Early attitudes

Both the Old and New Testaments recognize and accept the institution of slavery (though this was more akin to bonded labor, without any of the racial and dehumanizing connotations of the slavery practiced in the southern United States and elsewhere). ^[1] In Christian cemeteries, when slaves were buried, the gravesite seldom included any indication that the person buried had been a slave.^{[citation needed]}

Christianity recognized marriage of sorts among slaves.^[2] Freeing slaves was regarded as an act of charity.^{[citation needed]}

Christianity rarely criticised the actual institution of slavery. Slaves who fled from their masters were, at some times and places in history, condemned with anathema and refused eucharistic communion.^[3]

Serfdom replaces slavery

The barbarian invasions in the early Middle Ages vastly increased the number of slaves, both through capture and through people accepting a servile state in return for protection.^[4] As Europe emerged from the early Middle Ages, slavery was transformed into the institution of serfdom, giving the former slaves legal rights and position, in theory at least.^[5] Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... The Middle Ages formed the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three ages: the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, and modern times, beginning with the Renaissance. ... Serf redirects here. ...

Limits to serfs' rights

Whether these notional rights were of much practical use to the serf was open to debate. If you have nothing to eat, and no land to grow food with, apart from the land provided by your Lord, then - although you may have a theoretical right to make your own decisions - in practice, you must do your Lord's bidding.

And again, if milord becomes a little heavy-handed, and seems to 'forget' your legal rights, then there might be a theoretical right to challenge his decisions. But in practice, getting the court to see things your way would require a good knowledge of Latin and the law, which only a good education could provide. And to get that education, you'd need the help of the church, since in the Middle Ages, all education was in the church's hands.

Further discussion of the position of serfs, and also of slavery both in England and in British colonies, may be found in A.L. Morton's entertaining book A People's History of England.^[6]

Role of church

The church played a key role. In general, the clergy were in favour of the serfs showing respect for the 'rightful authority' of the Lord, and they used their learning, their land and their moral authority to reinforce his power. It was generally in their interests to do so, because in order for the clergy to receive a stable income, social stability was required.

But sometimes, the clergy seemed to develop a taste for some power of their own. So the power-play might become a little more interesting, and perhaps an adept serf might be able to play off one kind of power against another - the church's religious and persuasive power, and its information-handling capacity, against the cruder 'obey-or-I'll-chop-your-neck-off!' power of the Lord, who usually derived that power from the King or Queen.

However, this would have been a risky game, because neither church nor state would have welcomed an increase in the power of the serfs. Besides which, civil disorder could lead to great suffering amongst the poor.

(One famous clash between church and state authority occurred in the dispute between Thomas Beckett and Henry II of England. There seems to be little discussion in most histories of how the serfs viewed this dispute, or whether they stood to benefit from it.) Saint Thomas à Becket (or Thomas Becket) (ca. ... Henry II of England 5 March 1133 – 6 July 1189) ruled as King of England (1154–1189), Count of Anjou, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. ...

Christianity's changing view

Since the Middle Ages, the Christian understanding of slavery has seen significant internal conflict and endured dramatic change. Nearly all Christian leaders before the late 17th century recorded slavery, within specific Biblical limitations, as consistent with Christian theology. But today, nearly all modern Christians are united in the condemnation of slavery as wrong and contrary to God's will. For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Slave redirects here. ... (16th century - 17th century - 18th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 17th century was that century which lasted from 1601-1700. ... Theology finds its scholars pursuing the understanding of and providing reasoned discourse of religion, spirituality and God or the gods. ... For other uses, see Christian (disambiguation). ... Slave redirects here. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

Christian advocacy of slavery

Throughout history, passages in the Old Testament of the Bible have been used as justification of the keeping of slaves, and for guidance in how it should be done. Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      Note: Judaism... This Gutenberg Bible is displayed by the United States Library. ...

Therefore, when abolition was proposed, many Christians spoke vociferously against it, citing the Bible's apparent acceptance of slavery as 'proof' that it was part of the normal condition.

