Prosperity Gospel in L.A.?

            On September 20, 2012, ABC News’ Nightline Fix published an article that I actually found on Yahoo news called “Lifestyles of the Rich – and Spiritual – on Preachers of L.A.” “Preachers of L.A.” is a show about the lives wealthy preachers in Los Angeles. There was already some religious opposition to the show just based on what was seen in the trailer. ABC News’ Nightline Fix interviewed some of the preachers on the show trying to get the “real story” of these “preachers” and found, for some of them, there was no difference between the trailer and the interview. Some of these preachers may have found Jesus and success is just a nice side benefit, but I feel sorry for those who are preaching for the side benefits instead of God’s gifts.

            This article brings forth the opportunity for me to explain the dramatic differences between the gospel and the prosperity gospel. The gospel explains that Jesus is the Son of God, he died for our sins, he rose from the dead, and the only way to get to heaven is to believe in that. The gospel also explains that there will be suffering and persecution on the road to heaven, but that the reward will be worth it in the end.

            The prosperity gospel is an extremely mutated version of the gospel that has been built up by society and it says “If you work hard, do your best to remain pure, and pray to God, you will get what you wish.” This is not true; God is not a shooting star or a genie. God may bless believers with a success in their lifetimes and isn’t for them wrong to be glad for that. However, praying to God for the sole purpose of receiving fame and fortune is wrong.

            I am not going to waste my time trying to decide which preacher is in the wrong and which one is in the right because it is not my place to decide the fate of others. However, Los Angeles, the city of angels, is where most souls are lost, their eyes clouded by the desire to realize their dreams.

            Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States and ministries there might not receive as much scrutiny if Hollywood weren’t so nearby.  The people of Los Angeles are searching for life in fame and fortune, not God, and that may be why this is Oxygen’s new show next month. Some people question the discipline of these preachers to do their jobs correctly. Oxygen is making this new show because viewers now have plenty of reason to doubt the religious leaders of Los Angeles and believers just need to have faith that God will use the preachers profiled as good examples of Jesus’ disciples.     

Is it wrong to spank children?

On September 20, 2013 Sarah B. Weir, Yahoo Shine's senior writer for parenting, published an article titled "Judge Slaps Mom With 2-Year Spanking Ban". It is an article about a Virginia woman named Felisha Kimble-Tanks spanking her 6 year old child with a belt for misbehavior at school, leaving a bruise on her thigh. The ex-husband filed a complaint after noticing the bruise but took no other action. Now the mother is banned from spanking her child for 2 years. Some people claim that the parent did nothing wrong but, some disagree and think she crossed the line. Sarah Weirs article states that about 65% of Americans say they approve of spanking children. However experts say that, since there is no line to what is appropriate discipline and what is child abuse, spanking just shouldn't be done.

In my opinion Ms. Kimble-Tanks did not do anything wrong in spanking her child. Children require punishment and discipline or else they do not learn and they will continue making the same mistakes. I also think that the father did have enough involvement in this situation and should have discussed this issue with Ms. Tanks.

However, the fact that Ms. Kimble-Tanks did bruise her child changes the scenario. Minor punishment to teach a lesson is one thing but physical harm on this six year old child seems unfair. Spanking is a good method for teaching children right from wrong. I just hope that the mom doesn’t get carried away again.

I think that child abuse is the point where the child is bruised, broken, or bleeding. Anything otherwise I would not consider as abuse, but as disciplinary action on behalf of the parent/ guardian to teach a lesson to the child.

 Banning the mother from spanking her child does not seem like the correct punishment for her mistake because the child will need discipline if she hopes to live in a world with consequences. The mother of this child deserves probation and should have to perform community service. If the mother harms her child again then Ms. Kimble-Tanks should go to jail for two years (the same amount of time as her spanking ban).

Spanking or corporal punishment is not only an issue in the United States, but also is an issue worldwide. Many countries are trying to outlaw corporal punishment due to claims that it increases crime rates and has many negative psychological effects on the next generation of children.