Yes indeed. It was the Bible and their Christian beliefs which were at the basis for the pro-slavery supporters' position, so it is at least interesting to get a window into the minds of people who lived in a different age.
Owning another human being relegates them to objects. Humans either have intrinsic value or they don't. Does Christianity propose that humans have no intrinsic value? From my own knowledge of Christianity, I would say that is not the current format of belief practiced by any Christian group in the world.
Owning another human being means a system is in place where you too could be owned. Do unto others, and you set the precedent to do unto you - would you like to be a slave? Would you like your wife or children, your mother or father to be enslaved?. Didn't Jesus have something to say about doing unto others?
Other individuals have the same right to freedom as you do. Any argument you make in support of your own freedom is an argument in support of theirs. Or does Christianity propose that humans don't have rights or freedoms?
Slavery caused endless suffering, beatings, rapes, murders and impoverished generations of people because of the colour of their skin, the content of their beliefs, or the fact that they were from that village over there which we beat up. Does Christianity support rape, murder, and physical violence?
Slavery is an aspect of our species' early juvenile morality where we lacked compassion for those outside our group. Slavery is an effect of racism, hatred, and xenophobia. Is Christianity in support of racism, hatred, and xenophobia?
Of course, as is the nature of religious 'holy texts', other people can read what they want into the words too.
As such, those opposing slavery would cite Luke 16:13, and writers of the day would argue against slavery from Christian or religious positions.
For example, Granville Sharp:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004891913.0001.000?rgn=main;view=fulltext
Owning another human being relegates them to objects. Humans either have intrinsic value or they don't. Does Christianity propose that humans have no intrinsic value? From my own knowledge of Christianity, I would say that is not the current format of belief practiced by any Christian group in the world.
Owning another human being means a system is in place where you too could be owned. Do unto others, and you set the precedent to do unto you - would you like to be a slave? Would you like your wife or children, your mother or father to be enslaved?. Didn't Jesus have something to say about doing unto others?
Other individuals have the same right to freedom as you do. Any argument you make in support of your own freedom is an argument in support of theirs. Or does Christianity propose that humans don't have rights or freedoms?
Slavery caused endless suffering, beatings, rapes, murders and impoverished generations of people because of the colour of their skin, the content of their beliefs, or the fact that they were from that village over there which we beat up. Does Christianity support rape, murder, and physical violence?
Slavery is an aspect of our species' early juvenile morality where we lacked compassion for those outside our group. Slavery is an effect of racism, hatred, and xenophobia. Is Christianity in support of racism, hatred, and xenophobia?
Of course, as is the nature of religious 'holy texts', other people can read what they want into the words too.
As such, those opposing slavery would cite Luke 16:13, and writers of the day would argue against slavery from Christian or religious positions.
For example, Granville Sharp:
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004891913.0001.000?rgn=main;view=fulltext