If religious conservatives were wrong about slavery...how do you not know you are wrong about other issues?

Question

I know, I asked this yesterday afternoon...but, playing to a new audience this morning. :-)

The Southern Baptist denomination, (the largest protestant denomination in the world), formed because they supported slavery....they broke from the Northern Baptists, and thought slavery to be ordained by God. The institution of slavery is a Biblical principle. In 1995 the Southern Baptists at their convention finally apologized for their role in slavery...a little behind the times, dontcha think?

Anyway, if they, and other conservatives, were wrong about such a big issue as slavery...how do you not know that they are wrong about other issues of our day...such as homosexuality? Slavery and homosexuality are both addressed in the Bible?

How can anyone align themselves with such a denomination, knowing the terrible things they did.....in the name of God, and justifying it on the Bible? How can you give credence to anything they say or stand for?

Answer 1

I think many have said it here that this occurs throughout denominations. More is being revealed as the world is getting smaller by way of real time communication around the world not only by telephone but internet, media etc.

You must know the problems that the catholic church is faced with, they have been changing their ways of doing things since I was a child, this made me question this faith I was born into, I had heard all the stories of the Bible of course through school and church but they were always bits and pieces here and there stories of Noah, Moses, Jesus and the miracles he performed etc.

I decided to read the book from cover to cover, and once I did I realized so many things that are practiced today in catholism isn't in the Bible like Christmas, Jesus' birthday is not marked, only the signs of what season it was what time of year it was, they were taking sensors of the population so everyone had to go back to where they came from. They only did this every so many years so here is a point of interest, this is when Jesus was born.

Many of the rules of the catholic church have changed where women were to have their heads covered when in church and suddenly it was decided that it was ok not to. Its not just your faith, but it is ok for you to look and prove to yourself the words and works of God by reading the Bible and studying how the Bible came to be, wars were faught over this book, on which of the passages were to be left out of the Bible.

This says alot to me, when I read it now I have the knowledge that some of what I am reading is not necessarily chronologically correct. Especially in the Old Testaments. There are many guides out there to help you come to your own understanding and meaning it gives to your life or not. Its totally your choice. Peace

Answer 2

Why don't you read the Bible and learn a little history before criticizing. Slavery is not a principle in the Bible. Jesus said 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and it was stated that way in other ways throughout the Bible. Only the law of Moses permitted slavery, but only for criminals and people captured in battle. Since they didn't have prisons they had slavery. Conservatives believe in the Constitution-the original and main law of our land, that's why they are called Conservative. You even stated in your question that the southern Baptists broke with the northern Baptist over slavery, So the Southern Baptist weren't pro slavery which destroys your argument.

Answer 3

It's a false premise, bro.

Of course the Southern Baptists were wrong. As was EVERYONE who collectively went along with slavery.

That includes the non-Baptists, non-conservatives, and even some Blacks who supported the slave trade -- hard to believe they existed, but they did.

If you'd have worded your question with Southern Baptists instead of Religious Conservatives, you'd have had a better platform. Not much better, but better.

Of course they're bound to be wrong about other issues. They're human. And, as such, imperfect. Just like you or I.

Perhaps fixating on them isn't the answer. Perhaps working on your own inconsistencies might be a better use of your time.

Okay....bring on the "thumbs down".

Answer 4

Southern Baptista weren't the ones who invented the concept, it's their society had been telling them for years, centuries even. Then when one society puts the kabash on slavery and their supposed to just go along with. Sorry, its not that simple. Change takes time to adjust to. I hate the idea of slavery and I'm not a southern baptist or even protestant for that matter but you got to look at all sides here. Don't be so quick to judge. That's the problem with the world. Too many people judge others by the standards they set for themselves. Including homosexuality. I don't like homosexuality but I don't hate those who practice. Hate the sin and love the sinner. I'm not perfect and neither are you.

Answer 5

Very nicely put. I am a religous conservative, and yet, not all of us believe that. And I grew up with southern baptism as well. Yes there are those people that believe that homosexuality should be eliminated from the earth. But there are also some of us (myself included) that believe love should thrive wherever it wants. So I sincerely hope that you were not stereotyping this particular denomination, because that is almost as bad as what the southern baptists of old did. Some might even go so far as to call it hypocrisy. Have a good day!

Answer 6

Well that was 150+ years ago, and they literally interpreted the bible. To say "you were wrong once so you can never have a voice again" is wrong on your part. Yes that type of thought was stupid, ignorant (insert additional adjectives) etc. but those people are dead and gone and since then people have been educated. What you are saying is like people today demanding slavery reperations because their ancestors endured slavery. Also every religion has problems. every single one of them. Why should we listen to Muslims, Jews, Catholics, Lutherans, etc,. etc. People as groups make mistakes and a lot of times an apology coming late is just for show in this ultra PC world we live in, in fact I bet a majority of that faith already carry the burdan of knowing, and maybe many of them didn't know because it has been a non issue for so many years.

Answer 7

well, the way i look at it, you can't believe everything a religion says, only the bible... that is one of the biggest problems... interpretation of the bible, everyone has their own... it's sux for me right now, cuz i don't go to church anymore, cuz every church i've been too...there is always somehting i don't believe they are doin' is right. I love GOD with all my heart, but every one have their traditions that sometime get in the way of the real truth... the way i deal with is, is thinking about what GOD is? To me...everything about him, always breakdown to...LOVE.

So when it came down to the whole homosexuality thing... i just thought...now? would how would GOD want me to react to ppl with this sexual orientation? love... is what i get, i don't hate someone cuz of what they are..we are all GOD'S children...some might think it's wrong, but if it is really wrong, i'm sure that is somthing that GOD will take care of (even though i don't think it is)... because, some ppl would rather kill themselves then to really believe that they are gay...which is sad...i believe this is a test from GOD... Gay is Gay, just like ppl are ppl... more important things to worry about as a sin, is murder....

but getting back on the point... i believe in the bible and pray that "my" interpretation of it, is the same as GOD... not some church.

Answer 8

Well, at least the Southern Baptists apologized and no longer enslave people. In our modern day, slavery is still practiced in parts of Asia and Africa. What a Shame!

Answer 9

Get this into your capitalist-befuddled heads, slavery is not wrong, as many black American ex-slaves discovered when they were thrown out of reasonable conditions into the wage market, that had high unemployment and no social security, and many starved to death. Slavery in the OT was likewise preferable to starvation or execution, which were the alternatives back then. The NT _condemns_ the taking of slaves, but the SBs and others just ignored that bit.
.

Answer 10

you ask how can anyone align themselves with such, knowing the terrible things they did.... I must assume then that you are a Republican, for we all know it was the Democrats who suspected this same issue if slavery. or do you live by double standards, like most democrats?