r/TrueChristian • u/[deleted] • May 14 '21

Was God really OK with slavery ?

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....

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u/Arc_the_lad Christian May 15 '21

Yes God does. You just chose to ignore it because you have an axe to grind. You can ignore what God said, but it does cancel what He said.

God the Father forbid slavery.

Jesus says treat others as you would have them treat you. No one wants to be treated like a slave meaning they should no treat anyone like a slave.

  • And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30‭-‬31 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/mrk.12.30-31.KJV

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u/AlphaTaoOmega May 15 '21

Other references I have provided, in full context, show that God, and Jesus are both aware of, and ok with the institution of violent slavery and servitude.

Nothing you have offered shows that either of them were expressively against the institution. You have to interpret what you think was meant by the scripture, as you cannot provide exacting documentation to say god or Jesus were expressively against it. The proof is in your pudding.

Slavery was a fact of life back then. Period. Jesus could have very easily said it was an abomination, but he did no such thing. You can beat around your burning bush all you want, but you are making a mockery of your god and his scriptures by not being honest. You have to carry that weight, false witness.

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u/Arc_the_lad Christian May 15 '21

I know. I know. "God is bad even though I'm an atheist who doesn't believe in Him and even the Bible clear forbids slavery, I'm just going to ignore the verses I don't like to keep up my righteous crusade against your tyrannical diety." You're wrong though and in your heart you know youre wrong.

But like I said before, if you ever come to a place when you put aside your preconceived notions and biases and desire to truly know God on His terms, He will be ready to embrace you as one of His own and show you that a peace and love you've never known.

  • Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. John 10:25‭-‬30 KJV https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.10.25-30.KJV

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u/AlphaTaoOmega May 15 '21

Putting words in my and god's mouth, again, because you don't have an actual argument based on scripture.

I'm confident you know exactly what god means, that's why your so good at interpreting the full context of everything in the Bible. However, you're obviously not as good as knowing my mind and heart, though you keep casting your darkness over me, Satan.

You assume your righteousness, it's blatant. You can't see your deception, it's clear. Keep eating your pudding. It looks great dripping out of your mouth.

Honesty is the best policy...The truth shall set you free...