Michael Pearl: "I laugh at my caustic critics, for our properly spanked and trained children grow to maturity in great peace and love."
http://www.thatmom.com/?p=3943
Much has been written about the Pearls’ theology of sinless perfection. A lie from the pit of hell, it dangles temptations that homeschooling moms can so easily fall into. We are tempted to desire the perfect children, babies who stay on blankets and who don’t explore the world around them, their little hands reaching for forbidden objects on a coffee table. We are enticed and lured by that image, not to mention the convenience, and quickly fall into the sin of abuse by ignoring the very real God-given stages of development of our children.
…. why should we be surprised when the false teachings of sinless perfection lead a parent into self-worship, abuse, and murder? Aren’t we the ones who believe that ideas have consequences?
Michael Pearl’s ideas have consequences. He told his readers that he recommended that children be disciplined with a piece of ¼” plumbing supply line and that the Bible says it is to be used on the back, which he defines as “anywhere from the shoulders down to the feet”, even telling parents that “the small of the back down to the thighs is the most effective.” Lydia Shatz received just such a beating before her death; her sister received kidney damage as a result of the same method of “child training.”
Don’t tell me Michael Pearl bears no responsibility.
Even my chickens are laughing … well, actually it more like cackling, because they just laid another organic egg for my breakfast and they know that it was that same piece of ¼ inch plastic supply line that trained the dogs not to eat chicken….So…you discipline your dogs like you discipline your children. To put it another way, you discipline your children like you discipline your dogs? Anyone else find that horrifying?
The truly horrifying part of all this is how many conservatives have bought into the Pearl’s theology and application. I was first introduced to Pearlian heresy in the fundamentalist subculture - yes, the same culture that claims to be preserving doctrinal purity - and as far as I can tell, it is still alive and well.
So…you discipline your dogs like you discipline your children. To put it another way, you discipline your children like you discipline your dogs? Anyone else find that horrifying?Yes. This has been the basis for his “training” of children from the beginning. It’s why he calls it “training” rather than punishment when children are young. He says that before the Age of Accountability (another interesting aspect of his theology that affects his methods) that you must train children like mules or dogs. He uses a switch (of increasing size with increasing child age) to “train,” “discipline,” and “punish.” He makes a distinction between the three, though the methods are the same… and a child experiences all three the same.
This response seems to put Mr. Pearl’s arrogance on full display. No acknowledgment of the horrifying incident that caused people to criticize him. Just a proud response about how all the kids who are raised in his system turn out so well.
He might be “laughing” but I can’t see any way his response has pleased the Lord.
He might be “laughing” but I can’t see any way his response has pleased the Lord.
Keri www.thegracepost.com
Just a proud response about how all the kids who are raised in his system turn out so well.Yes! And not even just that… but also claiming that any child NOT raised under his system will be a complete failure living off the state and needing intensive counseling.
As horrified as I am by his response, I am at least glad that his true colors are showing.
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