Why is the bible used to justify everything?

Question

In my past question about Slavery and how Christianity was used to justify the means many of you supported the claims of the bible. Others simple blew the question off and targeted past slavery in Africa. There were African slaves before slavery but if you do your history you would know that they were also prisoners of war, or became slaves to pay off depts from there rulers. They weren't kidnapped and rapped. They weren't feed to sharks. They were not looked at as UNhuman. Why can't people stand up and say that it was wrong and it was done in the name of God. Yes!!!! Christianity is guilty for the blood that was spilled during slavery. I would love to see the day when Christians come to grips with reality and look at all the things they have justified. (Witch trials, Slavery, Oppression of Women (Islam too), Destorying the Native American, War on Terrism, etc etc. Everyday Religion is causing friction and turmoil all for what?

Answer 1

Without hesitation I admit that abusing slaves is a wicked thing for Christians to have done. And they have done it. They used the Bible as reason for having slaves (for there always has been slavery and the Bible doesn't pretend otherwise). The Bible also states how slaves were to be treated and valued - far better than ever they were by non-Jewish then non-Christian owners who obeyed the Bible's rules. I could list myriad scriptures proving that but, somehow, I don't think you are in the mood for that.

For the sake of balance, it must be said that Christian activists and thinkers led the battle in Britain to abolish slavery. William Wilberforce, the Parliamentarian, was motivated by his Christian view that all humans are created in God's image. He presented 11 Bills to the House of Commons till in 1807 the slave trade was abolished, then more campaigning resulted in slavery itself being abolished in 1833. Britain then paid for other nations to reject slavery, at a cost of over 1 million pounds sterling in Portugal and Spain, and exchanging military aid in France. The British navy enforced abolition over 50 years, seizing 1,600 ships to liberate 150,000 slaves, at a cost of 40 million pounds. In the 1840s anti-slavery meetings focused on helping this for the US were held in Scottish Presbyterian churches in Dundee (and elsewhere). No excuses offered for this not being done centuries earlier, however.

Corruption in religion is always vile and Christianity has had its share of leaders who were hypocrites, both in the pulpit and in politics. Vested interests have stained the good name of Christ and God with the Bible being abused to twist it into excuses. That does not stop the Bible itself being the authority of God that speaks to those who are humble, to convict them of their sin and to change them for the better. Hypocrites will always use it to cause friction and turmoil but God will be their Judge. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes for all the tea in China.

Answer 2

African slavery pre-existed where many were raped, kidnapped, beaten, tortured, abused, degraded, etc- EXACTLY like every other culture on the planet.

There is not one culture that has not practiced slavery of its own at some stage.
Rape is a common method of African psychological warfare- Rwanda and South Africa highlight good examples.

Firstly- the Arabs started widespread commercial slavery which still persists in Mali and Central Africa to this day.

The Portuguese, then the Dutch and later the Spanish, French and British happened to land in Northern Africa and Oman and decided what a clever way for a greedy few to make money: sell people= free labour= easy money.

Don't forget- the majoirty of Europeans- still today- live in poverty relative to their mercantile, commercial or ruling classes. Look at my home country- the UK? The Celts used to practice slavery.
St Patrick was a slave freed by his Arab master.

Religion never had anything to do with slavery- as Hindus and Buddhists also practiced slavery and Hindus still do with their caste prejudice.

It was always about exploitation- as we still see now in the US with the working poor- and now sadly spreading throughout the world.

Religion is just a very handy, very intellectually poor moral argument for mankind's supreme stupidity and greed.

Answer 3

The question should really be; why do people willfully misinterpret the Bible to get a rise? Why did people misconstrue the message in the Bible to justify the mistreatment of their fellow man? And, why do people who have NO understanding of the message in the Bible use other people's ignorance of the same to justify their own ends?

The Bible is no more at fault for the ills of man'kind' than guns are responsible for murder or a woman's beauty being responsible for her own rape. Will atheist and nonbelievers begin attacking a woman's right to be pretty because in their minds it promotes sexual assault? No. Would you blame her for what someone else did to her? No. Imagine the response from Maybelline when people show up at their headquarters to accuse them of promoting criminal activity. Do you now see the incredible stupidity of this selfish way of thinking?

Man's depravity has authored ways of using anything and everything to do his bidding. Man is to blame for man's problems. Since people are too morally irresponsible themselves to just simply admit that man has a serious and deadly problem. Their immoral minds blame words of wisdom, other people's faith, and inanimate objects for his dysfunctional tendencies.

