Righteous enslavement of parents: Why parents are to obey children (not the other way around)

Many parents think their children should obey them. This is a common sentiment among American parents. Most American parents today are authoritative parents, which is a watered down form of authoritarian parenting that can possibly be even more harmful than traditional authoritarian parenting.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting home is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, with children being in place of God, and with parents expecting absolutely nothing in return from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents is not borne out of fearful compliance, but instead out of restful trust, with children feeling safe in confiding to parents anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in Ancient Israel, and was mandated under customary law. That customary law, which mandates attachment parenting, is lifted up like this verse.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment, in both its linguistic and legal context, was understood as prohibiting all forms of punitive parenting, including punishment and controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law in order to rebuke Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Some Greek Christian parents misused the book of Proverbs even in the 1st Century in order to justify their punishment habits. Paul was explaining to these parents that they were missing the big picture - that parents are to love children as their neighbor, and not provoke them to anger. Paul was ultimately lifting up this Jewish commandment, and applying it to a Christian parenting context. The rod verses ultimately do not refer to parenting, but to a form of judicial corporal punishment known as the 40 minus 1 lashes. Fathers were appointed by the court to whip their own ADULT son in order to warn him that he would be executed on the spot if he didn't stop his criminal habits. Fathers had to be court ordered to whip their ADULT children, otherwise they wouldn't do it. MINOR children could not be charged with a criminal act or civil wrong, as they could not stand trial in their defense. Children could sue their parents in court as the plaintiff, but not defend themselves in court. Children were not seen as heeding to the Law, instead being seen as learning the Law, and were given a break by the religious authorities in both the Old and New Testaments.

Children in Ancient Israel and the Early Church were deified in how they were treated. Parents served children as extensions of God, revering and fearing them as such. Children were masters of their parents, and parents were slaves, and parents were expected to salute their master, meaning their child. Children were elevated as the highest form of mankind, exempt from all laws and criminal procedures, simply learning the Law, only expected to follow it all at a later date when ready.

Children in biblical times went naked wherever they went, and women also traditionally were naked in the family home, with women being unclothed in order to serve their husband and their children, separately. Mothers served their children by way of nourishment and sustenance, meaning breastmilk and skin-to-skin closeness and intimacy respectively. Children ranged beside their mother, and maybe clung to her, by day. By night, children slept next to mothers, with mother and child co-sleeping together, and children soaking up the rays of skin-to-skin closeness. 

Mothers were seen as the primary caregivers of children, and experts on parenting. But, ultimately, children enslaved both their parents and issued lawful and binding orders on parents, with parents serving the every want/need of a child, with the knowledge - even then - that wants and needs are intertwined. Parents were caregivers of children, not lawgivers or lawmakers. Mothers nurtured up close. Fathers also nurtured, but from afar, assuming formalities before the child invited them to casual interaction.

Ultimately, righteous enslavement revolves around the word "yes". Adults, especially parents, love to say "no" to children, but usually, there is a reason to say "yes" to children when they demand something. Children don't ask for much, usually. Maybe candy in the store, which costs about an extra dollar, maybe less. Why not just get them the candy and quit the arguing? So they ask for more? If they start asking for more, they feel safe around you. Children are flawed human beings, in a way that they cannot be expected to be grateful for everything all at once. They are grateful, but they show it in their own way by asking for more. Know that you as a parent are appreciated once they come all apart for you emotionally, because that is a child's way of baring their soul to you.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Pro-social deification, pro-social child worship: Why children were worshipped in biblical times

Many parents think that biblical times were harsh for children, and point to false context that supports myths of children being put to work, being treated as property, and whipped like galley slaves. The fact of the matter is that Ancient Jewish culture, including the Early Christian culture, was a child worshipping culture.

Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:45-46 KJV:

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This commandment lifts up the concept of pro-social child worship. The list of groups of people before this passage is not an exclusive list, but just a list of groups forgotten by Christ's Jewish society. Children were well taken care of in Christ's Jewish society, with parents treating children with the same respect that one would show God. Children were seen as extensions of God to fear and revere, because of their vulnerability and not despite it.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting home is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, with children being in place of God, expecting absolutely nothing from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents is not borne out of fearful compliance, but instead comes from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe confiding anything and everything that is on their mind into parents, including admission of wrongdoing and non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in Ancient Jewish culture, including Early Christian culture, and was mandated by way of customary law. This verse lifts up that customary law, creating a biblical mandate for parents to at least strive for attachment parenting in raising their children, striving for a secure parent-child bond.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment was understood, in its original linguistic and legal context, as prohibiting all punitive parenting, including all punishment and controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law in order to rebuke Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking and punishing children into the church. Spanking does not come from the Bible, as the rod verses refer specifically to judicial corporal punishment imposed on ADULT children by the father, and only when the errant ADULT son was convicted of a crime. Punitive parenting of children ultimately comes from the Roman Catholic Church pandering to the parenting customs of European pagans, which were punitive in nature. Thus, punitive parenting is an idolatrous tradition that churches should weed out of their parishes and congregations. 

Children in biblical times were seen as extensions of God in the family home. Parents viewed themselves as extensions of Christ serving a Godhead which was their children. Children could issue lawful and binding orders demanding that they get a certain type of care or treatment, and then parents had to obey their child. Children rested in their throne, being pampered like royalty, and being worshipped like they were God on earth.

Parents reverently feared their children, with reverent fear being denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word ψοβός (Latin: phobos) which refers to a spark that catapults a parent into action, usually in terms of servitude. A child's every demand should strike parents with reverent fear and terror, with parents being in lockstep with the child's every vulnerable need. 

What was this form of attachment parenting like in practice? Children went naked wherever they went, and women were traditionally naked in the home. Women went naked in the home in order to serve both their husbands and their children, separately. Children ranged beside their mother, with both mother and child naked, by day. By night, children slept next to mothers, with mother and child co-sleeping together, and the child soaking up the rays in skin-to-skin closeness with mothers. When mothers took their children out in public, the children were held to the mother's body with swaddling blankets and papoose bags. Mothers were a servant to their children, just as mankind is servile to God. The doctrine of parenting then was one of righteous enslavement, meaning just as mankind is enslaved to God, parents are enslaved to their children.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

How to parent a pedophilic child

Many people associate pedophiles with child abuse and entitlement imposed upon children, and most of America blames pedophiles as the sole driving cause of child abuse, especially child sexual abuse. However, the scientific evidence is clear that pedophiles are not the sole cause of child abuse, nor are they the primary cause even. Child sexual abuse is caused by sexually entitled adult who repress their sexual drives towards children, which all adults have at some level. Most pedophiles are victims of crime and abuse, or else are highly vulnerable to such.

Pedophilia is a mental health disorder involving primary sexual attraction to children under age 14. Usually, it is not a narcissist who has the condition, but with instead the disorder presenting itself in a child with autism, with the sexual desires being an expression of the child's emotional immaturity. Pedophilia is basically arrested sexual development associated with autistic immaturity, and on a larger scale, autistic traits. Most children with autism are not pedophiles, but most pedophiles have autism to some degree. Usually, it is a special type of autism where they prefer the company of children, and can "see in" to a child in an understanding way. I myself have the disorder. I only want children as friends. Adults are boring, meaning I am less likely to want another adult to be my friend. The disorder usually presents itself as eccentric, in a child-centered way.

One thing a pedophile parent, or a parent with a pedophilic child, needs to unlearn is that sexual fantasy about children is sin. There are two reasons that an adult fantasizes about children - to plan or to discharge. If you are masturbating to sexual fantasies of children, and you are actively planning to sexually abuse a child, stop what you are doing and don't do it again. A child only masturbates for one reason - to discharge, meaning to relieve themselves of an urge that could well have landed on a much younger child if the pedophilic child wasn't careful. And, shouldn't we pat these children on the back for showing self-control?