In both Europe and the United States, many Christians went further, and argued that slavery was actually justified by the words and doctrines of the Bible. For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

"[Slavery] was established by decree of Almighty God...it is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation...it has existed in all ages, has been found among the people of the highest civilization, and in nations of the highest proficiency in the arts." Jefferson Davis, President, Confederate States of America

"Every hope of the existence of church and state, and of civilization itself, hangs upon our arduous effort to defeat the doctrine of Negro suffrage." Robert Dabney, a prominent 19th century Southern Presbyterian pastor

And some members of fringe Christian groups like the Christian Reconstructionists, the Christian Identity movement, and the Ku Klux Klan (an organization dedicated to the "empowerment of the white race"), still argue that slavery is justified by Christian doctrine today. For other uses, see Jefferson Davis (disambiguation). ... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861–April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Historic Southern United States. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      A pastor is an... Christian Reconstructionism is a religious and theological movement within Protestant Christianity. ... // For the general identity of an individual with certain core essential religious doctrines, see Christianity. ... Members of the second Ku Klux Klan at a rally during the 1920s. ...

Enslaving of non-christians by Christians

Christians regularly kept non-Christian slaves up until the abolition of slavery in general. Views on slavery of non-Christians, however, varied from place to place and person to person. Saint Patrick (415-493), himself a former slave, argued for the abolition of slavery. St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) believed that slavery was "morally justifiable". It is said the Teutonic Order opposed strongly the conversion of Lithuania into Christianity in the 14th century, since it meant the end of lucrative slave trading of captured Lithuanians to Tatars. For information about the holiday, see: Saint Patricks Day Saint Patrick (Latin: [2], Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Christian missionary and is the patron saint of Ireland along with Brigid of Kildare and Columba. ... Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 - March 7, 1274) was a Catholic philosopher and theologian in the scholastic tradition, who gave birth to the Thomistic school of philosophy, which was long the primary philosophical approach of the Roman Catholic Church. ... Teutonic Knights, charging into battle. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... This article is about the people. ...

Pope Eugenius IV forbade to take indigeneous inhabitants of the Canary Islands to slavery. Eugene IV, né Gabriele Condulmer (1383 – February 23, 1447) was Pope from March 3, 1431 to his death. ... Binomial name Serinus canaria (Linnaeus, 1758) The Canary (Serinus canaria) sometimes called the Island Canary, Wild Canary or Atlantic Canary, is a small bird in the finch family. ...

In 1452 Pope Nicholas V, in his Dum Diversas, instituted the hereditary enslavement of "nonbelievers". Events October - English troops under John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, land in Guyenne, France, and retake most of the province without a fight. ... Nicholas V, né Tomaso Parentucelli (November 15, 1397 – March 24, 1455) was Pope from March 6, 1447, to his death. ... In 18 June 1452: Pope Nicholas V issues Dum Diversas, a bull authorising the Portuguese to reduce any non-Christians to the status of slaves. ...

In 1488, Pope Innocent VII accepted the gift of 100 slaves from King Ferdinand of Spain, and distributed those slaves to his cardinals and the Roman nobility;^[7] // January 8 - The present Royal Netherlands Navy was formed By decree of Maximillian of Austria. ... Innocent VII, né Cosimo de Migliorati (ca. ...

In 1639 Pope Urban VIII forbade the slavery of the Indians of Brazil, Paraguay, and the West Indies, yet he purchased non-Indian slaves for himself from the Knights of Malta;^[8] Events January 14 - Connecticuts first constitution, the Fundamental Orders, is adopted. ... Pope Urban VIII (April 1568 – July 29, 1644), born Maffeo Barberini, was Pope from 1623 to 1644. ...

Enslaving of Christians

The nearly universal consensus throughout the ages has been that Christians must not keep other Christiansas slaves^{[citation needed]}. Paul's epistle to Philemon urges Philemon to take Onesimus, a stealing slave who fled from Philemon but who was converted by Paul, as a brother, not as a slave. The Epistle to Philemon is a book of the Bible in the New Testament. ... Philemon is the recipient of the Epistle to Philemon, which is a book of the Bible from the New Testament. ... Onesimus In the New Testament, Onesimus (d. ...

