[erinee]

I have never in my life heard a sermon that actively promotes spanking. Occasionally I've heard a pastor tell a story where he gave his kids a spanking, but it wasn't instructing how to spank or saying in any way that parents *should* spank.

I think most people in my church probably spank, but it is more along the lines of Dobson -- a swat on the behind saved for direct defiance. I don't like it, but it doesn't make me the way some of it does. Dobson is mostly what we have in our church library (we have Tripp's book now, but in the year that we've had it, not a single person has checked it out -- and we also have Grace-Based Parenting).

The only place I have ever heard of the Pearls is online. Since then, I've noticed his book around, but only at homeschooling conventions or listed as a reference in homeschooling materials. My church did to GKGW waaaaaaaaaaay back when Zach was born, but I didn't take it, and they only did it the one time. Since then, no one has said a word about Ezzo, so I wonder if people complained.

I have a feeling my pastor and his wife don't spank. They are *extremely* caring, connected, positive parents. I really admire them, and I love seeing them worship in church together with their two kids.

I guess I've been very, very fortunate, because I don't run into the junk that most people here do.