It says in Matthew 5:27-28 KJV:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery in his heart.

The Greek root word translated "lust" is επιθυμέω (Latin: epithumeo) and refers not to mere desire, but to a form of adult sexual entitlement in the context of pedophilia. This word refers to desire to the point of taking the first steps to approach a child sexually. Unless your child is approaching much younger children, they are not sexually entitled. But, if they are, they are to be held to the same standard as an adult, as there is no equality in such a relationship. They may have to answer for that form of sexual harassment at a later date. 

The idea is to keep your child away from much younger children, explaining to them that the age difference is inappropriate, and then offering masturbating to sexual fantasy about children instead. Instead of approaching and walking up to a child sexually, they can look but not approach, and sexually fantasize about the child instead.

What pedophilic children need most is listening. Allow them to talk about their crushes with you. Yes, they aren't wanting to prey on much younger children. They simply have a crush, and they need a listening ear to vent to. What will probably happen is that they eventually, as they get older, will find a way to keep their own counsel. This listening ear should assume nothing about pedophilia, and should be open to learning about the condition from a child with the condition.

There are two types of disclosure - tone-deaf and tearful. A tone-deaf disclosure is the more worrisome disclosure, because that means they will then start sexually harassing much younger children, which is a form of child sexual abuse. Usually, they disclose when they are crying, and only when they think their tears will be met with understanding. Children with this disorder almost never "go off like a bomb". 

Pedophiles tend to hide from parents, and disclose to other adults their own age, because most parents would punish them for it. Most pedophilic children are victims of religious child abuse, even in more moderate or even progressive denominations. Most Christian denominations offer entitled help to pedophiles, walking all over their sexual fantasies, and then spitting them out. This form of religious abuse starts in childhood, with parents who punish children for their sexual thoughts. Usually, these parents are the ones sexually abusing children, not their pedophilic children.

I myself disclosed first to my mother at age 16, and she, at first, was in denial that I was a pedophile, as was my therapist when I disclosed to her - she did not want to attach that label to me until she knew full well that it was permanent in nature. They thought it was a phase that I would grow out of. It wasn't, but they accepted me, since I was choosing not to abuse children. Back then, I was a correctable abuser of children, meaning children would correct me on my abuse of them, and I would heed correction from children. But, since there was offense from adult sexual entitlemet, there was some abuse in the situation, and I was responsible. Having people to talk to helped me out of that cycle of sexually harassing and abusing children, meaning I now have a community that supports me in not abusing children, and I am grateful (yes, a pedophile can be grateful for these things).

The adult fornicators of children who sexually abuse children and then blame their pedophilic children will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in everlasting Hell-fire and torrents! Repent! 

 

Why parents are to please their children (not punish them)

Many parents think children should be kept down and punished for their misdeeds. This is a common reason for punishment and abuse of children in the United States, and it is rooted in false religion. The false religious teaching is that a man is to please his wife and keep down his children. The fact of the matter is that a man is to please both his wife and his children.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting home is Christian Agape love, as denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but comes from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe confiding anything and everything that is on their mind to parents, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in biblical times, and customary law mandated it then. This word lifts up the mandate on attachment parenting and having a secure parent-child bond.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, especially child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offenses perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment, when understood in its original linguistic and legal context, prohibits all punitive parenting of children, including punishment of children. The Apostle Paul here was lifting up the Law to love children as your neighbor and not provoke them to anger. Spanking does not come from the Bible, as the rod verses refer to judicial corporal punishment, with the father appointed by the state to punish an ADULT child. Punitive parenting comes from the Roman Catholic Church pandering to European pagans who punished and beat their children as a way to keep them down. The Judeo-Christian tradition then was that of attachment parenting, not punitive parenting of any kind.

