Child discipline: Understanding the Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common goal amongst American parents. However, most American parents think that punishment equates to discipline. But, the fact of the matter is that children instead need positive reinforcement in order to be disciplined.

God's Law on child discipline is spelled out in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The first stanza of this commandment clarifies that discipline should not hurt. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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. It is not enough to avoid spanking and punishing children - you need to avoid offense in a child. However, hurting your child's feelings is inevitable in parenting, and so when you do upset a child, you should be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings, lest the upset be officially an offense. However, if you ever lose your cool with your child, you need to give a formal apology to your child, and then commit to never losing your cool with your child ever again, as losing your cool as a parent in and of itself is entitlement. However, any time you refuse to apologize to your child, you are entitled. This stanza of this commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents in the parish at Ephesus for bringing into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

This second stanza spells out what discipline is acceptable, with the first stanza ruling out anything punitive with a child. The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to a specific form of nurturing from fathers, namely of the teaching sort. Children were left to form their own discipline, and when children were caught by fathers showing discipline, fathers lavishly praised and encouraged their children to keep up the good work. Christian parents in the Early Church set a good Christian example for children to follow, but backed up their example with praise and encouragement, not punishment and force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is better translated as "instruction" in more modern versions of the Bible. Starting at age 6, fathers left out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were lavishly praised and encouraged to keep studying, with fathers saying to children "you can ask me anything you want about that book". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format, with children being eager to learn Scripture, and with fathers giving pointers on the context. This stanza denotes the ancient Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement here never involved rewards systems, but instead involved spontaneous praise and encouragement when children were caught being good.

Sometimes, a parent has to set a limit with a child. However, children oftentimes cannot accept limits, in which case an apology is in order. This apology should come in the form of reassurance of good intent.  However, if you ever set a limit out of anger or haste, you need to give a meaningful apology, and then commit never to losing your cool ever again with children, as losing your cool as a parenting alone is entitlement. Limits should only be set if a child is engaging in behavior that is unsafe and/or immoral, or else when children ask for things that are unsafe, unworkable, and/or immoral. The main reason for saying "no" to children in the Early Church is when they become sexually promiscuous and have sexual relations outside of a Christian marriage. Parents, apart from fornication, set limits rarely, and only when cushioned with nicer words than a flat out "no". 

It is a myth that Christian fathers in the Early Church used "hand-me-down-the-slate" gaslighting to control a child's crying. Instead, fathers masturbated to sexual thoughts of his daughter especially, in the form of righteous masturbation happening for health reasons. This masturbation helped the father in imprinting on his child, as men imprint on children through masturbation. Child sexual abuse was rare in biblical times, meaning next to non-existent, and that was because most men then committed to God to keep masturbation without pornography going. Society knew then that men need an outlet for their adult attraction to children, but that sexual relations with children never being acceptable in that culture.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive parenting will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be csst 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 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!

It's okay to not be okay: Breaking the anti-pedophile mental health stigma

Many adults think that pedophilia is not a valid mental illness. Most adults know that pedophilia is a mental illness, including most mental health professionals. However, the fact of the matter is that pedophilia is a treatable mental illness, like the others in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

A pedophile is not an anger packet. A pedophile is a human being who has a sexual preference for children under age 14. Most pedophilia is a secondary diagnosis to autism, with the individual with pedophilic autism focusing on children in terms of knowledge and social preference. Most pedophiles are ambiverts, meaning they either want to be alone, or else with children. "Autism" means "one with", with a pedophile being one with children as per their autism. 

Most pedophiles need to accept their fantasies. The Greek root word denoting fornication is πορνεία (Latin: porneia) and refer to sexual activity in a man outside of two specific ventricles - sex with his wife, or sex with himself without pornography. The more you masturbate to thoughts of children, the more you feel comfortable doing so. But, a simple sexual fantasy about a child, perhaps under the covers, will not lead a man to pornography. I myself masturbate regularly for health reasons, but avoid pornography like the plague. I like my fantasies, and have committed to God to keep the righteous masturbation going. Giving up child fantasies for survivors is actually an infraction under my Christian faith, and an offense once a child is harmed sexually. It is a myth that the word πορνεία completely outlaws pedophilia. It only outlaws child sexual abuse as well as pornography. If you can go without those as a pedophile, you can be saved as a Christian. The "impossible standard" for pedophiles is not that impossible - just masturbate without pornography, and then the rest solves itself. 

Most pedophiles are not a danger to children. Most pedophiles are instead more of a danger to themselves than anyone else. Many cases of pedophilia also come with major depression as a primary diagnosis alongside the autism. Most pedophiles polled at the pedophile support group Virtuous Pedophiles (VirPed) shared some level of suicidal ideation, with suicide being a regular topic at VirPed, with some members posting about their suicide attempts, and complaining about how they ended up in the hospital instead. 

It is okay to not be okay. Being a pedophile is a form of not being mentally okay, but what shame is there for asking for help? There should be no shame in asking for help as a pedophile. However, pedophiles are constantly shamed and suspected merely for admitting their condition. 

However, I have identified both by trauma and by pedophilia, and that is what the survivors want with a pedophile who does the messiah. I have gotten a lot done. Most trauma-informed mental health professionals are now informed on how to treat pedophiles, albeit with a quiet welcome. The key argument in favor of pedophiles that I made is that pedophiles need the same thing as victims of sexual abuse - listening and validation. Some pedophiles may need some extra accountability, but they usually come to those conclusions on their own. Sometimes, the pedophile may need guidance as a nudge to go in the right direction.

Pedophile stigma did not start with children's rights. Pedophile stigma ultimately comes from the Holy Roman Empire, meaning once Rome took over the Western Christian Church. Whenever you admitted to attraction to children in the Holy Roman Empire, you swiftly lost all of your friends and family, and this stigma lasted until today. In the Early Church, admitting to pedophilia was not a big deal, as many men had the disorder, and those men were coveted prizes for the women of the church. If a pedophile had a squeaky clean record, they were appointed clergy, and held the responsibility to take in orphaned children. 

I am a pedophile myself, and I don't blame fellow survivors for the hatred I face just because I have the mental heath disorder of pedophilia. They just played into an existing prejudice that existed. In the 1970s, the first person to bring up pedophilia or child sexual abuse was the pedophile, with the word "pedophile" being synonymous with the word "abuser". This stigma also affected victims of child sexual abuse, as they were called pedophiles as well just for self-advocating for a trauma need. Most trauma survivors here at children's rights, in the 1970s, had to attract pedophile support a certain way, namely by gaining just the right opposition that they change their mind on pedophiles - and they wanted a mentally disabled pedophile to come and keep them company. The key point that they wanted opposition on was the claim that pedophiles "are immune to trauma" - I have trauma, and that is what survivors need to hear from a pedophile. They will not take advantage of trauma. They want to listen to a pedophile's heartbeat in that regard. The survivors still are listening in on everything that I write, and send me airborne messages that are encouraging and validating in nature. They also showed me their trauma scars, and I got angry at their abuser.

