Many states have exceptions for corporal punishment written into their child abuse laws .
These same states also have exceptions for children denied medical treatment for religious reasons written into their laws . Because corporal punishment is so frequently justified by referring to religious teachings and values, a discussion of those religious teachings and values is needed. 10 Sections of their article are excerpted here. Please go and read the article in full. The issues of discipline and punishment always arise in any consideration of child physical abuse because this is the primary justification given as reason to beat, burn or cut a child.