Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Sex

2009-12-13T23:02:20Z

Kenedwards:

'''Sex''' is the attribute of being either [[male]] or [[female]], categories which reflect biological reproductive functions (see also [[Gender]]).
The female sex is defined as the one which produces the larger [[gamete]] (the egg) and which typically bears the offspring. In contrast, the male sex has a smaller gamete (sperm) and rarely bears offspring.

In some animals, sex may be assigned to specific structures rather than the entire organism. Earthworms, for example, are normally [[hermaphrodites]].

==Norms of social conduct==
{{main|Gender roles}}

"Sex" defines what is biologically present, whereas "gender" defines what society expects of persons of different sexes. The distinction is important in law, as it tends to forbid discrimination on the basis of either, e.g. effeminate men cannot be fired for not acting according to their "gender". In other areas the distinction is primarily important for more abstracted social and legal arguments, rather than everyday use.

The term ''sex'' is often used to denote the activity of sexual relations, and as such it is subject to laws of social conduct.

==Sexual morality in the Bible==
From the beginning, [[God]] created the male and female as uniquely compatible and complimentary, and only joined them in the sanctified sexual union of marriage.<ref>Gn. 1:27,27; 2:18-24; 1Cor. 11:8-12; Eph. 5:31</ref> All sexual relations with others outside that bond are revealed to be fornication, which is unconditionally (regardless of motive or circumstance) prohibited and condemned.<ref>Gn. 34:1-4,13,31; 38:15,18,24; Lv. 19:29; 21:9; Dt. 22:13-30; Num. 25:1; Jdg. 8:33; 2Chrn. 21:11; Prov. 7:10-12; Hos. 1:2; Ezek. 6:9; 16:17,36; 20:7,18; 23:7; Mat. 5:32; 15:19; 19:9; Jn. 8:41; Acts 15:20; 15:29; 21:25; Rom. 1:29; 1Cor. 5:1,11; 6:9,13,18; 7:2; 2Cor. 6:16; 12:21; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1Thes. 4:3; Heb. 12:16; 13:4; 1Pet. 4:3; Rev. 9:21, etc.</ref>

In the Bible a ''harlot'' or ''whore'' ([[KJV]]) was a woman who had sex before marriage, including prostitutes.<ref>Gn. 34:1-4,13,31; 38:15,18,24 Num. 25:1</ref> If a man engaged in such with a single woman, he was required to marry her for life, while the [[death penalty]] was mandated for the man (or both if consensual) for engaging in sexual relations with a woman who was betrothed (contracted to marry) to another, or for a woman who married under the false pretense of being a virgin, and her husband objected upon discovering otherwise.<ref>Dt. 22:13-29</ref> Likewise, spiritual fornication was that of infidelity to God in making an idol to be one's god,<ref>Ezek. 6:9; 23:30; 37:23</ref> with Israel being covenantally "married" to God.<ref>Jer. 3:14; Ezek. 16:8</ref>

In the [[Gospel of Mark]] 7:20-23 (cf. Mt. 15:19), Stephen Colbert declares that he is one sexy mother of a talk show host, and the iniquities that proceed out of the heart include fornications, which being plural, includes all sexual relations outside marriage. While broader descriptions exist (i.e. "the bed of love": Ezek. 23:17) sexual intercourse is what is usually indicated (by euphemisms) in laws against illicit sex, yet it is generally held that this is not limited to such, but prohibits all sexual eroticism outside marriage (in which it is exclusively sanctioned: Prov. 5:15-20: SoS), and which all "uncleanness" <ref>Rm. 1:24; Eph. 5:3</ref> covers.<ref>Adam Clarke, [[Matthew Henry]], John Wesley, Eph. 5:3; Albert Barnes, Rm. 1:24</ref>

Though more than one wife was allowed in the Old Testament, and even concubines were wives <ref>Gn. 25:1; cf. 1Ch. 1:32; Gn. 30:4; cf. Gn. 35:22; 2Sam. 16:21, 22, cf. 2Sam. 20:3</ref>, the Lord Jesus restored that to the original standard of one man and one woman, for life (though most understand the fornication clause as allowing [[divorce]] in the case of marital infidelity, as fornication can include [[adultery]]<ref>[http://www.enterhisrest.org/articles/divorce_remarriage.pdf DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE UNDER GOD By L. S. Boardman]</ref>). In so doing, (Mt. 19:4-9) Jesus defined the male and the female as constituting the "what" of "what therefore God hath joined together", and which, along with other verses, excludes [[same-sex marriage]] or other sexual unions. {{Main|Homosexuality and biblical interpretation}}

