Is Spanking Biblical Part 1 Continued

Yesterday, Carissa posted Is Spanking Biblical? Part 1: Proverbs, and today she has posted an addendum: Is Spanking Biblical? Part 1: Proverbs, CONTINUED where she looks closer at the symbolism of the rod in scripture.

Schatz couple to stand trial in November

From the Paradise Post reposted here for permanence

By Elizabeth De Alwis

Posted: 06/26/2010 01:00:00 AM PDT

A Paradise couple will stand trial in November for allegedly murdering one adopted child and torturing another during a “biblical chastisement” session.

Kevin and Elizabeth Schatz are charged with an open count of murder for allegedly beating their 7-year-old adopted daughter, Lydia Schatz, to death with a quarter-inch plumbing supply line in February. They are also charged with torture for allegedly beating their 11-year-old adopted daughter in the same manner, causing whip-like marks and internal injuries including kidney damage which required hospitalization.

The couple appeared in court Thursday morning for further arraignment and the setting of their trial date. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges. They have been in custody at the Butte County Jail on $2 million bail each. Last month, they waived their preliminary hearing. The trial is expected to begin Nov. 1 and last for three weeks. Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said having three attorneys – one prosecutor and two defense attorneys – often lengthens a trial. He said it may also take a week just to select a fair and impartial jury. If convicted, both defendants face two life terms in state prison.

Defense attorneys Dennis Latimer of Chico (representing Elizabeth Schatz) and Michael Harvey of Oroville (representing Kevin Schatz) are reportedly continuing their investigation of the case. They have also not ruled out the possibility of trying to move the trial to another county where there has been less publicity.

Ramsey said it appears the couple was influenced by a book found in the Schatz’s home, written by a fundamentalist religious group based in Tennessee, called No Greater Joy Ministries. It was founded by Michael and Debi Pearl. The Pearls and their organization encourage parents to use a “rod,” a quarter-inch plumbing supply line as a “chastisement” tool to train their children to be more obedient.

The Schatzes have six biological children. Both victims were adopted from an African orphanage along with an infant girl about three years ago. Ramsey said he plans to call the Schatz children as prosecution witnesses during the trial.

According to Ramsey, the autopsy result showed that Lydia died due to a rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle due to injuries to her muscle tissue. The scientific name for the cause of death is Rhabdomyolyis. In Lydia’s case, it was reportedly caused by blunt force trauma. The destruction of muscle leads to the release of damaged muscle cells in the bloodstream, which can harm the kidneys and other vital organs. Ramsey explained that the breakdown of the kidneys can cause an increase in potassium, which is associated with cardiac arrhythmia – a change in the rhythm of the heart, leading to cardiac arrest.

According to authorities, Lydia’s death occurred after hours of discipline for reportedly mispronouncing a word during a home school reading lesson. Her 11-year-old sister had reportedly had a similar discipline session the previous day. Police and emergency personnel arrived at the Crestwood Drive home Feb. 6 after the wife called 9-1-1 to report that her 7-year-old daughter had stopped breathing. They found Lydia in full cardiac arrest.

In addition to murder and torture involving great bodily injury, the Schatz’s face a misdemeanor count of child abuse involving their 10-year-old biological son.

The trial readiness conference is scheduled for Oct. 21, followed by the trial assignment hearing on Oct. 28. The trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 1.

***

Terry Vau Dell contributed to this report.

More Thoughts Adoption

Someone on Facebook shared some very insightful comments I would like to share with you all:

