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Question about slavery in the Bible

It's an important issue to deal with when it is raised as an objection in a theological debate, as it was for @NBTX11. There it is theoretical, but not just something to argue about, it raises issues of how we interpret and apply scripture which are relevant to other issues. So this is a discussion with a practical point.
Maddog said:
If given the opportunity to own a slave, Would you? (General ask of everybody)
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That on the other hand is an entirely pointless question given that slavery is illegal where all of us live, so it would be "a moot point and just something to argue about".
 
FollowingHim said:
It's an important issue to deal with when it is raised as an objection in a theological debate, as it was for @NBTX11. There it is theoretical, but not just something to argue about, it raises issues of how we interpret and apply scripture which are relevant to other issues. So this is a discussion with a practical point.

That on the other hand is an entirely pointless question given that slavery is illegal where all of us live, so it would be "a moot point and just something to argue about".
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Slavery IS illegal, i agree. But then so is polygamy. These are both allowed per scripture but no one is encouraging slavery. Tell me the "PRACTICAL" point. Ought someone start a "biblicalslavery.org" group?
 
Maddog said:
Slavery IS illegal, i agree. But then so is polygamy. These are both allowed per scripture but no one is encouraging slavery. Tell me the "PRACTICAL" point. Ought someone start a "biblicalslavery.org" group?
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I don’t see how you can seriously compare them.

But if you want to start that group I’ll need more popcorn.
 
Maddog said:
Slavery IS illegal, i agree. But then so is polygamy. These are both allowed per scripture but no one is encouraging slavery. Tell me the "PRACTICAL" point. Ought someone start a "biblicalslavery.org" group?
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Polygamy is not illegal, as you know, the state just only allows you to formally register one marriage at a time.

Slavery on the other hand is entirely illegal, and obviously no registration of slaves is permissible at all. This is an entirely different situation.

The debate will however frequently come up with people who make this sort of false equivalence between slavery and polygamy, and need to be discussed theoretically as part of Christian apologetics.
 
FollowingHim said:
Polygamy is not illegal, as you know, the state just only allows you to formally register one marriage at a time.

Slavery on the other hand is entirely illegal, and obviously no registration of slaves is permissible at all. This is an entirely different situation.
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Good points, thanks Samuel. It would be worthwhile to keep this is mind when such a discussion is brought up.
 
Maddog said:
Slavery IS illegal, i agree. But then so is polygamy.
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Wrong. Polygyny is NOT "illegal."

It's just "illegal" to have more than one licensed State-defined 'wife' (of any sex, or multiple genders.) Any doubts, just ask if the First Amendment still applies to you.

Those distinctions matter.

Likewise, only UN-licensed slavery is "illegal." Big Brother (internationally even) always can have all the slaves it wants.
 
Distinctions DO matter. When the interest rate on your credit card is 30% then slavery has assumed a new name. What's in YOUR wallet?
In a few months time frame your new cell phone originally costing $1000 now has consumed $2000 of your budget or more!
 
Words DO matter- Let's say that a Mexican immigrant is super good at agriculture but the pay is substandard to homegrown help: Would you hire that worker knowing full well the quality of his work versus the minuscule pay? That is the modern equivalent of yesterdays slavery. We however provide a small travel trailer to sleep in and a little food prior to payday BUT we say it is not slavery because he is free to leave. he is free to leave INTO nothing so by default he must stay IF he wants to eat. How dare we call that slavery! A rose by a different name is still a rose.
In a related way- indentured servitude is when a person incurs a debt (whether criminal or legal) that he cannot pay immediately but can pay over time for say, 6 years. Then in the seventh year all debts are reduced to nothing as in the year of jubilee or something similar. It becomes a parallel to a 72month payment plan on that new truck. For giggles stop paying at 71 months- what happens? That truck gets repossessed because it isn't YOURS! You can walk away but not with someone elses truck. You "served" but it wasnt yours. Talk about slavery? It is where we are today. We just call it a different name. I am not without fault here- I have 23 more years of slavery. I call that a mortgage.
 
Maddog said:
Words DO matter- Let's say that a Mexican immigrant is super good at agriculture but the pay is substandard to homegrown help: Would you hire that worker knowing full well the quality of his work versus the minuscule pay? That is the modern equivalent of yesterdays slavery. We however provide a small travel trailer to sleep in and a little food prior to payday BUT we say it is not slavery because he is free to leave. he is free to leave INTO nothing so by default he must stay IF he wants to eat. How dare we call that slavery! A rose by a different name is still a rose.
In a related way- indentured servitude is when a person incurs a debt (whether criminal or legal) that he cannot pay immediately but can pay over time for say, 6 years. Then in the seventh year all debts are reduced to nothing as in the year of jubilee or something similar. It becomes a parallel to a 72month payment plan on that new truck. For giggles stop paying at 71 months- what happens? That truck gets repossessed because it isn't YOURS! You can walk away but not with someone elses truck. You "served" but it wasnt yours. Talk about slavery? It is where we are today. We just call it a different name. I am not without fault here- I have 23 more years of slavery. I call that a mortgage.
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Not similar.

Regarding jubilee and indebted servitude, everybody knew about it enabling planning. No way I will give you credit where 20% of amount to be returned will be eliminated by jubilee.

This would create financial system with rather high interest rates favouring very productive investment.

Real issue with indebted servitute comes become debtor can't leave for better position and keep paying his debts. Also, with monopoly position creditor would often treat debtors very badly.

Regarding immigrant, he can substantially improve his position, so he is in way better position.
 
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