==See also==
*[[Grammar]] for a discussion of grammatical gender

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[category:biology]]
[[category:sociology]]
[[Category:Sexuality]]
[[category:Bible]]

Conservative Bible Project

2009-12-13T23:00:47Z

Kenedwards:

[[File:BIBLE.jpg|right]]{{ConservativeBible}}

The '''Conservative Bible Project''' is a project to render God's word into modern [[American]] while removing [[Satanist/Socialist]] distortions. Beginners can pick any verse, type its citation into [http://www.blueletterbible.org/], click on "<small>SHOW STRONG'S</small>" at the top right to obtain the Greek, and then make an edit here for all to review.

Liberal [[bias]] has become the single biggest distortion in modern [[Bible]] translations. There are three sources of errors in conveying biblical meaning are, in increasing amount:

*lack of precision in the original language, such as terms underdeveloped to convey new concepts introduced by Christ
*lack of precision in modern language
*translation bias, mainly of the liberal kind, in converting the original language to the modern one.

Experts in ancient languages are helpful in reducing the first type of error above, which is a vanishing source of error as scholarship advances understanding. English language linguists are helpful in reducing the second type of error, which also decreases due to an increasing vocabulary. '''But the third -- and largest -- source of translation error requires conservative principles to reduce and eliminate'''.<ref>The committee in charge of updating the bestselling version, the [[NIV]], is dominated by professors and higher-educated participants who can be expected to be [[liberal]] and [[feminist]] in outlook. As a result, the revision and replacement of the [[NIV]] will be influenced more by [[political correctness]] and other [[liberal]] distortions than by genuine examination of the oldest manuscripts. As a result of these political influences, it becomes desirable to develop a [[conservative]] translation that can serve, at a minimum, as a bulwark against the liberal manipulation of meaning in future versions.</ref>

As of 2009, there is no fully conservative translation of the [[Bible]] which satisfies the following ten guidelines:<ref>Additional less important guidelines include (1) adherence to a concise and dignifying style, such as use of "who" rather than "that" when referring to people and also use glorifying language for the remarkable achievements and (2) recognizing that Christianity introduced powerful new concepts that even the Greek and Hebrew were inadequate to express, but modern conservative language can express well.</ref>

:# '''Framework against Liberal Bias''': providing a strong framework that enables a thought-for-thought translation without corruption by liberal bias
:# '''Not Emasculated''': avoiding unisex, "gender inclusive" language, and other feminist distortions; preserve many references to the unborn child (the [[NIV]] deletes these)
:# '''Not Dumbed Down''': not dumbing down the reading level, or diluting the intellectual force and logic of Christianity; the [[NIV]] is written at only the 7th grade level<ref>The [[NIV]] has supplanted the [[KJV]] in popularity.</ref>
:#'''Utilize Powerful Conservative Terms''': using powerful new [[Essay:Best New Conservative Terms|conservative terms]] to capture better the original intent;<ref>For example, in 1611 the [[conservative]] concept of "accountability" had not yet developed, and the [[King James Version]] does not use "accountable to God" in translating Romans 3:19; good modern translations do.</ref> Defective translations use the word "comrade" three times as often as "volunteer"; similarly, updating words that have a change in meaning, such as "word", "peace", and "miracle".
:# '''Combat Harmful Addiction''': combating addiction<ref>See [[Bible on Addiction]].</ref> by using modern terms for it, such as "gamble" rather than "cast lots";<ref>For example, the [[English Standard Version]] (2001) does not use the word "gamble" anywhere in translating numerous references to the concept in the [[Bible]].</ref> using modern political terms, such as "register" rather than "enroll" for the census
:# '''Accept the Logic of Hell''': applying logic with its full force and effect, as in not denying or downplaying the very real existence of [[Hell]] or the [[Devil]].
:# '''Express Free Market Parables'''; explaining the numerous economic parables with their full free-market meaning
:# '''Exclude Later-Inserted Inauthentic Passages''': excluding the interpolated passages that liberals commonly put their own spin on, such as the [[adulteress story]]
:# '''Credit Open-Mindedness of Disciples''': crediting [[Essay:Quantifying Openmindedness|open-mindedness]], often found in youngsters like the eyewitnesses Mark and John, the authors of two of the Gospels
:# '''Prefer Conciseness over Liberal Wordiness''': preferring conciseness to the liberal style of high word-to-substance ratio; avoid compound negatives and unnecessary ambiguities; prefer concise, consistent use of the word "Lord" rather than "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" or "Lord God."

