To anyone that truly believes the Bible is the word of God?

The claim is often made that the God of the Bible approves of slavery, since rules governing slavery can be found in the both the Old and New Testament. Since virtually everyone agrees that forced, involuntary servitude is morally wrong, how can Christians justify the Bible's apparent support of slavery? What the Old Testament says about slavery.

First, we must recognize that the Bible does not say God supports slavery. In fact, the slavery described in the Old Testament was quite different from the kind of slavery we think of today - in which people are captured and sold as slaves. According to Old Testament law, anyone caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed: "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death." (Exodus 21:16) So, obviously, slavery during Old Testament times was not what we commonly recognize as slavery, such as that practiced in the 17th century Americas, when Africans were captured and forcibly brought to work on plantations.

Unlike our modern government welfare programs, there was no safety-net for ancient Middle Easterners who could not provide a living for themselves. In ancient Israel, people who could not provide for themselves or their families sold them into slavery so they would not die of starvation or exposure. In this way, a person would receive food and housing in exchange for labor.

So, although there are rules about slavery in the Bible, those rules exist to protect the slave. Injuring or killing slaves was punishable - up to death of the offending party. Hebrews were commanded not to make their slave work on the Sabbath, slander a slave have sex with another man's slave, or return an escaped slave.

A Hebrew was not to enslave his fellow countryman, even if he owed him money, but was to have him work as a hired worker, and he was to be released in the year of jubilee (which occurred every seven years). In fact, the slave owner was encouraged to "pamper his slave". Since many of the early Christians were slaves to Romans, they were encouraged to become free if possible, but not worry about it if not possible.

The Roman empire practiced involuntary slavery, so rules were established for Christians who were subject to this slavery or held slaves prior to becoming Christians. The rules established for slaves were similar to those established for other Christians with regard to being subject to governing authorities. Slaves were told to be obedient to their master and serve them sincerely, as if serving the Lord Himself.

Paul instructed slaves to serve with honor, so that Christianity would not be looked down upon. As with slaves, instructions were given to their masters as to how they were to treat their slaves. For example, they were not to be threatened, but treated with justice and fairness.

The text goes on to explain that this was to be done because God is the Master of all people, and does not show partiality on the basis of social status or position. God does not distinguish between slaves and freemenContrary to the claims of many skeptics, the New Testament proclaims that all people are equal in the eyes of God - even slaves: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

(Ephesians 6:8) And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. (Ephesians 6:9) a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all,and in all. (Colossians 3:11).

Well...honestly: no. The Bible **permits** slavery. Never does it go so far as to say "It's OK".

Rather, it allows slavery without suggesting that it is either good or evil. Notice also that it allows slavery under 2 circumstances: - a person could sell themselves or their children into slavery to pay debt (note that this is probably much more humane than the Debtor's Prison seen until recently, where one's entire family could be imprisoned until some relative or friend paid one's debt, and that credit reporting companies were not around at that time) - POWs could be enslaved (note that technology and resource limitations did not allow the creation of secure POW camps when this regulation was created; the alternatives to enslavement were to leave the enemy population free and a threat or to eradicate them) Note that kidnapping (capturing) someone expressly to enslave them (as was seen in the transatlantic slave trade) was forbidden by the Bible and carried *serious* consequences! 2) but really this can't relate to modern-day culture?

As I pointed out, it's not relevant to modern-day culture. Why? Because we have options available - not available to the ancient Jewish people - that are morally superior to the options available to them.

Note also that all of the regulations quoted are part of the Mosaic Covenant - the contract that God made between himself and the Jewish people. As such, none of them are required by Christians. Still, the New Testament also clearly allows the ownership of slaves by Christians - so, again, slavery is permitted in the Bible but never expressly approved.

- Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.