The Bible does not condone slavery

[Syriusly]

May favorite part of the Bible is how Moses fought to free the Jews from slavery

Then, when the Ten Commandments came out, God did not even include slavery.......had to put in about coveting.

Moses was a sucker

Slavery is worse that coveting (obviously), so in Scientific Humanism we don't bring forward the divinity of the 10 Commandments because we believe that an all-knowing creator of everything would obviously know that ending slavery is a higher PRIORITY for the world than "not coveting" is. He would have put the Golden Rule in the top 10 too, of course - but he didn't.

The sad fact is that slavery was an economic necessity at the time. Advocating the elimination of slavery would have brought strict retribution at the time from the powers that be

No- slavery wasn't an 'economic necessity'.

Slavery was a way to economic power- the result of powerful people able to enslave others, and use their labor to enrich themselves.

Economic necessity for those in power

There was no such thing as "earning a paycheck". It was not their economic model. At best, you worked and you and your family were provided room and board. At worst.....you were a slave

No- read up on Roman history.

The wealthy became wealthier because they were able to own slaves- instead of having to have employees.

If by 'economic' necessity you mean being able to accumulate vastly more wealth- then that is like saying that tax breaks are a necessity for Billionaires.

 

[Syriusly]

[
what would you call it if not slavery? Is it really any different if the means by which they are enslaved leaves no physical mark on the body but instead leaves an indelible mark on the soul?
.

I would call it not slavery.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

To compare that to being stuck in a dead end job is really pretty stupid.

 

[hobelim]

[
what would you call it if not slavery? Is it really any different if the means by which they are enslaved leaves no physical mark on the body but instead leaves an indelible mark on the soul?
.

I would call it not slavery.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

To compare that to being stuck in a dead end job is really pretty stupid.

Like I said, raping, castrating and losing children has not stopped it has only become more subtle and sophisticated.

There are many ways to rape and castrate a person that leaves no obvious or visible mark, many ways to enslave people without using iron chains or bullwhips.

 

[Snouter]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

 

[ding]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[rightwinger]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

Do enlighten us.....

 

[Syriusly]

[
what would you call it if not slavery? Is it really any different if the means by which they are enslaved leaves no physical mark on the body but instead leaves an indelible mark on the soul?
.

I would call it not slavery.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

To compare that to being stuck in a dead end job is really pretty stupid.

Like I said, raping, castrating and losing children has not stopped it has only become more subtle and sophisticated.

There are many ways to rape and castrate a person that leaves no obvious or visible mark, many ways to enslave people without using iron chains or bullwhips.

Like how? Examples please.

Tell us an equivalent example today in the United States of legally being raped as a 14 year old girl, and then having your child ripped away from you to be sold to somebody else who will likely sexually abuse your child.

T

 

[Syriusly]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

I laugh all the time at the frighteningly ignorant posts by you and Ding.

I am never surprised by slavery deniers- disappointed- but never surprised.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

 

[ding]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

I laugh all the time at the frighteningly ignorant posts by you and Ding.

I am never surprised by slavery deniers- disappointed- but never surprised.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

Laughing leads to crying.

 

[hobelim]

[
what would you call it if not slavery? Is it really any different if the means by which they are enslaved leaves no physical mark on the body but instead leaves an indelible mark on the soul?
.

I would call it not slavery.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

To compare that to being stuck in a dead end job is really pretty stupid.

Like I said, raping, castrating and losing children has not stopped it has only become more subtle and sophisticated.

There are many ways to rape and castrate a person that leaves no obvious or visible mark, many ways to enslave people without using iron chains or bullwhips.

Like how? Examples please.

Tell us an equivalent example today in the United States of legally being raped as a 14 year old girl, and then having your child ripped away from you to be sold to somebody else who will likely sexually abuse your child.

T

That kind of thing only seems to be going on in religious communities and cults based on stupid interpretations of the bible or whatever holy book.

