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SEVEN CHILDREN TAKEN FROM CHRISTIAN HOME BECAUSE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

AYLMER, ON, July 6, 2001 (LSN.ca) - Police in Aylmer, Ontario forcibly removed seven children aged 6 to 14 from their home Wednesday after their Christian parents refused to promise social workers they would not use a switch to discpline the children. Rev. Henry Hildebradt of the Aylmer Church of God, where the family worships, told LifeSite that he knows the family personally and that they are "a wonderful Christian family." He said the couple, German-speaking immigrants in their 30s, "are known for being lenient with their children rather than strict."

Rev. Hildebrandt said the couple allowed the social workers to check the children's bodies for signs of abuse and none were found. However, Rev. Hildebrandt told LifeSite that could not promise authorities they would never use an inanimate object to discipline since they hold to the Biblical teaching "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him" found in Proverbs 13:24. "It would have been easy to lie, but as Christians lying is not permitted," he said.

Rev. Hildebrandt told the Globe and Mail that friends and relatives attempted to prevent the children from being taken. "They didn't want to go. As they were coming out I was standing out there in the parking lot and the children just put their arms out and they said, 'Help me, help me!' " "I said I would gladly do it, but I can't."

Steve Bailey, executive director of Family and Children's Services of St. Thomas and Elgin, told the Globe that the CAS was concerned about "any use of inanimate objects, such as belts or cords or sticks. And then, of course, we're concerned about whether there are any observable injuries."

Rev. Hildebrandt asked the pro-family community for prayers for the family and their upcoming hearing Monday. He said it would be helpful if the Aylmer police and the social worker could be contacted in support of the family. The children, four boys and three girls, will remain in foster care till at least next week.

Contact: Aylmer Police - Social worker B. Flint -

See the Globe coverage:
http://globeandmail.ca/gam/National/20010706/UKIDSN.html

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