Whenever a Christian says that it is impossible to be moral without God I like to remind them that the god of the bible condones slavery - and that is immoral.
The Christians invariably disagree. Most of them have never read the bible and wouldn't have a clue what it says about the subject, but they know slavery is immoral and simply assume that God would also be against it.
Other Christians have already been embarrassed by the "bible condones slavery" argument and they have taken steps to recover the high moral ground by discovering what the bible actually has to say on the subject. They are quick to point out that the 25th chapter of Leviticus makes a clear distinction between servants and slaves and then goes on to warn against treating a fellow Hebrew as a slave.
Furthermore (says the Christian apologist) it is completely wrong to say the bible condones slavery because, in Exodus 21:16, it specifically warns against the practice and orders the death penalty for that particular crime:
Original video here:
What Fischer fails to tell his listeners, however, is that the texts mentioned above are referring to Hebrews only. Hebrews must be treated as servants and not as slaves. Hebrews must not be kidnapped and sold into slavery. But anyone else is fair game! Here it is in Leviticus chapter 25, the bible condoning slavery:
Verse 46 also states that Hebrews should not be treated as ruthlessly as the slaves - so how ruthlessly were the slaves treated? Check out Exodus 21:20-21.
So here's a little test that will indicate the level of dishonesty employed by the believers as they desperately try to protect their god from ridicule:
Just look for a reference to Leviticus 25:44-46 anywhere in the article they have produced (blog, video, book, speech, or whatever).
You will never find that text anywhere in their apologetics because they cannot defend it - so they just ignore it. They know it's there, but they dare not mention it, because it clearly shows that the bible does condone slavery. They are lying by omission; telling lies for Jesus!
I have more to say on the subject here:
The Christians invariably disagree. Most of them have never read the bible and wouldn't have a clue what it says about the subject, but they know slavery is immoral and simply assume that God would also be against it.
Other Christians have already been embarrassed by the "bible condones slavery" argument and they have taken steps to recover the high moral ground by discovering what the bible actually has to say on the subject. They are quick to point out that the 25th chapter of Leviticus makes a clear distinction between servants and slaves and then goes on to warn against treating a fellow Hebrew as a slave.
In other words, it seems that rather than condoning slavery as its detractors maintain, the bible actually has laws against slavery. And that point is clarified in the 21st chapter of Exodus:If your brother becomes poor beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not make him serve as a slave: he shall be with you as a hired servant. Leviticus 25:39-40 (English Standard version)
This enables the Christian to suggest that while the bible unfortunately uses the word "slave" it is clear that something different is being spoken about in those texts. The bible seems to be talking about a negotiated contract between employer and employee. The contract lasts six years and then the worker (who is NOT a slave) can negotiate another contract with another employer. Also, despite the unfortunate wording in the bible, the employer is not actually buying a slave, but merely paying wages to his employee.When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. Exodus 21:2 (English Standard Version)
Furthermore (says the Christian apologist) it is completely wrong to say the bible condones slavery because, in Exodus 21:16, it specifically warns against the practice and orders the death penalty for that particular crime:
Here's how Bryan Fischer made the point on his Focal Point radio program on May 28th, 2014:Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. Exodus 21:16 (English Standard Version)
Original video here:
What Fischer fails to tell his listeners, however, is that the texts mentioned above are referring to Hebrews only. Hebrews must be treated as servants and not as slaves. Hebrews must not be kidnapped and sold into slavery. But anyone else is fair game! Here it is in Leviticus chapter 25, the bible condoning slavery:
No employment contract there. No freedom after seven years. These people are slaves for life and if their owner dies they are still his property and can be bequeathed to others in his will. And also in verse 46: a clear distinction between Hebrew servants and foreign slaves.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. Leviticus 25:44-46 (English Standard version)
Verse 46 also states that Hebrews should not be treated as ruthlessly as the slaves - so how ruthlessly were the slaves treated? Check out Exodus 21:20-21.
Does that sound like a healthy relationship between employer and employee, or is it a biblical law condoning slavery?When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money. Exodus 21:20-21
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So here's a little test that will indicate the level of dishonesty employed by the believers as they desperately try to protect their god from ridicule:
Just look for a reference to Leviticus 25:44-46 anywhere in the article they have produced (blog, video, book, speech, or whatever).
You will never find that text anywhere in their apologetics because they cannot defend it - so they just ignore it. They know it's there, but they dare not mention it, because it clearly shows that the bible does condone slavery. They are lying by omission; telling lies for Jesus!
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I have more to say on the subject here:
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