Differing on child rearing …

IT IS THE smaller headline for Beth Felker Jones's article--"Christian child abuse"--that should have been in large, bold print ("Spanking away sin," May 1). And it is not "Christian" at all, but child abuse pure and simple.

If Jones is aware of children being abused in this way, as indicated by the mother at the soccer game she attended, she needs to report it to the proper authorities, not just provide what amounts to a book review to the readers of the CENTURY. She may hope that her children will learn of the One "whose rod ... is a comfort." There are others of God's children who are being injured and traumatized, scarred literally and emotionally for life.

Thom M. Shuman

Greenhills Community Church,

Presbyterian,

Cincinnati, Ohio

I am utterly appalled at the feminist ideological skewing of biblical teaching concerning child rearing that is perpetrated by Beth Felker Jones. In a time in the nation's history in which divorce is rampant and child delinquency through drug abuse, early sexual encounters, gang participation, etc., is sky-rocketing, to have such an ideologically charged article in the CENTURY's pages is quite disturbing. Contrary to the misperception of secular society, including that of civil family law, traditional Catholics (like myself) and Protestant evangelicals are not a bunch of religious fanatics out to destroy their children. In fact, voices like Jones's support the true child abuse of practices such as "abortion on demand."

Groups such as the National Organization of Women may applaud Jones, but Jesus sadly is shaking his head in anger at such stereotyping of traditional Catholics and evangelicals who practice biblical admonition of their children.

Rob J. King

Grand Canyon University,

Phoenix, Ariz.

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning