Churches supporting our statement

Statement of Faith and the nonviolent treatment of Children

Because we are members of a faith community that preaches peace, because we view all creatures as part of God’s creation, because we as members of a faith community that wishes to protect the most vulnerable and least protected, we stand by the following statement about how children should be treated by members of our faith.

Children are entitled to care, security, and a good upbringing. Children are to be treated with respect for their person and individuality and may not be subjected to physical punishment or other injurious or humiliating treatment. Discipline and respect for others shall be encouraged in children through non-shaming and non-violent techniques.
Since religious pressure to ensure human rights of many peoples throughout the world has a noble history, it is time for us to add our voices to those of others who wish to extend one of the basic human rights, that of freedom from assault, to the least of our brethren, our children.

United Methodist Church

UMC General Conference, May 3, 2004, takes a stand against corporal punishment in all settings.
Click on the following links:

Columbus Catholic Diocese School Discipline Code:

“Since the Church supports the dignity of persons of all ages, corporal punishment in any form is not an acceptable means of punishment when a student has misbehaved”.

"I've Never Been a Believer in Physical Punishment of Children," Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Church magazines: You have said that your father never laid a hand on any of his children when disciplining them.

President Hinckley: That's right. I don't believe that children need to be beaten, or anything of that kind. Children can be disciplined with love. They can be counseled---If parents would take the time to sit down quietly and talk with them. Tell them the consequences of misbehaving, of not doing things in the right way. The children would be better off, and I think everyone would be happier. My father never touched us. He had a wisdom all his own of quietly talking with us. He turned us around when we were moving in the wrong direction, without beating us or taking a strap to us or any of that kind of business. I've never been a believer in the physical punishment of children. I don't think it's necessary.

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