[Vision2020] On Slavery and biblical justifications

[Phil Nisbet]

Dale

On a more logical note and from a review of the data, you have to admit that 
a defense of slavery as practiced in the Southern US was not indeed an 
institution concieved in biblical laws.  Slaves in Israel were only bound to 
service for 6 years, not held for life.  Further, treating a slave in any 
manner that would not also apply to the master was strictly forbidden.

The mode of operation of the Southern planation system was based upon Roman 
laws respecting slavery as passed on through the offices of the Catholic 
Church in its use of Roman statutes.  Slaves were subject to the rule of the 
pater familius, who had every right to torture, maim and otherwise dispose 
of a slave that suited him.

Southerners tried to hide behind biblical law as a cover, but they did not 
follow the law and free their servents at the end of the required 6 years. 
They also felt free to brand, hamstring, whip and beat their servents, 
imposing cruel and unusual punishments on them that are indeed strictly 
forbidden in the law.

That being understood, I am not sure how you would find that slavery as 
practiced by the American South would be acceptable to anyone who is a 
strict constructionist in terms of biblical law.

Phil Nisbet

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