Parents in biblical times were expected to please children. Children in Ancient Israel and the Early Church were deified in how they were treated. Children were seen as extensions of God, and could issue lawful and binding orders on parents. Parents were expected to treat every demand and cry from a child as Divine Law, and give children most of what they wanted, and everything that they needed. Children sat on their throne, being pampered like royalty, being worshipped like deities, and not having a worry in the world. Children were held high above their parents in terms of status, and had immense lobbying power to get what they wanted from adults. It is a myth that children were treated like property in biblical times.

How was this done in practice? Children went naked wherever they went, and mothers were naked in the family home traditionally as well, to serve their husband and their children, separately. Children ranged by their mother., and clung to her in the nude at times, by day. By night, children slept next to mothers, with mothers co-sleeping with their children as an attachment parenting tradition of that culture. The lawful and binding orders occurred when a young child woke the mother up in the middle of the night to be fed, meaning with mother's milk. As children got older, they demanded things, and parents did their best to provide, pleasing the child.

The depraved and entitled parents will not inherit thr Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

 

Hebrews 12: Why this passage does not command spanking

Many parents misuse the Bible to justify their habits of child abuse, namely fundamentalist Christian parents, and one of the main verses used is Hebrews 12:5-11. One of my favorite, most comforting passages in the Bible, is Hebrews 12, but I know full well that it has nothing to do with parenting. I just know that when something upsetting or challenging comes my way, and it doesn't traumatize me, it is the chastening of the Lord, meaning the Lord is chastening me up like *only He can*. I can't chasten up a child like that, or else I'd seriously hurt the child. Only God can chasten up His children. Anything that is truly traumatic does not come from God, but from the Evil One.

It says in Hebtews 12:5-11 KJV:

And ye have forgotten the exhortation that speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not 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. If ye endure chatening, God dealeth with you as sons: for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have the fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not live under the subjection of the Father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

This verse does not refer to corporal punishment, or any punishment of a child. The Greek root word translated "scourgeth" is μαστιγόω (Latin: mastigóo) and refers to the rod of correction in figurative terms, with literal language. The Apostle Paul, here, was writing to a distinctly Jewish audience, and the Ancient Jews used the rod of correction as a figure of speech for enduring hardship. Literally scourging a child was prohibited under Christian law back in the 1st Century, alongside all punishment and harsh treatment of children that provoked them to anger. This passage repeated uses the Greek root word παιδεία (Latin: paideia) and refers to a specific standard of Christian discipline that admits its original sin, then takes up the attitude of being entitled to nothing, and grateful for everything. Taking this non-entitled attitude burns you up like a candlewick, so that nothing bothers you, and everything bounces off of you. Hurtful words just bounce off of you like a feather, and you just brush them off like dust. The more God throws at you, the more you can handle it.

Hebrews 12 does not really discuss parenting in detail, except for the fact that your children are chastening you up, and that chastening from your child's antics comes straight from God, with the child being His extension. Some verses in the New Testament actually do deal with parenting. It says in Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the good works of parents, meaning parents are to be in dutiful and selfless submission to children, and children are to rest in the submission of parents, with this submission from parents coming from Christian love, as denoted by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao). This verse was intended to lift up the customary law that mandated attachment parenting in the Early Church. This form of rest is where the child does not have a worry in the world, and parents instead worry about the child.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. This commandment, when understood in its original linguistic and legal context, is a prohibition against all punitive parenting, including any punishment or controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law to a few Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Spanking does not come from the Bible, but from a pagan ritual that the Greeks and the Romans did on their children, in order to purify them of their uncleanliness, in which case "uncleanliness" meant every little childhood behavior.

Hebrews 12 is one of my favorite Bible passages. It comforts me to know that the harshness of life is something God is using towards me to make me better - like only He can do! Nothing in my life currently is traumatic, but a lot concerning a gaslighting tape - intended as an investigation - is draining, but God allowed that to happen so that I could be chastened up and stronger as a person. Usually, I resent it on the inside, but take the crap thrown at me on the outside. 

