As an american christian, do you think slavery is a sin?

Because there are some who claimed that america is a christian nation.
This is important, since there was a period when racial slavery is practiced in the United States.

If it is a sin, do you think there will be implication spiritualwise for such transgression in the future? Should america seek redemption? Or have america redeemed herself? Your opinion?

Remember, if it's a sin now it's also a sin in the past, unless of course you believe in moral relativism.

I don't think so. There are many references in the bible about servants and bondsmen.

I'm not American though.

Servants and slaves are not the same thing.
You always have to respect your servants because they are like employees.

I think plain slavery, which the person MUST work or be "killed", is a sin.

Originally posted by User8911
Servants and slaves are not the same thing.
You always have to respect your servants because they are like employees.

I think plain slavery, which the person MUST work or be "killed", is a sin.

What about the laws concerning the beatings of your servants?

Slavery has been a part of human society for a long, long, long time. There were specific rules on the care of slaves in Scripture, and there were plenty of instances of slavery in Messiah's time.

There were a lot of things that God mediated but did not specifically condemn, but His perfect will would rather have not enslaved anyone, it was more of a concession.

While slavery (and polygyny) were allowed in Scripture, I applaud the modern world in their attempts to eradicate the institution(s). I would not own slaves if the opportunity arose, for instance, and I breathe a bit easier knowing it is a practice largely removed from the planet.

The idea of one person becoming overly rich at the expense of another's harsh life is repugnant to me, but the Scriptures do not forbid men of owning other men.

However, in light of all the crime and misbehavior in the world maybe it might not be a bad idea to 'enslave' lawbreakers for their sentence rather than let them sit in a cell for years doing nothing.

Slavery is not a sin.
The bible states clearly it is acceptable and even demands slaves be a good slaves and how/when to purchase them

However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)

How to treat them

If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve for only six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. If he was single when he became your slave and then married afterward, only he will go free in the seventh year. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife will be freed with him. If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave, and they had sons or daughters, then the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master. But the slave may plainly declare, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I would rather not go free.' If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will belong to his master forever. (Exodus 21:2-6 NLT)

How to treat sex slaves

When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. And if the slave girl's owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave girl, but he must treat her as his daughter. If he himself marries her and then takes another wife, he may not reduce her food or clothing or fail to sleep with her as his wife. If he fails in any of these three ways, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment. (Exodus 21:7-11 NLT)

Keep in mind though, when beating your slave, do not kill it..it must at least live a couple days before dying

When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished. If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property. (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB)

So, slavery is not a sin.
Even Jesus weighed in on the punishments and beatings of your servants

The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it. "But people who are not aware that they are doing wrong will be punished only lightly. Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given." (Luke 12:47-48 NLT)

Now, All good christians know to be good slaves and do not show disrespect!

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)

Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)

Slaves, aren't we all

The Lord said "Du unto others as you would have them do unto you." If being enslaved is a problem for a christian, then it is a sin for a christian to enslave.

Definitely not.

The Bible specifically endorses slavery both in the old testament and new testament

Originally published in a 3000 year old work of fiction
However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. Leviticus 25:44-46

When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. If she does not please the man who bought her, he may allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. Exodus 21:7-9

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Ephesians 6:5

Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 1 Timothy 6:1-2

There's other reasons as well such as white men simply bought black Africans who were already enslaved by other black Africans and Arabs we well as the practice being continued in both Arab and African nations.

You seem to have forgotten that the British empire brought slavery to the Americas and the colonists sought independence from the same religion when they left England. Besides, it's a moot point, slavery the way you're talking about it no longer exists, but slavery in terms of servitude to socialistic governments are still alive and well. If you are on the topic of history, why not go back to the American continental dollar which collapsed because it was inflated beyond need, just like the current system which inflates the dollar. That is the real slavery, it's a straw man argument to bring up slavery in terms of 1800's and cotton fields when it is more relevant to bring up the slavery of socialism and forced debt.

Originally posted by Jazzyguy
Because there are some who claimed that america is a christian nation.

It was modernized with the influence of Christian teachings, some influences taught by evol ones... It was originally Native Americanaz influenced.. And is now a MELTING POT of VARIOUS religious influences.

Originally posted by Jazzyguy
This is important, since there was a period when racial slavery is practiced in the United States.

YES and the racial slavery caused so many problems here that have yet to be resolved. Some even feeling the prison system is a more refined form of legitimate slavery. With use of Cause and Effect tactics placed on parts of the poverish -minority- population. Cause them to mentally be disrupted financially strained and socially overlooked the EFFECTS should be obvious.. It seems

Originally posted by Jazzyguy
If it is a sin, do you think there will be implication spiritualwise for such transgression in the future?

Potentially, but I don't think it will be centered on the Americanaz only for many nations practiced slavery thru time in various forms. Its just the Americanaz being a Super Power in the current times has more current slave ridden history, again I don't think only in the Americanaz would these spiritual implications be placed.

Originally posted by Jazzyguy
Should america seek redemption? Or have america redeemed herself? Your opinion?