It is okay to ask for help as a pedophile, meaning there should be no shame in asking for help with sexual desires for children. There is support available. One good resource is the Association for Sexual Abuse Prevention (ASAP), where you can find a good therapist who will understand how to treat a pedophile. I have also opened up the doors to pedophiles at trauma-informed family therapy practices. Word of my case of pedophilia will travel far and wide, slowly but surely, and then society will include pedophiles. Best wishes to all pedophiles in finding the right therapist!

Santa Claus: Why Santa should not even threaten to bring coal for Christmas

Many parents have done it. Threatening children with Santa as a behavioral modification tool. Most American parents think that Santa should have both a "nice" and a "naughty" list, and that those on the "naughty" list should get coal for Christmas. However, the fact of the matter is that enlisting Santa for behavioral modification alone is child abuse.

God's Law on child abuse is spelled out in Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, namely the slightest of personal offense perceived by a child, stemming from entitlement. Threatening for Santa to bring coal for Christmas hurts children's feelings, and is officially an offense once defended in open court. If you have said this, tell children "I talked to Santa, and he never brings coal ever. I was wrong". Avoiding offense in children is the key to a happy Christmas season, and that starts by apologizing for hurting your child's feelings in the slightest. If you are a child, fearing not getting presents that you pine for as a form of punishment always hurts a child's feelings, and when you defend Santa's so-called "right" to punish "naughty" children with a bucket of coal, you are entitled in your offense of a child. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translated to "power to the parent", including the power to threaten children, even in a feigned way. Paul, contrary to popular legend, opposed any and all punitive treatment of a child in his secular writings. 

Christian parents in the Early Church were prosecuted merely for threatening children with punishment, and that included feigned threats. Any time a parent feigned a threat to punish a child, they were investigated and prosecuted by the church authorities. Today, this moral law can be applied to threatening children with Santa Claus bringing coal for Christmas. Threatening children with punishment hurts the child's feelings, and is officially an offense when the parent defends this tactic as a so-called "right". 

Most parents plan on giving children their presents anyway. However, children can't tell the difference between a feigned threat and a real threat. I myself was made to worry about getting coal for Christmas, as I was a prideful child that always was getting into fights with adults. I actually had reason to believe that I would be punished by Santa for my behaviors.

No child should have to fear getting coal for Christmas. No child is "naughty" enough not to deserve presents. Children are going to shout. Children are going to cry. Children are going to pout. Santa should be forgiving to all of this, and should deliver their presents as asked. 

Children growing up in the Early Church were not taught to believe in a gift-giver. Instead, Christmas was a simple day off from work to spend time with family and friends. At Christmas dinner, parents gave their children presents, and were grateful for giving to children. There was never a recorded case of parents refusing gifts to "naughty" children. Instead, the gift giving was symbolic to the gifts given by the three kings to the Christ child. All child births were a big party then, but Christ's birth was special in a harrowing way, as everyone knew the fate of the Christ child. Mary was worried sick for baby Jesus, because she knew that the Christ child would be executed for a crime He didn't commit. Mary was an attachment parent, and tried to script Christ through all of His being tested, but He knew what to say before she could finish her sentence. Christ was religiously astute by the age of three, before even studying the Bible on His own. Christmas should simply be a solemn observation of Christ's birth, with Christmas gatherings being a birthday party for Christ. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through threatening children with Santa will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the abyss which is the ever-burning lake of fire and burning sulfur, prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent!

Thanksgiving dinner: Why children have the right to be offended by physical contact

Many parents will be celebrating Thanksgiving this season. This is a time for children to be with extended family. Grandma may want a hug. But, does the child want the hug? Most American parents punish children merely for not accepting a hug from grandma or another member of extended family. However, even the mere consent violation on the part of adults is considered child abuse under God's Law.

God's Law on child abuse is spelled out in Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including any forced affection defended in open court. Ultimately, in the context of Thanksgiving dinner, this commandment is referring to physical battery, meaning any time a child objects even to the slightest of touch, adults should respect the child's wishes. Usually, parents as well as extended family insist on children hugging them as a way to "be sociable", and usually, the parent is the main party in the entitled pressure imposed on children to hug or be affectionate with an extended family member. Let the child's consent be your guide this Thanksgiving, meaning if your child is averse to hugging someone in the family, they should not be forced to, as any time a child is forced into the slightest of touch, it is officially an offense. Children have the right to be offended by anything an adult does to hurt their feelings, including even in the case of the slightest of unwanted affection. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions onto children. Paul, contrary to popular legend, opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men. Even in the Old Testament, touching another Jew without consent was seen as physical battery, and could only happen in the context of a courtroom.

It is okay for a child to be offended by being forced to hug members or the extended family. Whenever physical contact with a child is rejected by that child, it should be respected. Whenever a child is emotionally hurt by the physical touch coming from an adult, that constitutes an official offense. Whenever a child refuses to give you a hug, you should be willing to apologize to that child, lest it become entitlement on the part of all adults involved.

Most of the time, children can tell intuitively whether a specific adult is harboring a sexual narcissist. In that situation, children will avoid the adult and will refuse to be affectionate with the adult. If a child ever refuses to hug a member of extended family, or any adult for that matter, that wish should be respected. 

Children are not your property, meaning a child is an autonomous human being. If an adult doesn't want a hug, nobody questions why. Why is it that children usually offended in this way? A child should have the right to be offended when they don't want to hug or kiss a member of extended family, or in the case with any adult for that matter. 

Thanksgiving is a time for thanks. Be thankful for your child in every respect. The core antonym of gratitude is entitlement, and that includes parental entitlement. Whenever you even are angry with a child, including for refusing to hug grandma or be affectionate with a member of the extended family, you are entitled. Any adult anger is entitlement in the eyes of God, and so if you lose your cool in forcing your child to be affectionate with extended family, you definitely need to apologize for losing your cool with them, and commit never to being angry with a child ever again. Your children have the right to be offended when their feelings are hurt by way of non-consensual affection. No child wants to be forced to be affectionate.

The depraved and entitled parents who punish their children for refusal to be physically affectionate will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the abyss which is the Hell of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent! 

Child sexual abuse prevention: Individual responsibility for adults attracted to children

Many adults in American society believe in the concept of collective responsibility. Collective responsibility amounts to other adults stopping a predatory adult from raping and sexually assaulting a child. However, there are things an adult at-risk for sexually abusing a child can do to stop themselves from sexually abusing a child.

It is a myth that an adult can have a "predestined fate" to rape or sexually assault a child. Most sexual abusers of children instead act on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sexually abuse a child. Most child sexual abusers are not pedophiles, as any old adult could rape or sexually assault a child under the right/wrong conditions.

The Greek root word translated "fornication" in the Bible is πορνεία (Latin: porneia) and refers to anything outside of proper ventricles, as understood then. The proper sexual ventricles for a man is sex with his wife, and masturbation without pornography. Mere masturbation without pornography was encouraged in that society then, and most men in particular made a commitment to God to masturbate whenever necessary to keep safe from sexual immorality (see also 1Thess. 5:22). 

Most child sexual abuse comes from a repressed secondary sexual attraction towards children, meaning usually teenage girls. Most adults are unaware of their secondary sexual attractions toward children, until it comes out sideways onto the nearest child, like a ton of bricks. The idea is to spend away this adult attraction to children through righteous masturbation, meaning masturbation without pornography in order to stay out of trouble. 

