The Rod.

My grandparents' generation lived by the quote: "Those who spare the rod hate their children."  Proverbs 13:24 (NRSV)

This was paraphrased as: "Spare the rod and spoil the child."

But this is to instruct with violence and fear.

And violence and fear beget violence and fear.

But there is no evidence that God punishes wrongdoing.

"Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?"
"Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them."  Job 21:7,9 (NRSV)

Jesus said: "'Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:39 (NRSV)

God's way is the way of non-violent Love.

And we should be the same.

 
[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S,A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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