If our Nation would just get back to to Biblical perspective and quit sparing the Rod we would be a lot better . That is what is wrong with our children today they have no respect for authority

Spare the rod you say? Your kids turned out fine? As a 50 year old parent of four, (all past teen years ) I was physically punished as a kid and IT'S NOT OK and I'M NOT OK. I'm a Christian who regrets the spankings I gave my own kids, except those where their lives were in danger (ie running towards the road) did any of you read that he had his hands around her throat? Not ok. The kids who are treated this way struggle to see the grace of Jesus through their fear of his punishment for their sins. Its what they grow used to. It's not okay to put a stumbling block to their eternity for the sake of your wanting to be a "good parent". Hint: you're not being a good parent. God is your heavenly father he doesn't discipline you in that manner but in the case of abusing your kids I wish He would.

This report is different than the police report cited in other accounts "The police report says Dollar choked his daughter, then threw her to the ground, punched her and hit her with his shoe during a fight at his metro Atlanta home."

Choking, punching and throwing a child to the ground are criminal acts, not discipline. Discipline is meant to be systematic instruction and it should be based on the age, intellectual capacity and emotional maturity of the child. All parents lose their tempers from time to time, but not all cross the line into abuse. "Time out" or "spanking" is a false dichotomy. There are far more effective ways to teach children, but the parents have to humble themselves and open their minds to be willing learn healthier attitudes and new skills.

I spent 10 years as the director of a Christian preschool. I recommend www.calmchristianparenting.com to parents.

There is disipline and then there is abuse. As an adult who was seriously physically, sexually and emotionally brutalized as a child , by parents who were leaders in our church and community, I have to say that the black church, and the church in general goes to far with disipline sometimes. Yes children should be chasened, however here is NEVER a reason that chestisment should end with a parents hands around a child's throat. Behavior such as this does not foster respect, it breeds contempt. The bible does say not to spare the rod, and to honor one's parents, but it also admonishes parents not to incite a child to wrath.

I am praying for the family because no one knows what really went on besides them. And since we were not there it is not appropriate to pass judgemnt on either side. It is not fair to say that the daughter is wrong unless we witnessed what happened.

what do you expect from a false prophet!!!!!!!!!!! as for the sparing the rod business, by all means use a strap,belt,switch etc i got it used on me and it made me a better person, BUT i was never choked, NEVER, if he had held on to long only the good lord knows what could have happened!

While I am not a fan of Creflo's theology (heresy?), I have dealt with enough domestic situations to know that they are rarely as clear cut as an initial police report says. Just because someone says one thing about what happened does not mean it really happened just like that. Frequently when you here what happened from both sides it is a completely different story, and the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

Do not judge someone based on an initial police report. Let the system run its course and get all the facts. And then only judge if you in a position where you need to; otherwise it is simply self-righteousness.

Go ahead and comment on his theology from his many sermons, but don't judge his behavior based on this one report.

ONE RULE! the punishment should never be that severe that they forever remember the severity of it, and forget the lesson they were meant to learn from it. I learned this from my own childhood. I am 80 and have seven of the most loving children. Very thankful. I wish that for everyone.

I completely agree with Andrew. Do not be so quick to judge.

I am amused by how many commenters appear to have built an entire theology of child rearing out of a single sentence in Proverbs.

The child was choked. The last time I checked choking was abuse, not a simple spanking. People please stop taking up for these jack leg pastors. If he had choked his wife, he would be a monster, but he gets to choke his daughter because of what? No man has the right to choke a female, daughter or not! I always new something wasn't right with Michael, I mean Creflo.

when my 15 year old daughter began giving me fits i hit her with a broom and accidentally struck her across the eye - YES I MEANT TO HIT HER but not on the face. HOWEVER this was after years of taking her to christian/secular counselors; city/suburb counselors; black/white counselors; male/female counselors...she was initially taken into protective services and then released back to me after the judge blasted DFACS (out of state) for taking her out of the home reading testimonials from teachers, clergy, family, physicians that over the years I'd done everything else for my child and even my daughter said she knew she'd intentionally pushed my button. DON'T JUDGE...NONE OF YOU KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN TRIED IN THE PAST! I don't support any Mega Church pastors but on this one Creflo from one frustrated parent to another I have your back because of EXPERIENCE I UNDERSTAND...I won't be reading posts about my comment but she is today an LICSW who works in intake for DFACS in GA...and will still say my hitting her was without thinking, a last resort and a one time incident!