Parent attractions in Christian households in the Early Church came in the form of a criss-cross, with sexual attractions between father and daughter happening in mutually unrequited setup, with boys being attracted to their mothers in the form of a dead end. Usually, parents and children then masturbated to sexual thoughts of each other. 

All adults are responsible for their sexual behavior around children. All adults are capable of raping and/or sexually assaulting a child under the right/wrong condition. The key to avoiding the sexual abuse of a child is righteous avoidance. Part of righteous avoidance is righteous masturbation, meaning adults then regularly spent away attractions to children by way of masturbating to thoughts of that child. When you fight back any sexual desire, it comes out sideways onto the nearest child, like a ton of bricks. 

Most men are afraid of masturbation because they fear that they may be led to pornography. However, masturbation can exist apart from pornography, and I myself regularly masturbate to sexual thoughts of children for health reasons. I had a brief pornography addiction that lasted a few nights, before I simply masturbated to the imagery without the imagery present - and that ended my short lived pornography habit. Masturbation without pornography feels a bit like accomplishment, and a bit like relief of sexual tension. "Stay above it all" only does so much - you need to masturbate righteously to thoughts of things you can't have in real life. 

Pedophiles are capable of child sexual abuse. I myself sexually abused a child by way of street harassment. Ultimately, I was an "infatuation" groomer, meaning I had crushes on children that came like train cars, with everyone around me hoping for the caboose. I was an obvious abuser, meaning I bragged to everyone about my child crushes. I lacked boundaries then. Most pedophilic rape comes from the same place, with the pedophilic rapist usually having a low IQ. 1 in 4 pedophiles sexually abuse children, usually in the form of sexual harassment. 

Most pedophiles are incapable of repressing their sexual drive towards children. When a pedophile announces "I'm cured", they surely are not, and simply have repressed those desires lower than their awareness. There is no cure for pedophilia, and there never will be. All adults have a little bit of attraction to children, and they need to spend that attraction away by way of masturbation for health reasons. Usually, it only takes one or two sessions of masturbation to spend away an ordinary adult attraction to children. If it takes a lot longer, you are a pedophile, and you need to own up to it. Most pedophiles are only a danger to themselves, meaning they usually are anguished in their self-hatred, to the point of suicidal ideation. Some pedophiles with major depression do take their own life.

A pedophile is not an sexual anger packet directed towards a child. A pedophile instead is an individual with a sexual preference for children under age 14. Most pedophiles have a co-morbid diagnosis of moderate-severe autism that is centered on children in terms of knowledge and social skills. A pedophile is usually an ambivert, meaning they like either to be left alone or be left with children. Most actual pedophile are the last people to rape or sexually assault a child. Most child sexual abuse comes from a secondary attraction to teenage girls that most men in particular have. Most women also have a secondary attraction to teenage boys.

The depraved and decadent, defiled adults who rape and sexually assault a child will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the abyss which is the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent!

Crying: Why crying is never bad behavior in children

Many parents think that children usually cry to "undermine parental authority". This is a common belief amongst American parents. Most American parents punish a child who cries over every little thing. The fact of the matter is that children never cry to "undermine parental authority".

The Bible, in terms of the text, commands a secure attachment between parent and child. See Colossians 3:20 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and is better translated as "trust", as in "trust your parents in all things". This commandment refers to secure rest in the Agape love of parents. Ultimately, this commandment refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. The biblical context, when used as a guidepost, tells us how to form a secure bond with your child. A good place to start is to respond to the every cry of a child.

Whenever children growing up in the Early Church cried, mothers cooed before picking up the child, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting it. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe, the child needed mom, period. Whatever the child needed, they got it.

Customary law in the Early Church understood five basic categories of needs behind the child's cries; food, water, shelter, transportation, and attachment - and the greatest of these needs is attachment! Sleep was conflated with attachment then, as co-sleeping was the norm in the Early Church. But, usually, all a child needs is YOU. 

Crying, at any age, is developmentally appropriate behavior. Most children cry in order to communicate a vulnerable need that needs being met. Christian parents in the Early Church knew more than parents today that crying wasn't anything personal with a child. Children just needed to confide in parents for their needs in the only way they knew how. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger through punishing crying in children will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering the second death which is the lake of fire and burning sulfur! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Expanding child abuse definitions: Why the Bible calls for stronger child abuse definitions

Many parents think that the ancients in the Bible had no concept of childhood, let alone child abuse. Most American parents support the current child abuse definitions. However, the Bible has its own definition of child abuse - whatever the child victim perceives as abuse. 

The Greek root word denoting parental entitlement is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is defined as, officially speaking, wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially speaking, parental entitlement consists of a parent being sorely disappointed when they don't get what they feel that they deserve from children. In fact, any parent anger directed towards a child was deemed parental entitlement in the Early Church, and was roundly condemned as such. Whenever this sense of entitlement in parents was perceived by a child as offensive or damaging, it was deemed child abuse. See also Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including any parent anger directed towards a child. Child abuse in the Bible, as a legal concept, is defined as entitlement in parents, leading to offense in children. The idea is to avoid offense in children. The key behind avoiding offense in children is to be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings. However, if you offend your child by way of losing your cool with your child, you should definitely give an apology for losing your cool with your child, and then commit to never losing your cool with your child ever again, as losing your cool as a parent, in and of itself, is entitlement. This commandment goes without saying that punishing your child is a moral crime against the child, because it is done out of anger, and offends the child, in all cases. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", namely the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment of children. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men. 

The Greek root word translated "they be discouraged" is αθυμέω (Latin: athumeo) and refers here to long-term damages, namely trauma. The ancients had a basic understanding of childhood trauma. Whenever a child grew up to be atheist, it was seen as a sign of childhood trauma from abuse, not simply the atheist being a "lost soul". 

The ancients also had a concept of child sexual abuse. The Greek root word translated "fornication" is πορνεία (Latin: porneia), and refers in this context to any sexual interaction between an adult and a child. Any time a child perceived sexual advances from an adult, it was deemed child sexual abuse, even if the child liked it. Child sexual abuse was rare in biblical times, meaning it almost never happened. Most adults then masturbated when they developed an attraction to a child. 

Child abuse was prosecuted in the Early Church by way of church investigation. In most cases, an abused child confided into a church official about having abusive parents. When the child confided into the church official, the church elders subpoenaed the parents to testify in court. If the parents defended themselves in any way, they were excommunicated from the church for their entitlement alone. 

The Bible is an anti-spanking document. All 88 books of the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - were written by Jews, with no Jew worth mentioning ever defending the punitive treatment of children. Even King Solomon recommended attachment parenting for the little ones in his secular writings. The rod of correction was a sentence for crime, in the form of 40 minus 1 lashes. A judicial whipping then could only take place within the confines of a courtroom, and only as a final warning before putting a young adult to death. No minor child was ever whipped, as children were seen then as immune to prosecution under the Law.