America should recognize the Cause and Effects more that have happened to many of its population and try to FIX the issues already effecting many cities. FIX it by recognizing what causes effected these many who seemd to have slight chance of overcoming. For example like the point that there was a rainbow coalition that was out to help many races and faces and could of effected the nation better. Did it get the support from its GOV. to make it something serious, you be the judge. Or the fact that when DRUGS and GUN violence was becoming a threat to ALL Americans not just URBAN, and URBAN leaders part of the BLACK PANTHER PARTY were taking these drugs off the dealers and destroying them and using the monies to build soup kitchens to feed addicted parents kids as well as used the drug monies to help rebuild what the dealers took from the hoods and medical facilities for the poor The Leaders were taking to war by the GOV. out of fear KEEP IT REAL its been researched (I think there may have been an ok to use CHEMICAL WARFARE ON CERTAIN COMMUNITIES) - COMMUNITIES WHERE THE PANTHERS COULDA ERADICATED THE DRUGS AND GUNS ISSUES -CHEMICAL WAR - SUBSTANCE WAR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE THAT CAME FROM OVERSEAS?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? And look now the drug and gun violence has spread out of the lil contained areas they were hypothesized to only effect, SAD low blow...

So I don't know about Americanaz seeking redemption or if it has made some form of pay off for its -low density behaviors in past- But many things have changed and many still need changed.

Originally posted by Jazzyguy
Remember, if it's a sin now it's also a sin in the past, unless of course you believe in moral relativism.

Agreed..

Be well

a slave in today's world, color of skin means nothing, the hours worked do , the wage, if he/she gets one does, so are you a freeman?;Work when you want, get payed the wage you want, with out the threat of being fired or are you a slave? work when told for the pay you are told your going to get when you get it if you do not like it then you must leave, but where can you go? for then you are a slave.

reply to post by Jazzyguy


The Christian bible is full of sin and contradiction, so are all other religions. In otherwords it is impossible to live a life without sin while following the word of your chosen religion. In my opinion, organized religion itself is a sin and the root cause of most pain and suffering on this earth. One of the few lessons in the bible I truly try to live by is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If everyone on earth followed that advice and got past the blind grip of organized religion, our world would be a much better place. And yes, slavery is wrong no matter what your beliefs.

Im not a follower of any organized religon but I do believe in a higher power that permeats us all. With that said, I think that any time you hold someone against their will without an agreement between both parties, you are effectively kidnapping and supplying forced labor for your own personel gain. Keep in mind though, there is a difference between indentured servitude and slavery.

Originally posted by filosophia
...it's a moot point, slavery the way you're talking about it no longer exists, but slavery in terms of servitude to socialistic governments are still alive and well.

Slavery does still exist today: www.freetheslaves.net...

Not only servitude to government (and it isn't just socialistic governments), but historical, "real" slavery.

reply to post by Jazzyguy


The bible says it is not a sin, although I do feel owning people to be wrong.

As for America making amends for it...the people who owned the slaves and who instituted the practice would have to make amends. I see no reason why I should have to make amends for things people did in the past just because we live on the same land.

Why would you accept any type of treatment to anyone that you wouldnt like done to you?

Simple eh?

Thank you for the replies. I see a lot of thought provoking and thoughtful posts. The verses in the exodus seem very harsh though, not sure what to make of it.

Yes, slavery is a sin. People dig up Bible passages about slavery to try and prove that the Bible condones it, but they're making that age-old mistake of assuming that simply because something is in the Bible that it is somehow endorsed by God. But the Bible tells not just what God condones, but also tells the good, bad and ugly about humanity as well. The Mosaic Laws are frequently cited as evidence of God's endorsement of slavery, but it's clear from context that the laws were established because the Jewish people of the time insisted on being governed by laws, and so laws were given to them. God's ultimate plan is to bring perfection to the earth, but the execution of that plan is still in our future. The Bible says that we are all slaves to sin and that ultimately we will be freed from that slavery, but the time isn't here yet.

Originally posted by Finalized

Originally posted by filosophia
...it's a moot point, slavery the way you're talking about it no longer exists, but slavery in terms of servitude to socialistic governments are still alive and well.

Slavery does still exist today: www.freetheslaves.net...

Not only servitude to government (and it isn't just socialistic governments), but historical, "real" slavery.

True, underground sex slave markets still exist, and Christians would obviously see this as bad. The original question was if Christians thought slavery was bad which all of them would say yes it is bad so the OP's question has hopefully been answered.

Originally posted by SavedOne
Yes, slavery is a sin. People dig up Bible passages about slavery to try and prove that the Bible condones it, but they're making that age-old mistake of assuming that simply because something is in the Bible that it is somehow endorsed by God. But the Bible tells not just what God condones, but also tells the good, bad and ugly about humanity as well. The Mosaic Laws are frequently cited as evidence of God's endorsement of slavery, but it's clear from context that the laws were established because the Jewish people of the time insisted on being governed by laws, and so laws were given to them. God's ultimate plan is to bring perfection to the earth, but the execution of that plan is still in our future. The Bible says that we are all slaves to sin and that ultimately we will be freed from that slavery, but the time isn't here yet.

Even the new testament mentions slavery, and not in a negative light either. I don't understand this point of view. Do you believe it says what you want it to say, and that only things you approve of must be God's instructions? I don't approve of slavery either but I'm pretty sure it's not a sin.