Is slavery a sin?

[Elijah John]

For debate:

1) Is slavery a sin?
2) Has slavery always been a sin?
3) Does slavery harmonize with the Golden Rule?
4) How would you like to be kept as a slave? (related to question # 3)
5) Was slavery OK because it was practiced in Bible times, and the Law of Moses sanctioned and regulated it?
6) Does any amount of regulation make slavery OK? Or is slavery an inherently irredeemable institution?
7) Paul said "anything not of faith is sin". Is slavery "of faith"?
8) Is the Bible's seeming approval of slavery as an institution evidence of a Bible flaw?

Please address any combination of these debate questions.

[Eloi]

I can see you don't agree with the Law that God gave Moses ... cause He did; and when you are saying that what God said to Moses was wrong you are doing this:

Job 40: 8 Really, will you invalidate my justice?
Will you pronounce me wicked in order that you may be in the right?

... no more no less. I can not help about that.

[Elijah John]

Ironic that the same God who had just liberated His people from slavery in Egypt would then go and condone His people enslaving others. But did He? Or do these commandments and regulations have their origin in the primitive barbarity of Moses himself?

[WeSee]

[Replying to post 11 by Eloi]

Actually those type of accusations only hold sway for those who believe the Bible is the "inerrant" word of God. Evidently for them there's a certain feeling of superiority wrapped in false humility that can be derived from it.

Any chance that you'll address the points I made in my previous post?

[2timothy316]

Ironic that the same God who had just liberated His people from slavery in Egypt would then go and condone His people enslaving others. But did He? Or do these commandments and regulations have their origin in the primitive barbarity of Moses himself?

"If one of your brothers, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you and has served you for six years, then in the seventh year you should set him free. And if you should set him free, do not send him away empty-handed. You should supply him generously with something from your flock, your threshing floor, and your press for oil and wine. Just as Jehovah your God has blessed you, you should give to him. Remember that you became a slave in the land of Egypt and that Jehovah your God redeemed you. That is why I am commanding you to do this today." Deut 15:12-15

How many slaves do you know get sent away with generous supplies?

Seriously folks please read the Bible and dump the preconceived notion that the European slave trade was anything like in Israel. Please look these things up and humble yourselves to not be afraid to accept that things were just not what you think they were. If you have something to contrary that God didn't speak the above things to Moses then present what He did say. Otherwise you have not God's word but only your own which carries zero authority.

[WeSee]

Ironic that the same God who had just liberated His people from slavery in Egypt would then go and condone His people enslaving others. But did He? Or do these commandments and regulations have their origin in the primitive barbarity of Moses himself?

"If one of your brothers, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you and has served you for six years, then in the seventh year you should set him free. And if you should set him free, do not send him away empty-handed. You should supply him generously with something from your flock, your threshing floor, and your press for oil and wine. Just as Jehovah your God has blessed you, you should give to him. Remember that you became a slave in the land of Egypt and that Jehovah your God redeemed you. That is why I am commanding you to do this today." Deut 15:12-15

How many slaved do you know get sent away with generous supplies?

Seriously folks please read the Bible and dump the preconceived notion that the European slave trade was anything like in Israel. Please look these things up and humble yourselves to not be afraid to accept that things were just not what you think they were.

The passage you cited only applies to Hebrew indentured servants. It does not apply to the chattel slavery of non-Hebrews. The Antebellum period in the US also had indentured servitude which was likewise nothing like chattel slavery.

Read my earlier post if you haven't.

Seriously folks please read the Bible...Please look these things up and humble yourselves to not be afraid to accept that things were just not what you think they were.

[2timothy316]

Ironic that the same God who had just liberated His people from slavery in Egypt would then go and condone His people enslaving others. But did He? Or do these commandments and regulations have their origin in the primitive barbarity of Moses himself?

"If one of your brothers, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you and has served you for six years, then in the seventh year you should set him free. And if you should set him free, do not send him away empty-handed. You should supply him generously with something from your flock, your threshing floor, and your press for oil and wine. Just as Jehovah your God has blessed you, you should give to him. Remember that you became a slave in the land of Egypt and that Jehovah your God redeemed you. That is why I am commanding you to do this today." Deut 15:12-15

How many slaved do you know get sent away with generous supplies?

