The Bible condones slavery

Many non believers point to slavery, in the Old Testament, and try to compare it to slavery in 19th century America. Nothing could be further from the truth. The slavery, mentioned in the Old Testament, concerns the Jewish People. (1) Unless stated otherwise, All quoted material is from this website. . http://beginningandend.com... I strongly encourage you to peruse it, as it has much information that would not fit here. "Slavery in ancient Israel was voluntary, not racist and done as a way for a man to provide for his family. If a person was in financial debt to another, the debt could be paid off by becoming a servant in the household of a wealthy landowner. Famines, droughts or marauders could bring financial ruin to a lesser off family and thus slavery allowed the family to have security and safety by "selling onseself" as a servant. . It was a purely financial arrangement. Once the debt was paid, the slave was free to go. The debt could even be paid by a "kinsman redeemer" ( a relative of the slave who had enough money). The Bible states this principle in Leviticus 25: And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger"s family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: Either his uncle, or his uncle"s son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself.50 And he shall reckon with him that bought him from the year that he was sold to him unto the year of jubile: and the price of his sale shall be according unto the number of years, according to the time of an hired servant shall it be with him. " The slavery of the 19th century was completely different. It was people buying others, much as they would buy pigs or cattle. I would like to point out that the Bible actually forbids kidnapping, especially as it relates to slavery. Exodus 20:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. As you can see, the Bible calls for the death penalty for human trafficking. In light of this verse, we can now see that any other verses that seem to support slavery must be saying something else. African slaves were owned in perpetuity. they were slaves for life. If they had children, their children were also slaves. Slaves in Ancient Israel were released after seven years. "And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant: But as an hired servant, and as a sojourner, he shall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto the year of jubile. And then shall he depart from thee, both he and his children with him, and shall return unto his own family, and unto the possession of his fathers shall he return. " Leviticus 25:39-41 At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release. And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbor shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbor, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD"s release. " Deuteronomy 15:1-2" Slavery, in the Old Testament, was nothing like the 19th century slavery we're all familiar with. I could go on, but I wish to see what my opponent has to say on the subject, and I'm pressed for time. I'm sure he'll bring up some interesting points.