It's not "Everyday Religion" (in reference to true Christians) that is "causing friction and turmoil." It's man's 'me first', selfish, greedy, blood thirsty, lusts that are causing his pain and suffering on this planet. Period. So, STOP backlashing Christ's followers for the evils of the corporate Roman church. You see, Christianity is a faith. Not a religion. Faith doesn't murder and manipulate.

If knowing the truth is of any real importance to you. Read the Bible and do some research on human history. You will begin to see that great divide between sinful man and God when you discover that secular ambitions are and always have been the driving force behind most wars. Regardless of what the perpetrators claim. And that the worst murderers in history weren't even religious at all.

Islam wouldn't have so many willful killers (Mujahideen) if love for man and Allah could be found in the same sentences of the Qur'an. Slavery in the Bible was NOTHING like the racially motivated slavery of the Americas (North, South, and Central). The Bible NEVER teaches that we should oppress anyone.

Why do people not understand how silly it makes them look to make wide assumptions? But instead of having the guile, open mindedness, and moral integrity to actually get off their butts and research a topic they just point fingers in ignorance and laugh at their own lack of understanding and basic intelligence.

So by intentionally bearing false witness to what the Bible ACTUALLY says, we become NO better than the degenerate people who misused it to promoted slavery and witch hunts. Ignorance is bliss. That's why it is easier for some to just assume than it is to actually seek the truth. Some fear that their bliss may perish like morning mist when the sun appears.

Answer 4

Beloved....do you know that it was Christians who were the ones to help end black slavery and their political party affiliation was the Republicans? The Republican party platform had 9 positions-6 of which were for the freedom of black people and equal rights. White slaveholders may have called themselves 'christians' but they were vehemently supportive of the Democratic party that, even after the Republicans successful striking down of some slavery laws did everything they could to repeal them, including the passage of the Dred Scott decision that allowed southern slave holders to drag free blacks back to slavery. Do you know why the 3/5 law was created in the first place? I'll wait to see if you respond to that before continuing to tell you....

PS...I just have to add that while there may have been some selling of people done by Africans, what they deemed as 'servitude' paled in comparison to the reality that was to be faced in America. To further suggest (as Angel seems to do) that the existence of black slavery was an entirely self inflicted thing is RIDICULOUS.

Answer 5

(pagan btw, raised christian)
OK. For your first title question about the Bible and justification...it's because the Holy Bible is supposed to be the word of God, undebateable and true. Christians are supposed to turn to the Bible/or God for justification.
Secondly, I don't understand how the Bible is supposed to justify slavery... yes, in the bible, there were slaves. But how can you say it's all the Christians fault? And how do you know they weren't thrown to sharks or raped? Were you there back in the day? No. And YES of course it was wrong...no matter if it was done in the name of God or Allah or swiss cheese.

Answer 6

First of all the Bible isn't used tho justify the cruelty in this world, that stems from the ignorance in us, because God gave us all a free will, we just sometimes choose to do dumb things. Now speaking as a Christian if you would take the time and study your Bible you will discover that the old Testament is for our learning and that there is nothing that happen then that isn't going on now. And the New Testament is what we live by today. So before you start comparing the history books from school to the Bible, STUDY THE BIBLE FIRST.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

I do not think you have been hearing from REAL Christians. Nor do I believe that Christianity is to blame for all these evils. Not true Christianity. True Christians are such a small minority, but others, who CLAIM to be Christians, use that as their defense for their evil deeds. Shame on them! You are right, though.....everyday religion is causing friction. Religion or church attendence is NOT true Christianity. True Christianity is about being Christ-like and doing ALL thing in LOVE. If it is not done with the person's best interest at heart then it is NOT true Christianity. Please understand that. I am sorry that those you have heard from have not been real Christians, and have not spoken to you with love and compassion. You must seperate what is true Christianity (which is NOT responsible for any bloodshed), and what is only false religion.

Answer 8

Christians are human. We fail just like anyone does. I wonder how many people of African decent have ever thought to be thankful for slavery? If your ancestors had not been brought here as slaves you either would not exist or would be living a life of poverty instead of living a great life in America. Look at Joseph. He was a slave and God used him greatly.

Answer 9

This is not a question but a rant. If the question is authentic, then the answer is that almost all individuals use some justification for their actions. Religion is the most common, right next to Narcissism. That would be your problem.

Answer 10

you are really confused...take one issue at a time......

.religion had nothing to do with American slavery being instituted......it had been a social institution for thousands of years before christianity had even started.....

.there were American slaves because BLACK people sold their own people into it....and what we now call these days - liberal democrats- bought them...the early black political party was republican (Christian) for that very reason....it was the Christians that freed the slaves...learn your history.