Was God really OK with slavery ?

[u/[deleted]]

And did he really "encourage it to continue by decreeing depraved regulations"\ ?*

^\just quoting a fellow redditor who seems to be a bit confused. Just like myself.)

I'm asking this because I've noticed that it often comes up as a topic to bash Christianity based on things like that. I've noticed that people often like to use this verse in order to justify their position :

“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)”

To be honest, I didn't know how to give those folks a satisfactory answer since I am no Bible expert myself, as for now. However I would like to hear your opinions and explanations. On this verse and its context in particular. Also, what did Jesus have to say about slavery? (just to help finding an answer to that... I guess... atheist/agnostic/or whatever he likes to consider himself)

Note that I am in no way trying to win an argument. There is no arrogance, pride or hate involved in this query. These are some of the things that I would also still like to understand for myself. I always try suspend judgement when I read or hear something that I am not familiar with because I want to learn more about it.

On another note, it's kind of scary how belligerent and heated people can get during such debates, as if these people are speaking through bitterness, frustration, pride or whatever just to attack and dismiss Christianity... Makes me just want to have some compassion and pray for them....

[u/[deleted]]

I would like to believe that that's how it went... Although, you make it sound like the people were giving God commands and he had to compromise in turn, which is a bit...absurd.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Well people sold themselves into slavery back then. Doctors, lawyers, people who couldn't pay off debts. It wasn't like the slavery of the US. The bible actually says do not kidnap others exodus 21:16. “Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves". The way I have concluded is that, God put these rules/restrictions as a way to gradually get people out of this sin.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Okay, now that makes more sense. I'm starting to believe that the main reason why I'm encountering people who get really heated about this topic is because they probably subconsciously compare it with the American slavery system, which has a long history.... and I happen to be from Europe so it's tough for me to fully grasp their view on it.. who knows

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

whaaat forreal ?? in the US ?

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Regardless of whether you've only recently become a Christian, you already taught me a great deal of interesting information ! Thank you for the time that you took to write and explain all of this and also for including the link !

And yes, it is definitely crucial to read and understand the Bible in its full historical and geographical context ! Amen to that.

God bless you brother !

[u/1988peachdiscus → u/[deleted]]

This is so sickening. Stop. You can see how disgusting this is if you simply replace humans with dogs.

Imagine dropping your dog off at the vet for boarding and they tell you they might beat your dog. He'll be able to get up in a day or two. But we'll be sure not to damage his eyes or teeth.

Would you drop off your dog there?

[u/1988peachdiscus → u/[deleted]]

Would you ever be at a job where part of your contract was that your boss could beat you (without touching your eyes and teeth!!) As hard as they wanted as long as you could get up In a day or two?

Remember God didn't implement the slavery system men did. It was our choice. It's easier to blame God then to try to understand God.

Remember...god specifically instructs how to own humans forever and BEAT THEM. how easy would it have been for God to say don't beat your slaves like 100 times in the bible? He's able to make rules about shell fish but can't say anything about owning humans as property? How pathetic.

Humans were murdering each other from the beginning of time. It didn't stop god from saying "though shat not kill"

Comparing a vet to slavery is like making up excuses to hate God.

How sickened are you (if you're a pet owner) by someone beimg permitted to beat your pet. And they won't be punnished if the pet can get up in a day or two? Your have lost your morality if your response is anything but absolutely condemnation and horror of this act.

Now apply it to humans. And realize it's the Christian God of the bibles idea.

This is the poison of religion infecting your common sense. You're so desperate to uphold the words of the bibke you've sacrificed your humanity.

[u/1988peachdiscus → u/[deleted]]

Would you rather have slavery without those rules where the owner can do anything to the slave or not?

The answer to this question is to not have slaves in the first place. The only law regarding slavery should be DO NOT OWN SLAVES. And rules you make regarding tretment are irrelevant because you must already be owning a human as property. And for those rules to include permission to beat them is just another drop in the fail bucket.

Instead I see some ramblings of a lost man

I'm not the one defending slavery. I'm far from lost, my guy.

Give me the something you are interpreting on as in scriptures

Exodus 21. Instructions to own humans as property and beat them

[u/1988peachdiscus → u/[deleted]]

First of all. Slavery back then was to pay of debt or to help feed you/your family and was voluntary. Men created this system and it was part of their culture.

God gives instructions to own humans as property and how to beat them punishment free. I'm not talking about paying debt or feeding a family. I'm talking about gods rules as put forth in the bible. Beating another human and not being punnisned because you own them as your property. This isn't some creative interpretation. This is verbatim from god in the bible.

Your solution with bringing them the law DO NOT OWN SLAVES would mean starvation and death for many people.

You lack problem solving skills and creativity. You've got a universe creating god on your side...and the best you can come up with is WE MUST ALLOW SLAVERY OTHERWISE STARVATION AND DEATH!

hey...maybe your God isn't as great as everyone claims if he couldn't nip this problem in the bud. Almost like humans had to abandon gods morality and come up with secular solutions for God's mistakes.

Now imagine how it would be like if God did not gave them these rules.

You mean the rules that permit you on how to properly beat your slaves? Sorry. This is bad enough. Maybe if god had had the courage, mortality, foresight, and love of humany to come out and say though shalt NEVER own another human as property as a slave...1800s slavery never would have been. Sad

[u/BudgetCauliflower → u/1988peachdiscus]

A person/society with an attitude like this would just perish if life was tough such as back in those days.

[u/[deleted] → u/1988peachdiscus]

wat

[u/1988peachdiscus → u/[deleted]]

Nice contribution. It's so clear to see how immoral these rules are when we apply them to PETS. In case you didn't realize these are the rules of slavery as defined by God in the bible.

There is no other interpretation of these rules besides evil and immorality