above, expecting absolutely nothing in return. See also Matt. 22:35-40. 

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers to damages or offenses, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. This commandment was intended by the Apostle Paul, and understood in its original context, as a moral statute prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including, but not limited to, any punishments, reprimands, or other controlling demeanor towards children. In the Old Testament, punitive parents were put to death by way of bloodletting, after punishing their children one last time. Parents who punished their children were charged with kidnapping, with "kidnapping" being defined under the Law as the slightest of damages or offenses stemming from hostage-taking - child punishment was seen in biblical times as holding your child hostage merely for things that they did wrong, thereby treating your child as a quartered slave. Paul here was lifting up the Law in order to convict a group of Greek Christians in the parish in Ephesus who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Paul may not have gotten along with the women of the church, but he sure loved children, and even took in a few orphaned children during his time as a deacon. Indeed, Greco-Roman parents got out the scourge of cords in order to punish their children, but NOT the Christians among them - the Early Christians were largely persecuted for being "too soft" on their children.

The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to here, in this context, modeling and encouraging Christian discipline in children. The Christian standard of discipline is deserving of absolutely nothing, therefore grateful for absolutely everything, coming from a sinful nature, leading to a chastened up example for children to follow. Christian parents in the Early Church centered their entitlement in view of their children, with children following in their parents' footsteps. Children in biblical times were caught being good, as opposed to being caught being bad. Whenever children were caught showing good traits - such as sharing, being patient, or showing self-control - tey were lavishly praised and encouraged with phrases such as "keep headed down the straight path". Boys were given manly praise by fathers when caught being good, whereas girls were given a kiss on the forehead by fathers when caught being good. Children also needed religious instruction. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and refers to the instruction of the Lord. Religious instruction started out by fathers leaving out an Aramaic copy of the Hebrew Bible for children to discover and explore. When children discovered the Bible, and started reading it, children were lavishly praised and encouraged with phrases such as "that book is good for you". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer, based on what children saw in the text. Children were eager to learn the facts of life, and fathers were quick to give pointers on the context. Religious development is a part of child development, as religion is a human need for parents and adults alike. Young children's religious beliefs start out simplistic and non-conforming to any religious denomination or sect. But, as children get older, they start to conform to a specific religious denomination or sect. It may not be the religion you would choose, but at least they have values.

During religious instruction, children are bound to ask about original sin. They may ask you "Why did they have to kill Jesus?". In that instance, it is good to be as sensitive as possible in pointing out that we as humans are a flawed species, and cannot keep religious law perfectly. Children need to know that they can run to Christ whenever they sin. But, they should be told that it is in human nature to sin. That may make them cry, in which case you comfort them on the harsh realities of life.

Children don't ever need to be called "sinners". Leave it to children to call themselves sinners. Children will come to the conclusion, based on what the Bible says, that they are flawed human beings in need of a Savior. As they get older, they will likely come to the conclusion that are depraved and entitled sinners. Children have their own religious development, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike.

Children are not perfect, and do have a sinful nature. But, at that age, original sin is a reason to be understanding of a child's struggle to be a good person. In the Early Church, children were excused for the moral crimes they committed. Some offenses were blamed on the parents, whereas blasphemy offenses were blamed on the child once they were adults, and were ready to be baptized. Children who die always go to Heaven, and that is because they die while having no sin count. Children are struggling sinners, not defensive sinners like us adults can be. Children are trying their best to avoid sin, and when you see a child avoid sin actively, praise and encourage them.

What motivates children to hear out the instruction of fathers? Why not start out with a secure attachment with mothers? For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever the mother went, so did the child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in mom's loving arms, or on her back in a papoose bag when mom's hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children ranged next to mothers, following her from room to room, not allowing mom out of their line of sight, morbidly fearing that mom would "go away and never come back". Whenever a child cried, mothers cooed at children before diagnosing the need, based off of the type of cry. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. When mothers were out and about in public, they wrapped up their young children - under age 6 - in swaddling blankets, then tucking the child underneath her loose-fitting, revealing dress that resembled an apron. Come nightfall, children co-slept next to mothers in skin-on-skin format, with co-sleeping lasting until the onset of puberty, when children wanted a place to sleep on their own. Children went naked in biblical times, wherever they went, with mothers going naked in the confines of the family home.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast forever into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!