The Christianization of Europe in the Dark Ages saw the traditional slavery disappearing in Europe and being replaced with feudalism^{[citation needed]}. But this consensus was broken in the slave states of the United States, where the justification switched from religion ('the slaves are heathens') to race ('Africans are the descendants of Ham'). The opposition to the U.S. Civil Rights movement in the 20th century was founded in part on the same religious ideas that had been used to justify slavery in the 19th century. Image File history File links Gnome-globe. ... Petrarch, who conceived the idea of a European Dark Age. From Cycle of Famous Men and Women, Andrea di Bartolo di Bargillac, c. ... Roland pledges his fealty to Charlemagne; from a manuscript of a chanson de geste. ... Ham (Hebrew: , Standard  Tiberian  ; Arabic: , IPA: , hot), according to the Genealogies of Genesis, was a son of Noah and the father of Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Christian abolitionism

Throughout Europe and the United States, Christians from what we might call 'un-institutional' movements, not directly connected with state or church power, were to be found at the forefront of the abolitionist movements.

Many of the early campaigners for the abolition of slavery were driven by a Christian faith, and a desire to see the theoretical Christian view, that all people are equal, made a practical reality. Prominent among these was William Wilberforce. In Britain and America Quakers were active in abolitionist movements. William Wilberforce (24 August 1759–29 July 1833) was a British politician and philanthropist. ... The Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers, or Friends, is a religious community founded in England in the 17th century. ...

Disagreements between the newer way of thinking and the old often created schisms within denominations at the time.

Catholic opposition to slavery

In 1435 Pope Eugene IV condemned ?slavery in Sicut Dudum [1]. For other uses, see number 1435. ... Eugenius IV, né Gabriel Condulmer (1383 - February 23, 1447) was pope from March 3, 1431 to his death. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1462 Pope Pius II declared slavery to be a "great crime" (magnum scelus);^[9]. Events Settlers from Portugal begin to settle the Cape Verde islands. ... Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Latin Aeneas Sylvius), (October 18, 1405 – August 14, 1464) was Pope from 1458 until his death. ...

In 1537 Pope Paul III condemned it in Sublimus Dei [2]; Events January 6 - Alessandro de Medici assassinated August 25 - The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, was formed. ... Pope Paul III with his cardinal-nephew Alessandro Cardinal Farnese (left) and his other grandson (right), Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma Pope Paul III (February 29, 1468 – November 10, 1549), born Alessandro Farnese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1534 to his death 1549. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Sublimus Dei Sublimus Dei (also seen as Sublimus Deus and Sublimis Deus) is a papal bull promulgated by Pope Paul III on May 29, 1537, which forbids the enslavement of the indigenous peoples of the Americas (called Indians of the West and...

In 1741 Pope Benedict XIV condemned slavery generally; in 1815 Pope Pius VII demanded of the Congress of Vienna the suppression of the slave trade; in the Bull of Canonization of the Jesuit Peter Claver, one of the most illustrious adversaries of slavery, Pope Pius IX branded the "supreme villainy" (summum nefas) of the slave traders;^[9] in 1839 Pope Gregory XVI condemned slavery in In Supremo Apostolatus [3]; and in 1888 Pope Leo XIII in In Plurimis [4]. // Events April 10 - Austrian army attack troops of Frederick the Great at Mollwitz August 10 - Raja of Travancore defeats Dutch East India Company naval expedition at Battle of Colachel December 19 - Vitus Bering dies in his expedition east of Siberia December 25 - Anders Celsius develops his own thermometer scale Celsius... Benedict XIV, born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini (Bologna, March 31, 1675 – May 3, 1758 in Rome), was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758. ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ... Pope Pius VII, OSB (August 14, 1740—August 20, 1823), born Barnaba Niccolò Maria Luigi Chiaramonti, was Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church from March 14, 1800 to August 20, 1823. ... The Society of Jesus (Latin: Societas Iesu), commonly known as the Jesuits, is a Roman Catholic religious order. ... Saint Peter Claver (in Spanish: Pedro Claver) was a Jesuit who, due to his remarkable life and work, become the patron saint of slaves, of Colombia and of African Americans. ... Pope Pius IX (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, reigned as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from his election in June 16, 1846, until his death more than 31 years later in 1878. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Pope Gregory XVI (September 18, 1765 – June 1, 1846), born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846. ... In Supremo Apostolatus is a papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XVI regarding the institution of slavery. ... For the toll-free telephone number see Toll-free telephone number Year 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Pope Leo XIII (March 2, 1810—July 20, 1903), born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903, succeeding Pope Pius IX. Reigning until the age of 93, he was the oldest pope, and had the third longest pontificate...

