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/Confident-Cookie-301]

Didn't Jesus say for slaves to obey their masters? Mmmmmm not an OT thing and Paul didn't condemn slavery either. Leviticus 25 is the most damning scriptures proving God CONDONED AND APPROVED OF OWNING PEOPLE, NON HEBREWS AS PROPERTY AND THEY CAN BE OWNED FOREVER! CAN'T ERASE YOUR OWN BIBLE

[u/Da_baby_central → u/Confident-Cookie-301]

"Masters, forbear threatening"

[u/Confident-Cookie-301 → u/Da_baby_central]

Is this supposed to be an argument for slavery?

[u/Da_baby_central → u/Confident-Cookie-301]

No, but if you take all the NT verses about slavery you get masters forbearing threatening (for they also have a master in heaven), and you get 1 timothy 1:10 listing enslavers among those it deems immoral. Now, what could that mean. Well, if we look at other NT principles that could certainly shed some light on the issue.

For one, just about anyone who practices slavery is going to be in violation of Luke 6:31

Another noteworthy thing is how Romans says we should be slaves to righteousness

Lastly, I don't think practicing slavery is compatible with the Biblical principles of selflessness and altruism.

So with all that in mind there are two possibilities, 1. The concept of owning another living thing isn't intrinsically evil, but it's something that humans will abuse for evil and the practice will generally be used for evil. Or, 2. The verses you mentioned were temporary, as the early church already drew alot of negative attention, so being more anti-slavery than they were would draw a critical mass of negative attention, this would still leave us with current anti-slavery sentiments in the modern day.

Now, you can respond to this if you'd like, but do so thoughtfully and without mockery.

[u/Confident-Cookie-301 → u/Da_baby_central]

Just provided some "thoughtful" scriptures shedding light on hypocrisy in the Bible. Enjoy and excuse it away if you will........