America is a Christian nation, with this nation being founded on Judeo-Christian family values. We as a society glean from the Bible and its context as to how to live and treat others with respect. However, the Bible was sloppily translated, with some of this being intentional as a means of keeping a pagan tradition going. However, the Bible is clear on child abuse, even with the pro-spanking lobby glossing it over - avoid offense in your child.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

"Spare the rod, spoil the child": Why the rod verses in Proverbs are repealed verses

Many parents believe the Bible says "spare the rod, spoil the child". This is a common phrase attributed to the Bible by parents. Most parents think that the Bible commands them to spank and punish their children. However, the fact of the matter is that "spare the rod, spoil the child" refers to a few verses in the book of Proverbs that mention the rod as a form of judicial corporal punishment. 

Arguably the most quoted of these rod verses is Proverbs 13:24 KJV:

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he who loveth him chasteneth him betimes. 

The Hebrew word for "son" is ben and refers to a mature Jewish son. The Hebrew word translated "rod" is shebet and refers here to a switch, administered to the bare back as a form of judicial corporal punishment. This verse ultimately refers to the 40 minus 1 lashes. In the Old Testament, it was unlawful to strike another Jew outside of a courtroom, with this protection also extending to children. Minor children were never whipped for anything in the Old Testament.

The 7 verses in Proverbs that mention the rod are repealed verses. Christ repealed the harsh legal punishments of the Old Testament with His Work on the cross. The book of Proverbs contains no parenting advice whatsoever. However, the Bible does weigh in on the spanking issue. See Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here 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, with this entitlement including any parent anger directed towards a child. It is not enough to simply give up spanking, or any punishment for that matter - you need to avoid offense in your child. Avoiding offense and apologizing to children go hand in hand. The key to avoiding offense in a child is to be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings. However, if you lose your cool with your child, you should definitely apologize to your child for losing your cool with them, and then commit never to losing your cool as a parent ever again, as losing your cool alone as a parent, in and of itself, is entitlement. This commandment goes without saying that spanking or punishment of children is prohibited in the Bible, as any punishment of a child both offends the child and comes from parent anger directed towards a child. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of pqtrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions onto children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

The most common form of punishment meted out in the broader Greco-Roman world was an open-handed spanking to the bare bottom. The European pagans were brutal towards their children. However, Paul would have none of that pagan custom in the Early Christian Churches of God. Punitive parents were treated by the church authorities as church infiltrators, with the parent being excommunicated from the church whenever they defended their choice to spank or punish their children on church grounds. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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! 

"Benign deprivation": Why the frequent use of the word "no" is child abuse

Many parents buy into it. Most American parents support the concept of "benign deprivation", which ultimately amounts to parents saying "no" frequently and often. Most American parents think that children need to hear the word "no" frequent and often  However, the fact of the matter is that the Bible commands that the word "no" be used seldom, meaning almost never. The frequent use of the word "no" is child abuse, according to the Bible.

God's Law on child abuse is spelled out in Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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. Child abuse is understood in the Bible, as a legal concept, as entitlement in parents, leading to offense in children. The key is to avoid offense in your child. The idea behind avoiding offense in children is to be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings. One main thing that hurts children's feelings is being told the word "no". Whenever your child cannot accept the word "no", it is a good time to apologize to your child. However, whenever you say "no" to your child out of anger or haste, you definitely need to apologize for losing your cool with your child, as losing your cool as a parent, in and of itself, is entitlement. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translated "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive measures onto children. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was against anything harsh with a child, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

Under customary law in the Early Church, the word "no", as a general rule, was banned. The only exception was when the petitioned requests of children were unsafe, unworkable, and/or immoral. Whenever a child could not accept the word "no", they were given an informal apology in the form of reassurance and an explanation for the word "no". 

However, most of the time, parents did not say "no" directly, but instead used nicer-sounding language than the word "no". Such phrases included parents saying "that won't work", "that can't happen", or "that isn't possible". A firm word "no" was saved for when children committed purity offenses, including sexual promiscuity, in which case they had to own up to purity offenses at their baptism. However, if children died before being baptized, they immediately inherited the Kingdom of God, as the greatest in the Kingdom of God. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Hebrews 12:5-6: Understanding why this passage does not advocate spanking

Many parents think that the Bible recommends or even commands spanking children. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. The core passage cited by pro-spanking parents in the New Testament is Heb. 12:5-6. However, this argument exist on shaky ground, as Heb. 12:5-6 does not refer to earthly parenting.

God's Word states in Hebrews 12:5-6 KJV:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation that speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

When this passage is interpreted correctly, it is comforting to me, at least in retrospect. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μαστιγόω (Latin: mastigoó). This word ultimately is a metaphor for enduring hardship, meaning trials and tribulations sent the way of the believer. In the Early Church, you didn't say "I had a long day at work today", and instead said "God whipped me hard today". This metaphorical language is what is called "rod language". Rod language appears both in Ancient Greek and Ancient Aramaic. God punishes His children, like only He can. However, God only punishes His children when it does not harm them, whereas earthly parents only punish their children when it does harm them. Ultimately, this passage was intended to comfort the Hebrew Christians in their persecution from Rome.

This passage in Hebrews does not refer to a literal spanking from an earthly parent, as God does not recommend His Parenting techniques to earthly parents. However, one verse does deal with spanking and other forms of punitive parenting in earthly parenting. See Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including any parent anger towards children. It is not enough to stop spanking your child, or stop punishing them otherwise for that matter - you need to avoid offense in your child. Avoiding offense in children and apologizing to children go hand in hand. The idea behind avoiding offense in children is to be willing to meaningfully apologize to children whenever you hurt their feelings. However, if you lose your cool with a child, you definitely need to apologize for losing your cool with your child, and commit to not losing your cool with your child again, as losing your cool with a child in and of itself is entitlement. This commandment goes without saying that spanking and other forms of punishment are prohibited in the Bible, as any punishment of a child offends the child. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here was convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", namely the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, including spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

The most common child punishment in broader Ancient Greece was a spanking to the child's bare bottom. Spanking was a pagan tradition that was absorbed into the Western Church as a form of European influence. Christ Himself, in His secular writings, opposed punishing children in any form. Christ used the Apostle Paul in order to hammer that message through.

It is a myth that Christ was whipped for running away from His parents. He did, in fact, run away from home and end up in a temple. All that happened was that the rabbis in the temple were astonished by his religious astuteness. If Christ was ever whipped, then He could not be the Perfect Messiah. Christ had a perfect childhood. When other children were getting into mud battles, Christ was professing astute knowledge of Scripture, with this astuteness showing at age 3. Christ followed the Law perfectly, and that included Christ as a Child. Mother Mary was in fact a gentle parent, and was deeply worried for her son Jesus, as she knew ahead of time His Fate. She simply tried to script for Christ as to what to say, but with Christ knowing what to say anyway.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Child abuse definitions: Why the Bible calls for expanding child abuse definitions

Many parents think that the ancients in the Bible had no concept of childhood, let alone child abuse. Most parents today support the current child abuse definitions. However, the Bible has its own definition of child abuse - whatever the child victim perceives as abuse. 

