If Jesus taught about equallity, why did slavery exist during Colonisation.....?

Question

and till the end of the American Civil War?

I mean weren't the spanish,americans,german and portuguese christians?

Answer 1

This is an excellent question and it touches upon a sad chapter in the history of European Christianity.

Jesus did teach equality and during the middle ages slavery in Europe was abolished virtually everywhere (there were exceptions, don't get me wrong). Look up the word "manumission" and you'll find loads of examples of legal charters that read along the lines of "Aelfwyn, for the sake her soul, manumits ("frees") Wenconoel, her slave."

However, after the Spanish discovery of the Americas, the Spanish system required more manual labour than Spanish immigrants were either willing or able to provide. They began buying African slaves (from other Africans, it should be noted). The pope was aghast, and issued several Papal Bulls against the practice in the 15th century, but even he could not stem the tide of man's greed.

It took centuries of work by such dedicated Christians as the Quakers to once again reverse the practice and end slavery.

Answer 2

Just because someone carries the moniker of "Christian", it does not necessarily mean they are followers of Christ. Slavery was, and still is in certain parts, a reality, a product of our fallen world. The Bible states it is as it was and is. You cannot compare slavery in Europe and America with slavery in Biblical times. The slaves used by the Jewish nation were taken through battle. There were no prisons at the time, and you certainly didn't want your enemies to live to come back and fight again, so it was either slavery or kill them. Slaves in the Jewish community were treated rather fairly and well. Another form of slavery was a bond servant.
If someone owed a debt to someone and could not pay, they could go into voluntary servitude to pay back the debt. Many would choose to remain in that position after the debt was paid.
Were you aware that Christians were at the forefront of ending slavery in Europe and America?

Answer 3

You would think that Jesus and the New Testament would have a different view of slavery, but slavery is still approved of in the New Testament, as the following passages show.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. (Ephesians 6:5 NLT)

Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts. Teach these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT)

In the following parable, Jesus clearly approves of beating 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)


-SD-

Answer 4

Jehovah's witnesses are extra in touch about watchtower theories and under no circumstances what Jesus Christ has performed for all and sundry on the bypass and how He rose the third day and defeated death. they don't understand Jesus Christ as their personal Savior so as that they make up stupid options about salvation that one received't locate everywhere interior the Bible and they're a cult and so reveal cult like procedures Moises_Friaz aka Moses previous has no theory what Salvation is and for what reason Jesus Christ rose from the useless and is alive perpetually extra and if he did he will be worshiping Jesus Christ and under no circumstances watchtower

Answer 5

Jesus did taught about equality. There is no doubt about it.
But not all people who claim to be Christians follow in His footsteps or practice His teachings. That is the core of the problem.

Answer 6

1. It is easier to call yourself a Christian and love money than it is to be a Christian and love other people.

2. Jesus never said that slavery was "good", he just said that if you are a slave you should live a life of obedience and respect. Who make the bigger difference the protestor with bull horn or the person who through a caring relationship gently reasons with you? Think about it.

Answer 7

According to the bible, he never condemned slavery during his own time. In fact, he used it as an example in several of his parables. Yet, modern christians believe He was against it. They are reading their own values that they were raised with into the bible text and believing it was actually written in there.

Answer 8

It's a shame jesus forgot to condemn slavery, after the old testament explicitly condoned it. If only he had the foresight to say a few words about it... imagine how much horror it would have erased from history.

Answer 9

The result of His teachings wasn't immediate but it gradually happened (his teachings were not for 100-1000 people but for everyone so is logic to take so long...).
The same with the equality between man and woman, took some time but we are getting there...Its about evolution, growth of the mankind which will ultimately lead to unity and oneness of mankind.

Answer 10

Sure, they may have "called" themselves "Christians" but they were actually your run-of-the-mill HYPOCRITES who didn't follow the teachings in the Bible at all... Or if they did, they preferred to pick and choose which ones they would follow and which ones they would skip.

It is EXACTLY like how it is being done by so many today who also call themselves 'Christians' but really are NOT! Get it??

Peace be with you.