Professor

When people tell me that they think the 10 commandments should be posted in schools to promote ethical behavior, I often point out that two of them implicitly endorse slavery. But since a number of translations render the terms for male-slave and female-slave as manservant and maidservant, I often get the response that the 10 C's are referring to the ancient equivalents of butlers and maids!

Now if the same words are used to describe the Hebrew slaves a bit earlier in Exodus then this defense crumbles. I would imagine that few Christians would argue that Moses merely saved his people from low-wage domestic service jobs.

Can any of you linguistic experts educate me on the latin, greek, or hebrew terms used for slavery in Exodus?

achristianbeliever

I disagree. Slavery by itself isn't wrong. The question is how is the master treating the servant it has nothing to do with whether or not slavery is taking place. If you think it is then my question would be why would Paul find the slavery in the Exodus bad and yet not condemn slavery itself?

And do not say, "Because the slavery was happening to Paul's people blah blah blah" I won't accept that.

SLD

And people wonder why I'm not a Christian.

SLD

achristianbeliever

Are you saying that because I just said slavery isn't wrong? Guess what you support slavery as much I do. What you didn't know that?

Dark Virtue

Would you mind explaining this? Thanks!

post tenebras lux

Suggest you check this site which is King James admittedly, but links to Strong's.

Note that the hebrew word ('ebed') used for the last word of Verse 2 ('bondage' in the KJV) is the same hebrew word used for 'manservant' in verse 17.

So, 'bonded labourers' are OK? :huh:

Julian

It is worth noting that Paul refers to himself as a 'slave of Jesus Christ.'

Julian

achristianbeliever

Its true. Its just that what you consider slavery is not necessarily the same as what I consider to be slavery. Do you find credit cards acceptable? I consider that slavery. When a person can't pay for their restaurant bill and the owner makes them wash dishes to pay it off do you find that acceptable? Because I consider that slavery. And I think Paul would as well. Now you may say, "That's not slavery" and that's your belief and that's fine. But I'm talking about what I consider to be slavery and as far as my personal definition is concerned you agree that slavery by itself it perfectly fine.

Now of course I do believe what happened to the African American slaves is wrong but that's my whole point. I don't believe slavery means one specific type of action taken.

I don't know what your talking about. The link led me to Genesis chapter 1. You have to give me the book, chapter and verse your talking about. But as I said I believe the word SLAVERY or whatever means different things in different circumstances. And before anyone tries and explain my motives like some atheists I've encountered and say, "Your just trying to sugarcoat the biblical term of slavery just like Christians who say Hell doesn't have fire or brimstone" I'm not and I'll prove it by saying that I find perfectly justifiable the actions of Exodus 21:20-21.

(And before anyone says, "Well then you must think its ok if it happens today" I'll go nuts because that's not what I said and I'm not even gonna bother arguing against it)

frostymama

Slavery can be a wonderful thing...

between consenting adults. :devil3:

(Insert blasphemous comment about Paul.)

countjulian

This is not as emberrasing to some Christians as you think. http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/fundienazis/cr.htm

If the Theonomist fascists gain control of the U.S. (which they have succeeded in to a larde degree) it is very possible that the prisons might be abolished and replaced by slavery.

Praise the Lord!