The fact that I like it so much tells me that punishment is not commanded in Hebrews 12 - the chastening of the Lord is something God does Himself to His children every now and then (or maybe every day for some of us), not something a human parent does to their child. Human parents are flawed to the point of depravity, and so if we as adults start chastening up children like God does, we run the risk of harming them for life. Children need to learn how to chasten up themselves, and be encouraged by a loving father who takes pleasure in a child's growth, just as it was done in biblical times.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

Why adult authority does not exist in the Bible

Many adults believe in the concept of adult authority. This is a popular belief among adults in the United States. The fact of the matter, however, is that this belief system is in error - adult authority is nowhere mentioned in the Bible legitimately. It is a false notion that adults have the right to order children as to what to do. Instead, the opposite is true - children have the right to issue lawful and binding orders on parents.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself last as a parent, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from parents or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: agapao) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but instead comes from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe in confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their mind, including admissions of wrongdoing and non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm in biblical times, with customary law mandating its use in homes in order to earn and win over a secure parent-child bond from their children.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child. This commandment, in its original linguistic and legal context, was understood as prohibiting all punitive parenting of children, including punishment and controlling demeanor towards children. The Apostle Paul, here, was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but especially kidnapping - and rebuked a few Greek Christians for bringing their pagan custom of spanking children into the church. Some Greek Christian parents were misusing the book of Proverbs in order to justify their pagan punishment habits. Paul was instead insisting that parents love children as their neighbor, and not provoke them to anger. The rod verses in Proverbs - all seven of them - are repealed verses, meaning they only can be properly applied in the context in which they are given. These passages, in context, refer to the 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, issued to an errant ADULT son who violated the Law on the level of a capital offense, as a final warning that the lawbreaking son would be executed on the spot if he re-offended.

Children called the shots in biblical times, not adults. Children in biblical times were heavily deified, meaning parents strongly believed that children were extensions of God in the family home, and their every word and cry was Divine Law for the parent to interpret and heed to. Parents obeyed the every vulnerable need of their children just as they would God, fearing and revering their vulnerability just as they would God. Children issued lawful and binding orders that was petitions for their needs, and parents heeded and complied, not being able to issue a lawful and binding order to any child that was their dependent. Parents were servants to their children, meaning they were caregivers, not lawgivers or lawmakers.

The concept of adults being caregivers instead of lawgivers is not exclusive to family homes. Schools act in place of parents, meaning parent in loco parentis. Teaching and instruction of children should be developmentally appropriate, meaning children are not ready for school until about age 8, and sometimes - in the case of a child with autism or other developmental disorders - even later. Children should feel safe and relaxed in school, with 5 minutes of work, and then 5 minutes of break. The slow pace of a special education classroom is actually what all younger students need. Teachers should also know their rights in regards to physical affection with students such as holding them or snuggling with them - it is allowed in Pennsylvania, and other states, to briefly hold or embrace a child who needs reassurance. Perhaps the child is crying. What else is there to do? Do you punish the child? A lot of teachers would punish a crying child for being "disruptive". I recommend instead snuggling with and embracing the child, in order to reassure upsets. Mean teachers are not favored in the eyes of God.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!

"Honor parents": Why this does not give license to demanding respect from children

Many parents know what the Fifth Commandment says, but do they know what it means? The Fifth Commandment is often used as an excuse for children to demand respect and honor from their children. The fact of the matter is that the Fifth Commandment only applies to clear elder abuse, not simply "back talk". It is good to honor parents, but honor and respect is earned, apart from the basics of respect.

