While idling around on barking American websites laughing at "fundies" (provoked by the thread about bates/duggars on here), I found out to my horror that one of the craziest and most destructive of "Christian" parenting gurus has been giving seminars to UK parents via a network of sister churches which has branches in several nations
his name is Tedd Tripp and he advocates the most heartbreakingly cruel and abusive punishment and humiliation of children right from tiny babyhood 
I am angry that this man can be thrown up at UK parents as an example and as someone to emulate. I realise it is probably pointless but I felt I had to do something, so I have emailed the church in bristol that had him last year, and cc'd it to the sister church in noth carolina where he is speaking this year
I would go along and egg the bastard, but I can't afford the air fare 
Here is my email, if you would like to could you add your own voice of protest? I don't want this filth in the UK or anywhere near children.
Dear Sir/Madam
I write with reference to the planned ?Tedd Tripp Seminar? of 12-13th November in Apex North Carolina, hosted by your sister church, and also to the seminar hosted by you on Saturday 21st March 2009 (as detailed on your weblog).
I note with great consternation that during these seminars Pastor Tripp is afforded the opportunity to address parents and parishioners in respect of his views regarding Biblical child-rearing. As I am sure you are aware, Pastor Tripp's infamous book "Shepherding A Child's Heart" is a controversial work which advocates practices many, even among American fundamentalist Christian groups, regard as extremely destructive, abusive and cruel. Pastor Tripp openly champions the use of humiliating, severe and repeated punishment even of very young infants. To illustrate his well-known advice to parents of young children, here are a few titbits from his aforementioned book:
Page 105 "The child is a sinner. There are things within the heart of the sweetest little baby that, allowed to blossom and grow to fruition, will bring about eventual destruction. The rod functions in this context."
Page 106: "The spanking process drives foolishness from the heart of a child. Confrontation with the immediate and undeniably tactile sensation of a spanking renders an implacable child sweet."
Page 154: "When your child is old enough to resist your directives, he is old enough to be disciplined. Rebellion can be something as simple as an infant struggling against a diaper change or stiffening out his body when you want him to sit on your lap."
If you have read and considered Pastor Tripp's writings and are still prepared to defend his links with your church and allow his attitudes to influence the families of your congregation I would be very interested to receive an explanation of your reasoning.
I wonder also whether you are aware of the law in the United Kingdom which states that hitting a child is a common assault, and that the statutory defence of ?reasonable punishment? does not and will not apply in cases where the child has been left with marks or bruises, as detailed on the Children's Legal Centre website:
"physical punishment will be considered "unreasonable" if it leaves a mark on the child or if the child is hit with an implement such as a cane or a belt." (Section 58 of the Children Act 2004)
In recent years there have been several high-profile cases in this country of children being removed from their parents? care and of parents being prosecuted for using disciplinary methods far less draconian and violent than those recommended by Pastor Tripp in his book.
It is my view that your hosting of last year's seminar, and of your continued links with his ministry, constitute an effective incitement to parents and carers to break UK law in the name of their Christian beliefs. The information on your weblog alone is sufficient to lead British families towards this toxic and abusive philosophy. I suggest that this is unacceptable and would urge you in the strongest terms to reconsider your position and sever your affiliation to Pastor Tripp and his organisation.
Yours faithfully
Mrs disgustedbythisman