WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has turned away an appeal from a Wisconsin pastor convicted of conspiracy to commit child abuse for advocating the use of wooden rods to spank children.

The justices had no comment on their order Monday rejecting Philip Caminiti’s appeal of his 2012 conviction for urging church members to use so-called “rod discipline” on babies and toddlers.

Caminiti argued that prosecutors violated his religious freedom and the rights of parents to decide how to discipline their children.

The Wisconsin state appeals court ruled last year that a jury could have reasonably inferred that Caminiti’s teachings produced lawless action. The lower court said the state has a compelling interest in preventing child abuse.