It says in Exodus 20:12 KJV:

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 

This commandment, when understood in context, refers to elder abuse, not simply "back talk". Elder abuse was not at all common - it was an isolated issue facing only certain parents of adult children. "Do not curse your parents" means do not issue a gaslighting curse onto them, and "do not strike parents" means do not repeatedly beat parents. What was happening was that these parent victims were blamed for their own abuse, with the attitude being one of "where did they learn to be so violent?". The Fifth Commandment, today, commands basic respect for parents, such as not striking them and not gaslighting them if you are an independent adult. Apart from that, it is okay to oppose or talk back to parents. "Dishonoring parents" as a moral crime today is defined by local and state definitions of elder abuse under the secular law (Rom. 13:1-4), meaning usually involving an injury imposed on the elder in some way.

The centerpiece of an attached Christian parenting relationship is Christian Agape love for children, as denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao), and refers to prioritizing children first, and yourself as a parent last, in a fearful and convicted way leading to dutiful and selfless submission to children and their every vulnerable need, expecting absolutely nothing in return from children or others, with children resting safely and securely in the good works of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

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

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This form of respect for parents does not come from fearful compliance, but from restful trust in parents, with children feeling safe confiding into parents anything and everything that is on their minds, including admissions of wrongdoing or non-conforming traits, expecting absolutely no punishment or reprisal in return. Attachment parenting was the established norm, and was mandated under customary law, which this Greek root word lifts up to all.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and literally translates to "vexing" one's children, in the present-tense, and ultimately refers to damages or abuse, namely child abuse in this context. Child abuse, as defined under biblical law, at minimum, is the slightest of personal offense perceived by the child, including, but not limited to, the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child. This commandment, in its original context, was intended to prohibit all forms of punitive parenting, including any punishment or controlling demeaner towards children whatsoever. The Apostle Paul was lifting up the Law on theft and kidnapping - but especially kidnapping - in order to rebuke Greek Christian parents who brought their pagan custom of spanking children into the church, with a few Greek Christian parents - not all of them by far - misusing the book of Proverbs to justify their punishment habit. Paul, here, was explaining the commandment to "love your neighbor and not provoke them to anger", likening a child to a neighbor or friend. The rod verses, by Paul's very own testimony, are repealed verses, meaning they are not relevant to today, and only are relevant to the context in which they were given. The verses - all seven of them- refer to a specific form of judicial corporal punishment under Jewish law, namely the 40 minus 1 lashes issued by a father who was appointed by the court to warn his son of impending doom in terms of execution. The Early Church shunned the death penalty under both Jewish and Roman law, and thus participating in any execution or whipping under either legal system was considered grounds for excommunication, and was considered a form of murder or kidnapping in and of itself. Corporal punishment was only legal for mutual accountability between spouses, and even then, such circumstances were rare. Spanking a wife was legal with her surrender and consent. Spanking or otherwise punishing a child was completely illegal, regardless of consent, because children were not bound by the Law - they were simply learning the Law.

The Fifth Commandment, for minor and dependent children, simply requires that children be in the role of secure and loving rest, with this setup being ensured by the parents, not the child. Under the customary law uplifted in the Bible, children are not to have a worry in the world, and are to rest in the bosom of their parents, being nourished and sustained until adulthood. This helps gain respect from children come early adulthood.

Children were strongly deified in both Ancient Israel and the Early Church, meaning children were seen as an extension of God in the family home, with their every vulnerable need being a sign of God to heed and obey. Dependent children have the right to make lawful and binding orders, whereas parents of dependent children do not have the right to make a lawful and binding order towards their children. This was the level of rest minor and dependent children experienced in Christian homes in the 1st Century - children were hailed like royalty, and worshipped like gods and goddesses, being pampered and not having a worry in the world. Every child that died went to Heaven, and the church then believed this.

Still, it is good to show basic respect for a parent. This doesn't mean don't fight, but instead fight fair with your parents. Don't strike your parents, or lash out in violence towards them, except if you cannot communicate your point any better (ex. gaslighting situation). You do not have to forgive your parents if they offended you and discouraged you, but once they are gone, leave them be and move on with your life.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them be cast 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 forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!