He IS wrong in what he did. There is a difference in spanking as discipline and putting ones hand around a child's throat as he did. He physically abused his daughter and that is not love nor is it discipline. Anyone who says that what he did is ok is endorsing child abuse.

I am sorry that Creflo had to be subjected to this and have his exemplary reputation tarnished to this extent all because he loves his child enough to challenge her on the decision that she made. Without knowing all that there was to this I understand that the children need the parents to raise them and not just watch them grow up. Creflo took an actice role in his child's life where he felt that the behavior she displayed may have been a continual thing and would have escalated. When he approached her she felt that should be left to do as other children and knowing Reverend Creflo as I feel I do he took the firm position of "as for me and my household we will serve the Lord". He I am certain does not prevent his daughter from being a part of the world and interact by allowing her to go to places and do things but he is not going to tolerate bad behavior and disobedience. I fully support your firm hand Creflo because if you turn a blind eye and she gets in trouble society will be quick to hold you responsible for not discipling her so may GOD continue to bless and strengthen you. I came from a strict and firm hand of my Grandfther that raised me and I was whipped and disciplined with belts and switches and I turned out just fine.

Physical abuse is much more easily healed than the toxic false doctrine her father is propagating. Put the both together though, and it's really bad for the girl. These lying charismatic wolves are so much more of a problem than most people ever imagine. My ex was one of these and he was a total phoney, too, as most all of them are. We lived near Tulsa where so many of these false teachers set up their camps. I know many of them personally. I was in Tulsa a few months ago when Richard Roberts (Oral's son) was arrested for drunk driving on the freeway going over 90 mph and swerving all over. The idiot could've killed people. I don't feel sorry for these liars whatsoever. They rob ignorant people and make false promises to them, all for their own gain. A genuine Christian can only be involved for so long, then they will see the Truth. Otherwise, they're not believers and their end will be Hell just as their false teachers/"prophets" will be. Kenneth Hagin said the Lord appeared to him personally and said he would live to see His second coming. Uh, didn't happen. Hagin died a few years back and that was one of his many lies he told. The huge scandal going on with TBN right now where their own granddaughter has brought suit against them alleging all manner of evil....they are some of the most corrupt people on the planet.

Poor Thomas (posted above), you are so woefully ignorant about these people. They are experts at hiding and pretending. People like you are the ones they are able to deceive and sift for years and years. Only the Lord can open your eyes if you truly belong to Him. If He does reveal the Truth to you it will be devastating for awhile, but much better afterwards when you begin to know the True Christ.

I have to agree - as a child I was spanked and I DID NOT turn ideal. Yes, I have a bachelor's degree, etc and most would say I'm "successful" but I struggle with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (a well known side effect from spanking).

I'm sure my parents loved me a lot but the way they disciplined me left me with the need for medications to function for the rest of my life.

Just a thought for those parents considering spanking their children.

I plead the blood of Jesus and I bind and teenager living in a mansion to do such a horrible thing to their dad. This daughter is ungrateful and out of control. She would be calling the cops again, after I kick her butt from "Genesis to Revelation" for being too grown for her age.

This young girl pays no bills and she has the nerve to argue with her father about going to a party. She lucky to have teeth in her mouth for talking back. My parents didn't play back talk.

I am definitely not for the spanking of older children, but nonya, maybe you could point me to one or two of the studies that say spanking leads to o/c behavior? I haven't been able to find any.

