Why should slavery have been abolished?  Didn't Jesus and St. Paul condone slavery?  If Jesus is God then why?
827044
First of all, no they didn't. They had slaves in their congregation, and told them to behave honorably as slaves, but they encoraged the slave holders in their congregation to release their slaves. Read Philemon.\n\nSecond, slavery in that day was something entirely different from slavery was in the American South. Back then, a person sold themselves into slavery rather than go bankrupt. You worked a certain number of years as a slave, and then you were set free. You could also sell your children, but they would usually be free before they were adults. Their children wouldn't be born slaves. In the American South, they were creating a race of slaves. That's looked down on. The only time that happened in ancient times was when one country conquered another, and then eventually the slaves were absorbed into regular society.
1015561
I find, as both a member of the ACLU and a Christian, that they are perfectly compatible.  Quite frankly, the only people it is not compatible with are the highly conservative "Christian" extremists, a la Falwell and Robertson.  Quite frankly, they merely use Christianity as an excuse for bigotry and hatred.  Ironically enough, historically, those people who you and I would really identify as acting in a Christian manner are those on the forefront of the progressive movement today.  For instance, the Christians who were anti-slavery in the 1850's, or those working for desegregation in the 1950's.  The fundamentalists were on the opposite sides back then.  If Robertson was alive in the 1850's I have no doubt whatsoever that he would be pro-slave. After all, there is much more biblical teaching that is pro-slavery than there is anti-gay.
1038814
Slavery still exists, all over the world.  Those who say otherwise are niave, and ill-informed.  Just because it has been outlawed doesn't mean that it itsn't there.  Speeding is outlawed, piracy is outlawed, it exists.  There are countries in Africa where slavery runs rampant. Consider that.
221509
The whole Moses/Egypt/slavery thing is BS.  Besides the bible, there is no record of Hebrews in Egypt being held in slavery.\n\nEven if the Pharaoh wished to cover-up his embarrassment over losing to Moses... don't you think that all the other Egyptians that lost their first born sons would put down some record?!?  I mean, that is a monumental event!  Can you imagine how much impact there would be if all the first born male animals and children died in America today?  This would have been an earth shattering event that would be recorded in tons of sources.\n\nLet's imagine that it actually did happen in Egypt though.  Don't you think that instead of covering up the incident (which would be next to impossible), that the Pharoah would instead put a spin on it?  He'd probably say this his god, Amon-Ra, killed all the first borns because the Egyptians weren't faithful enough to the Pharaoh.\n\nBesides the bible, there is no record of the Hebrew's slavery.  \n\nAs to the attacking the land of Canaan... why would a peaceful and loving god wish to have humans attack and kill one another?  Why wouldn't he have Moses just do more miracles and convert the Canannites?\n\n-----\nScheb, you totally ignored my point.  All the first born men and animals killed?  It's not a defeat, it's a disaster.  The plagues should have been recorded somewhere!  Nile river levels, livestock purchases, reduction in the sale of frog legs, something!  By the way, what's with the idea of a benevolent and loving god killing children and animals (like puppies, kittens, and ponies) because a government leader pisses him off?  The people didn't vote him in, they didn't have a choice in who their leader was!  That's divine justice, oh yeah! <-- note sarcasm.
185162
A lot of people already said this, but I'm going to chime in with my two cents too.  \n\nNo.  People who didn't do anything wrong should not be forced to pay reparations to people who never had anything wrong done to them.  \n\nFurther, if it was 1870, and former slaves and slaveholders existed then MAYBE you could make a case for having the slaveholders make reparations for the slaves (probably not because what they were doing was, while morally wrong, perfectly legal).  But as it stands right now, all former slaves are dead.  All former slaveholders are dead.  It's moot.
16291
Whether or not jesus was the savior (which i would say he was not)- Religion has become an excellent tool to control the masses. Slavery is a simple example of such a usage of religion.
594057
It is the duty of every real christian to pull master down from the cross (before he dies). That is what he expects of his disciples. Hanging him up there to get your butt into heaven is not very nice. We really need to save christ. He is surrounded by dogs and other common animals and we have to help the fellow out. Is there even one christian who would lend a hand? Didn't think so.
65250
Would be nice if he could effectively eliminate it in the US. Check out this link for info about what types of slavery exist today:\n\nhttp://www.antislavery.org/homepage/antislavery/modern.htm
888751
slavery still exists. its just in a different form. there are slaves here in america and in other parts of the world. i am surprised u never heard of it. there are woman who come into this country with a promised job as a "maid" and when they get over here their employer takes their passports and keeps their wages. which is slavery.
673971
I've read that it was the South's continued practice of slavery that turned off the English.  The British had outlawed slavery and didn't much care to be associated with it anymore.  Had the Confederacy abandoned that institution, I think you might have seen a slightly different outcome, but then again, slavery was one of the reasons (not THE reason, but ONE of many reasons) for the conflict in the first place, so...
801191
Must slavery be legal in order to be real?  Or would it not be better to have someone not even realize the extent of their servitude?\n\nPay alone does not erase slavery.  Control over one's destiny is the principal thing.
940650
Jesus died for my sins.  It was a long time ago, but it affects me NOW.  I have been saved because of what he did.  I don't say anything about slavery, it doesn't matter any more.  Blacks have been freed, free for a VERY long time, and it doesn't make a difference.  Its not comparable to my religion.  Jesus saved my soul.  I will dwell on it, its the most important thing in my life.