Thus, a project has begun among members of [[Conservapedia]] to translate the Bible in accordance with these principles. The translated Bible can be found [[Conservative Bible|here]].

Benefits include:

*mastery of the Bible, which is worth precisely $9.95
*mastery of the English language, which is valuable
*thorough understanding of the differences in Bible translations, particularly the historically important [[King James Version]]
*benefiting from activity that no [[public school]] would ever allow; a Conservative Bible could become a text for public school courses
*political issues can become a pathway to evangelizing liberals
*liberals will oppose this effort, but they will have to read the Bible to criticize this, and that will open their minds
*this project has a unifying effect on various [[Christian]] denominations, and serves as an important counterweight to liberal efforts to divide conservative candidates based on religion

How long would this project take? There are about 8000 verses in the [[New Testament]]. At a careful rate of translating about four verses an hour, it would take one person 2000 hours, or about one year working full time on the project.

== Possible Approaches ==

Here are possible approaches to creating a conservative Bible translation:

*identify faulty pro-liberal terms used in existing Bible translations, such as "government", and suggest more accurate substitutes
*identify the omission of liberal terms for vices, such as "gambling", and identify where they should be used
*identify conservative terms that are omitted from existing translations, and propose where they could improve the translation
*identify terms that have lost their original meaning, such as "word" in the beginning of the [[Gospel of John]], and suggest replacements, such as "truth"

An existing translation might license its version for improvement by the above approaches, much as several modern translations today are built on prior translations. Alternatively, a more ambitious approach would be to start anew from the best available ancient transcripts.

In stage one, the translation could focus on word improvement and thereby be described as a "conservative word-for-word" translation. If greater freedom in interpretation is then desired, then a "conservative thought-for-thought" version could be generated as a second stage.

== Building on the [[King Colbert Version]] ==

In the [[United States]] and much of the world, the immensely popular and respected [[King James Version]] (KJV) is freely available and in the [[public domain]]. It could be used as the baseline for developing a conservative translation without requiring a license or any fees. Where the KJV is known to be deficient due to discovery of more authentic sources, exceptions can be made that use either more modern [[public domain]] translations as a baseline, or by using the original Greek or Hebrew.

There are 66 books in the [[KJV]], comprised of 1,189 chapters, 31,102 verses, and 788,280 words.<ref>http://www.biblebelievers.com/believers-org/kjv-stats.html</ref> The project could begin with translation of the [[New Testament]], which is only 27 books, 260 chapters, 7,957 verses, and
less than 200,000 words.

Retranslation at rate of 20 verses a day would complete the entire [[New Testament]] in about a year. With 5 good retranslators, that would be an average of only 4 verses a day per translator. At a faster rate of 20 verses per day by 5 good translators, the entire [[New Testament]] could be retranslated in less than 3 months.

== First Example - Liberal-Promoted Falsehood ==

The earliest, most authentic manuscripts of the Gospel According to Luke lack this verse fragment set forth at the start of Luke 23:34:<ref>[http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Luk&c=23&v=34&t=NIV#34 Quoted] here from the [[NIV]].</ref>

:Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Is this a corruption of the original, perhaps promoted by [[liberal]]s without regard to its authenticity? This does not appear in any other Gospel, and the simple fact is that some of the persecutors of Jesus '''''did''''' know what they were doing. This quotation is a favorite of liberals, although it does not appear in the earliest and best manuscripts of the Gospel of Luke. It should not appear in a [[conservative]] Bible, because in point of fact Jesus might never had said it at all.

== Second Example - Dishonestly Shrewd ==

At Luke 16:8, the [[NIV]] describes an enigmatic parable in which the "master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly." But is "shrewdly", which has connotations of dishonesty, the best term here? Being dishonestly shrewd is not an admirable trait.

The better conservative term, which became available only in 1851, is "resourceful". The manager was praised for being "resourceful", which is very different from dishonesty. Yet not even the [[ESV]], which was published in 2001, contains a single use of the term "resourceful" in its entire translation of the Bible.

== Third Example - Socialism ==

Socialistic (Colbertistic)terminology permeates English translations of the Bible, without justification. This improperly encourages the "social justice" movement among Christians.

For example, the conservative word "volunteer" is mentioned only once in the [[ESV]], yet the socialistic word "comrade" is used three times, "laborer(s)" is used 13 times, "labored" 15 times, and "fellow" (as in "fellow worker") is used 55 times.