I'm Canadian, and don't know the people involved. Would like to offer an alternate interpretation for "spare the rod", and "raise up a child":
• the "rod" was often simply used as a ruler used a scepter - with great power and thoughtful judgment - thus the child, when having the rod placed on their side, or shoulder would receive correction, instruction, or encouragement from the (mostly) father figure in his life.
No violence was involved. The lessons were visble and supported by the witnessing community, or family. The rod was not equated with the switch, although there were times and places of ill--informed, or ill-educated where the rod WAS equated with a "switch" or even sword, based on ancient pagan practices incorporated into Early Hebrew thought, regarding the consequences of disrespect toward elders/parents, etc.
• "raise up a child" ("in the way that he should go" - is possible translation, but I prefer the more natural translation), "in his own way, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." really demands that the teacher/parent learns from the child, how the child learns more naturally, as everyone has a different way when learning occurs the best way. Thus, it is an extra-ordinary effort and responsibility to "get it right", by the parent/teacher, for the best outcome of each child.

May grace abound, light shine overcoming all darkness, hope, faith and love prevail. Love is by far the greatest of them all.

In light of the Judge Adams video,

We often hear from those who fight to uphold this practice for those under the age of 18 (even to the blaming of the social maladies of the day on a supposed "lack" of it), but we rarely, if ever, find advocates for the return of corporal punishment to the general adult community, college campuses, inmate population, or military. Why is that?

Ask ten unyielding proponents of child/adolescent/teenage-only "spanking" about the "right" way to do it, and what would be abusive, indecent, or obscene, and you will get ten different answers.

These proponents should consider making their own video-recording of the "right way" to do it.

Visit Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education to learn more.

Children should have a right to their bodies, and the right to say "No!"

Research/recommended reading:

Spanking Can Make Children More Aggressive Later
(Tulane University)

Spanking Kids Increases Risk of Sexual Problems
(University of New Hampshire)

Use of Spanking for 3-Year-Old Children and Associated Intimate Partner Aggression or Violence
(American Academy of Pediatrics)

Spanking Children Can Lower IQ
(University of New Hampshire)

Recommended by professionals:

Plain Talk About Spanking
by Jordan Riak

The Sexual Dangers of Spanking Children
by Tom Johnson

"Spanking" can be intentional or unintentional sexual abuse
(See Parents and Teachers Against Violence in Education, "Spanking Can Be Sexual Abuse")

"If we really want a peaceful and compassionate world, we need to build communities of trust where all children are respected, where home and school are safe places to be and where discipline is taught by example."
Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children, 2006.

"The much-touted 'biblical argument' in support of corporal punishment is founded upon proof-texting a few isolated passages from Proverbs. Using the same method of selective scripture reading, one could also cite the Bible as an authority for the practice of slavery, adultery, polygamy, incest, suppression of women, executing people who eat pork, and infanticide. The brutal and vindictive practice of corporal punishment cannot be reconciled with the major New Testament themes that teach love and forgiveness and a respect for the sacredness and dignity of children, and which overwhelmingly reject violence and retribution as a means of solving human problems. Would Jesus ever hit a child? NEVER!"
The Rev. Thomas E. Sagendorf, United Methodist Clergy (Retired), Hamilton, Indiana. Personal communication, 2006.

Ten Reasons I Can't Spank A Catholic Counselor's Critical Examination of Corporal Punishment By Gregory K. Popcak, MSW, LCSW

"I have always been an advocate for the total abolition of corporal punishment and I believe the connection with pornography that is so oriented has its roots in our tradition of beating children."
Gordon Moyes, D. D., Pastor, Uniting Church, Superintendent of the Wesley Central Mission, Sydney, Australia. Excerpt from personal communication, 1980.

"I have never accepted the principle of 'spare the rod and spoil the child.'I am satisfied that such punishment in most instances does more damage than good. I recently read a biography of George H. Brimhall, who at one time served as president of Brigham Young University. Concerning him, someone said that he reared “his boys with a rod, but it [was] a fishing rod” (Raymond Brimhall Holbrook and Esther Hamilton Holbrook, The Tall Pine Tree: The Life and Work of George H. Brimhall, n.p., 1988, p. 62). That says it all."
Gordon B. Hinckley, President, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 1994 General Conference.

United Methodist Church:
UMC General Conference, May 3, 2004, takes a stand against corporal punishment in all settings.

