Slavery Bible Debate

  The argument for and against slavery was fought over in America for many years. Using the bible, abolitionists and supporters of slavery had formed arguments for their respective sides. Religion and slavery have many connections, and the interpretation of the bible depends on who you would have asked at the time. 

Since the creation of the first civilizations and empires within society, humans have found a way in justifying the issue of slavery. Of course the purpose of the creation of slavery was for faster work due to industrialization and these new massive fields of crops that were being planted, now needed to be mass harvested. So eventually the slave industry grew overtime, and by the time the United States of America relieved itself of the detriments and debt the Revolutionary war caused, the slave industry was booming. However, at this time as well, with the freedom of America from Great Britain, this idea of freedom started becoming a regular part of American culture and soon was involved in almost every conversation of every aspect of life, soon this idea of freedom even started to slowly be questioned and involved within the slavery industry. Even sooner this new abolitionist movement started growing in popularity throughout the country, eventually the end of slavery came into question and many slave owners became enraged and constantly put effort into trying to justify the issue of slavery especially out into the public. Slave-holders would claim that the African Americans they held as their slaves were in fact being saved from the horrors of society. During this time of course it would have been nearly impossible for any African American individual to nevermind become successful in society and own land, but to find a job to make enough money to buy food and support themselves. In fact slave-owners were convinced that they were instead saving these individuals from inevitable poverty and suffering and made the argument, “natural slaves are much better off than the poorest non-slaves,” and in that god would if anything not just want but expect his people to care for others and “take those in need under their wing,” 

(https://time.com/5171819/christianity-slavery-book-excerpt/). 

The abolition movement was fueled by many different forces. Christian abolitionists used the bible to support their movement. Harriet Tubman, a famous abolitionist linked to the underground railroad, had a strong faith and believed that slavery was an evil created by man. Many abolitionists took an overall look at the bible and believed that slavery was simply an immoral and un-christian system that denied basic human rights. There are two main points in the bible; Creation and Gospel. Viewing creation, all humans are created equal in God’s image. Slavery puts a vast strain on equality which abolitionists viewed as against God’s image. Viewing the gospel, God has overcome racial, social, and religious divisions at the cross. These divisions are against God’s gospel. Slavery is at “war with the image in which man was created” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-wrong-say-bible-pro-slavery/). Another biblical point brought up by abolitionists is that man was not created as a slave to anyone but God. Slavery creates a system where masters are a “God” to their slaves in a sense. Another point that abolitionists made was the difference between the institution of slavery in the bible versus in America. Slavery did exist in the bible and abolitionists acknowledge that, but also point out the differences between the institutions. In the bible, Leviticus 25: 46, scripture says, “Your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule, one other another rigor”, servants were seen as family. The bible also does not condone the violence involved in slavery in America. Exodus 22: 21-24 says, “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him.. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, i will surely hear their cry. And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.”. Abolitionists point out these institutional differences when speaking out against slavery.