2006-09-14 15:18:19 · 15 answers · asked by Quineisha M 1 in Social Science ➔ Sociology
Because in older civilizations slavery has always been the norm. And the white plantation people truely believed that Bible said it was okay for them to have slaves from Africa. Don't believe, then check out the part in one of Mark Twain's books when Huck Finn is praying to God to forgive him for helping a slave escape to the Canada.
2006-09-14 15:25:36 · answer #1 · answered by Fitz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you'd like some historical information, check out the wikipedia article, at the link below.
It's often been considered that slavery was accepted in the US and other countries throughout time, because it was one of those things that always existed, like prostitution maybe. One group or tribe or nation goes to war with another over land or water or whatever, and the losers get to work for the winners for free, as an alternative to genocide, I suppose. It carried through the ages in various forms, not always a race issue, like what happened in the US, but definitely with different accepted standards for whoever was in power.
The definition of slavery is broad, and many will tell you that it still happens, whether economically or genderwise or to animals even. But I think this sums up what you might be looking for.
Oh, as to why it was accepted by the churches - because it wasn't ever specifically condemned in the Bible. To the people of those days, slavery happened. If you happened to be one, you were taught to still act as Christ would have acted. If you happened to own one when you became a follower of Christ, you were taught to treat your servants as fellow servants of Christ. Not everyone reads the Bible, or other holy books, with a mind to accepting all people as equal in the eyes of God though, and so will twist the words and make them say what they want. I believe this would hold true outside of Christianity as well.
2006-09-14 15:53:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Slavery has never been legal as far as written in law.
It was an accepted practice by society.
Laws had to be written to make it illegal in countries all over the world.
If you want to talk about legal slavery ask the question why has minimum wage not been raised in 10 years.
2006-09-14 15:32:29 · answer #3 · answered by utg_45 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Liberals had their way back then. The red state northerners went to war over it (even though the libs pissed and moaned about it all the way -- just like Iraq) and now slavery is gone in the US. Ironically those freed from slavery seem to vote for those who were opposed to their freedom.
2006-09-14 15:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by mdigitale 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the rich and powerful wanted a cheap labor source. Slavery was the best answer for them.
2006-09-14 16:04:52 · answer #5 · answered by Billy W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to the Library and do your own home work. Check out an American history book and maybe a Sociology book. Get your answers there. Get real, how old are you? Pay attention in your class at school.
2006-09-14 22:03:55 · answer #6 · answered by meowzer mix 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Different times. Different social values. Sometimes it takes war to revolutionize our thinking. Oh, by the way, it was the republicans that owned the slaves!
2006-09-14 17:00:02 · answer #7 · answered by Delta Charlie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
slavery was legal, because it was an accepted practice back in those days... not saying it was right, but yes, it was legal...
2006-09-14 15:25:42 · answer #8 · answered by MstrChief55 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hey passion fruit-read your history. Slavery started long before white people in the new world had slaves. Interestingly enough, that started with Spanish slavemasters selling their slaves to the whites. So, don't blame whitey for its origins.
2006-09-14 16:43:19 · answer #9 · answered by NONAME 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Because the majority makes the laws that work for them.
It was true then....it's true now.
2006-09-14 15:37:18 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