For a more sophisticated modern equivalent one need only look to their own experience.


How many people out there had their minds raped as children and then when they have their own, they surrendered them to the same institution to be abused by the very same bastards...

Look at ding.

His mind was raped as a child. When he got older he ran away from the church and then when the going got tough without the support of the religious community he went back to his abusers like a dog returning to his vomit.

Now he spends his days and nights living like a ghoul, robbing the dead, and trying to lure gullible people down a dark alley so he can become a serial brain rapist too..with zero success..all in the name of his edible three in one mangod of course.

If he has children, guess who he surrendered them to for systematic abuse for a nominal service charge?


See? no whips or chains, but he is a a slave to his abusers nevertheless as if he and his family were literally the possession of demons.

hence all the "we" talk.


"He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who lifts the sword to kill is bound by the sword to be killed."

 

[Syriusly]

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

I actually shouldn't laugh at how frighteningly ignorant so many idiots are.

I laugh all the time at the frighteningly ignorant posts by you and Ding.

I am never surprised by slavery deniers- disappointed- but never surprised.

In the United States we had real slavery- where owners were left fairly free to abuse their slaves in anyway that they wanted to. Women were raped. Men were castrated. Children were sold off away from their parents.

Laughing leads to crying.

I imagine you have much more experience with crying than with laughing.

 

[rightwinger]

What was God thinking?

He didn't think chains, whips and forced labor are a bad idea?

 

[Joy4Uall]

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible (particularly the Old testament) clearly approves of slavery, and in some cases treats slaves as permanent property of the owner, to be passed from father to son as any other chattel. There are different rules for Hebrew and Heathen slaves.

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEBREW SLAVES:

“Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

“If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do” (Exodus 21:3-7, KJV, emphasis my own).

“And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day” (Deuteronomy 15:12-17, KJV).

(NOTE: There appears to be a conflict between Exodus 21:3-7 which states that maidservants shall not be released as the menservants are and Deuteronomy 15:12-17 which says the woman slave shall also be set free after serving six years. However, Exodus seems to apply to Hebrew servants who are not related to the owner, whereas Deuteronomy refers to brothers and most likely sisters and other family members.)

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEATHEN SLAVES:

“Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour” (Leviticus 25:44-46, KJV, emphasis my own).

THE FOLLOWING VERSES SHOW THAT SLAVES WERE ALLOWED TO BE BEATEN TO DEATH AS LONG AS THEY SURVIVED A DAY OR TWO BEFORE DYING

The Bible allows slave owners to beat their slaves and several versions, including the KJV, provide that the slave owner will not be punished if the slave dies as the result thereof providing the death is not immediate.

“And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money” (Exodus 21:20, 12, KJV).

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

“He that strikes his bondman, or bondwoman, with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime. But if the party remain alive a day or two, he shall not be subject to the punishment, because it is his money” (New Advent Bible).

However, other versions, such as the NIV, suggest that a slave owner is to be punished for beating a slave to death regardless whether the death was immediate or days later as long as the beating was the proximate cause of death. However, there was to be no punishment for beating a slave if the slave did not die as a result. Here is what the NIV says:

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

While the Bible does provide some sort of punishment for one who kills his slave, one thing is crystal clear: there is no punishment whatsoever for beating a slave – man or woman – within in inch of his or her life as long as they survive the beating.

SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament does not address the status of slaves, that is whether or not they serve by agreement or are the property of their masters in perpetuity. Nor does the New Testament condone brutality against those in servitude, but it does provide that all servants are expected to be obedient to their masters, even enduring grief and suffering, since such obedience pleases GOD:

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1, KJV).

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:9, KJV).

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5-7, KJV).

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24, KJV).

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1 Peter 2:18-20).

