Slavery in Religion

Our class was asked to find five arguments pro and anti slavery using religion. We were told to make sure we used reliable sources, and make sure each point had to do with religion. I found it easier to find pro slavery arguments in the bible than anti-slavery. I found this interesting since we are taught that God loves everyone equal, and to treat others the way you want to be treated.

Some arguments that stood out to me were that, "Abraham, the “father of faith,” and all the patriarchs held slaves without God’s disapproval (Gen. 21:9–10)" (http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-33/why-christians-supported-slavery.html). I found this argument interesting considering someone that worked so closely with God, held a slave himself. It is interesting to me that God did not disapprove this or say anything against slavery. Another interesting argument pro slavery is that "The ten commandments mention slavery twice, showing God’s acceptance" (http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-33/why-christians-supported-slavery.html). I find this interesting that the ten commandments themselves mention the idea of slavery, and approve of it.

Only one anti-slavery argument stood out to me, and that was "To love one’s neighbour and to treat others as you wish to be treated" (http://abolition.e2bn.org/slavery_112.html). That was a key point to me being that God is big on treating others the way you want to be treated. Overall I found it interesting that religion was more pro-slavery than anti-slavery.