Bible and Slavery

[Sophus]

I know upon reading a modern Bible it looks as though it supports slavery. Perhaps it does. One explanation I heard from a preacher (I know, ughh) was that it was making reference to when people would work as slaves because they were indebted to someone. If they didn't have the money - they worked it off or sold themselves into slavery. Historically I don't know if this is true, let alone whether that is true of all the references to slavery in the Bible (doubt it is true of the Old Testament especially). But I almost see this as being plausible for this reason: Slave Morality. Nietzsche's concept that Christians devised their virtue from being in low positions. Which is why it preaches against wealth and abusive power and so and so forth. It all indeed does seem like slave morality until you think of them actually condoning slavery. (I know this isn't the full concept of slave/master morality but I think you get the point.)

So does anyone know? Care to share some knowledge?  

[Will]

Most Biblical references to slavery, which could be interpreted as condoning, are more about how to treat a slave. While the Israelites were generally downtrodden, they did have times when they were in the middle class or even the top. While I've been known to pull a "Bible condones slavery" now and again, it's more referencing the fact that the ideas of the Bible are obviously outdated. Once upon a time, slavery was the norm, and in order to be a moral authority, the Jews needed moral rules to set them apart from others about slavery. At the time, some of the ideas were quite progressive, even though now they're beyond barbaric (like Exodus 21:7-11 for example).

[Sophus]

Ah, so they were aiming for better treatment. Thanks Mr. Will!

[LoneMateria]

Its late so i'm not quite sure where you want to go with this Sophus.  I'm sure in the morning i'll get it >.<

Anyway just reading the bible it seems to endorse slavery.  In the OT laws it tells you how to mark slaves as your property forever.  It tells you how much you can charge for slaves.  It tells you how to sell your daughter into slavery.  It tells you how hard you can beat your slaves and that you can beat them to death as long as they die from the beating a day or two later.

Here is what the bible lists for slavery http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/slavery.html (Luke 12:46 and 47 are there but 48 is the one where Jesus tells how to beat them).  

Also a little note (if you read the link you saw this) but it says if you are a slave and your owner is a Christian you need to work extra hard because he is a Christian.  This can easily be used to justify slavery and provide an overall benefit to the owner.  Think about it ... if you own slaves in biblical times and you are a Christian.  Chances are you are fucking insane about your belief and chances are you will make your slaves take up the Christian doctrine.  Not only will you comfort them by promising an afterlife but then telling them that God wants you to work extra hard because you (the owner) are a Christian.  It seems as if the bible could be used to keep slaves in line and no doubt it probably was.

[G-Roll]

Im with Will on this one. Slavery was the norm back then. Every race, creed, and culture had slaves in some form. From what I gather from slavery in the bible is that slavery is great so long as it doesn’t happen to the Israelites. Or maybe Moses was just confused with the whole let my people go/plagues from heaven bit.

[SSY]

It seems as if the bible could be used to keep slaves in line and no doubt it probably was.

Was, and still is.


ZING!

[LoneMateria]

It seems as if the bible could be used to keep slaves in line and no doubt it probably was.

Was, and still is.


ZING!

nice

[artwomyn]

Hello,

As an African American female Atheist, I think it's deplorable that the Christian religions think that slavery was 'God's will', and to try and justify it in the Bible.  Christianity is a religion that originated in Europe, many centuries ago. It has been used to justify oppression of non European people, and females ever since.

Africans who were brought to this country as slaves, were not allowed to practice their own religious traditions, such as Voodoo. Instead, Christianity was forcibly imposed upon the slaves, and they were often told by the slave masters that they would go to heaven, if they submitted quietly to their enslavement.

So I think it's especially sad, to see the majority of women and minorities unquestioningly accepting
Christianity, and a belief in a 'God'. It's like they are actively choosing to participate in their own oppression. And that's NOT something that I would ever do!

Artwomyn.

[Asmodean Prime]

The Bible is a Jewish conspiracy. Christians are deluded under a powerful spell. Christianity is nothing more than a vicious program

Christians believe the Nazarene to be perfect, a peaceful, loving, healing and understanding being. Most are too lazy to read the facts. The bible may be the most purchased book, but it is the least read.

[McQ]

The Bible is a Jewish conspiracy. Christians are deluded under a powerful spell. Christianity is nothing more than a vicious program

Christians believe the Nazarene to be perfect, a peaceful, loving, healing and understanding being. Most are too lazy to read the facts. The bible may be the most purchased book, but it is the least read.

Christen354778 Banned by IP address for post/links. Links removed.