Hi PBA.
You said: “I’ll add some more to the question. Hashem also threatens us with eternal damnation. So maybe you should threaten to burn your kids fingers if he doesn’t go to shul?”
Are you serious about bringing that statement to the discussion table? That is even outside the scope of an overgeneralization and exaggeration.
Hashem DOES have the idea of the threat of eternal damnation on the table, and you buy into that, I am sure. Can I assume you also agree with chas v’shalom burning a kids fingers if he doesnt go to shul? Of course not.
Where were you going with that?? lol
The fact is, reward/incentives are built into the fabric of the human condition.
Whether it is a child who earns prizes or whatever for going to shul, or an adult to davens with more kavana with the hope their prayers will be better answered, or avoids eating bread on Pesach out of fear of the consequences, or someone raising their level of observance and finding it difficult at first, but sticking with it until it becomes natural to where they would never want to give it up, because they want, in part, the inherent benefits in Olam Hazeh, and Olam Habah, incentive/reward works, and is a good thing to shape behavior.
I applaud the parent for doing what they are doing, and thank them, too, as we all benefit from them taking a hands on approach to getting their child to do the right thing.