Seriously folks please read the Bible and dump the preconceived notion that the European slave trade was anything like in Israel. Please look these things up and humble yourselves to not be afraid to accept that things were just not what you think they were.

The passage you cited only applies to Hebrew indentured servants. It does not apply to the chattel slavery of non-Hebrews. The Antebellum period in the US also had indentured servitude which was likewise nothing like chattel slavery.

Read my earlier post if you haven't.

Seriously folks please read the Bible...Please look these things up and humble yourselves to not be afraid to accept that things were just not what you think they were.

Yet the scripture doesn't say 'indentured servants' does it?

Anyway, these so called chattel slaves, who were they and where did they come from? Name one from the Bible.

[WeSee]

[Replying to post 16 by 2timothy316]

See posts 7 and 10.

[Aetixintro]

For debate:

1) Is slavery a sin?

Slavery in 2019 is definitely a sin Worldwide, even in North Korea and China!

2) Has slavery always been a sin?

No. To my knowledge, slavery has been deemed "necessary" for the Roman Empire for example. See Abolishment of slavery and the American civil war, the Unionists vs. the Confederates.

3) Does slavery harmonize with the Golden Rule?

No. Possibly not ever! It depends on the practice.

4) How would you like to be kept as a slave? (related to question # 3)

Clearly unwanted in all forms. Today we call it economic exploitation, btw.

5) Was slavery OK because it was practiced in Bible times, and the Law of Moses sanctioned and regulated it?

Yes. This is how I see it. Somehow the Bible requests a transition from slavery to a free World given a limit on slavery of only 6 years or something.
See 8th, 9th and 10th Commandment: Do not commit adultery on anything belonging to your fellow human being and what this person possesses. Or so, loosely.

6) Does any amount of regulation make slavery OK? Or is slavery an inherently irredeemable institution?

One must separate from back then in "barbaric" Roman times, say 500 AD/CE and now, 2019.

7) Paul said "anything not of faith is sin". Is slavery "of faith"?

Same as for question 6.

8) Is the Bible's seeming approval of slavery as an institution evidence of a Bible flaw?

No. As always, context and interpretation are very important issues to keep watch on. Please be careful or sensitive when reading the Bible. Now vs. then!

Please address any combination of these debate questions.

Done.

[brianbbs67]

For debate:

1) Is slavery a sin?
2) Has slavery always been a sin?
3) Does slavery harmonize with the Golden Rule?
4) How would you like to be kept as a slave? (related to question # 3)
5) Was slavery OK because it was practiced in Bible times, and the Law of Moses sanctioned and regulated it?
6) Does any amount of regulation make slavery OK? Or is slavery an inherently irredeemable institution?
7) Paul said "anything not of faith is sin". Is slavery "of faith"?
8) Is the Bible's seeming approval of slavery as an institution evidence of a Bible flaw?

Please address any combination of these debate questions.

Good question EJ.

1. sin is defined as breaking the law of God. 1 John 4:3, I believe. So, although not a biblical sin, still feels wrong.

2. Apparently people wanted slaves or their were enough people that couldn't function that the question was presented to God.

3. Yes, if they are treat us as we would treat ourselves.

4. I wouldn't like to be one but aren't we all? Whether we see it or not, there are certain things we must do to progress in this world.

5. The only slavery i could see as justified, is a self imposed one with regulations. Which seems to be what God and mankind did in the past.

6. No matter how well regulated, I wouldn't want a system of slavery. Sounds a lot like taxes.

7. I think you are conflating two thoughts here.

8. No, it was a fact of the world we were given charge of completely. I see the slavery in the OT as wanted by men(both slave and free) and since this course was embarced upon, YHWH added some rules. He left us free to our devices and really has left us to our selves. So, I believe we are to blame for things like this. If we weren't doing it, He would not have to regulate it. It was never suggested by Him as a thing to do.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to post 16 by 2timothy316]

See posts 7 and 10.

Are you familiar of how most nations around Israel treated slaves? Also do you know why foreigners like Ruth were allowed to be slaves for life?