Religious Argument of Slavery

Deciphering Religious Text's Opinion on Slavery

Though widely popularized in the United States during the 1800s, the concept and use of slavery has been around since the biblical times. While examining the Bible, Torah, and the Quran we’ve noticed multiple contradictions on the topic of slavery. Some sources condemn it, while others condone it.

In Leviticus 25:44-46 of the Bible, it states, “As for your male and female slaves whom you may have: you may buy male and female slaves from among the nations that are around you. You may also buy from among the strangers who sojourn with you and their clans that are with you, who have been born in your land, and they may be your property. You may bequeath them to your sons after you to inherit as a possession forever. You may make slaves of them, but over your brothers the people of Israel you shall not rule, one over another ruthlessly” (Open Bible). This source would condone the buying and selling of slaves, one may even say that it encourages it.

In contrast to this, Exodus 21:16, it states, “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death” (Open Bible). This “stealing” of a human, is slavery in its simplest definition. These two contradicting statements made Bible readers have varying opinions on the issue of slavery. For one page read it was allowed and encouraged, and another page read that whomever participates in the buying of slaves should be put to death.

The Torah also has the same issue with contradictions regarding slavery. In Exodus 1:10-14 it suggests that the Exodus does not say that the Israelites were slaves (‘ebed) in Egypt, although it is clear from the text that it was very much like slavery as we normally understand it and they were brought out of Egypt in order to "serve God" (bethinking.org). As far as the Torah goes, more often than not, slavery was condoned. For cross referencing beliefs, it is contradicting across the board. Many religious readings allow for slavery, but they also highly discourage it.

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