Equivocating on the word slavery
Equivocation happens when someone shifts from a definition of a word, to another, within an argument.
When atheists accuse the Bible of condoning Slavery they are equivocating. When we think of slavery we think of: whips, chains, people being kidnaped against their will, being uneducated, beaten, raped, malnourished, forced to work long hours every day of the week and treated as property for life. This is not how slaves from old or New Testament times were to be treated.
Old Testament Slavery was different
The Old Testament version of slavery was much different. Slaves were more like indentured servants. They were loved, treated like family, educated, treated like hired workers, given time off, and in some cases allowed to go free on the year of Jubilee. Not only were they set free, they were given a generous care package to help them get on their feet again. In many cases, the slave's family could purchase them out of slavery. Slaves were to be taught the Jewish faith and made to participate in their feasts. Many of these Jewish feasts were like a great big party. They had fun and overate on all kinds of wonderful food. Slaves of war were allowed to marry and have children. The slave owner was encouraged to help raise these children as if they were his own. Does this sound like the slavery of America's past? You may not like it. You may still think this is cruel but it certainly is not the cruel slavery that is found throughout the world.
What is indentured servitude?
It's like when you go out to eat, finish your meal and then realize you don't have any money. What happens? You end up washing dishes until you hav |
