Spanking of women is a sin against God and a disreputable act among Christian men, says a cleric at the Sheperd International Assembly, Jos.
Pastor Tim Gbasha preached against quarrels among couples, and advised married men to resist the temptation of spanking their wives no matter the provocation.
While delivering the sermon, Pastor Gbasha described women as the ‘weaker sex,’ stressing that they’re easily provoked and prone to shooting thoughtless words through a man’s heart, especially when he’s faced with some of life’s challenges.
However, the man of God advised Christian men to apply some form of control on their temperaments.
Pastor Gbasha said marital problems are part of the Trials of Faith, a theme for last Sunday’s version.
“Women get angry easily and could shoot hard words at their men, but true men must resist the temptation to hit their wives when provoked,” he advised.
“Women, when angry, can provoke their husbands. They can go round, like an aircraft in the runway, raining insults on their husbands.
“At such moments, the husbands should never hit them because that period is a trial of their faith.”
The pastor cited Job as an example of such faith, explaining how he lost all earthly treasures — children, wealth and health — but held on to God as the author and finisher of his faith.
“Job kept the faith despite losing everything he held close to heart. Yet, he did not complain,” the man of God added.
Pastor Gbasha urged Christians to show strength in the face of trials just as Jesus did on earth. He also advised Christians to be watchful even when they think they’re in good standing.
“The devil can used your children, wives, neighbors and even friends to bring you down,” he said.
Contrary to the teachings from Pastor Gbasha, a large number of American couples believe husbands should be allowed to ‘spank their erring wives’ in order to ‘keep them in check.’
The act is referred to as ‘corporal punishment,’ and not violence as women rights activists portray it.
Learning Domestic Disciple, a website owned by husband and wife, Clint and Chelsea, described ‘spanking of wives’ as Christian Domestic Discipline [an arrangement between two adults who share the belief that the husband is the head of the household and with that position comes the right to enforce his authority].
CDD is not exclusive to spanking and may not necessarily be sexual in nature. It includes all methods of punishment, the couple said in their teachings.
Laura Rubino, a writer with XOJane said some women, Christians and non-Christians alike, see corporal punishments differently.
“Most of the women who write about their CDD experiences online are not complaining,” Rubino remarked.
“Many of them report feeling extremely calm and relaxed after being disciplined, and believe it is an expression of their husband caring about them and their marriage, enough to help them modify their behavior.”
However, she argued that bringing positivism in this context makes nonsense of the underlying violence and fear it brings.
“Walking around my own home, conscious of the fact that any perceived transgression could result in physical pain and a surrendering of control of my body? That would stress me the f*** out. I don’t find that sexy at all. Scary, yes. Hot? Not so much,” she added.
