Q&A Home > S > Slavery

• How can we explain the bottom verse to non-Christians (or for our own understanding)? It seems as if it is clearly saying it is okay to beat servants. Exodus 21:20-21 “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.”
• Where, in the Holy Bible, is it stated that a slave's body belongs to the slave's owner who would then be able to rape the slave as a result? Would that not make it scary to base life and morals on the Holy Bible when there are so many problems with it?
• Why didn't Jesus or any of the disciples condemn slavery and say it is wrong or sinful to own and control another human being? Isn't slavery a sin? By the way, I read in many history books that Christianity encouraged slavery, and as a result, many white Americans were using bible verses to exercise control and oppression over Africans. Bible Verses: "Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour." (Leviticus 25:44-46) In the following parable, Jesus clearly approves of beating servants/slaves even if they didn't know they were doing anything wrong. 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) “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. 21 Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property." (Exodus 21:20)