Parenting In Jesus' Footsteps

Arms of Love: A grace based explanation of Biblical child rearing:

Nurturing God's Way

Churches Network for Nonviolence

Gentle Mothering: Christian website about attachment parenting:

It is worthwhile to read the articles of Herbert Ratner, M.D., a public health physician, former Consulter to the Pontifical Institute on the Family, and editor of Child and Family Quarterly. He was also an advisor to the La Leche League at the time of its formation. Back issues of Child and Family Quarterly are available from Child and Family, P.O. Box 508, Oak Park, IL 60303

Matthew 19:8
Just because something is a long-standing tradition, doesn't mean it was ever right to begin with.

Papa Neuf: I love this:. . . "in his own way, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." really demands that the teacher/parent learns from the child, how the child learns more naturally, as everyone has a different way when learning occurs the best way. Thus, it is an extra-ordinary effort and responsibility to "get it right", by the parent/teacher, for the best outcome of each child."

Thank you.

I'm a single mom of two teen boys living in a very large Canadian city. Raising up Christian young men in our social/urban/educational environment is very difficult -- and I have had to accept that my relationship with my sons has to be founded in trust on everyone's part.

Recently, my 15 year old son was spinning a yarn, trying to go off to an all night party where the parents were unaware, and there would be girls . . . as soon as I had managed to pry these basic facts from him, I backed off . . . told him that I couldn't force him to stay away, as he could walk out our front door and be on the subway within 2 minutes.

And, I told him how much I love him and respect him and that I trust him to make wise choices about his safety and his future. . . guess what? He made plans with another friend, and I didn't even have to put him in a choke hold! lol.

On Wednesday, he helped me minister to an elderly congregate suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Not perfect -- but, wow -- these little nuggets are sure worth the effort and sacrifice. Glory to our Lord who leads the way for us.

$5000 Dollar bail???

What symmetry!

@18, you really know how to misuse quotations from people and the Bible. I don't know where to begin even. But let's look at your Matt 19:8, I have NO idea what translation you are using, but the verse says the opposite of what you are trying to imply. How did you get this? Very misleading. It's about divorce but implying it's about spanking I guess?

"Just because something is a long-standing tradition, doesn't mean it was ever right to begin with." You are trying to imply that God has lightened the rules regarding divorce, when in reality, Jesus made it more difficult.
The truth is, the verse is saying that Moses allowed divorce in the Old Testament because the people's hearts were hard. But the fact of the matter is, God hates divorce, and in the New Testament, the only reason for which God allows divorce is adultary.
Matt 19:8 "He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way."

You also mentioned Bishop Tutu, I don't agree that he has been a great husband, father, and man of God. He is very anti-Semitic. The Jews are still refered to as God's chosen people, and when Paul spread the Gospel, he went to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were grafted in. The Jews were the original children of God. Israel is still very important to God.
Desmond Tutu has been anti-semitic, and has shared the platform with Hamas, the extremist Islamic hate group.
His son, Trevor Tutu, is not exactly an example of the way I want my children to turn out to be. His son caused a bomb scare in a London airport in 1989 and was arrested. And in 1991, he was convicted of saying there was a bomb on an airplane in a London Airport. He was supposed to turn himself in to authorities in 1993, but failed to appear, so was arrested finally in 1997. Even having a famous father doesn't get you off the hook for everything apparently.
Desmond's wife has had a lot of Internet "scrubbing" going on. She murdered someone, but the Internet police have removed most traces of what happened. It's too bad the Internet police cannot erase the memories of all the citizens in the world lol.

And then quoting a bunch of mormons just really isn't going to convince me on how God says to raise children, sorry.

@papaneuf I'm sorry, but I don't think that the rod you're speaking about is what is meant. And God makes it clear that He disciplines those that He loves, as a father should. The Hebrew word used for rod is "shebet" and it's the same rod that is used in Psalm 23 for the Good Shepherd. Literally, a stick for punishing, fighting, walking, etc. But God corrects those whom He loves. The rod and staff are the picture of Christ protecting us, and they are also used to protect us from our enemies. The staff is used to gather us up to Him when we stray.
Deut 8:5-6 "Thus you are to know in your heart that the Lord your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him."
Fear, meaning to respect.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines. And He scourges every son whom He receives. It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"

Disciplining is teaching and training in love, but it's obvious from Hebrews that it can include spanking, since the word "scourge" is used. If we continue to practice sinning, we also may receive God's discipline, but it is given in love. But it is something you'd rather avoid, I'm sure. The Good Shepherd wouldn't strangle or choke one of His sheep.