See also The Final Abolition of Slavery in Christian Lands for a full time line.

Modern consensus

Today, nearly all modern Christians believe slavery is wrong and contrary to God's will.

History

In the Roman Empire

Present-day Christians argue that Paul and Peter were not defending or condoning slavery, but simply they recognized it as a fact of life in the Roman Empire. Paul was not a social reformer, but an apostle who was more concerned with the spiritual condition of men and women than he was with their physical circumstances. For this reason Paul, as well as other New Testament writers, instructs his readers on how to be on good terms with God and man no matter what situation they may be in. To have successfully challenged the Roman institution of slavery would have been irrational^{[citation needed]} because it might have deprived the early Christian church of two important sources of converts: slaves and their masters. Slaves would no longer have felt the need for spiritual over real salvation and their masters would have been too resentful to listen to the Christian message and perceive its disempowering effect on their slaves. Christianity itself was not established as a state religion or institution in the days of Roman empire, during the time of the Apostles, until the Emperor Constantine and the subsequent establishment of the central authority of the Pope therefore it is the Papal attitude towards slavery that is perhaps more telling. Slavery in the ancient Mediterranean cultures was a mixture of debt-slavery, slavery as a punishment for crime, and the enslavement of prisoners of war. ... Reform movement is a kind of social movement that aims to make a change in certain aspects of the society rather than fundamental changes. ... Head of Constantines colossal statue at Musei Capitolini Gaius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus[1] (February 27, 272–May 22, 337), commonly known as Constantine I, Constantine the Great, or (among Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic[2] Christians) Saint Constantine, was a Roman Emperor, proclaimed Augustus by his troops on... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (from Latin...

Paul, while in prison himself addressed the spiritual attitudes of believers, in order so that people would ultimately find slavery repugnant, by virtue of their relationship with Christ. His letter to Philemon attests to the fact that Paul considered the bondage of one to another to be another example of humanity's lack of spiritual integrity and unity. Paul appeals to Philemon's commitment to the body of Christ "If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him (Onesimus) as myself." Philemon 1:17 and "even though I do not say to you how you yourself owe me your own self besides." Philemon 1:19. Philemon is the recipient of the Epistle to Philemon, which is a book of the Bible from the New Testament. ... Onesimus In the New Testament, Onesimus (d. ...

Supporters point out that for Paul to directly communicate his personal intentions should be indicative of his personal views on the subject. In addition, the nascent Christian community was compelled to write in nuanced and subtle ways as to avoid death. Paul, being in prison could very well guarantee death^{[citation needed]} (and the retainment of his letter, never reaching his recipients) if he openly supported the abolishment of slavery.

Curse of Ham

See Curse of Ham The Judeo-Christian myth, provided one of the "moral pretext" upon which the Atlantic slave trade grew and flourished. According to Jewish Talmud scholars, and then later other religious groups, Ham was the progenitor of the African race and subsequent translations were stirred to reflect the biases and prejudice of the era. The most profound manifestation occurred in imagery, which constantly portrayed white as God, and black as the Devil. The Drunkenness of Noah by Giovanni Bellini, depicting Ham (center) laughing at his father, while Shem and Japheth cover him. ... Jacob wrestling an angel, by Gustave Doré (1832-1883), a shared Judeo-Christian story. ... The Atlantic slave trade, also known as the Transatlantic slave trade, was the trade of African persons supplied to the colonies of the New World that occurred in and around the Atlantic Ocean. ... The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination... The Talmud (Hebrew: תַּלְמוּד) is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs and history. ... Ham (חָם, Standard Hebrew , Tiberian Hebrew , , Geez Kam), according to the Genealogies of Genesis, was a son of Noah and the father of Cush, Mizraim, Phut, and Canaan. ...