The Greek root word denoting parental entitlement is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is defined as, officially speaking, wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially speaking, parental entitlement consists of a parent being sorely disappointed when they don't get what they feel that they deserve from children. However, any parent anger directed towards a child was seen as parental entitlement then, and was roundly condemned as such. Whenever this sense of entitlement in parents was perceived as offensive or damaging by children, it was deemed child abuse. See also Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is  ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including parent anger towards children. Child abuse in the Bible, as a legal concept, consists of entitlement in parents, leading to offense in children. The key to avoiding abusing your child is to avoid offense in your child. The idea behind avoiding offense in your child is to be willing to meaningfully apologize whenever you hurt your child's feelings, including in the case of set limits that your child cannot accept. However, if you lose your cool with your child while offending them, you should definitely apologize to your child, and then commit never to losing your cool with your child ever again, as losing your cool with your child alone is entitlement. With that said, any refusal to apologize to your child for upsetting them, in and of itself, is entitlement. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translated to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men. 

The Greek root word translated "they be discouraged" is αθυμέω (Latin: athumeo) and refers to any long-term damages, including trauma. The ancients in the Bible had a basic understanding of childhood trauma. When children grew up to be atheist, shame fell onto the parents, with atheism being seen as a sign of trauma, not simply a "lost soul".

Child sexual abuse was a concept in biblical times. The Greek root word translated "fornication" is πορνεία (Latin: porneia) and refers here to any sexual interaction between adults and children. Any sexual advances towards children perceived by a child was deemed child sexual abuse, even if the child liked it. Child sexual abuse was rare in biblical times, meaning it almost never happened.

Child abuse was a matter investigated by the church. Usually, the investigation started with a child confiding into a church elder or deacon. From there, the parents were called before the council for a trial. If the parents defended themselves at all in court, they were swiftly excommunicated from the Early Christian Churches of God. 

The Bible is an anti-spanking document. All 88 books of the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - were written by Jews, with no Jew worth mentioning ever defending the punishment of children. Even King Solomon recommended attachment parenting for the little ones, saving the rod for adult descendants who were convicted of a crime, as a last resort before the child being put to death, with the rod verses in Proverbs referring to the 40 minus 1 lashes. 

The Bible is a founding document of this country, even above the Constitution itself. We as a society glean from the Bible and its context as to how to live and get along with each other. Even our legal codes ultimately come from our founding Judeo-Christian values. It just so happens that the Bible was grossly mistranslated at the Latinate level. However, the Bible is clear on child abuse - do not provoke your child to anger, meaning avoid offense in children. This verse in Colossians is glossed over in order to keep a European pagan tradition going in the name of "God".

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Crying: Why crying is not bad behavior in children

Many parents have had to deal with it. A child is crying, seemingly at the most inopportune times. Most American parents punish their children for crying seemingly "out of nowhere". However, the fact of the matter is that children cry to communicate a need.

God's Law commands a secure attachment between parent and child. See Colossians 3:20 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and is better translated as "trust" as in "trust your parents in all things". This commandment ultimately refers to secure rest from children in the Agape love of parents. Ultimately, this commandment refers to a secure attachment between parent and child. The biblical context, when used as a guidepost, tells us how to form that secure bond with your child. A good place to start is to tend to the every cry of children.

Children growing up in the Early Church were never punished or reprimanded for crying (see Col. 3:21). This is because most Christian parents in the Early Church knew more than today's parents that children cry to communicate a vulnerable need. Whenever children cried, mothers cooed before picking up the child, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting it.

Children were understood under customary law, in the Early Church, as having five basic categories of needs behind their every cry; food, water, shelter, transportation, and attachment - and the greatest of these needs is attachment! Whenever children needed something, they cried, and kept crying until the need was met. However, most of the time, all children need is YOU.

Crying in children is how they communicate a vulnerable need to parents. Crying is a developmentally appropriate behavior in children. The real reason to worry is if the child isn't crying when they should. I slept through the night from day one as a baby, and my mom saw it as a sign of autism. Lo and behold, I was officially diagnosed with autism at age 2. I didn't even cry due to having a double ear infection. Children need to cry in order to communicate a vulnerable need to parents.

The depraved and entitled parents who punish a child merely for crying will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the abyss which is the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent!

Pedophilic children: How to accommodate your pedophilic child

Many parents fear that their child might be sexually abused by a pedophile. This is a common fear amongst parents. However, the fact of the matter is that pedophilia and childhood can exist in the same person. Most pedophiles are already aware of their disorder by their mid-teens. What should a parent do concerning their pedophilic child?

A pedophile is not an anger packet directed towards a child. A pedophile is a human being with a primary or exclusive sexual preference for children under age 14. Most pedophiles have a form of immature autism where their special interests all revolve around children. When spotting a pedophile, look for a male with autism who is a natural-born nurturer of children. Most autistic men find children annoying, meaning perhaps "too loud". Pedophilia is basically arrested sexual development on the age-oriented spectrum of sexual preference.

What should you do if you spot pedophilia in your child? The idea is akin to a stork laying out a nest for their young. The idea is to make room for your child to disclose their pedophilia to you. Whenever they do disclose, be there to reassure them. The more anguished the disclosure, the more sensitivity the child needs. Pedophiles do not give tearful disclosures as a form of manipulation. They only disclose when they want help in some way.

Pedophilic children need an outlet for their sexual desires. Thus, righteous masturbation is in order for a pedophilic child. Righteous masturbation means masturbation without pornography, meaning for health reasons. Pedophilic children should not be allowed pornography, but should be allowed a place to masturbate to sexual fantasies of children.

Most pedophilia is simply sexual curiosity about the child body. Most sexual offenses against children committed by pedophiles are due to sexual curiosity taken too far. A good place to help your child in this regard is to give them children's books about body awareness. That alone will answer their questions. It is also good to have a conversation going with your pedophilic child in the form of sex education, with the aim of the sexual education being abstinence. 

I myself am a former offender against children. I myself was an infatuation offender, meaning curiosity leading to a sexual obsession about a child. I myself was driven, at the lowest level, by curiosity about the child body. I am currently under investigation for my past crimes, but thankfully the police are cutting me a break due to me not meaning harm towards my victims. I support more laws protecting children, even if it means sweeping me up with the other offenders. I myself mostly committed street harassment of young girls. Most pedophiles, if they offend against a child, do so the way I did, or else none at all. 1 out of 4 pedophiles have acted on their desires, usually in the form of sexual harassment. Most pedophile rapes are committed by individuals with a low IQ. 

I myself currently have a support system to turn to if I feel like relapsing into my infatuation addiction. I myself have a mother and a therapist whom I can talk to if I develop an infatuation with a child. The infatuations come in the form of train cars, with everyone around me hoping for the caboose. The idea is to talk to my mother first about a crush on a child, and then my therapist. Infatuation offenders are the hardest of sexual offenders to treat, and that is because their whole identity revolves around one specific child. 

Most pedophiles today are more likely to be a danger to themselves than a danger to children. Most pedophiles have a sexual shaming trauma from entitled parents. Most parents either threaten their pedophilic child with abandonment, or else are controlling in a sexually shaming way. A common co-morbid disorder for a pedophile is major depression, and that is where you have to worry about them having a plan to murder themselves. Many pedophiles have what is called a "kamakaze packet", meaning if found out, they program a suicide into the lowest level of their existence. Thus, confronting the pedophile might well be downright dangerous. Most pedophiles are atheist due to spiritual trauma from their sexually shaming parents, and blame all Christians for their persecution as a pedophile.