It's a messy situation, and right now it's really hard to comment one way or another without having been there, so I'll refrain.

Having said that, the Bible doesn't condone choking but it DOES condone spanking to a degree. So do you wish to convince me not to fry them sassy little chicken legs (to a golden brown, I might add) when they get out of line? That's fine, give me your best argument, but deal with the Scriptures and leave off all them libbies!

I am a member of World Changers and I have volunteered in various ministries since being there for over 20 years. I have seen all of his kids grow up into responsible young adults. They live well cared for. But I know the child in question is the baby child. I have a daughter one year older and believe me she has tried me on more than one occasion. First off, why are you 15 coming in house at that time of morning? I know he adores his children and only demands respect as most parents. He affords them a great life of the best schools, cars, etc. Sometimes with those luxuries kids forget that the extras are benefits. I would have beat my daughter down after such disrespect. How many times has this child crossed the line and got by unscaved? It's like a slap in my face! Let's get all the facts! When the child is laying somewhere, people criticize the parents and want to question your parenting skills. Well i don't give a rats tail what people say....you know your kids and when they are crossing the line and being rebellious point blank!

What is NOT mentioned here is that according to police reports, Creflo's 19-year-old daughter reported that her 15-year-old sister first hit her father. It was after she hit her father that he grabbed her around the neck and spanked her with his shoe. This incident could happen to any one of us with teenagers. She had no right to hit her father after he told her "no" about attending a party. We have spoiled our children too much in this day. They have become total brats and need discipline. When we can't discipline our teenagers after they assault us, and put a shoe to their poor little backsides, we end up with out of control kids.

Having raised daughters, I can attest....there is NOTHING like a mouthy 15 year old to take you to the limit.
Fortunately, mine all turned out beautifully but I took them to the mat a few times myself. BUT, I am their mother, not their father. A father getting physical...especially if he is in a rage....could be rather horrific for a young girl. And 15 is young.

THERE ARE WAYS RICH PEOPLE CAN DEAL WITH OUT OF CONTROL KIDS. HE CAN SEND HER TO A LIVE IN PRIVATE STRICT ALL GIRLS SCHOOL.
He teaches that Christians are little gods so shouldn't he have confessed the word to have a good obedient seed before she was born.
His teaching on Prosperity boils down to selling the favor of God at ten percent on every dollar for God to bless you. Listen bible illiterates Jesus died on the cross for God to bless you freely with all things.
Romans 8:32.
He also should stop calling Christians cursed and should have not said they were crooks who should be shot if they cannot tithe. Thinking on shooting the Lord's poor who cannot tithe yet later said he was joking What kind of man of God jokes like that anyway?

No wonder there is so much child abuse and violence in this world from all the comments endorsing this man beating his kid yet preaching like he is god on every Christian network there is! SHAMEFUL!
Billy Graham is almost 100 and not one scandal has every broken out on him. These young preachers are a hot mess of a train wreck!
I thought it said in the New Testament portion of the bible that a Bishop should have self control and control over his household.
It also said Fathers Don't Provoke Your Kids to Wrath (anger).

This is the thing that gets me about the defenders of corporal punishment--if you did this to an adult, it would be a crime (some form of assault and battery). But because you're doing it to your own children, you don't have a problem with whipping them to get them to behave. And the state usually doesn't step in unless it's very bad--as here, because Dollar didn't just backhand his daughter (which would have been legal and acceptable because she is his under-18 child) but because he tried to choke her.

So think about it this way: What kind of lesson are you teaching your children, that it's OK to smack them around because they're your kids, but they can't just smack other people around because it's a crime?

For the record, I got licks with a metal fly swatter as a kid. All it did was turn me into a better liar.

