As Crystal said elsewhere, people who say they are really natural and AP, but believe in spanking are usually Pearl followers.
The Pearls are AP about a lot of things, bfing, EC, "tying heartstrings," etc. But their views on discipline are totally warped.
So a parent can be very natural and loving and seem very AP, but is actually a Pearl follower. If you have the stomach to read TTUAC, you'll see what I mean.