There’s another element to this story that has not been addressed – and that is the fact that so many adoptive families are ill-equipped to deal with the realities of bringing home an older child, group of siblings, and/or children from overseas. I think that the Schatzes went into adoption believing they were “rescuing” children. They adopted THREE children at one time – one was 8yrs old, one was 4, and one was an infant. They were interviewed by a local news station before they left for Liberia, and the video showed them smiling and calmly talking about how they meant to open their home to a child in need. They had 6 children in the home already. Clearly this couple believed in the teachings of the Pearls and had used it with their 6 kids. They thought they were “in control.” There was no kid-behavior they couldn’t defeat with their methods. And since it worked so well with their 6 kids, surely it would work especially well with orphaned kids who they believed would look up to them as rescuers and godlike figures. They EXPECTED it. Adoption was supposed to make them feel even more powerful and noble. They expected gratitude and obedience, especially from their adopted children. What they didn’t count on was that their 8yr old arrived with emotional wounds from years in an orphanage, struggling with incomprehensible losses and grief in her short life, and anger at the people who thought they were “saving her.” No doubt her behavior was difficult to manage. No doubt the other kids – who were not used to defiance and expressions of anger – were overwhelmed by these newcomers and what they brought to their new lives. The Schatzes expected that ALL KIDS will comply, ALL KIDS should bow down to their parents, that the very real and deep issues arising from adoption loss should be no different from any other difficult “childlike behavior.” When it didn’t work out that way, for the first time they realized they are not in control. Rather than seeking help, they just lost it and beat up on defenseless children, believing that they could somehow punish away all the behaviors they found so intolerable. What they refused to consider was that they were witnessing years of pain and grief and anger that was only compounded by a new and maybe even more miserable life for these children. The problem comes up when parents think they are in control of every action that a child demonstrates. When they don’t ask for help. When they think that they are godlike figures and children are sub-human, deserving to be “trained” like mules and horses.

I responded:

I agree except for one point. They had these children for almost 4 years and were using the Pearl method the entire time. I don’t believe that they “lost it” and beat her up. I believe that they continued to chastise her more and more as she continued to get more and more defiant and eventually it became a death match. She refused to give in and they just kept on chastising her, sure that she would eventually give in. Pearl teaches that his system will work on EVERY child but that the parents must be 100% consistent. What neither Pearl nor the Schatzes realized was that not every child will give in and that with repeated switchings, the tissues will break down and kill the child. I could be wrong, but this is what I suspect. As there was a witness, I believe that the truth will come out in court.

The reply:

Actually, that is what I suspect as well, though I probably didn’t state it clearly. As you say, the other children were witnesses and will (hopefully) speak out in time. My suspicion is that the Schatzes were firm believers that the Pearls’ methods were “the way of proper parenting” and simply believed it would always work – with every child. In every situation. And were surprised and at a loss when they found it did NOT work with their new adoptive children. My suspicion is that those children had never been beaten in their lives before and were outraged and far more defiant against the “trainings” than the Schatzes’ biological kids were. When I suspect that the parents “lost it,” I mean that I believe they just could not fathom what to do about being out of control with a child. They must have wondered: how could that happen when the Pearls’ promised their techniques would work on every child, when they were following all the marital and parenting rules set forth by the Pearls’ books? I think they just didn’t find in themselves the basic compassion and humility they needed to understand the situation and call for help. And I think that ultimately their “training sessions” just became more frantic and violent in their attempts to beat the children into that “submissive whimper” they were promised by the Pearls.

The Schatzes have a court date scheduled for June 24th, one week from today.

Counter Arguments 3

Pearl and his followers are insisting that the Schatzes were not following his teachings.  I have been thinking about writing a post which would analyze this, but I think it is best to wait until after the trial for such speculation.  Finding an impartial jury will be hard enough.  Anyway, I link to plenty of arguments which explain it very well already.

We do  need short responses to answer critics in our lives.  Here is an example of a counter argument which I just posted in response to Chuck, who left a comment at Awful Library Books saying:

Below is the link to both the District Attorney’s comments and the official statement from No Greater Joy Ministries, Inc regarding the Schatz case which was issued within a couple of days of learning of Lydia Schatz’s death. http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/answers/response-to-schatz-case It is obvious to anyone who cares to examine the facts that it is the rejection of the parenting philosophy espoused by the Pearls and No Greater Joy Ministries, Inc that contributed to this tragedy. Subsequent statements by the District Attorney and media reports continue to point out the fact that what the Schatz’s did was in complete contradiction to what the Pearls and NGJ teach. Those that ignore this reality do so only to perpetuate the lies to sensationalize this tragedy.

Here is my response:

It is not obvious to me at all.

First of all, all the DA did was quote Pearl that one should not cross the line.  That line is not defined anywhere in Pearl’s writings.