If Richard is correct. then that casts a different light on the situation. Allowing a kid or teen to strike his or her parent, and get away with it unharmed, (especially if it stems merely from being told "No you can't go to the party"), is not only unbiblical, but openly invites habitual parental abuse,

Under such circumstances, the Christian response is to Take Care O' Business. Let the spoiled whatnot call the police or anybody else afterwards. But first, Take Care O' The Business.

Ahem...

"choked his daughter, then threw her to the ground, punched her and hit her with his shoe during a fight at his metro Atlanta home."

This is not discipline. This is abuse, plain and simple. No amount of defending, arguing spanking, or defending the man can change that he choked his daughter (and his elder daughter saw it happen). There is a difference, and if you can't tell it, please seek counseling.

Better a millstone be thrown around us than to defend a child abuser.

I'm just joking, but maybe the only ones who post should have daughters. I have 4 daughers, and there were 2 that could become quite physical, and they were very strong. Ideally, if you raise them up from a very young age to treat you with respect, there wouldn't be problems later. But there are other factors involved, such as the spouse may not have insisted on respect through the years, leaving just one parent to be "the bad guy". Or there may be a step-parent involved, or dozens of other things.

People who think that boys are harder to raise probably haven't yet raised a teenaged girl. In my case, my husband and I agreed on how to raise them when they were young, but he suddenly stopped when they became pre-teens, leaving it to me. My girls were very strong even when they were little, and by the time they are teens, they were stronger than I was. The daughter in this case probably became physical first. I never resorted to anything physical once they were past 5 or so, and the most I gave was light swats when they directly disobeyed. So, I'm just saying, we don't know the circumstances. The girl herself could have thrown things, aiming for the head, punched, bitten, and Creflo then had to try to get her under control. And then the first thing some kids will do is call 911, and be the victim. Thank goodness that never happened in our house, but they DID threaten, and I was the ones with the bruises. I did not want any of us to get the police involved. My other 2 were always respectful and stayed respectful. From what I have seen and heard about boys, they usually do not get physical and threaten the 911 call, or not nearly as much as girls will. My girls are all in their 20s now, in college, strong Christians, no tattoos or anything else, and you would never know what happened in the past. The fact is, we never know what happens behind closed doors. But I wouldn't throw all the blame on Creflo because you don't know how physical the girl became, and the parent, being more reasonable, and knowing the consequences these days of a 911 call, would usually not speak up about the violence on their kid's side, not wanting to give her a record. These things pass as they get older, but unless you have been there with a teen girl, you may not know what it can be like as they exert their independence.

Creflo Dollar is definitely a false prophet. If anyone has studied the bible in depth, understanding the orginal languages, they will know that he is false. First of all, he teaches material gain as being from God. God does not mind us haveing nice things, but to the degree of owing airplanes, security gurads in the church, ATM machines in the church, needing to see members W2 forms and such, is the greed for money. The bible states that the love of money to these degrees is the root of all evil. God looks at the heart and those who worship him in spirit and in truth whether or not, they have a dollar in their pocket, these ones are rich spiritually which is what matters to Jehovah God(pSALMS 83:18) Creflo Dollar teaches false doctrine. He thinks he is serving God but along he is serving Satan. This explains his current actions.

Sign of the times….

Job 20:15 He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
Pro 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
Isa 28:8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
Jer 48:26 Make ye him drunken: for he magnified himself against the LORD: Moab also shall wallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision.
2Pe 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Creflo Dollar is a controversial person, and I know that he has been in hot water before. I am not among his fans. But having said that, I hope that these allegations are not true. I am grieved that this would happen at all, and I would be equally grieved to think that these charges were falsely trumped up,

However, I want to offer some input here. I'm a certified bilingual school teacher living in South Texas. I'm semi-retired and I do a lot of substitute teaching during the school year, so I am with a lot of children. I love children and young people or I wouldn't be doing this work. But since I accept subbing positions anywhere I'm called, I get to see all age groups (including teenagers) and since I am not their regular teacher, I don't see children at their best behavior. So I know how frustrating it can be to work with them. They are not little angels, and they're not little devils. They're little PEOPLE.