CONCLUSION: The Bible is not a book for the squeamish. Its pages contain the entire story of life including the good, the bad and the ugly. Within its tests are both poetry and pornography; tales of brutal mass murders and tales of human kindness. It is a story of the evolution of man's relationship with his fellowman and with his God. In the Old Testament slavery was accepted as a necessary way of life and slaves - at least some of them – were treated as mere chattel. In the New Testament, slaves were told to be faithful and loyal to their masters; however, there is nothing in the OT that suggests slaves served against their will and were forever the property of their masters. Even in the Bible it appears the rules changed. Of course, if the Old Testament were sufficient for all people and all times there would have been no need for a New Testament; however, the Bible specifically says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:5-13, KJV).

Any book that approves of slavery can not be used, today, as a moral guide book.

 

[Syriusly]

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible (particularly the Old testament) clearly approves of slavery, and in some cases treats slaves as permanent property of the owner, to be passed from father to son as any other chattel. There are different rules for Hebrew and Heathen slaves.

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEBREW SLAVES:

“Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

“If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do” (Exodus 21:3-7, KJV, emphasis my own).

“And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day” (Deuteronomy 15:12-17, KJV).

(NOTE: There appears to be a conflict between Exodus 21:3-7 which states that maidservants shall not be released as the menservants are and Deuteronomy 15:12-17 which says the woman slave shall also be set free after serving six years. However, Exodus seems to apply to Hebrew servants who are not related to the owner, whereas Deuteronomy refers to brothers and most likely sisters and other family members.)

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEATHEN SLAVES:

“Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour” (Leviticus 25:44-46, KJV, emphasis my own).

THE FOLLOWING VERSES SHOW THAT SLAVES WERE ALLOWED TO BE BEATEN TO DEATH AS LONG AS THEY SURVIVED A DAY OR TWO BEFORE DYING

The Bible allows slave owners to beat their slaves and several versions, including the KJV, provide that the slave owner will not be punished if the slave dies as the result thereof providing the death is not immediate.

“And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money” (Exodus 21:20, 12, KJV).

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

“He that strikes his bondman, or bondwoman, with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime. But if the party remain alive a day or two, he shall not be subject to the punishment, because it is his money” (New Advent Bible).

However, other versions, such as the NIV, suggest that a slave owner is to be punished for beating a slave to death regardless whether the death was immediate or days later as long as the beating was the proximate cause of death. However, there was to be no punishment for beating a slave if the slave did not die as a result. Here is what the NIV says:

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

While the Bible does provide some sort of punishment for one who kills his slave, one thing is crystal clear: there is no punishment whatsoever for beating a slave – man or woman – within in inch of his or her life as long as they survive the beating.

SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament does not address the status of slaves, that is whether or not they serve by agreement or are the property of their masters in perpetuity. Nor does the New Testament condone brutality against those in servitude, but it does provide that all servants are expected to be obedient to their masters, even enduring grief and suffering, since such obedience pleases GOD:

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1, KJV).

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:9, KJV).

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5-7, KJV).

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24, KJV).

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1 Peter 2:18-20).

CONCLUSION: The Bible is not a book for the squeamish. Its pages contain the entire story of life including the good, the bad and the ugly. Within its tests are both poetry and pornography; tales of brutal mass murders and tales of human kindness. It is a story of the evolution of man's relationship with his fellowman and with his God. In the Old Testament slavery was accepted as a necessary way of life and slaves - at least some of them – were treated as mere chattel. In the New Testament, slaves were told to be faithful and loyal to their masters; however, there is nothing in the OT that suggests slaves served against their will and were forever the property of their masters. Even in the Bible it appears the rules changed. Of course, if the Old Testament were sufficient for all people and all times there would have been no need for a New Testament; however, the Bible specifically says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:5-13, KJV).

Any book that approves of slavery can not be used, today, as a moral guide book.

Oh I think that is as small minded as the religious extremist that say only their book can be used as a moral guide book.

While I am an atheist, there is lots of wisdom- lots of moral guidance in the Bible.

