Quote:
Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos
You can't make that call? You're just not sure that slavery is wrong?
I'm pretty sure of something right now; I don't need an old book to tell me that some people are too stupid to reach.
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I really appreciate your ability to keep a discussion civil and free of unnecessary insults.
Beyond that point, I am actually serious. As peter12 mentioned earlier, I find that people in today's "civilized" culture are often too quick to assume that the way we do/see/understand/believe things today are far superior to the way things used to be. I disagree.
The Bible was written in a different time. Today, lots of people are into relativistic morality and truth, so here's a comparison that might work for them. Back in Biblical times, slavery was right
for them. I do not know exactly what the history of slavery is for humankind, but I know that it was prevalent for many many years (and still, sadly, is in some areas). One way or another, many societies "functioned" - without economic collapse or constant uprisals leading to social upheaval - under a system that either allowed or promoted slavery. This does not mean that we are wrong today - I am certainly not
pro-slavery! - but it does mean that it was a long-embraced part of our (recorded) history.
Now, as far as God's stance on the subject... again, I'm not sure He needs my defense. I will say that the Bible was in most ways not written to promote social reform (at least not directly). It calls believers to act in propriety, and if that means having the grace to free their slave, as example, the Bible certainly leaves open that option. A lack of codemning does not necessarily imply condoning. The instances where slavery is mentioned, it is basically commanding readers not to take advantage of their slaves (or for the slaves to be loyal).
*** Unsatisfied with my own explanation, I decided to do a google search. Wikipedia has
this to say in it's introduction to the topic:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by wikipedia article
The Bible contains several references to slavery. The Bible uses the Hebrew term ebed to refer to slavery; however, ebed has a much wider meaning than the English term slavery, and in several circumstances it is more accurately translated into English as servant or hired worker[1]. It is common for a person to voluntarily sell oneself into slavery for a fixed period of time either to pay off debts or to get food and shelter. [2]
Although slavery is now universally condemned as a crime against humanity, it was customary in antiquity, and taken for granted as part of the economy and society of the time. [3] The Bible does not regard it as an abomination, and regulates its practice, [4] and occasionally compels the enslavement of others. [5]
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Additionally,
this article supports my suspicions and views on the subject. Biblical slavery is very different from the "man-stealing" practices of (primarily) 19th century white Americans against Africans.