Also, I am a somewhat reluctant believer in corporal punishment. I think that children especially need it when they are too young to understand the dangerous consequences of things (such as running out into the street). I also think that it is appropriate in some cases of deliberate disobediece.. I won't say much more about it here, but this is just to know that I don't believe in putting up with excessive misbehavior.

However, my question is this: supposing the allegations are true? (I hope they aren't.) If so, will grabbing a girl by the neck, throwing her to the ground and hitting her with a shoe make her a more competent adult? And does the punishment fit the crime here? Does hitting or spanking apply to what the conflict was about? And will it teach a lesson? Will it teach the daughter self-discipline? Will it result in a godly sorrow that will make her repent? Will it bring the daughter closer to her father and most importantly, will it ultimately bring her closer to God?

The fact is, if this were done to an adult, it could logically and appropriately result in assault charges. Why should it be all right to inflict this on a teenaged daughter who probably has less than half of her father's torso strength? And why is this kind of action being taken about a conflict about attending a party? Where is the common sense here?

I will be deeply grieved if these allegations are true. I will also be grieved if these turn out to be trumped up charges.

Right now there is a deep need in the Body of Christ for some good, common-sense approaches to the nurturing and discipline of children, and a sane approach to corporal punishment when necessary. I also hope it will also include the reality that what works for one child doesn't always work for another. It seems like we either treat spanking like it should never be done, or we treat it like a magic cure for everything that ails a child with the possible exception of the common cold. We need some God-given rational thinking on this subject.

I am going to pray about this situation and encourage others to do so as well. Let's trust that something good will come out of this. I personally would hate to see anything happen that will reflect badly on the cause of Jesus Christ.

Careful here people with all the assumption of guilt. I had a girlfriend who was 15 years old (20 years ago) and charged her father with sexual abuse because she did not like his authority in her life. Social Services got involved what a mess. A year later her younger brother and sister rebelled and called social services just like their sister and it was a gong show. Yes, the parents needed to apply discipline in a more biblical manner at an earlier age but they were never charged with any sexual or physical abuse. Unfortunately our Church's follow the worlds example of discipline and don't even tell their kids "no" for fear of scarring them for life. Parenting is tough and requires a lot of effort and we still never get it right all the time - too much grace/too much love? Prayer is required and this family could use your prayers right now as well as all the families across the globe who strive to put God at the head of their home.

Love in Christ,

I was spanked as a child. Not until I had repeated the violence with my children, did I learn the difference between hitting and discipline. I was hit; I hit my children - often out of frustration. That is very different from calm, decisive contextually-appropriate discipline. I have since apologized to my grown children, who only told me then that they felt my actions were bordering on abusive.

I was flabbergasted beyond words. Here is the world's top preacher of the Word of God in the Bible and his family behaving like this in private. Creflo breathes and lives by the WORD. So does his family. That is what we were given to believe for more than 10 years on television. To say that all is well in the Dollar family is nothing but fooling his church and the believers all over the world. Millions of dollars pour into this man's ministry every month only because of what this great man of God believes and preaches to the hurting people who watch and listen to him daily. It does not matter whether he tried to choke and kill his daughter. That he had such a difference of opinion in his family is unacceptable. What if she had not called 911? He would have continued to kick his daughter again. And she could have behaved worse in defiance. A man who does it once is likely to do it again. Ask Oprah.

Creflo Dollar should resign as Pastor of his famous church and apologize in public. A new pastor from his own church should be nominated. As for his daughter Lauren, she should sent to the best reformatory or child correction facility available and learn how to live with parents with respect. Creflo and his family cannot escape punishment for fooling the people. It is not enough to enjoy the benefits of villas and Rolls Royce cars given to them by genuine trusting people. What a shame!

Assault and Battery is not condoned, but spankings along with other forms of discipline are allowed. ***It is WRITTEN!***

If he did do those things which were claimed, he will face judgement far greater than some human judge can give, if he does not repent to God.

On the other hand, this would not have happened if his daughter respected authority.

John 8:6-11

6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground.
7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her."
8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground.
9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him.
10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."]]

Galatians 6:1-6

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.