Clouseau

This post is in reply to the OP, which is not mine. I need to know what it refers to if I am to answer it, if indeed it is for me to answer.

Gullwind

Mike Rosoft mentioned there not being a commandment against slavery. You responded:

I was simply pointing out that just because it MAY be preferable to death, doesn't make it right, and the wish for a commandment against it is still valid.

Clouseau

Well, you have the option of starving, if you wish. But many if not most people took the option to stay alive, and I don't think it's for you to pronounce on the wisdom or otherwise of their choices, do you?

jemand

OK. So I wish the bible had outlawed slavery AND set up a number of benefits centers.

Obviously, if there's enough food and clothing to keep someone alive as a slave, there's enough to keep them alive by paying them for their work...

Gullwind

Again, you're missing the point. The bible has no specific proscriptions against slavery. I, and at least one other here, wish it did. That's all we're saying.

Clouseau

No, you're changing it.

Gullwind

No, I'm not.

You tried to justify slavery by claiming it was the better of two options. I pointed out that it was still wrong, and you tried to get me to admit that I would choose slavery over death, therefore supporting your position. Surely you agree that is off-topic for this thread?

I have pointed out that the thread is about what we wish the bible said. Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything about your justification of slavery, but I have a hard time letting things like that go.

Toto

I have split this off since it seems to just be cluttering up the rest of the thread, and no one has figured out the point.

If you lived in Vermont, you might have to display the state motto, LIVE FREE OR DIE. Is this un-Biblical?

Ubercat

Leave it to a christian to justify slavery. Rape and genocide are great with you also, right Clouseau?

-Ubercat

Clouseau

A good, wise slave master was a benefit centre. It was always, in any age, much the best thing to look after your investment. Slaves usually had to be paid for, and a fit, healthy slave was necessary if long, continuous service was to be rendered. That meant that decent board and lodging arrangements were necessary, and a whole day off per week was mandatory for Israelites. It is possible that the life of a slave of the Israelites was in some cases preferable to that of a free person in other nations. In the case of slaves of the Roman Empire, many had responsible administrative jobs, and they could buy their freedom in time. Slavery was terrible for some people- criminals, in particular, but for many, it was possibly no worse than or superior to freedom in countries that were in constant tribal warfare or chronic poverty.

That's exactly where you and most Americans are wrong. The American Civil War resulted in many ex-slaves living in worse conditions than they had experienced as slaves; they could be unemployed and wageless, with no social security, at a moment's notice. There was no owner's interest to protect them as a valuable investment. So think hard before you knock slavery; consider that you may be falling foul of capitalist propaganda, and bashing the Bible unwisely. The Bible's position is often far more intelligent than people give it credit for. In this case, as deduced, it is that slavery is undesirable, and certainly that the capture of non-combatant slaves is indefensible, but that it is simplistic and impractical to simply proscribe slavery generally.