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Tom Sawyer On Ritalin
Joe Carter poses the question, “Would Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn be on Ritalin today?”
There is no doubt that if Tom and Huck were around today, Aunt Polly would be giving them daily spoonfuls of Ritalin. During the 1990′s the use and production of Ritalin increased 700 percent. Today, it is one of the most prescribed drugs in the country.
Ritalin is the brand name for methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant that is often prescribed for ADHD. ADHD is often considered a neurobiological disorder, similar to brain damage or mental retardation, despite the fact that no biological origin for the disorder has ever been discovered. The point, however, would be moot since ADHD is not diagnosed using neurological testing but by using the the criteria listed in the DSM-IV, a reference manual used by mental health professionals.
ADD is often mockingly referred to as ‘Acquired Discipline Deficiency’, which is far closer to the truth than ‘Attention Deficit Disorder’. ADHD, truth be known, is more likely one more example of society treating sin as a disease. Christians who have bought into this nonsense of ADD and ADHD, polluting the minds of their children with mind-altering drugs while perhaps ignoring the biblical commands for corporal punishment would be well-advised to search the Scriptures regarding the disciplining of their children instead of buying into the lies of worldly social sciences. In my opinion, Ritalin and similar drugs are for people who refuse to face reality – or at least don’t want their children to face it.
A little leather, lovingly applied, directly to the sin (via britches) of a disobedient child goes a long way – by the grace of God- toward a clear-minded [read drug-free], obedient child.
One thing is for certain. Parents need to be operating on the sure Word of God rather than listening to modern-day instructions from social sciences that were designed to reject God in the first place. Either we believe the Word of God and obey, or we do not.
A few related passages to get started:
Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15; 29:17; Heb 12:6-8.
Related Posts:
Spanking gets A Good Report Card
Piper & Sailhamer: The Offense of Biblical Creation & The False Authority of Science
Re-Examining The Basis For Children’s Church
Al Mohler: Spare The Rod, Spoil The Child – Is It Taboo?
5 Pt. Salt 
Amen! This book gives biblical instruction on how to discipline children, without going to extreme of denying ALL brain malfunctions due to disease or chemical imbalance.
http://shop.churchandfamilyreformation.org/Shepherding-A-Childs-Heart-BKSACHTRIPP.htm
Far too often, misguided parents who are led astray by the worldly culture, do exactly what you say – treat sin as a disease or bad habit that can medicated away.
As one of the Proverbs you cited says, this one my grandmother cited to my son – “Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”