Secondly, that is not all of the DA’s comments. Here is a longer quote:

Thirdly, how does Pearl know that they were not following his advice?  He was not there.

My question is, could the Schatzes have thought they were obeying the Pearls’ teachings?  Could they have been calmly chastising her without knowing that they were actually breaking down her tissue?

Michael pearl teaches that his methods work on all children as long as you are 100% consistent.  He also teaches that you must spank the child until her defiance turns into a submissive whimper.  What if the submissive whimper never comes?  Could this kill her?  That is the real question.

book seller refuses to sell Pearl’s books

I just ran into the blog of a Christian book seller who has decided on his own not to have anything to do with Pearl’s books. Kudos to him!

I believe that he also wrote the following blog: When Child Discipline Goes Too Far. Bravo!

Edited to add:  “Bene Diction Blogs On” has blogged about this:
A curious bookseller and the teachings of Michael and Debi Pearl

Secular Homeschooling Magazine

The homeschooling movement is taking notice of the Pearls. Secular Homeschooling is a rather large magazine and they have written an exposé of the Pearls and their teachings. She looks at all aspects of the Pearls and gives some advice on how to respond when offered the book at a homeschool gathering.

To Train Up a Child: The Greater Problem by Deborah Markus

link to What Frog and Toad Can Teach Us…

Karen from from Now… Through a Glass Darkly has written a follow up to her last post which I have added to In Depth Analysis

Stand With an Open Heart–What Frog and Toad Can Teach Us about What Lydia Schatz Might Have Said

The Schatz Story part 2

If you are not familiar with the Schatz Story or want more info, please look here.

News Stories

Note:  Old news stories which have been removed by their papers can be found here.

New information on alleged beating death of Paradise girl CBS News March 17, 2010

Paradise couple plead not guilty in death of daughter from the ChicoER March 18, 2010

Parents plead not guilty in death of daughter The Oakland Tribune March 19, 2010

Autopsy results back on Lydia Schatz from The Paradise Post March 19, 2010

Investigating: Why’s Behind Child Abuse KHSL’s News Investigation of Child Abuse video on TulipGirl’s Blog


Reactions

Reflecting On “Biblical Chastisement” by Muse Mama

Lydia’s Birthday, Autopsy Released by TulipGirl

Pleading “Not Guilty” to Murder, Torture, Cruelty by TulipGirl

Michael & Debi Pearl, & Questions of Ministry Credentialing by Pastor Jack from New Covenant Living

A Community’s Agony Over the Schatzes by Pastor Matthew Raley from Tritone Life

Love Never Fails blog asks us to consider if Attachment Disorder could have had anything to do with Lydia Schatz’ death.

A warning for Canadian parents from Desperately Seeking Suzin:  Pearl’s teachings are against the law.

Earlier reactions here.

In Depth Analysis of Pearl’s Teachings


To Train Up A Child: An Examination of the Pearl Method by Rey Reynoso who had done a great job of digging deep and analyzing the Pearls’ teachings using the Bible to refute them.

Parenting in the Name of God: Introduction from Scita > Scienda  Note:  This is the 1st in a series.

Lydia The Child The Pearls Laugh At! from Emotional Abuse and Your Faith

Is Michael Pearl Responsible For a Girl’s Death? Matthew Raley, a pastor who uses Tedd Tripp’s teachings in his church, speaks out against Pearl’s teachings.

so does Michael Pearl bear any responsibility for the death of Lydia Schatz? by Thatmom

When Parenting Kills – What Can We Do? By Katiekind

Spanking in Anger isn’t the Problem Water Lilly explains why we can’t just assume that the Schatzs were out of control.

In which I talk about the terrible event I mentioned 2 weeks ago By Paul M, who knows the Schatzs, analyzes the Pearls’ teachings and explains how wrong they are.

Hold ‘em Down, Defeat Totally By TulipGirl, who explains exactly how the Pearls teachings caused this death

No Greater Joy Children Takes a look at everything taught by the No Greater Joy Ministries from the perspective of love, respect, and not hurting our children

The brokenhearted Sinner By Aaron

Pearl Of Too Great a Price Matthew Raley, a pastor who uses Tedd Tripp’s teachings in his church, speaks out against Pearl’s teachings.