Many pre-modern Christian scholars and sources provide a wealth of data on the subject of the connection between the curse of Ham, race and slavery:

Origen (circa 185-c. 254): “For the Egyptians are prone to a degenerate life and quickly sink to every slavery of the vices. Look at the origin of the race and you will discover that their father Cham, who had laughed at his father’s nakedness, deserved a judgment of this kind, that his son Chanaan should be a servant to his brothers, in which case the condition of bondage would prove the wickedness of his conduct. Not without merit, therefore, does the discolored posterity imitate the ignobility of the race [Non ergo immerito ignobilitatem decolor posteritas imitatur].” Homilies on Genesis 16.1 Origen Origen (Greek: ÅŒrigénÄ“s, 185–ca. ...

“Mar Ephrem the Syrian said: When Noah awoke and was told what Canaan did. . .Noah said, ‘Cursed be Canaan and may God make his face black,’ and immediately the face of Canaan changed; so did of his father Ham, and their white faces became black and dark and their color changed.” Paul de Lagarde, Materialien zur Kritik und Geschichte des Pentateuchs (Leipzig, 1867), part II Ephrem the Syrian (Syriac: , ;Greek: ; Latin: Ephraem Syrus; 306–373) was a deacon, prolific Syriac language hymn writer and theologian of the 4th century. ... This article is about the biblical Noah. ... // [[Image:]] Map of Canaan For other uses, see Canaan (disambiguation). ...

St. Jerome: “Chus in Hebrew means Ethiopian, that is, black and dark, one who has a soul as black as his body.” (The Homilies of Saint Jerome, vol. 1, trans. Marie Liguori Ewald, Homily 3, 28). For other uses see: Jerome (disambiguation) Jerome (about 340 - September 30, 420), (full name Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus) is best known as the translator of the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into Latin. ...

St. Paulinus of Nola (354-431): “The peoples of Ethiopia...are black with vice, sin giving them the color of night.” Carmina 28.249-51 Pontius Meropius Anicius Paulinus, St. ...

The Eastern Christian work, the Cave of Treasures (4th century), explicitly connects slavery with dark-skinned people: “When Noah awoke. . .he cursed him and said: ‘Cursed be Ham and may he be slave to his brothers’. . .and he became a slave, he and his lineage, namely the Egyptians, the Abyssinians, and the Indians. Indeed, Ham lost all sense of shame and he became black and was called shameless all the days of his life, forever.” La caverne des trésors: version Géorgienne, ed. Ciala Kourcikidzé, trans. Jean-Pierre Mahé, Corpus scriptorium Christianorum orientalium 526-27, Scriptores Iberici 23-24 (Louvain, 1992-93), ch. 21, 38-39 (translation). The Cave of Treasures, sometimes referred to simply as The Treasure, is a book of the New Testament apocrypha, which was later declared heretical by the Roman Catholic Church. ...

John Philoponus, Greek Christian philosopher (6th century): “The Scythians and Ethiopians are distinguished from each other by black and white color, or by long and snubbed nose, or by slave and master, by ruler and ruled,” and again, “The Ethiopian and Scythian. . .one is black, the other white; similarly slave and master.” A. Sanda, Oposcula Monophysitica Johannes Philoponi (Beirut, 1930), pp. 66,96 (Sanda’s Latin translation). It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Joannes Philoponus. ...

Ishodad of Merv (Syrian Christian bishop of Hedhatha, 9th century): When Noah cursed Canaan, “instantly, by the force of the curse. . .his face and entire body became black [ukmotha]. This is the black color which has persisted in his descendents.” C. Van Den Eynde, Corpus scriptorium Christianorum orientalium 156, Scriptores Syri 75 (Louvain, 1955), p. 139.

Eutychius, Alexandrian Melkite patriarch (d. 940): “Cursed be Ham and may he be a servant to his brothers… He himself and his descendants, who are the Egyptians, the Negroes, the Ethiopians and (it is said) the Barbari.” Patrologiae cursus completes…series Graeca, ed. J.P. Migne (Paris, 1857-66), Pococke’s (1658-59) translation of the Annales, 111.917B (sec. 41-43)

Ibn al-Tayyib (Arabic Christian scholar, Baghdad, d. 1043): “The curse of Noah affected the posterity of Canaan who were killed by Joshua son of Nun. At the moment of the curse, Canaan’s body became black and the blackness spread out among them.” Joannes C.J. Sanders, Commentaire sur la Genèse, Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium 274-275, Scriptores Arabici 24-25 (Louvain, 1967), 1:56 (text), 2:52-55 (translation).

