Thanks so much, everyone, for your kind comments and show of support. Let’s move on to other topics, shall we?

Still waiting on the page numbers…that is if you have them…which I know now that you don’t.

Most people have some method of training animals as well. Different zoos and circuses train animals and are not punished as animal abusers. Therefore, training an animal is not animal abuse.

Each of these terms that you choose to use have a moral component that you are well aware of– and you choose to use, in part, to get a reaction.

For example, someone who thinks child abuser thinks of those who shake their children, beat them, refuse them touch, etc. With “animal abuser” you think of someone who ties their dog out in the cold, breaks their legs, or is like Michael Vick and causes them to fight one another.

Neither of these is the case with the Pearls or Dobson.

I don’t know what your problem is with kind people that desire to raise their children to be good citizens, to honor God and country, and to give back to their community. But what I do know is that if you look at what Mary is doing with her children, if you look at Dobson’s children and the Pearl’s children you will find well adjusted children that have compassion for others and want to do good.

it’s *libel* to refer to a person’s published work? on which planet is this?

How pathetic that someone is so willing to level charges against another person but so unwilling to back their claims up. I believe that’s called libel in the legal world.

Linda, I’m praying for God to heal your hate filled heart…

I definitely “invite opinions”, Linda. That’s why I welcomed you to Home-steeped Hope in the first place and tried to ignore your “attack” (as I saw it and continue to see it) to get to the heart behind it. I thought we agreed to disagree. Maybe such inflammatory speech is nothing unusual in your family and home, as it would be in mine. In fact, if someone came up to me on the street and started yelling the same things at me, I’d be freaked out and worried about my personal safety. If your passion against the Pearls, the Ezzos, and the Dobsons is worth frequenting every blog so choosing to support them, then maybe it’s time to get your own blog platform.

You also said:
“from what you’ve said, you don’t actually agree with it, yet you lack the conviction to stand up and say it’s wrong. what does that say about you?”

It’s not that I don’t agree with “it”. By “it” I assume you’re speaking of “infant beating” which you attribute to the Pearls, which in reality, is ludicrous. Of course no one approves of infant beating, least of all the Pearls. They believe in training children positively so that everyone in the family is happy. They advocate starting young, because then you have a happy, obedient child at the get-go, rather than letting sloppy parenting turn your angels into children no one wants to be around. As far as what I don’t agree with, I don’t really want to get into a doctrinal debate (about the religious differences I have with the Pearls) as you have your own issues with Christianity, such an exercise would be as pointless as this one is becoming. Pointless, because I’m finally seeing that you have no interest in hearing me out, only in proving me wrong.

I’ve said before, that the things I share here on my blog are things that have worked for me and my family. I don’t just pick random things out of a book and tell my readers, “here, go try this.” Some of the things that have had beautiful results for us have originated with these different ministries, and I give them credit for it. Does recommending them mean that I follow their resources to the letter? No. But the things I have tried have been proven worthwhile. I don’t know the Pearls personally. I don’t know you personally. But from what I’ve seen and read of the Pearls they have a big heart for children and for God and family. Here is what I found when I googled the Pearls and infant and switch. It’s an excerpt straight from the To Train Up A Child book in case anyone else wants to check it out. I didn’t find any of it to be alarming.
http://www.gospeltruth.net/children/pearl_tuac.htm

We are definitely coming from opposite sides of the fence. That being the case, I’d like to ask you to reconsider wasting your time here trying to convince us all that these ministries are dangerous. I imagine you have a full life of your own, without adding stress like this to it. I know I do.

The friends that comment on my blog always do so respectfully with tact and grace, even if they disagree. These kind of comments are sincerely welcomed. Any others are not.

Dobson: No where in the first account of “dobson dog” does it talk about Dobson abusing his dog. It talks about him wanting him to stay in a specific place in the house. It also talks about him getting a belt to punish the dog for disobedience. Clearly not warranting the strong title of “animal abuser” which implies something more sinister.

Pearls: I read briefly the first results here as well. They talk about spanking children, but I so no evidence of anything criminal, and no instances of child abuse.

Both of your accusations are inflammatory only with no grounds.