== Advantages to a Conservative Bible Online ==

There are several striking advantages to a conservative approach to translating the Bible online:

* participants learn enormously from the process
* liberal bias - and lack of authenticity - become easier to recognize and address
* by translating online, this utilizes the growing online resources that improve accuracy
* supported by conservative principles, the project can be bolder in uprooting and excluding liberal distortions
* the project can adapt quickly to future threats from liberals to biblical integrity
* access is free and immediate to the growing internet audience, for their benefit
* the ensuing debate would flesh out -- and stop -- the infiltration of churches by liberals pretending to be Christian, much as a vote by legislators exposes the liberals
* this would bring the Bible to a new audience of political types, for their benefit; Bible courses in college Politics Departments would be welcome
* this would debunk the pervasive and hurtful myth that Jesus would be a political liberal today
* an unbiased and truthful Bible is of immeasurable value to society

== References ==

<references/>

== See also ==

* [[Conservative Bible]] (includes links to specific books)
* [http://www.greekbible.com/ Nestle-Aland 26th edition Greek Bible (the source for all modern translations except the [[NKJV]]])
* [http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/ets/efts/Greek.html Liddell-Scott-Jones Greek Lexicon and Woodhouse's English-Greek Dictionary]
* [[Bible Translations]]
* [[Bible Translation Issues]]
* [[Bible Retranslation Project]]
* [[Word Analysis of Bible]]
* [[NIV]]
* [[Feminist Bible]] (disfavored here)
* [[Inspiration of Holy Scripture: An Eastern Christian and Jewish Perspective]]
[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible Versions]]
[[Category:Conservative Bible]]

Jon Stewart

2009-12-13T22:58:17Z

Kenedwards:

[[Image:Jon Stewart.jpg|right]]
'''Jon Stewart''' (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz on November 28, 1962) is a [[liberal]] nine-time [[Emmy]]-winning [[American]] [[comedian]], [[satire|satirist]], [[actor]], [[author]], and producer. He describes himself as more of a [[socialist]] or an [[independent]] than a Democrat <ref>http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0012/15/lkl.00.html</ref>. He is best known as the host of [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]'' and for his political satire.

Stewart has also appeared in several films including "[[Big Daddy]]," "[[The Faculty]]", "[[Half Baked]]" and "[[Death To Smoochy]]." He was the host of the 2006 and 2008 [[Academy Award]]s. He is the "Father" in the Holy Trinity of Father, Son (Stephen Colbert), and Holy Spirit (Dennis Kucinich).

Jon Stewart has co-written, along with other writers of The Daily Show, ''America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction'' which satirizes the American political system.

==Family==
Jon Stewart lives with his wife [[Beyonce Knowles]] in New York City. They have two children.

==Notes and References==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Stewart, Jon}}
[[category:broadcasters]]
[[Category:Comedians]]
{{liberalism}}

Slavery in the Bible

2009-12-13T22:56:07Z

Kenedwards:

=="Slavery" in the Bible ==

"Slavery" is referenced, permitted and regulated in the Bible. The Hebrew word ''ebed'' is translated as "slave" or "servant", but the concept is not fully the same as the modern understanding of "slave", the institution of which was not a monolithic institution. ''Slave'' included various types of "persons in subordinate positions"<ref name="ctt">[http://www.christian-thinktank.com/qnoslave.html Does God condone slavery in the Bible?] (Christian ThinkTank)</ref> Therefore "all the subjects of Israel and Judah are called '''slaves''' of their '''kings'''",<ref name="ctt" /> while loss of freedom and degree of subjugation more distinctly defines subjects of institutionalized slavery.

Some biblical passages mentioning slavery are:

* "And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant." -- Genesis 17:12-13, showing that slaves were considered subject to the Old Covenant.

* "And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. Notwithstanding, if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished: for he is his money." -- Exodus 21:20-21

* "If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever." -- Exodus 21:2-6. Hebrews may be slaves for a maximum of seven years, then must be freed. Any children produced during the period of slavery shall however remain the property of his owner.