333237
According to the Christian bible Jesus got angry and turned over tables in a synagogue and he also whipped people for selling birds. God does not behave like this and it contradicts Jesus' teaching according to that same bible. The doctrine of Jesus being "fully man and fully god" was not believed by the early Christians and the Roman church came to this conclusion by voting. That's right, let's vote to determine what god is. f that.
1132654
Yes the Prophet (peace be upon him) did have slaves.\n\nThe matter was that the prophet (peace be upon him) came at a time when a lot of these things were pre-existent. Things that would not harm others, but could benefit them stayed - but with changes. \n\nFirst, slaves used to be treated as what we know of today of slaves - abused, looked down upon, the literal meaning of "slave" that we carry with us. What he (peace be upon him) taught, though, was that if someone had a slave, they were to be treated EQUALLY - same clothing, same food, same bedding, same everything so much so that nobody could tell the difference between slave and master. Then, Islam also constituted many ways to free slaves, and try to end slavery, due to injustice that was still carrying on. Slaves could work for their freedom, and it was given to them. If certain slaves would teach others how to read/write, they'd be freed. If slaves from another tribe/religion were taken captive, they would be treated nicely and equally, and not beaten upon, etc. Also, along with good deeds such as fasting, charity, etc. the freeing of 1o, etc. slaves was considered one way to get closer to Allah and gain His happiness and Mercy. :) This was the perfect example that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought with him.
181719
The root of christianity is what Paul taught. It is scary how today's christians will quote Paul and Paul's rules to the church more than Jesus'. Jesus came to fulfill the "Law" not to change it. No where does Jesus call himself a "God" He refers to Himself as the "Son of Man" and reveers the "Father" God.Paul deifies Christ and defines the trinity.\nYou would think If such a thing as the trinity existed, Jesus would have told His diciples the truth of it. Paul walked the earth the same time as Jesus,He was present at the stoning of Stephen, He pursecuted early christians in the name of the Sanhedrian  His conversion would have been as prevalent had Jesus changed his heart while Jesus had been alive, but with Jesus having been crucified Paul conviently makes up laws for christians subverting the faith and deceiving the world
173507
Hey, yeah.  Makes you wonder.  So does Kuwait in the way they use their au pair and maid contracts.  So do many other countries.  Some would even argue that "wage slavery" is prevalent worldwide, but defacto slavery - where one has no rights except those provided by the owner or "boss" - is a real shocker to some people, supposedly even the US government!\nhttp://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Jun/23-943502.html\n\nThere is also unsanctioned, but accepted slavery, for example, in Turkey (PBS special on Russian sex slaves) and other countries worldwide.\n\nSlavery also still exists in the US.  Are you surprised?  Ever smoke pot or drive fast or drink under age?  Guess what?  People do incredibly vile illegal things too!  What sets this apart from mainstream culture, however, is the expense of importing, hiding, and eliminating the slaves.  Let's think about who in America can afford such things... hmmm...  Who could it be?  Well, maybe this is what we get for our trickle down theories?  Maybe what's trickling down isn't something we'd like to get on our clothes.\n\nSo now we come to the Bush Administration... wealthy, connected, more than enough money to lie and get away with it... Who are your friends in the billionaire club?  Ok, sure, there are some wonderful people there, but not everyone is so fantastic, are they?  No.  There are some real scum that many of us would take pleasure in lynching, no matter how nice of a person we like to think of ourselves.\n\nWe lie to ourselves that we are an open and free society while the rich are given tax breaks and the poor are told to do more with less.\n\nI'm not sure who the Jesus is that the Republicans supposedly worship.  Apparently it isn't the guy I read about in the Bible because I just can't imagine him wanting to create this sort of world.  So far as I can tell, the Bush Jesus tells us that all is forgiven as long as you vote against abortion and gay marriage.  I never thought Jesus was so myopic, but apparently I was wrong.\n\nThen again, look at the trades christians would have to make for joining the Democrats...   There should be a seperate Christian party that allows christians to side-step the demonic choice of "a lesser of two evils."\n\nOff of the soapbox:  What do you expect us to do?  Shall we invade India?  How about Pakistan?  Why stop there?  We could invade Russia for allowing their children to be abducted into slavery!  Yea, America!  We can save the world through domination!  Sound familiar?\n\nIf we quit trading, we place power into the hands of others.\n\nThe real question is, what is the solution?  How do we make it stop?\n\nWell, if you have humane answers to those questions and successfully implement them, you'll be world-famous and rich from people constantly wanting to have you speak at their houses of govenment, universities, stadiums - everywhere.\n\nI don't have the answer yet, but let's keep asking!\n\n(Ahem!  Nuclear bombs are irrelvant!  We own how many?  Doesn't that legitimize nuclear bombs as a form of national defense?  The current "war of rhetoric" with Iran is doctrinal and cultural.  We wouldn't complain if Sweden started making nukes.  In saying Iran has no right to nukes, we have practically already declared war because we say they have no right to a common form of national self-defense!)
1007207
Calm down take a deep breath there. And Jesus did actually exist He is spoken of in Greek manuscripts of the day not only the bible. He is confirmed as existing, what You wish him to be is your choice free will and all, but he existed. Hope that helps ~A~