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World News

Russian Orthodox Church clashes with Putin over smacking ban

The Russian premier, who has enjoyed close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, supported the legislation which is thought to establish punishments of up to two years in prison for mums and dads who physically discipline their children.

The Church's Patriarchal Commission claims an amendment of 'Article 116 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation' contradicts the God-given right of parents to reasonably and lovingly exercise physical punishment.

It condemns the new law as having no moral or legal justification, contradicting family life and warns that the measure will do more harm than good.

Quoting Bible passages such as Hebrews 12: 6-11, which poses the question "What children are not disciplined by their father?", the Church also says the law is "contrary to the teachings of the Orthodox Church".

Urging lawmakers and government representatives to work towards reversing the decision, the Patriarchal Commission said: "There is no doubt that children should be protected from the [actual] criminal acts, by whomever committed, especially when it comes to criminal violence."

It went on to say that parents should be able to exercise their own judgement in rearing their children, adding "a reasonable and moderate use of loving parents in the education of physical punishment of the child" should not be considered a "criminal attack".

Premier has approached the office of The President of Russia for a comment.

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