Original Article
Is Religiosity Associated with Corporal Punishment or Child Abuse?
Abstract
There is limited empiric literature available regarding religion and corporal punishment and physical child abuse. The available empiric literature deals primarily with Christian denominations. Conservative Protestants, particularly those who believe in Biblical literalism or inerrancy, spank and/or physically abuse their children more than other Christian denominations. However, church attendance and religiosity do appear to protect against family violence.
Key Points
* Empiric literature suggests that conservative Protestants spank and physically abuse their children more than other Christian groups.
* There is little empiric literature on corporal punishment/physical abuse for non-Christian religious groups.
* Adults who report experiencing religious authority abuse as children often experience depression and consider suicide as adults.
* Empiric studies suggest that religiosity and church attendance are protective against family violence.
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