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In the Hebrew nation even the slaves had rights. And the slaves were set free after so many years (I forget the exact number (seventh year?) And slaves could ask to made a permanent slave--hardly the thing that one would do if you were treated like an animal. See Swartley's book Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women where looks at how both sides argued the issue.
In the Hebrew nation even the slaves had rights. And the slaves were set free after so many years (I forget the exact number (seventh year?) And slaves could ask to made a permanent slave--hardly the thing that one would do if you were treated like an animal. See Swartley's book Slavery, Sabbath, War and Women where looks at how both sides argued the issue.
In the Bible the term had a different meaning from slavery that we know of today.
Slaves may have been under ownership but were not objects- they were people. Very different from the idea of slavery as we know it to be today. Also in that nation and in that time, it wasn't always a bad thing to be a slave- it could be a temporary thing to get out of debt or it could offer protection such as to a captive from a conquered nation, or an alien resident who desired to live among the Israelite nation etc. In the nation of Israel the Law outlined how slaves were to be treated and protected.
The term slave could refer to people who held positions of high responsibility in a household, like Joseph, or could even refer to those who resided in a royal household serving a king etc.
Outside of the nation of Israel it was another matter. They were not under Law to God like Israel so they just did what they wanted to do. Many nations were barbaric like the Assyrians who were known for excessive cruelty etc.
Today we even hear the term slaves of Christ/ slaves of the Lord and it is by no means meant as a negative term, but a positive one.
Oh please some of you will go to no ends to justify slavery because the bible says it was ok.
In Roman times it was legal to kill babies born to slaves.
I did not say that we are justifying slavery. Nor am I saying that the Bible is "justifying" slavery.
All I am saying is that slavery in the Bible times was different from the slavery that we know in American History.
The Bible specifically deals with the nation of Israel, as well as the early Christian congregation. The Romans were rulers over Jews as history and the Bible do show. But Roman law was different from the Israelite's Law and from the law later of the Jews- and different again from the principles that guided the early Christian congregation.
You seem to be confusing the view of slavery in the Bible with the law of the Romans; two differing views. The Roman view was not Christian in the least.
Nothing to condemn about slavery? Slaves were viewed as cattle and sheep?
I don't have time to find it right now,
but Jesus said that slaves should obey their masters,
Jesus also said "Love your neighbor (everybody) as you love yourself".
If you are going to use that to say that "slavery should be legal"
then socialism should be, too. Because Jesus told people that rich people will never go to heaven unless they give their money to the poor.
Today's Catholic reading in Matthew 8 does contain the following
When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
“Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.”
He said to him, “I will come and cure him.”
The centurion said in reply,
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes;
and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
“Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven,
but the children of the Kingdom
will be driven out into the outer darkness,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”
It could sound like Jesus here does seem to accept slavery. I've read the passage many times, but I'm not sure how to discuss the implications without damning myself. Although possibly by saying that I've damned myself. What I generally think though is that slave uprisings generally failed and mostly resulted in the deaths of slaves. (Haiti is sometimes considered the only successful slave rebellion) So a master who cares for his slaves welfare, and a slave who tries to live a virtuous life, was the only realistic option available. Although on Roman infanticide Christianity was generally clear in opposing that, even of slave, as was Judaism.
And as for your male and female slaves whom you may have—from the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves. Moreover you may buy the children of the strangers who dwell among you, and their families who are with you, which they beget in your land; and they shall become your property. And you may take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them as a possession; they shall be your permanent slaves. But regarding your brethren, the children of Israel, you shall not rule over one another with rigor. (Leviticus 25:44-46)
In addition, the Israelites were ordered to make slaves of nations they defeated or those that resisted their advances.
On another note of correction, slaves were to be freed after 6 years IF they were fellow Israelites and these are the "slaves" apologists often refer to when they try to ease the sting of slavery in the Old Testament.
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