(My letter to the ‘Belfast Newsletter’ in response)
Dear Editor,
I note that Caroline Cunningham, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Northern Ireland, has made no response to my letter while replying to Dr Birnie’s letter.
Physical punishment of children has no place in today’s society – the Northern Ireland Assembly must act now to remove outdated law
Her reply contains no reference whatever to the Law of God to which I referred.
Might I suggest she should tell the public why experts, ever given to rescinding, changing and abandoning their ‘opinions’ most frequently, having to change because time displays their errors and mistakes, should be heeded rather than the Lord on the matter of disciplining children?
The first Person in the Godhead is the FATHER.
Bearing such a name, He is described in the answer to the 7th question of the Larger Catechism, as being ‘infinite in being, all-sufficient, unchangeable, almighty, knowing all things, most wise, most holy, most just, most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.’
That being so, would He not know how children should be disciplined better than any mortal being?
Perhaps Caroline Cunningham could tell us why she ‘out-ranks’ God in knowledge and wisdom, and why she should become the authority on this vital subject, rather than the Word of God?
Sincerely,
Rev Ivan Foster (Rtd)
Kilskeery, Co. Tyrone
8th May 2026