The Pearls, abuse and a false gospel From Roscommon Acres

How many children must die before Mike & Debi Pearl are held accountable? By Elizabeth Esther

The World’s Most Dangerous People From Just Another Clay Pot

Senseless Deception By Spunky

Child Discipline or Child Abuse? by Virginia Knowless

child abuse in the name of Jesus by Thatmom

update on the Lydia Schatz case and why it is not about spanking by Thatmom

I write this with a heavy heart by Jennie Hall

No Greater Joy Ministries “Biblical” Parenting Couple Beats Child to Death from Peaceful Parenting

Hermeneutics, Life, and Death by Randy Greenwald, Pastor, Hope Presbyterian Church, Bradenton, Florida.

The Behavior Modification Gospel Matthew Raley, a pastor who uses Tedd Tripp’s teachings in his church, speaks out against Pearl’s teachings.

A Time To Weep . . . for Lydia Schatz and Sean Paddock from A Time To Laugh

Debra has a lot of very good, thought provoking posts about the Pearls’ teachings at Debra’s Random Thoughts.  See especially:

Rebekah Pearl Part One–Her Childhood
Rebekah Pearl’s Young Adult Years
Rebekah Pearl Anast Part Three-Life After Marriage

Whose Heart Failure? from Now… Through a Glass Darkly. Also see its followup
Stand With an Open Heart–What Frog and Toad Can Teach Us about What Lydia Schatz Might Have Said

ThatMom asks us to consider the question, are they true or false teachers?

“Pearls” of Wisdom? by Woman Uncensored includes numerous quotes from NGJ site

More arguments can be found here.

Reactions to the Schatz Tragedy

March 3, 2010 – Responses to Pearl’s Laughter:

A Response To Michael Pearl by Muse Mama

Michael Pearl laughs at his critics, no apolgies for dead children from Barbara @ Mommy Life blog who also asks us to look at Cult characteristics and the Pearls

The Pearls: Sadly, it has come to this… from The Cappuccino Life

Pearl Laughing All the Way to the Bank from Sweeping the Cobwebs

michael pearl’s response by Thatmom  Note: there are some very interesting comments in this one

I do not want to write this post from It’s Complicated

In response to the Defense of  Pearl:

In defense of the Pearls…some thoughts from Roscommon Acres A response to a blog defending Pearl

First Reactions:

Heartbroken. Angry. Again. By TulipGirl

This made me cry today… By Rebecca

Beauty for Ashes: in which I discuss the unthinkable Laurie M., who is a friend of the Schatz family, describes  her heartbreak  from what happened to her dear Lydia and her horror at  discovering the Pearls’ teachings.

Speaking Out

Bring Back the Boycott! By Muse Mama

Fighting The Pearl’s Teachings By Muse Mama

I Would Be Remiss… By Clara

Box Bashing by Karen Ehman

Parenting in the Name of God from Scita Scienda

To brainwash a parent From WORLDmag.com

Time to Speak Up, Even if it’s Hard from HomeSpun Life

On the death of Lydia Schatz, 8 from Happy As Kings

I am burning all books by the Pearls… and i encourage you to, too! by Sparrow’s Nest Academy

Tragedy in a homeschooling family by Rob Shearer, Director of the Francis Schaeffer Study Center

Why do you spank your child? by Miss Roxie

Cause of death from I Must Follow If I can…

And odd thankful Thursday from The Upward Call

Lydia Schatz from Joyful Breath

More Christians Speaking out against the Pearls’ Teachings By Katiekind

Tragic Death of Lydia Schatz From Rutledge6

Michael and Debi Pearls teaching linked to another child abuse death from Bene Diction Blogs On

Even a Child Can Recognize Injustice from Wanna Walk Along?  Things your grandmother should have told you.

Michael and Debi Pearl – sample wisdom by Barbara @ Mommy Life

Hmmm…My Two Cents on “No Greater Joy.” From A Very Nearly Tea.  Concerns about the Pearls’ teachings from someone who has mixed feelings about them.