One of the best is "love thy neighbor as thyself'- and Jesus's further guidance to not only love your neighbor- but to love your enemy- that is really a heavy concept.

 

[rightwinger]

Contrary to popular belief, the Bible (particularly the Old testament) clearly approves of slavery, and in some cases treats slaves as permanent property of the owner, to be passed from father to son as any other chattel. There are different rules for Hebrew and Heathen slaves.

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEBREW SLAVES:

“Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.

“If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever. And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do” (Exodus 21:3-7, KJV, emphasis my own).

“And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day” (Deuteronomy 15:12-17, KJV).

(NOTE: There appears to be a conflict between Exodus 21:3-7 which states that maidservants shall not be released as the menservants are and Deuteronomy 15:12-17 which says the woman slave shall also be set free after serving six years. However, Exodus seems to apply to Hebrew servants who are not related to the owner, whereas Deuteronomy refers to brothers and most likely sisters and other family members.)

THE FOLLOWING VERSES APPLY TO HEATHEN SLAVES:

“Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour” (Leviticus 25:44-46, KJV, emphasis my own).

THE FOLLOWING VERSES SHOW THAT SLAVES WERE ALLOWED TO BE BEATEN TO DEATH AS LONG AS THEY SURVIVED A DAY OR TWO BEFORE DYING

The Bible allows slave owners to beat their slaves and several versions, including the KJV, provide that the slave owner will not be punished if the slave dies as the result thereof providing the death is not immediate.

“And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money” (Exodus 21:20, 12, KJV).

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

“He that strikes his bondman, or bondwoman, with a rod, and they die under his hands, shall be guilty of the crime. But if the party remain alive a day or two, he shall not be subject to the punishment, because it is his money” (New Advent Bible).

However, other versions, such as the NIV, suggest that a slave owner is to be punished for beating a slave to death regardless whether the death was immediate or days later as long as the beating was the proximate cause of death. However, there was to be no punishment for beating a slave if the slave did not die as a result. Here is what the NIV says:

"If a man beats his male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies as a direct result, he must be punished, but he is not to be punished if the slave gets up after a day or two, since the slave is his property” (Exodus 21:20, 21, NIV).

While the Bible does provide some sort of punishment for one who kills his slave, one thing is crystal clear: there is no punishment whatsoever for beating a slave – man or woman – within in inch of his or her life as long as they survive the beating.

SLAVERY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The New Testament does not address the status of slaves, that is whether or not they serve by agreement or are the property of their masters in perpetuity. Nor does the New Testament condone brutality against those in servitude, but it does provide that all servants are expected to be obedient to their masters, even enduring grief and suffering, since such obedience pleases GOD:

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1, KJV).

“Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:9, KJV).

“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5-7, KJV).

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24, KJV).

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1 Peter 2:18-20).

CONCLUSION: The Bible is not a book for the squeamish. Its pages contain the entire story of life including the good, the bad and the ugly. Within its tests are both poetry and pornography; tales of brutal mass murders and tales of human kindness. It is a story of the evolution of man's relationship with his fellowman and with his God. In the Old Testament slavery was accepted as a necessary way of life and slaves - at least some of them – were treated as mere chattel. In the New Testament, slaves were told to be faithful and loyal to their masters; however, there is nothing in the OT that suggests slaves served against their will and were forever the property of their masters. Even in the Bible it appears the rules changed. Of course, if the Old Testament were sufficient for all people and all times there would have been no need for a New Testament; however, the Bible specifically says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (Hebrews 8:5-13, KJV).

Any book that approves of slavery can not be used, today, as a moral guide book.

Oh I think that is as small minded as the religious extremist that say only their book can be used as a moral guide book.

While I am an atheist, there is lots of wisdom- lots of moral guidance in the Bible.

One of the best is "love thy neighbor as thyself'- and Jesus's further guidance to not only love your neighbor- but to love your enemy- that is really a heavy concept.

The New Testament was a change from "Fear God" to personal enlightenment