Bar Hebraeus (Syrian Christian scholar, 1226-86): “‘And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and showed [it] to his two brothers.’ That is…that Canaan was cursed and not Ham, and with the very curse he became black and the blackness was transmitted to his descendents…. And he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan! A servant of servants shall he be to his brothers.’” Sprengling and Graham, Barhebraeus’ Scholia on the Old Testament, pp. 40-41, to Gen 9:22. Illustration of Bar-Hebraeus Gregory Bar-Hebraeus or Abulfaragus, (1226 - 1286) was a maphrian or catholicos of the Syriac Orthodox Church in the 13th century, and (in Dr. W. Wrights words) one of the most learned and versatile men that Syria ever produced. ...

United States

During the nineteenth century one of the principal loci of opposition to abolitionism was the southern religious establishment. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the abolition of slavery. ...

By the 1830s tension had began to mount between Northern and Southern Baptists churches. The support of Baptists in the South for slavery can be ascribed to economic and social reasons. However, Baptists in the North claimed that God would not "condone treating one race as superior to another". Southerners, on the other hand, held that God intended the races to be separate. Finally, around 1835, Southern states began complaining that they were being slighted in the allocation of funds for missionary work. This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ...

The break was triggered in 1844, when the Home Mission Society announced that a person could not be a missionary and still keep his slaves as property. Faced with this challenge, the Baptists in the south assembled in May of 1845 in Augusta, Georgia, and organized the Southern Baptist Convention. The American Baptist Home Mission Society is a Christian missionary society. ... Augusta is a city in the state of Georgia in the United States of America. ... The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a United States-based Christian denomination that consists of numerous agencies including six seminaries, two mission boards and a variety of other organizations such as: the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, which can act for the SBC ad interim between annual meetings...

Biblical texts on the keeping of slaves

Old Testament

Non-Hebrew slaves

It is permissible for men to have slaves, provided the slaves are not brethren, i.e. members of the tribes of Israel: For the Jim Roberts religious movement, see The Brethren (cult). ...

"And if one of your brethren who dwells by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave. As a hired servant and a sojourner he shall be with you, and shall serve you until the Year of Jubilee. And then he shall depart from you—he and his children with him—and shall return to his own family. He shall return to the possession of his fathers. For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves. You shall not rule over him with rigor, but you shall fear your God." (Leviticus 25:39-43)

As the continuation makes clear, non-Israelites were genuinely enslaved: Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, also the third book in the Torah (five books of Moses). ...

"And as for your male and female slaves whom you may have from the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves. Moreover you may buy the children of the strangers who dwell among you, and their families who are with you, which they beget in your land; and they shall become your property. And you may take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them as a possession; they shall be your permanent slaves. But regarding your brethren, the children of Israel, you shall not rule over one another with rigor." (Leviticus 25:44-46)

(both quotations from the New King James Version) For other uses, see Nation (disambiguation). ... a family of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in 1997 Family is a Western term used to denote a domestic group of people, or a number of domestic groups linked through descent (demonstrated or stipulated) from a common ancestor, marriage or adoption. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For the Jim Roberts religious movement, see The Brethren (cult). ... Leviticus is the third book of the Hebrew Bible, also the third book in the Torah (five books of Moses). ...

Hebrew slaves

Fellow Hebrews were not kept in bonded service for more than seven years, unless they personally submitted to a longer term, in which case they would become permanent slaves.

"If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." (Exodus 21:2-6)

Freed slaves were required to be provided with property, apparently so as to be able to attain economic independence. This article is about the Hebrew people. ... Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... An awl is a woodworking tool used to mark a piece of wood. ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ...

