Bible Team Challenge

    In todays society, we can hardly imagine a time when slavery has existed.  This is because we have made such big leaps over the years.  But we as a society cannot ignore the existence of slavery.  Believe it or not, there were plenty of arguments made for and against slavery that may not be considered by folks today.  

Religion is and has been such a big role in the way the world operates.  People of all different religions take them very seriously.  Back in these times there was a lot of justification of slavery in the bible and Cristian beliefs.  And for good reason… I will explain. 

For starters, slavery was introduced as a form of paying back debts.  “When you buy a male Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, but in the seventh he shall go out a free person, without debt” (Exod. 21:2).  In addition the past slaves would be provided with the tools to start a new life.  Violent treatment of slaves was frowned upon and it was not common until later in slavery's existence.  This is found in 1 Timothy 6:2 and Colossians 4:1 specifically.  

Now as for female slaves they were chosen as slaves mainly to become the wife of the buyer or buyers son.  This gave them more protection as they became socially equal as the buyer and is treated as a normal wife  (Exod. 21:8-9). 

These aren’t necessarily positives, but they all give you a bit more understanding on the side for slavery and how it is vastly different from the type of slavery that we are all familiar with.  As for the side of slavery that is much different and perplexing, that has its issues.  

I’ll start with this quote from Ephesians 6:5–7 “Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ.” While I feel that quote stands for itself, I will further explain my choice to use it.  When reading that, you don’t quite get the feeling of social equality.  You feel a strong superiority and personally I get a little queasy reading it.  This type of mentality and culture is ultimately what made slavery so unjust, and led to its ultimate extinction from the United States.

    Over time, religions have moved away from slavery being acceptable.  In the early modern period, slavery was questioned by many ministers.  It became more common to see ministers and christians becoming abolitionists and following the movement.  Quakers were also very active in the abolition movements and this had a wide spread effect on the beliefs of other christians This shows great change in the views of slavery in religion.    

    It is safe to say slavery has been, occurring, condoned, and supported throughout history.  Whether that being terrible kinds of slavery, or less violent and demeaning types of slavery.  But religions have also moved past their strong belief in the idea of slavery over time.  It is important to know about the existence of slavery and what it really means with its tie to religion.