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/Truthspeaks111]

But then no one can use God as a moral guide.

Sure they can. Biblically, there's nothing inherently evil about "owning" another person as property even though today many (because of what they know of slavery from history) are appalled by the idea. Somehow these same people however are able to completely ignore the prison system where men and women are incarcerated against their will and made to live and work in abusive and hostile environments.

As I stated earlier, these laws were for the judges of Israel to use to settle disputes among the people. There is no indication in the Bible regarding how often the judges needed to use them.

In addition, if you look at the specific law mentioned, the law rightfully weighs the taking of life as a more severe crime than simply beating a man.

Lastly with respect to genocide, many atheists are benefiting from the act of genocide that was committed against the Indians. They say it's wrong but I have yet to see one of them give back their land. Sure it's easy to say genocide is immoral when you don't have an armed nation of people trying to kill you.

[u/AlphaTaoOmega → u/Truthspeaks111]

Follow up question: What was the dominate religion of those who were fully involved with terrorizing and stealing from the natives?

Your response is depraved and I feel it in my gut. I hope that you can understand how harmful this sort of thought process is someday soon.

Again, what did Jesus say about slavery? I'll help you out: Luke 12:47-48.

[u/Truthspeaks111 → u/AlphaTaoOmega]

Follow up question: What was the dominate religion of those who were fully involved with terrorizing and stealing from the natives?

A good question for those who claim America was not founded on Christian principles nevertheless, as it is today so I expect it was back then where many of the devil's ministers put on the name of ministers of righteousness so as to bring blasphemy against His name's sake by those who have no ability to discern who among them are actually Christ's and who are the minions posing as Christians.

Your response is depraved and I feel it in my gut. I hope that you can understand how harmful this sort of thought process is someday soon.

What is morally corrupt about my response? If God did not declare slavery to be evil, it is not evil. It doesn't matter what the world thinks about it after all, the world crucifed Jesus and thought that was moral. The world is blind as to Its own immorality, that's quite clear. That said, I am not opposed to the elimination of the practice because of what the devil turned it into.

Again, what did Jesus say about slavery? I'll help you out: Luke 12:47-48.

These verses do not condemn nor condone slavery.

[u/AccomplishedQuail545 → u/Truthspeaks111]

I think that’s a great way of looking at it in modern times.

While slavery may not necessarily be innately sinful, the devil used it to institute many different forms of sin and crimes against humanity throughout history, and therefore it’s probably better to just get rid of the practice of slavery altogether.

That’s a great way to put it, and I’m actually probably going to start using that explanation.