If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years; and in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. And when you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty-handed. You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, and out of your threshing-floor, and out of your wine-press; from that which the Lord your God has blessed you, you shalt give to him. (Deuteronomy 15:12-14)

Daughters were treated as the property of their fathers until they were married, at which the ownership would transfer to the husband. Unmarried daughters were permitted to be sold for a period of slavery, with the expectation that the master or his son eventually marry the daughter. Apparently the resulting period of servitude took the place of a dowry. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Slave redirects here. ... A dowry (also known as trousseau) is a gift of money or valuables given by the family of the bride to the family of the groom at the time of their marriage. ...

"And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money." (Exodus 21:7-11)

The penalty for beating a slave to death may be less than the penalty for murdering a free person. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Clothing protects the vulnerable nude human body from the extremes of weather, other features of our environment, and for safety reasons. ... Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ... For other uses, see Money (disambiguation). ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ...

"He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death." (Exodus 21:12)

"And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be avenged. Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be avenged; for he is his property." (Exodus 21:20-21)

If, however, verses 20 and 21 are referring only to blood vengeance, then unspecified judicial punishments would still apply to the slave owner. Capital punishment, or the death penalty, is the execution of a convicted criminal by the state as punishment for crimes known as capital crimes or capital offences. ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ... For other uses, see Revenge (disambiguation). ...

Many modern translations (such as the New Living Translation, New International Version, New Century Version, etc.) show verse 21 to mean "if the slave lives and returns to health in a day or two, then the owner is not to be punished."

A slave who suffers permanent injury as a result of the master's beating is released from servitude.

"And if a man strikes the eye of his male servant, or the eye of his female servant and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake. And if he knocks out his male servant's tooth, or his female servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake." (Exodus 21:26-27)

This article is about the second book in the Torah. ...

Slaves as property

If a negligent owner allowed his ox to kill a man or woman, the owner could be punished by death if this has happened before with the owner's understanding. (The ox should already have been stoned.) If the ox killed a servant, however, the owner owed thirty shekels to the servant's master. In any case, the ox is to be killed. Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Silver half-shekel struck in the Greek colony of Taras, during the Punic occupation. ...

"If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him. Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him. If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned." (Exodus 21:28-32)

For other uses, see Death (disambiguation), Dead (disambiguation), Death (band) or Deceased (band). ... Stoning, or lapidation, refers to a form of capital punishment execution method carried out by an organized group throwing stones or rocks at the person they mean to execute. ... For other uses, see Life (disambiguation). ... Silver half-shekel struck in the Greek colony of Taras, during the Punic occupation. ... This article is about the chemical element. ... This article is about the second book in the Torah. ...

New Testament

Christian slaves enjoined to obedience

"Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh." (1 Peter 2:18)

"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him" (Ephesians 6:5-9)

"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." (Titus 2:9-10)

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism." (Colossians 3:22-25)

"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." (1 Timothy 6:1)

(Redirected from 1 Peter) In Christianity, the First Epistle of Peter is a book of the New Testament. ... For other uses, see Fear (disambiguation). ... This page is about the title, office or what is known in Christian theology as the Divine Person. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Lordship redirects here. ... The Epistle to Ephesians is one of the books of the Bible in the New Testament, written by Paul at Rome about the same time as that to the Colossians, which in many points it resembles. ... A young waif steals a pair of boots “Stealing” redirects here. ... This article discusses the term God in the context of monotheism and henotheism. ... Look up saviour, savior in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Pastoral Epistles are often considered together, as each throws light upon the others. ... Lordship redirects here. ... Lordship redirects here. ... The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. ... The First Epistle to Timothy is one of the three Pastoral Epistles, traditionally attributed to Saint Paul and part of the New Testament of the Bible. ...

Biblical figures who kept slaves

• Abraham
• Boaz
• Cornelius
• Isaac
• Philemon
• Solomon

For other uses, see Abraham (name) and Abram (disambiguation). ... Boaz (Heb. ... Cornelius (fem. ... Sacrifice of Isaac, a detail from the sarcophagus of the Roman consul Junius Bassus, ca. ... Philemon was a citizen of Colossae in Phrygia in the 1st century, to whom Paul of Tarsus addressed a private letter, unique in the New Testament, which bears his name, the Epistle to Philemon. ... This article is about the Biblical figure. ...

