Differences of opinion have emerged amongst Christians following the vote in the House of Lords for a compromise measure outlawing the smacking of children that causes obvious harm.
Supporters of the change in the law included church leaders in the House of Lords, and the Methodist church who supported the move to make smacking a criminal offence when it causes bruises or mental harm.
Statements today however from Evangelical groups who want parents to keep the right to hit children have opposed the proposed law as 'unworkable' and 'confused'.
The Evangelical Alliance said it was 'disappointed' at the decision to accept Lord Lester's compromise amendment to the Children Bill. It said that the effect would be to cause "confusion about how to interpret the law in practice, making it either unworkable or leading to a complete ban on smacking in due course".
Meanwhile Evangelical charity CARE, known for, amongst other things, its lobbying on the age of consent, said that 'loving parents' who used a gentle smack to discipline their children would be "branded as criminals as a result of an ‘unworkable’ law."
"This amendment is unworkable and undesirable for a variety of reasons," said CARE’s Head of Public Policy Roger Smith, "not least because it will draw the attention of police and statutory services from cases of genuine need."
The Methodist church, which includes amongst its members many Evangelicals, had however previously welcomed the amendment.
Steve Pearce, Mission Education Secretary (Children), and the Methodist signatory on a recent 'Children are unbeatable!' open letter to Education Secretary Charles Clarke, said: "Overturning the archaic defence of 'reasonable chastisement' will send out a clear message that violence has no place in caring and loving parenting. Christians have a particular concern to speak out for weaker groups, and for people who are subjected to violence. The Methodist Church is committed to playing its part in promoting and mobilising resources and support which helps parents develop non-violent ways of discipline."
Campaigners for a ban on smacking children are still vowing to fight on for an outright ban.
The decision to settle on Lord Lester's compromise amendment was denounced as “shameful, unjust and irresponsible” as MPs prepared for a second push in the Commons.