The Bible itself is silent on the issue of pedophilia. The Greek root word translated "fornication" is πορνεία (Latin: porneia) and refers to anything outside of sexual ventricles as understood in context, including child sexual abuse. The Bible does not speak in terms of sexual preferences. Pedophilia was a concept then, but with pedophiles taking the role of foster parent, when nobody else would stand up to the plate and care for the child. However, nowhere is any mere sexual attraction mentioned in the Bible, including pedophilia. The Bible instead speaks in terms of sexual behavior, and prohibits child sexual abuse. The proper ventricles in the Bible for sexual behavior are sexual relations with your wife as a man, or else masturbation without pornography for health reasons. Sexual fantasies of children were allowed in the Early Church. 

The depraved and entitled parents who reject their pedophilic child will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the abyss which is the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Repent!

Passing down the faith: How to instruct your child in the Lord without punishment or shaming

Many parents want their children to have values. This is a common goal amongst American parents. However, most American parents think that children need the "devil beaten out of them". But, the fact of the matter is that the right way to pass down the faith is without punitive measures.

God's Law on passing down the faith is spelled out in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord

The first stanza of this commandment clarifies for the second that religious instruction should not hurt. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here 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, with this entitlement including any parent anger directed towards children. It is not enough to stop spanking or punishing children - you need to avoid offense in a child. Avoiding offense in children and apologizing for hurting children's feelings come hand in hand. Whenever you hurt your child's feelings, you should be willing to give a meaningful apology to your child. However, when you lose your cool with your child, you definitely should be willing to give a formal apology, and then commit never to lose your cool with your child ever again, as losing your cool with your child alone as a parent is entitlement. With that said, even refusing to apologize to your child for upsetting them is entitlement. This first stanza of this commandment ultimately means that you need to avoid offending your child in the course of instructing them in the Lord.

The second stanza of this commandment states exactly how to instruct your children in the Lord without punitive measures. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is better translated as "instruction" in more modern versions of the Bible. Religious instruction in the Early Church started at around age 6. Fathers left out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, fathers praised and encouraged them lavishly, then saying to children "you can ask me anything about that book". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format. Children were eager to learn about Scripture, with fathers giving pointers as to the context. 

Religion is a human need for children and parents alike. Most children will naturally form a religion on their own. However, parents have leverage in dictating their children's religious beliefs. The idea is to leave out only a Bible if you are a Christian. But, they might find a different church than yours to attend. But, at least they have values.

Some Christian parents rush their children's religious development. One way this happens is parents insisting on grateful postures in their children. Grateful postures are instead something to spot in your child, as a means of taking their spiritual temperature. If your child shows grateful posture on their own, without parental input, they are in the right place spiritually. I myself tie my hands behind my back when out and about, in order to inform others that they are in the presence of the elect.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their 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!

Time-in: Why mammary closeness is the biblical way of doing time-in

Many parents are giving up spanking. The problem is that most parents do time-out instead of spanking. This alone is child abuse. The fact of the matter is that time-in is the way to go. There are many ways to do time-in. However, there is one biblical way of doing time-in - mammary closeness.

God wants you as a parent to have a secure attachment with your child. See Colossians 3:20 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and is better translated as "trust", as in "trust your parents in all things". This commandment refers to secure rest in the Agape love of parents. Ultimately, this commandment ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. The context, when used as a guidepost, tells us how to form a secure bond with your child. A good place to start is mammary closeness with your child.

Time-in can come in many forms. Some parents sit with their child when they tantrum. Some parents send their child to a calming corner. However, there is one biblical way to do time-in - mammary closeness. Whenever children growing up in the Early Church cried, they were first held close to the bosom of mothers, in mammary closeness. When children continued to cry, mothers scrambled to find out what that child needed. However, in most cases, all children needed was time-in with mom.

Breastfeeding and mammary closeness go hand in hand. Children growing up in the Early Church suckled the teat of mothers. In most cases, breastfeeding lasted until age 2, which was when they usually pushed away the teat of the mother. However, some breastfeeding didn't end until age 6 or even beyond. Mothers breastfed their children whenever and wherever she was called to, including even in public.

Mammary closeness is one quick way to get into attachment parenting. The idea is when your child is crying, you hold them close, right up next your bosom. When you do this, you will regret not doing so earlier, in total bliss! 

The depraved and entitled parents who punish their crying children will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them descend into the lake of fire and burning sulfur, suffering God's Wrath day and night forever and ever! Repent!

Catching children being good: Understanding the Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. However, most American parents equate discipline with punishment. With that said, the Christian standard of parenting involves positive reinforcement, meaning catching children being good. 

God's Law on child discipline is stated in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

This first stanza of this verse clarifies for the second that discipline should not hurt. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including parent anger at a child. A parent should seek to avoid offense in children, meaning that they should avoid hurting their child's feelings, and when they do hurt their child emotionally, they should apologize for the hurt feelings. However, if you lose your cool with your child, you definitely need to give a formal apology, then commit never to lose your cool again, as losing your cool alone as a parent is entitlement. But, any time you refuse to apologize to a child that you upset, you are entitled. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christians in the parish at Ephesus who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin term roughly translated to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punishment of a child in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

This second stanza of this verse clarifies for the first as to what discipline is acceptable, with the first stanza ruling out anything punitive with a child. The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to a specific form of nurturing, namely of the teaching type. Children growing up in the Early Church were left to form their own discipline, and when children showed discipline, they were given lavish praise and encouragement to keep up the good work. Christian parents in the Early Church set a good example for their children to follow, but backed up their example with praise and encouragement, not punishment and force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is better translated as "instruction" in more modern versions of the Bible, and refers here to religious instruction. Starting at age 6, fathers left out a Bible for their children to discover and explore. When children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were given lavish praise and encouragement, with fathers saying to children something along the lines of "you can ask me anything about that book". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format. with children being eager to learn about Scripture, and with fathers being quick to give pointers on the context. This second stanza refers to the Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement, which was practiced by Jews thousands of years before the coming of Christ.

Mothers nurture up close, with fathers instead nurturing from afar. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning that wherever mom went, so did her child. When children turned age 6, they spent more time with their fathers for religious instruction. Fathers kept their respectful distance from children, as he had a sexual attachment to his children, especially his daughter. Fathers were never allowed sexual relations with children, and instead, they had to masturbate to sexual thoughts of their children. Mothers protected their young children from the sexual wrath of fathers for the first 6 years of childhood, when they needed it the most.

Spanking started out as a Greco-Roman pagan tradition. The most common form of punishment in Ancient Greece was a spanking to the bare bottom. However, punitive parents were treated by the Early Christians as church infiltrators, with the majority of the Early Christians instead practicing attachment parenting. Christian parents in the Early Church instead caught children being good. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their 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!

Expanding child abuse definitions: Why the Bible calls for more laws on the books protecting children

Many parents think that the ancients in the Bible had no concept of childhood, let alone child abuse. This is a common belief amongst American parents. Most American parents support the current child abuse definition. However, the Bible has its own definition of child abuse - whatever the child victim perceives as abuse.

