AYLMER MENNONITES CLARIFY SPANKING RULES

AYLMER, Ontario, June 11, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The Aylmer Church of God, in search of a fitting response to the extraordinary government intrusions into their freedom of conscience and security of the person since seven children were seized a year ago, has reiterated its moderate position on spanking and modified its preference for treating illness by prayer and other spiritual means.  The Church’s elders recommend that parents under their spiritual guidance “are to continue to use and explore methods other than ‘spanking’ as forms of discipline, and that if, as a last resort, spanking is called for, it is to be administered in a loving way, without anger, in a way that will not abuse the child physically, psychologically, or spiritually. Spanking should always be with careful consideration and a moderate approach,” the resolution said.  There is no evidence that this constitutes a change from previous practice.  The Church also voted to modify somewhat its ban on non-spiritual treatment for illness – saying that in future, “Having the best interest of our children in mind, in cases of perceived serious illness of one of our minor children, the ministry shall advise the parents/guardians of their legal requirement and allow seeking of medical means for the child according to the law of the land.” The step was taken in view of actions by secular governments “limiting our liberty to treat our seriously ill minor children, exclusively with spiritual means.”  The latter resolution stemmed from a case in which parents were accused of failing to attend to their child’s burn wound other than by prayer.  To read London Free Press coverage from June 8 see: https://www.canoe.ca/LondonNews/01n1.html   See related LifeSite coverage: https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/dec/011219a.html