We are a democratic lot, we Congregationalists (all power lies with the congregation). Therefore we register quickly something that is un-Congregational. My own views on smacking children are that it is not necessary to smack a child, although I do not think it is generally harmful. New laws in South Africa ban smacking. But my experience of the people (mostly African) is that people spank children about the same way as they shoo chickens. And you want to change that overnight? From the top down? I have seen that kind of thing too often in the Church, and it leads to revolt -- not to relate to the people. OBSERVATION: I see a possible danger in the top-down approach, particularly where it goes against majority practice. It can be exploited. And it happens. According to FindLaw, it is "more common than most people think". A major argument in favour of the ban is that a no-spanking law will rule out abuse together with smacking, and abuse is a big problem in our country.
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