The Greek root word denoting parental entitlement is πλεονέκτης (Latin: pleonektés) and is defined as, officially speaking, wanting things from children, to the point of imposition. Unofficially speaking, parental entitlement consists of a parent who is sorely disappointed when they don't get what they feel that they deserve from children. However, even parent anger directed towards children was deemed in the Early Church as parental entitlement, and was roundly condemned as such. When this sense of entitlement in parents was perceived by children as offensive or damaging, it was deemed child abuse. See also Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, with this entitlement including parent anger at children. Child abuse in the Bible, as a concept, includes entitlement in parents, leading to offense in children. The only way to avoid abusing your child is to avoid offense in a child. Part of avoiding offense in a child is to be willing to apologize whenever you hurt your child's feelings. However, when you lose your cool with your child, you need to give a formal apology for your entitlement, and commit never to losing your cool ever again, as losing your cool alone as a parent is entitlement. However, any time you refuse to apologize to a child for upsetting them, you are entitled. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

The Greek root word translated "they be discouraged" is αθυμέω (Latin: athumeo) and refers here to long-term damages, including trauma. The ancients had a basic understanding of childhood trauma. Whenever a child grew up to be atheist. it was seen as a sign of trauma from child abuse, not a sign that the child was a "lost soul". 

Even in the Early Church, child sexual abuse was a concept. The Greek root word translated "fornication" is πορνεία (Latin: porneia) and refers to any sexual activity outside of proper ventricles, with this including sexual relations with your wife, or else righteous masturbation - without pornography - with yourself. Any sexual interaction between an adult and a child is child sexual abuse. This means that any perceived sexual advances towards a child by an adult is child sexual abuse, even if the child liked it. Even in the Early Church, marriage was only allowed between equals in terms of age, with the bride being either the exact same age as the groom, or with the bride being up to 4 years older than the groom. Intergenerational marriage was not allowed in the Early Church.

Child abuse was prosecuted by the church authorities in the Early Church. In most cases, a child confided into a church elder or deacon about being abused. From there, the parents were called before the council of 3 elders. If the parents defended themselves at all in court, they were excommunicated from the Early Christian Churches of God. 

The Bible is an anti-spanking document. All 88 books of the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - was written by Jews, with no Jew worth mentioning ever endorsing punitive parenting. Even King Solomon recommended attachment parenting for the little ones, with the rod of correction being for adult children who ran afoul of the Law, as a final warning before the adult child was put to death, meaning the 40 minus 1 lashes.

America is a Christian nation, founded on Judeo-Christian family values. The Bible is a founding document of this nation, even above the Constitution itself. We glean from the Bible and its context as to how to live and treat each other with respect. Even our secular legal codes are written with a Judeo-Christian bias. It just so happened that the Bible itself was poorly translated into Latin when Rome took over, and part of that was intentional. Also, Jewish scholarship on parenting is far divorced from the Christian scholarship on parenting, with very few ancient Jewish parenting manuals translated into Latin or English. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Positive reinforcement: Understanding the Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common want for children to have. However, most parents equate discipline with punishment. But, the Bible instead calls for positive reinforcement when a child is caught in the act of being good.

God's Law on child discipline is spelled out in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 

This first stanza clarifies for the second that discipline should not hurt. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here 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, with this entitlement including parent anger. It is not enough to avoid spanking or punishing your child - you need to seek to avoid offense in children. Whenever you hurt your child's feelings, it is necessary to apologize to your child, thus avoiding offense that way. However, if you offend your child by way of losing your cool with your child, you should definitely give a formal apology to your child, and then commit never to lose your cool with your child ever again. All parent anger directed towards a child in and of itself is entitlement. Apologizing to children and avoiding offense in children go hand in hand. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christians in the parish at Ephesus who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishments. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men. 

This second stanza spells out what discipline is acceptable, with the first stanza ruling out anything harsh or punitive with a child. The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to a certain specific form of nurturing, namely of the teaching sort. Children were left to form their own discipline, and when they showed discipline in their behavior, they were given lavish praise and encouragement to keep up the good work. Christian parents in the Early Church set a good example for their children, but instead backed it up with praise and encouragement, as opposed to punishment and force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is better translated "instruction" in more modern translations. Religious instruction in the Early Church started at age 6, with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. Whenever children were caught in the act of studying the Bible, they were warmly encouraged to keep up the good work, with fathers saying to children "you can ask me anything about that book". From there, religious instruction came in the form of question and answer. Children were eager to learn about Scripture, with fathers giving pointers as to the context. This stanza of the commandment spells out the Judeo-Christian tradition of positive reinforcement, meaning that positive reinforcement be spontaneous in nature, as opposed to sticker charts or rewards systems. 

Sometimes, parents needed to set limits. However, children don't always take kindly to limits being set. Whenever a child cries or protests a limit, parents should apologize to their child for having to set a limit, in the form of "I'm sorry, but I had to set X limits for Y reasons". However, if you lose your cool with your child, you should give a formal apology, such as "I apologize for losing my cool with you" and then commit never to lose your child ever again, as any parent anger directed towards a child is the moral crime of parental entitlement.

It is a myth that children were raped in the biblical context. This is a common excuse for fathers in particular to rape his children. That actually happened in most ancient cultures. But, in Ancient Jewish culture, fathers simply masturbated to thoughts of his daughter. The child simply stood out in terms of parent attraction, with fatherly desire for his child ultimately amounting to a supervisory attraction. No man loses track of children when he is attracted to them. Fathers did discipline their children, but only in the form of verbal reward and praise when children showed favorable behaviors.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to wrath through punitive measures 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!

"Benign deprivation": Why saying "no" to children "frequent and often" is child abuse

Many parents think children should be told "no" frequent and often. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents think that children need what is called benign deprivation. However, saying "no" too often is a form of child abuse. 

God's Law on child abuse is spelled out in Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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, defended in open court out of entitlement. This commandment calls for parents to avoid offense in their children. However, the word "no" in and of itself upsets children sometimes, thus a parent should apologize whenever a child cannot accept the word "no", thus avoiding offense in a child. But, if you lose your cool with your child when telling them "no", you should definitely give a formal apology, then committing to not losing your cool with your child ever again, with parent anger directed towards a child alone being entitlement. Child abuse is defined in the Bible as entitlement in parents, leading to offense in children. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment of children. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

Christian parents in the Early Church said "no" to their children rarely, meaning almost never. Under customary law in the Early Church, parents could only tell their children "no" under certain specific circumstances, such as when children wanted something unsafe, unworkable, and/or immoral. Whenever a child could not accept the word "no", they were reassured by parents of their good intent, and also were given an explanation to the word "no". 

However, Christian parents in the Early Church rarely, if ever, told children a flat out "no". Usually, Christian parents then instead used nicer-sounding language instead of the word "no", such as statements along the line of "that can't happen", "that won't work", or "that isn't possible". In most cases, that sort of language is all that is needed to avoid hurt feelings in a child. Usually, parents only gave children a flat out "no" when their children were behaving in a sexually amoral fashion.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Righteous pampering: Why God wants you to pamper and baby your children

Many parents think that pampering a child is the same as spoiling them. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. Most American parents don't even want to be seen as pampering their children. However, the Bible calls for parents to pamper and baby their children. 

