In NZ we have a citizens initiated referendum before us on the issue of child discipline.
The referendum is on the question: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”
Already the main Government parties have criticised the ambiguity of the wording and indicated that they will not be acting on the outcome of this non-binding referenda anyway. So, at one level it is a waste of time - yet at another, it gives us something to talk about.
I like the way Joanne Black in this week's NZ Listener indicated that she will be too busy washing her hair to participate in the postal referendum being conducted over the months of July and August!
What is hugely disappointing for me in this debate (of several years now) is the role many Christians are playing in it. The most vocal advocates for smacking children are prominent Christians. I find this to be a deeply disturbing departure from the teachings of Christ, whose Beatitudes, (Matthew 5) among other teachings, do not advocate for violence in any way whatsoever.
There are a couple of websites set up around this issue for people to reflect on... one for a YES vote and one for a NO vote.
http://yesvote.org.nz/ is more to my liking even though I think the presumption of 'good' in the referendum is dumb
The other site is http://www.voteno.org.nz/ and is fronted by Simon Barnett, a prominent broadcaster who is Christian.
Here's an article I enjoyed written by a Napier City Councillor... tp://yesvote.org.nz/2009/06/19/baldock-balks-when-asked-for-proof/
The referendum is on the question: “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”
Already the main Government parties have criticised the ambiguity of the wording and indicated that they will not be acting on the outcome of this non-binding referenda anyway. So, at one level it is a waste of time - yet at another, it gives us something to talk about.
I like the way Joanne Black in this week's NZ Listener indicated that she will be too busy washing her hair to participate in the postal referendum being conducted over the months of July and August!
What is hugely disappointing for me in this debate (of several years now) is the role many Christians are playing in it. The most vocal advocates for smacking children are prominent Christians. I find this to be a deeply disturbing departure from the teachings of Christ, whose Beatitudes, (Matthew 5) among other teachings, do not advocate for violence in any way whatsoever.
There are a couple of websites set up around this issue for people to reflect on... one for a YES vote and one for a NO vote.
http://yesvote.org.nz/ is more to my liking even though I think the presumption of 'good' in the referendum is dumb
The other site is http://www.voteno.org.nz/ and is fronted by Simon Barnett, a prominent broadcaster who is Christian.
Here's an article I enjoyed written by a Napier City Councillor... tp://yesvote.org.nz/2009/06/19/baldock-balks-when-asked-for-proof/
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