(A HAMITE)
Benjamin
Edetanlen was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years in prison
for killing his 5-month-old son in 2004 because of a paraphrased version of
Proverbs 13:24: “He that spareth his rod
hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution,
Edetanlen physically abused the infant, as well as a 2-year-old daughter and a
1-year-old son.
“The defendant stated that he disciplined the
children, according to the book of Proverbs in the Bible,” said Assistant
District Attorney Dalia Racine in
court.
The baby died from blunt force trauma. He also
suffered from a broken leg and brain injuries.
Though he faced murder charges, Edetanlen
pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and child cruelty. Prosecutors asked
the court for an 18 year sentence to be served in full, and the judge
agreed. He has been ordered to stay away
from children after he is released. His wife also faces charges because she
allegedly did nothing to stop the abuse.
Through it all, Edetanlen’s defense attorney
claimed that his client loves his children:
“Mr. Edetanlen firmly believed in the adage,
you know, spare the rod and spoil the child,” defense attorney Ingrid McGaughey
said.
Though the “adage” is often attributed to the
Christian Bible, it is in fact lifted from the 17th-century
poem, “Hudibras,”
bySamuel
Butler.
Ironically, Butler has been described as both homosexual
and atheist, yet a quote from his work is used by evangelicals around the world
who have no idea that it has been misappropriated.
In the poem, Sir Hudibras is in jail and a
woman he fancies comes to visit. To prove his love, she slyly suggests that he
use a whip:
“If
matrimony and hanging go
By
dest’ny, why not whipping too?
What
med’cine else can cure the fits
Of
lovers when they lose their wits?
Love
is a boy by poets stil’d;
Then
spare the rod and spoil the child.”
Though the widow extolled the “virtuous school of lashing,” it had nothing to do with
God’s plan on how to raise children. In fact, the sadomasochistic nature of the
request is in direct contrast to any biblical doctrine; yet, this man, and many
others, use it to inflict pain on their children every day in this country.
Thankfully, Edetanlen will be behind bars for a
very long time, unable to justify evil acts against children with his own
ignorance.
Proverbs 13:24-
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth
him chasteneth him betimes.
PSA 147:19- He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his
statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
Psa 147:20- He hath not dealt so with any
nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the
LORD.
Psa 50:16- But unto the wicked God saith, What
hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or [that] thou shouldest take my
covenant in thy mouth?
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