The Bible commands a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. See Colossians 3:20 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: as this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and is better translated as "trust", as in "trust your parent in all things", with this commandment being written to the parents of a dependent child. This commandment refers to rest in the Agape love of parents. This commandment ultimately refers to a secure attachment between parent and child in the family home. The biblical context, when used as a guidepost, tells us how to form a secure bond with your child. 

Righteous pampering does not refer to any old pampering of a child. It instead refers to a specific method of pampering and babying children, found in the Hebraic context of the Bible. For the first 6 years of childhood, children were in constant closeness to mothers, meaning wherever mom went, so did her child. For the first 2 years of childhood, children were constantly held by mothers, either in her loving arms, or else on mom's back in a papoose bag when her hands were full. Between ages 2-6, children were in constant closeness to mothers, seemingly attached to mom's hip, 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 before picking up the child, and from there, she diagnosed the need before meeting that need. Maybe the child was tired. Maybe the child was hungry. Maybe the child needed mom's milk. Maybe the child needed mom, period. Whatever the child needed, they got it. Whenever mothers were out and about in public with children under age 6, children were wrapped up next to the bosom of mothers in swaddling blankets, with the swaddling blankets - and the child with them - being tucked underneath the loose-fitting, revealing dress that resembled an apron. Children went naked wherever they went, with mothers also going naked within the context of a family home. This birth nudity setup helped facilitate easy skin-on-skin contact between mother and child, with children experiencing the rays of skin-on-skin sustaining warmth. 

When children turned age 6, they played freely outside, naked. Children growing up in the Early Church ventured farther and farther from home, exploring the terrain, engaging in wet and messy play such as mud battles along the way. Children then, by night, were still close to parents, alternating between closeness and apartness in relation to parents. But, before children could go play, they had to check in with mom and tell her where they were going.

Young children under age 6 were very much protected, in a sheltered sort of way. Children under age 6 could not appreciate the dangers that existed outdoors. These dangers included venomous snakes and scorpions, with there being no antivenom. Today, there also exists hazards for children, namely busy streets and would-be kidnappers. Children were held close for the first 6 years, and were protected even in public, being covered up in swaddling blankets next to the bosom of mothers.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!

Child discipline: How to discipline your child without punitive measures

Many parents want their children to have discipline. This is a common attitude amongst American parents. However, most American parents think that discipline should come in the form of punishments or other punitive treatment of children. However, there is a proper way to discipline a child - catch them being good.

God's Law on child discipline is stated in Ephesians 6:4 KJV:

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

This first stanza here clarifies for the second that discipline should not hurt. The Greek root word translated "provoke...to wrath" is παροργίζο (Latin: parorgizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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. A parent ideally should avoid offense in their child, meaning that parents should be willing to meaningfully apologize whenever they hurt their children's feelings. It is especially imperative that parents give a formal apology when they lose their cool with their child, as any parent anger directed towards a child is entitlement. However, even refusing to apologize for upsetting your child is entitlement. This stanza of the commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents in the parish at Ephesus who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

The second stanza of this commandment spells out what discipline is acceptable, with the first stanza ruling out anything punitive with a child. The Greek root word translated "nurture" is παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers here to a specific type of nurturing, namely of the teaching type. Children were left to form their own discipline, and when they showed discipline, they were lavishly praised and encouraged to keep up the good work. Christian parents in the Early Church set a good example for their children, but backed it up with praise and encouragement, as opposed to punishment and force. Children also need religious instruction, as religion is a human need for children and adults alike. The Greek root word translated "admonition" is νουθεσία (Latin: nouthesia) and is translated in more modern translations more aptly as "instruction". Religious instruction started at age 6, with fathers leaving out a Bible for children to discover and explore. When fathers caught their children in the act of studying the Bible, he encouraged the religious development of his child, saying to his child something along the lines of "you can ask me anything about that book". From there, religious instruction came in question and answer format, with children being eager to learn about Scripture, with fathers giving pointers on the context. This nurture and instruction of the Lord was clearly understood then as the Hebraic tradition of positive reinforcement, with children being caught in the act of behaviors that their parents favored in their children, with the child then receiving praise and encouragement for showing favored behaviors. 

Sometimes, children need a little nudge to go the right way in terms of discipline. However, even a tiny nudge for children can hurt a child's feelings. Whenever a child is upset by a set limit, a parent should duly apologize to their child. However, a parent should not set limits out of anger, and if parents do lose their cool in this regard, they should both apologize and commit to never losing their cool with their child ever again. 

In the Early Church, mothers nurtured from up close, and fathers nurtured from afar. It is a myth that fathers in the Early Church sexually corrected their children. Instead, fathers masturbated righteously, meaning to sexual thoughts of daughters as opposed to pornography. Righteous masturbation is, masturbation in order to stay out of trouble, meaning for health reasons. From there, the father imprinted on his children, with his connotational attraction to his children helping him supervise his children more attentively.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their 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!

Hebrews 12:5-6: Why this passage is not a pro-spanking passage

Many parents think that the Bible allows, or even commands, a parent to spank or punish their children. The core argument for the false doctrine of "biblical spanking" is in Heb. 12:5-6. However, the fact of the matter is that Heb. 12:5-6 is not about earthly parenting.

God's Word states in Hebrews 12:5-6 KJV:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation that speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, not faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

This passage, when understood correctly, is comforting to me. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μασιγόω (Latin: mastigoó) and refers here to a figurative whipping from God. This mention of whipping is a form of ancient metaphor known as rod language. Instead of saying "I had a long day at work" in the Early Church, you said "God whipped me hard today". God does not literally reach down from the Heavens and whip His children. But, God does punish His children, like only He can. But, God only punishes His children when it doesn't harm them. Earthly parents only punish their children when it does harm them. This passage ultimately refers to trials and tribulations\that God sends to those He loves the most, with this passage being intended to comfort the Hebrew Christians in their persecution from Rome.

God never intended for His parenting methods to be used by earthly parents. Heb. 12:5-6 does not touch on earthly parenting. However, God does weigh in on the spanking issue. See Colossians 3:21 KJV:

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers here to offenses or damages, 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. It is not enough to stop spanking or punishing your children - you need to avoid offense in your child. The only way to avoid offense in children is to be willing to give a meaningful apology whenever you hurt your child's feelings. You especially need to apologize to a child when you lose your cool with your child, as parent anger directed towards children, in and of itself, is entitlement. However, even refusing to apologize to a child that you upset is entitlement. This commandment cross-references the Eighth and the Tenth Commandments, with the Apostle Paul here convicting a group of Greek Christian parents who brought into the church their pagan custom of patrias potestas, which is a Latin phrase roughly translating to "power to the parent", including the power to impose punitive sanctions on children, such as spanking or other forms of punishment. The most common punishment imposed on children in Ancient Greece was spanking to the bare bottom. Paul, contrary to popular legend, was anti-spanking, and opposed any and all punitive parenting in his secular writings. Attachment parenting was banned under Roman law, but the Early Christians did it anyway, obeying God over men.

Spanking, in the Early Church, was seen as a pagan custom infiltrating their churches. Most Christian parents in the Early Church were not pro-spanking, and instead were anti-spanking. The Early Church, as a whole, shunned any form of punishment of a child, deeming such treatment of children to be of this world. 

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke their children to anger 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!