New patterns of Christian discipline and parenting grounded in love, respect and acceptance of children are needed. Guidance was exerted by the kind and responsible shepherd whose rod was used to guide and protect his sheep, not beat them. This is the rod that should not be spared a child. When Christians or anybody else use religious beliefs to justify the brutalization of children, they must be challenged. The U.S. Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion but not the freedom to victimize a child.
Child abuse is horrendous.
Child abuse baptized in Christian faith is blasphemy. We who are people of faith must challenge those among us who, draped in religiosity, perpetuate the suffering of the children Jesus called to him that he might bless them.