July 7, 2013 7:07 AM

Christian Domestic Discipline: Physical abuse made all Jesus-y and righteous

When a follower of the Christian Domestic Discipline movement decides what to hit his God-fearing wife with, research is important. A hairbrush, for example, is “excellent for achieving the desired sting” but can break easily. Alternatively, a ping pong paddle is quiet and sturdy but may not sting as much as is required to get the message across. These bits of information are among the tips and tricks detailed in the Beginning Domestic Discipline’s “Beginner’s Packet,” a 54-page document that lays out the basic principles and practices of CDD.

It’s always disturbing when physical abuse is wrapped up nicely, topped with a pretty bow, and called “Christian.” As if a man physically abusing his wife and children is Exactly. What. Jesus. Would. Do. It’s interesting that patriarchal religious sects always seem to have been devised by males. It’s almost as if they’d planned it that way. I’d have to think that a religious sect created by women would look very different.

In another context (that where a man isn’t claiming the protection of religious belief), Christian Domestic Discipline (CDD) would be called what it is- physical and emotional abuse. Insert Jesus into the equation…and suddenly it becomes What Jesus Would Do?

(In the interest of honesty and full disclosure, I should mention that my father spanked me. I was a rebellious child (I know; shocking, eh?)…at least in his mind, and so the manner in which he attempted to persuade me of the error of my ways was to remove his belt and use it to strike my bare butt. (I’ll leave analysis of any homoerotic subtext to more objective souls.) I resented it then, and it’s still something of a sore subject with me (no pun intended) today. I’ll freely admit that it colors my perception of this story, but I’m OK with that.)

This should probably be taken as proof that the Apocalypse is truly upon us: I agree with Bryan Fischer on this one. Didn’t see that one coming, did you??

“No fool in his right mind would buy this as a legitimate way to have a relationship,” Jim Alsdurf, a forensic psychologist who is an expert on Christian domestic abuse, told the Daily Beast. “A relationship that infantilizes a woman is one that clearly draws a more pathological group of people.”

When a “Christian” lifestyle and philosophy is a bridge too far for Fischer, you have to know that something is very, very wrong. CDD is something of an outlier among mainstream Christians. Sure, you can find justification in Scripture for the behaviors CDD devotees claim is biblical, but you can use Scripture to sanction all manner of behavior, most of which has little if anything to do with leading a Christ-like life.

Bryan Fischer, a controversial conservative Christian radio host, has claimed in the past that the Bible teaches Christians that men are the breadwinners and heads of the household, but when reached by The Huffington Post, Fischer dismissed any connection between the Bible and the basic principles of CDD.

“This is a horrifying trend — bizarre, twisted, unbiblical and un-Christian,” Fischer, a former pastor, said in an email. “Christian husbands are taught to lay down their lives for their wives (Ephesians 5:25) and to treat them with honor as fellow-heirs of the gift of eternal life (1 Peter 3:7).”

“God in the New Testament clearly asks wives to arrange themselves under the leadership of their husbands (in Greek, the word “submit” means “to arrange under”),” Fischer continued. “But there is no place where husbands are instructed to make their wives do it or punish them if they don’t.”

The vast majority of instances where the teachings of CDD are being followed involve consenting adults, but it can be argued that CDD is grounded much more in BDSM than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To an outside observer, CDD can sound appear to be Christianity used to justify an abusive relationship. Consenting adults is one thing, but when children are involved it becomes a very different problem. No religious faith- legitimate or otherwise- should be used to justify child abuse. Adults make a decision about CDD; children are allowed no such freedom of choice. If we fail to protect children, what claim to humanity do we have?

As with any religion, there are all manner of fringe groups who claim justification for their existence and behavior can be found in the tenets of their faith. That might explain al-Qaeda, and it might also explain CDD. From where I sit, CDD is about Christianity in the same way al-Qaeda is about Islam- which is to say not at all.

I have to think that God (if he or she even exists) would be cringing at the thought of some of the barbaric things being done in his/her name. CDD isn’t about the teachings of Jesus Christ. It’s about justifying the abusive behavior of men with anger management problems and women with self-esteem issues. When children are involved it becomes child abuse…and that’s something no society that values children should allow. Under ANY circumstance.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on July 7, 2013 7:07 AM.

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