[Vision2020] Perspective

[bill london]

Doug:
Now I am confused.  Did you bring up the story of slavery existing in 
today's world (reprinted below) to let us know that the Bible is still 
relevant today--that the Bible says slavery should exist and that 
slavery still does exist?
So, are you celebrating the continuation of slavery?
Or are you, by sharing this story of slavery in today's world, 
condemning this modern version of slavery?  And if so, by what standard? 
BL

Douglas wrote:

>
>>
>> Former slave in Sudan tells of horrors
>>
>> By Sonja Garza
>> San Antonio Express-News
>>
>> Web Posted : 10/31/2003 12:00 AM
>>
>> When Francis Bok was 7, he left his village in southern Sudan for the 
>> marketplace to sell some eggs and beans.
>>
>> 1031francis2.jpg
>> (Jerry Lara/Express-News)
>> Francis Bok was kidnapped in Sudan at 7 and spent 10 years as a 
>> slave. But he broke free and eventually came to the United States. He 
>> spoke about modern-day slavery Thursday at St. Mary's University.
>>
>> What happened next changed his life forever.
>>
>> Arab raiders from the north charged the market, killing several 
>> villagers and capturing others, including Bok.
>>
>> A man on horseback grabbed the young boy, dragging him away.
>>
>> Bok was taken to a family's home where he was forced to live as a 
>> slave for 10 years, enduring beatings, tending to the goats and 
>> sleeping beside the livestock.
>>
>> One day, Bok asked his master why nobody loved him, why he was made 
>> to sleep with the animals.
>>
>> "Because you are an animal" was his reply, Bok said.
>>
>> Now 24 and attending school in Boston, Bok recounted his story and 
>> subsequent escape before a packed audience Thursday at St. Mary's 
>> University.
>>
>> Bok, along with Tommy Calvert, son of San Antonio activist T.C. 
>> Calvert, highlighted his tale to call attention to the estimated 27 
>> million people worldwide who are subjected to a modern-day form of 
>> slavery.
>>
>> "You may have thought slavery was history, but think again," said 
>> Calvert, chief of external operations for the Boston-based American 
>> Anti-Slavery Group.
>>
>> The United Nations estimates more people are enslaved today than at 
>> any time in history, Calvert told the audience. He called on audience 
>> members to help fight slavery by joining the contemporary 
>> abolitionists movement.
>>
>> Calvert said people, mostly women and children, are being held as sex 
>> slaves and chattel slaves and in debt bondage.
>>
>> Bok said his master threatened to shoot him if he tried to escape.
>>
>> After two failed attempts, Bok finally broke free and traveled to 
>> Egypt, then to the United States in 1999.
>>
>> He recently published a book about his life, "Escape from Slavery," 
>> and continues to tell his story in hopes of helping to gain freedom 
>> for others.
>>
>> "What good is my freedom if my people are still enslaved?" he said.
>>
>