Freethought & Rationalism Archive

hjalti · 04-18-2011, 12:00 PM

I noticed that the good dr. Jim blog about a forthcoming book from Avalos on the subject of the bible and slavery. Here's the description on the publisher's site:

Quote:

In this immensely wide-ranging and fascinating study, Avalos critiques the common claim that the abolition of slavery was due in large part to the influence of biblical ethics. Such a claim, he argues, is characteristic of a broader phenomenon in biblical scholarship, which focuses on defending, rather than describing, the ethical norms encountered in biblical texts.
The first part of Avalos’s critique explores how modern scholars have praised the supposed superiority of biblical ethics at the cost of diminishing or ignoring many similar features in ancient Near Eastern cultures. These features include manumission, fixed terms of service, familial rights, and egalitarian critiques of slavery. At the same time, modern scholarship has used the standard tools of biblical exegesis in order to minimize the ethically negative implications of many biblical references to slavery.

The second part of the book concentrates on how the Bible has been used throughout Christian history both to maintain and to extend slavery. In particular, Avalos offers detailed studies of papal documents used to defend the Church’s stance on slavery. Discussions of Gregory of Nyssa, Aquinas and Luther, among others, show that they are not such champions of freedom as they are often portrayed.

Avalos’s close readings of the writings of major abolitionists such as Granville Sharp, William Wilberforce and Frederick Douglass show an increasing shift away from using the Bible as a support for abolitionism. Biblical scholars have rarely recognized that pro-slavery advocates could use the Bible just as effectively. According to Avalos, one of the complex mix of factors leading to abolition was the abandonment of the Bible as an ethical authority. The case of the biblical attitude to slavery is just one confirmation of how unsuitable the Bible is as a manual of ethics in the modern world.

You can also see the table of contents there, this chapter looks interesting: "6. Christ as Imperial Slavemaster"

Hope I will someday afford to buy this book. :Cheeky:

Toto · 04-18-2011, 12:30 PM

It is worth noting that modern Christian Reconstructionists in the US, following the work of Rushdoony and Y2K prophet Gary North, still speak up for slavery, and some have even called for its reintroduction. See this article on Wallbuilders: The Bible, Slavery, and America's Founders . In depth commentry at Website of Huckabee's American History 'Expert' Suggests "Biblical slavery" For Non-Christians, plus Rushdoony and Theocratic Libertarians on Slavery on the talk2action site.

These people are seriously in the grip of an evil ideology.

Minimalist · 04-18-2011, 06:00 PM

The abolition of slavery had exactly zilch to do with any religion. It was an economic decision made when the ruling classes suddenly realized that slavery was a lot more expensive than paying people minimal wages and then being rid of them when the work day was over.

Vivisector · 04-18-2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

It is worth noting that modern Christian Reconstructionists ...

These people are seriously in the grip of an evil ideology.

Absolutely true. These people are truly scary.

Cheers,

V.

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04-18-2011, 12:30 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	It is worth noting that modern Christian Reconstructionists in the US, following the work of Rushdoony and Y2K prophet Gary North, still speak up for slavery, and some have even called for its reintroduction. See this article on Wallbuilders: The Bible, Slavery, and America's Founders . In depth commentry at Website of Huckabee's American History 'Expert' Suggests "Biblical slavery" For Non-Christians, plus Rushdoony and Theocratic Libertarians on Slavery on the talk2action site. These people are seriously in the grip of an evil ideology.

04-18-2011, 06:00 PM	#3
Minimalist Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,808	The abolition of slavery had exactly zilch to do with any religion. It was an economic decision made when the ruling classes suddenly realized that slavery was a lot more expensive than paying people minimal wages and then being rid of them when the work day was over.

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