Spiritual slavery

Christian writers from Biblical times onwards have used the image of the slave to represent the Christian spiritual view. In many Christian views all people are 'slaves to sin'; they are unable to free themselves from a way of life where they do evil. However God 'redeems' those whom He calls; they are "bought with a price", removing them from the control of sin and become God's "property", who then loves and protects them. (It is important to note that the "bondage" that results is beneficial to all parties and is in no way degrading.)

God the Father: In many religions, the supreme God is given the title and attributions of Father. ...

"Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven." (Colossians 4:1)

The Holy Spirit: The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope Coptic Pope · Ecumenical Patriarch Christianity Portal This box:      In mainstream...

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Jesus: (Redirected from 1 Corinthians) See also: Second Epistle to the Corinthians and Third Epistle to the Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians is a book of the Bible in the New Testament. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ...

"For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave." (1 Corinthians 7:22) "Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1).

(Redirected from 1 Corinthians) See also: Second Epistle to the Corinthians and Third Epistle to the Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians is a book of the Bible in the New Testament. ... The Epistle to the Romans is one of the letters of the New Testament canon of the Christian Bible. ...

Against the keeping of slaves

Old Testament

Against forced Hebrew enslavement:

"Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death." (Exodus 21:16)

Against returning escaped slaves: This article is about the second book in the Torah. ...

"You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him." (Deuteronomy 23:15-16)

Against a specific incident by foreigners enslaving and selling Hebrews: For other uses, see Oppression (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

"This is what the LORD says: For three sins of Gaza, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because she took captive whole communities and sold them to Edom, I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza that will consume her fortresses." (Amos 1:6-7)

Amos may refer to: // Amos (prophet), one of the twelve minor prophets in the Hebrew Bible Book of Amos, his writings Amos, son of Nephi and Amos, son of Amos, two minor figures in the Book of Mormon Bruce AMOS (born 1946), Canadian photographer Imre Ámos (1907-c. ...

Apostle Paul on slavery in the Roman Empire

Slave traders condemned:

"... law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God." (1 Timothy 1: 9-11)

Slaves should gain their freedom and not become slaves: (Redirected from 1 Timothy) This article or section should be merged with Second Epistle to Timothy The First Epistle to Timothy is a book of the canonic New Testament, one of the three so-called pastoral epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and the Epistle to Titus). ...

"Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For those who were slaves when called to faith in the Lord are the Lord's freed people; similarly, those who were free when called are Christ's slaves. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." (I Corinthians 7:21-23, NIV)

Christianity makes no distinctions in the worthiness of all Christians, including slaves: See also: Second Epistle to the Corinthians and Third Epistle to the Corinthians The First Epistle to the Corinthians is a book of the Bible in the New Testament. ...

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

"...there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all." (Colossians 3:11)

The Epistle to Galatians is a book of the Bible New Testament. ... The Epistle to the Colossians is a book of the Bible New Testament. ...

See also

• Religion and slavery
• Slavery and Islam
• Slavery and Buddhism
• Abolition
• Pro-Slavery Thought in the Old South
• Slavery
• Islam and slavery

To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 13th century slave market in the Yemen The major juristic schools of Islam traditionally accepted the institution of slavery. ... The Buddha neither held, nor bought, nor sold, nor trafficked, nor directed slaves at any time in his life post-dating his Enlightenment. ... This article is about the abolition of slavery. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Slave redirects here. ... 13th century slave market in Yemen The major juristic schools of Islam traditionally accepted the institution of slavery. ...

References

• Lewis, Bernard (1992). Race and Slavery in the Middle East. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-505326-5.

British publishing company associated with the Communist Party of Great Britain, formed through the merger of Martin Lawrence, the Communist Partys press and Wishart Ltd, a family-owned liberal and anti-fascist publisher. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Louis W. Cable - SLAVERY and the BIBLE
• African Holocaust
• Christianity and Slavery
• DeBow's Review (September 1850): "Slavery and the Bible"
• Passages from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and from the Christian Scriptures (New Testament)
• Christianity and slavery on ReligiousTolerance.org
• Texas Baptists Committed