Ted Tripp is coming to my church for a Parenting seminar

[Micah]

Originally Posted by grandmama

The problem is that the church, by hosting the seminar, is endorsing the contents of the seminar. It is completely different than one person or family having preferences in areas like dress, driving age, etc. The ramifications of this seminar are really pretty staggering when you think that a church is endorsing this man and his teachings.

I totally understand what you are saying and I agree with the point your trying to make, really I do.

However, I do think that if someone chose to stay at a church that endorses spanking it is possible to co-exist, pray, set a good example, and be 'salt' to those who are open to gentler ways, and there very well may be!

I had not even heard of (which many have not!) gentle discipline until about 4 months ago.

As such is the case with where we attend now, they believe in the rod...if a seminar came we would not be there, that simple. Of couse with this comes the realization that within our specific denomination it is very hard to find a church that does not endorse spanking.

I just don't want the OP to feel guilty if she does stay because of what may be said here...so I wanted to offer a different side of the coin (re: staying/leaving) that's all. And I DO agree that the ramifications can and probably will be staggering...sad.

However rather then this thread turning into a debate about churches and endorsement (which we already know it does!) we need to offer guidance, support and prayers to the OP as it's her thread.

ETA: I just re-read the OP and she didn't ask in the first place if we think she should stay or leave, so I apologize for giving an unsolicited answer! Basically she was simply stating that she 2nd guesses herself after being influenced with this type of 'seminar/preaching' so in a nutshell then my main response to her is: don't go to the seminar!

*bowing out now*

And I am not encouraging staying or leaving a church, only pointing out that there is a big difference between a church officially hosting a speaker and people in a church having different views on things!

I think we are on the same page, really!

[TulipMama]

If you are interested in more about what others have done with Tripp at their church, check out these links. (KnittedInTheWomb is a member here, though I haven't seen her posting in awhile. She had a lot about Tripp on the old board.):

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/...zzo&msg=4623.5

http://myblogginess.blogspot.com/200...pping-out.html

http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/...=this&qu=tripp

I have found a very interesting article by Dennis Prager, which notes that the name God gives Jacob and His Choosen People is “Israel”, which literally means “Struggle with God.” Many people argued or struggled with God, and did not met Mr. Tripp’s without challenge, without excuse and without delay criteria. So if God does not require it of us as adults why are we requiring it of our children?

I love this quote! (from the middle link)