Biblical defense of slavery

[RonPaulIsGreat]

The solution was given by Hansen long ago.

 

[Christian Liberty]

If America had laws regarding the treatment of slaves, and the responsibilities of the slave to their master... that implicitly approves of the institution of slavery.

I wouldn't suggest the bible promotes slavery, but it doesn't outlaw it thus slavery continued under Christians. Now today, we view slavery as something very abhorrent under any circumstance, but I don't think we should as theists fall into the ever-changing-secular rules of morality. It shifts rapidly, things which were immoral yesterday are moral today, it makes the very idea of morality arbitrary.

I don't support slavery, but under certain circumstances it's very understandable. What if someone who had no money had to pay off a debt, and worked as a "slave" until that debt was paid?

Unfortunately as time went on slavery was made an evil thing, rather than seeing a slave as seeing someone who owed a debt to society or a person, they were not seen as humans at all, treated like animals, not allowed even basic necessities except for what would keep them alive (and often times not enough to keep them alive), were not allowed education... that doesn't help society at all.

I'm actually OK with this provided the amount of time served is proportional to the debt owed or the crime committed. But, I wouldn't call that "slavery", I'd call that "indentured servitude." Which is more or less what "slavery" in the Old Testament was. It wasn't like slavery in the 19th century where the owner could do anything he wanted with the slave and where the slavery was endless. So, if we're talking about that sort of arrangement, I'm fine with it. I should note though that children shouldn't have to pay for their parents mistakes. Say you sign a contract with a bank that you will pay back X amount of money within 6 years, and if not you and your children are enslaved for six years. I would say its illegitimate for you to make this contract on behalf of your children.

I'm a slave of Christ. I do not try to condem Christ, I'm just telling the biblical truth on slavery. Lets imangine a scenario where a man buys a 14 year old girl from her parents so she can help his wife as a house slave and be loved sexually by the man as a sex slave it would be okay according to the Lord, even though secular society would not approve of it. But we Christians must approve of the girls status as a slave according to the Bible, that's the message I'm trying to tell.

First of all, that would be adulterous. And second of all, that would be unbiblical. I don't believe for a second that you are serious about this thread.

Since when does a parent have the right to sell their child? Since when does a man have a right to have sex with someone who isn't his wife? Since when does a passage saying how slaves should act* in an unfortunate situation mean justification of the situation?

*I'll also note, again, that "slavery" back then was more like indentured servitude. It isn't saying that African-Americans who used the underground railroad in the 19th century were sinning.

If Jesus approves of someone losing their free will due to their parents being unfit, then Jesus is an immoral jackass. Do you think Jesus is a jackass?

"Free will" is more or less a myth, but otherwise, I understand what you are saying here. I think Peach just has no clue what the Bible teaches.

 

[Muwahid]

I agree with FreedomFanatic, we are all born inherently free. If we become "enslaved" it would be do us breaching some form of contract or agreement, and owing to the "master", work or services. This is the only moral justification of freedom, because it was due to the person wronging another person. In many cases this could be more merciful than throwing someone in prison.

The problem with slavery is how easily it turns into an evil practice, people begin buying and selling slaves, people take slaves from the "lower class" or "lower races", it institutionalized racism, and class warfare, but if people followed the laws enacted by God, slaves would have rights protected. Does God allow racism? to beat people? to starve them? if not then that applies even to the slave and ensures their good treatment until they are to be freed.

 

[robert68]

I'm actually OK with this provided the amount of time served is proportional to the debt owed or the crime committed. But, I wouldn't call that "slavery", I'd call that "indentured servitude." Which is more or less what "slavery" in the Old Testament was. It wasn't like slavery in the 19th century where the owner could do anything he wanted with the slave and where the slavery was endless. So, if we're talking about that sort of arrangement, I'm fine with it.
...

You can certainly be “fine with it”. But coercion to enforce an agreement isn’t libertarian. Any agreement can be terminated.