Man cites Bible in child assault prosecution

[moobu2]

Why do people get in trouble when they actually act upon what the Bible say's? not that I'm for hitting children but... never mind, I guess the lord works in mysterious ways.

An 80-year-old man believed he was following the Bible when he used an alkathene pipe to punish a child for stealing $1000 from him.

The man, who has interim named suppression, yesterday pleaded guilty in the New Plymouth District Court to two charges of assaulting a child and assault with a blunt instrument between November 1 and December 7.

When arrested, the man told police that he was frustrated by the child's behaviour and had been "seeking to correct him in the manner described in the Bible".

His lawyer, Paul Keegan, said the incident was out of character for the man.

"He is a Christian man and believes firmly in traditional methods of discipline," he said.

Judge David Ongley said there was a firm belief in the community that there should be no unnecessary force used to discipline children, that it was not acceptable and required a penalty.

The defendant was allowed interim name suppression until sentencing on February 12.-

The Bible defense

alkathene pipe is some sort of semi-rigid plastic pipe used for water plumbing.

[MineralMan]

1. As it is written,

If thy child offendeth thee, thou shalt beat it with alkathene pipe until it perishes. Thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

James Dobson is down with that, Boi!

[ChadwickHenryWard]

2. Because NZ's laws are not based upon the Bible.

And for good reason. Beating children is abhorrent. What the Bible says shouldn't enter into it.

[Deep13]

3. What's holy and what's right are not the same thing.

Still, $1000? There is something seriously wrong with that kid. Too much self esteem. "Nothing's wrong if it is for ME!" There has to be a way to condition children to live in an ordered society without beating the shit out of them. Or maybe not.

[DeSwiss]

4. It never ceases to amaze me how....

...so many of these religionists have absolutely no problems remembering the biblical punishments.

- But have no apparent clue about the shit in there concerning loving one another and not judging people.