From: e_p@unlinfo.unl.edu (edgar pearlstein)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Question on the Bible
Date: 29 Sep 92 06:25:59 GMT
Organization: University of Nebraska - Lincoln

saruman@cats.ucsc.edu (Friend of Entropy) writes:


>	
>	Well, I came to a conclusion recently that i wished to share,
>and hopefully get a reaction on.  I cannot possibly accept Christianity
>simply because its tennants, as expressed in the bible, violate many
>of my most deeply held beliefs.  That is, that women and men are equal,
>and that slavery is inherently wrong.  
>	I have gathered some quotes that i was espesially surprised by
>in my readings in the bible.  What are your reactions to these?  I just
>cannot believe that anyone could possibly follow faithfully a book, and
>a god, that expresses these beliefs.
     There follow many quotes illustrating the horrible attitude of the
     on slavery and on the treatment of women.

>-Nick

     He missed a lot, or maybe he just got tired looking.  Here are some
additional horrors from the Bible on the subjects of slavery and women:


         In Genesis 17:23, it's clear tha Abraham had slaves, as it 
       talks about his household "all that were bought with his money".
         Lev 25:44-46 tells that heathen may be purchased as slaves, 
       that their children become slaves, and that they are inherited as 
       property by the owner's children forever.  
         Deut 20:10-14 says that when you conquer a city, if it 
       surrenders then all people inside it become your slaves.  But if 
       it doesn't surrender, then all males are to be killed and all 
       women and children "take unto thyself".  
         Luke 12:47-8 shows that Jesus approves of slavery, for he 
       describes the conditions under which one should give a severe 
       beating to a slave.  Although the Bible uses the word servant, 
       rather than slave, it is clear that it generally means the same 
       thing. (The word slave appears only once in the KJV: Rev 18:15, 
       but it is freely used in other translations.) e.g. Sarah "gave" 
       her slave Hagar to Abraham. 
         Timothy1 6:1-2 tells slaves to honor their masters, particularly 
       if the masters are believers: Tim1 6:1  Let as many servants as 
       are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, 
       that the name of God and [his] doctrine be not blasphemed. 6:2  
       And they that have believing masters, let them not despise [them], 
       because they are brethren; but rather do [them] service, because 
       they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These 
       things teach and exhort. 
         "Let every man abide in the same calling wherin he was called."  
       1Corinthians 7:20.
         In Philemon, Paul sends a slave back to his former master.  
       (Hard to follow in KJV, but clearer in RSV) 
         "the powers that be are ordained of God" Romans 13:1
         "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters with fear 
       and trembling"  Ephesians 6:5
         Colossians 3:22-25 tells slaves to obey their masters 
       "heartily", and they will be rewarded by the god for so doing.
         Romans 13:1-7 could also be interpreted to favor slavery, 
       although it is more clear that it favors divine right of kings.

          A woman is worth only 3/5 as much money as a man.  And the 
       worth varies with age, for both. Leviticus 27:2-4. 
          A man may forcibly take a woman from enemy captives and make 
       her his wife, after trying her out. Deut. 21:11-13.