Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 23:13-14
‘He that spares the rod hates his son, but he who **loves him takes care to chastise **him.’
Proverbs 13:24
‘Happy indeed the man whom God corrects! So do not refuse this lesson from the Omnipotent: for He who wounds is He who soothes the sore, and the hand that hurts is the hand that heals.’
Job 5:17-18
‘Every age and understanding should have its proper discipline. Whenever, therefore, boys or immature youths or such as can not understand how grave a penalty excommunication is, are guilty of a serious fault, let them undergo severe fasting or be disciplined with corporal punishment, that they may be corrected.’
St. Benedict
'If a brother hath often been corrected and hath even been excommunicated for a fault and doth not amend, let a more severe correction be applied to him, namely, proceed against him with corporal punishment.
But if even then he doth not reform, or puffed up with pride, should perhaps, which God forbid, even defend his actions, then let the Abbot act like a prudent physician. After he hath applied soothing lotions, ointments of admonitions, medicaments of the Holy Scriptures, and if, as a last resource, he hath employed the caustic of excommunication and the blows of the lash, and seeth that even then his pains are of no avail, let him apply for that brother also what is more potent than all these measures: his own prayer and that of the brethren, that the Lord who is all-powerful may work a cure in that brother.
But if he is not healed even in this way, then finally let the Abbot dismiss him from the community, as the Apostle saith: “Put away the evil one from among you;” (1 Cor 5:13) and again: “If the faithless depart, let him depart;” (1 Cor 7:15) lest one diseased sheep infect the whole flock.’
St. Benedict
'It is true that highwaymen, grave-robbers, and sorcerers have their sides torn to pieces; it is also true that the martyrs undergo this same suffering. What is done is the same, but the purpose and reason why it is done is different. And so it is that there is a great difference between the criminals and martyrs.
In these cases we not only consider the torture but we first look for the intention and the reasons why the torture is inflicted. And this is why we love the martyrs - not because they are tortured but because they are tortured for the sake of Christ. But we turn our backs on the robbers - not because they are being punished but because they are being punished for their wickedness.
So, too, in the matter of fasting, you must pass a judgment. If you see people fasting for the sake of God, approve what they do; if you see that they do this against God’s will, turn your back on them and hate them more than you do those who drink, revel, and carouse. And in the case of this fasting we must inquire not only into the reason for fasting but we must consider also the place and the time.’
St. John Chrysostom
I’ve always admired the Singaporean system, and believe it would benefit the U.S. significantly.
May I note that the good thief accepted his punishment as just, and that the tortures of Hell and Purgatory are our examples of just punishment for sin.
If you raise your child to be unable to bear punishment and discipline and physical hardship you do that child no favors – and you do yourself many. You will pay the price for that in more ways than one, thinking being a parent is only about what is easy and not what is hard.
God help our poor children of today!
