I have to say I am glad to be here on HSB, there are a whole lot of homeschoolers out there, it is funny how the ones who are so opposed to spanking or violence will use the most violent of words to describe people in disagreement with them.

I don't want a debate, but it is strange for me to think that there are Christians who do not believe that God would ever "discipline" His children.  All through the Old Testament, the Israelites are having to be brought back into line, sometimes violently for straying from His way.  It is often just natural consequences coming to bear but in every case disobedience to God brings consequences.  Why wouldn't every Christian, every parent, want their child to realize that.  Bad decisions bring pain, it is an obvious principle,  but Americans love to stick their head in the sand regarding suffering. 

Isaak Dinesen wrote, "The true aristocracy and the true proletariat of the world are both in understanding with tragedy.  To them it is a fundamental principle of God and the key-the minor key-to existence.

John Piper has more to say on suffering in the Christian life, as adults we can realize it is a path to greater wisdom, it is coming anyhow, it is better to be ready than to fight against it.  What benefit is it to our children to completely avoid it until they encounter it in the great big world?