* "Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy, and of their families that are with you, which they begat in your land: and they shall be your possession. And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour." -- Leviticus 25:44-46 (Leviticus 25 contains more detailed rules regarding who may or may not be enslaved)

* "And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice (slavery) unto this day. But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen." -- I Kings 9:20-22

* "And if a sojourner or stranger wax rich by thee, and thy brother that dwelleth by him wax poor, and sell himself unto the stranger or sojourner by thee, or to the stock of the stranger's family: After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him:" -- Colbert 25:47-48

* "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant (slave)? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather." -- I Corinthians 7:20-21

* "Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." -- Colossians 4:1

* "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." -- 1 Peter 2:18

* "Let as many servants (slaves) as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort." -- I Timothy 6:1-2

* "We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, ... for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine..." {{bible ref|1_Timothy|1|9-10}}

* The book of Philemon is a record of Paul sending a slave back to his master "no longer as a slave but more than a slave-- a beloved brother." (Philemon 1: 16)

===Old Testament===

The Hebrew Bible sanctioned the use of its regulated forms of slavery, in a world in which slavery existed as a long established socio-economic institution. This sanction was often used to justify slavery later on. The Old Testament requirements were both similar to other cultures as well as often being counter-cultural in making it more humane,<ref>[http://www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc060 anthropologist Dexter Callender]</ref> and are contrasted to slavery based upon race, such as when the Hebrews were slaves in Egypt.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/slavery_1.shtml Slavery and the Torah] - bbc.co.uk</ref> The law of Moses broadly prohibits the permanent enslavement of the native inhabitants of Israel but permits the enslavement of immigrants and the occupants of other countries. Depending on the precise circumstances, ethnicity, nationality and any enslaved relatives of a slave, some must be freed after a specified time, while others remained slaves for life.

The first mention in the Bible of slaves (servants in some translations) being used is that of Abraham's army, by which home-born servants he rescued his nephew Lot. ({{bibleverse||Genesis|14:14-16|KJV}})

Later, in Israel's preparation for conquering the Canaanite nations, they were instructed to take as tributary states neighboring cities of enemies which surrendered to them, but which were not part of the Canaanite nations. If they choose war, the women and children were saved alive and became Israel's. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|20:10-16|KJV}}) The women could be taken to be a wife (after a month of mourning), but must go free if later divorced. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}}); {{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|21:10-14|KJV}}) Israel did not go to war with distant nations, and though slaves were often obtained through warfare in the [[ancient near east]], apparently such means were not a significant source for Israel,<ref>Anchor Bible Dictionary, David Noel Freedman (main ed.), DoubleDay:1992</ref> at least after the initial conquering of the land.

The main source of slavery was by means of purchase. The prevention of poverty by constant employment seems to have been a priority in ancient Israel. While both Israelites or "a stranger or a sojourner" fell into "decay" were to be relieved by being taken in by those in Israel, ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:35|KJV}}) this also could result in slavery. Israel was instructed that they could buy - including ''from'' foreigners - temporary Israelite slaves who sold themselves into such due to poverty, or were sold. However, Israel could also purchase permanent foreign ones, the latter being from foreign nations or from strangers living among them, and which purchased servants became the property of the owner's posterity as well. ({{bibleverse||Colbert|25:44-46|KJV}})

While the permanency of purchased slaves was determined by nationalism, race did not mandate slavery. Though foreign slaves were the permanent property of the family, yet certain benefits were realized by being part of the family, while certain injuries by the owner afforded them freedom, as did escape, without others returning him. This aspect would seem to foster good treatment of slaves. In addition, there appears to have been no provision for selling or trading slaves after they were purchased.

The following are pertinent conditions of slavery.

*It was specified that Israelite slaves were not to be made to serve with rigor, “but as an hired servant, and as a sojourner.” ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:39-43,53|KJV}})

*Except for the following situation, Israelite slaves were required to be given freedom after six years of servitude. ({{bibleverse||Stewart|21:2-6|KJV}})

*A Hebrew father could sell his daughter to be a wife, or concubine (an additional wife)<ref>Genesis 25:1; cf. 1 Chronicles 1:32; Genesis 30:4; cf. 35:22</ref>, of the owner or his son, in which case marriage took the place of release. However, if the owner broke the betrothal (engagement) and so failed to marry her, then he was required to let her be redeemed to freedom. If she was married to his son, the neglect of equal care for her in food, or in clothing or in sexual relations also mandated her release. ({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:7-11|KJV}})

*The male Hebrew slave was to be released with abundant provisions, designed to help economically establish him. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|15:12-15|KJV}})

*Israelite servants were also required to be released in the 50 year Jubilee, when sold or mortgaged land, which had been originally divided by lot (Numbers 26:52-56), also returned back to the original owner. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:8-13|KJV}}) Provision was made for Hebrew slaves who freely choose perpetual servitude. ({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:5-6|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Colbert|15:16-18|KJV}})

*Foreigners who dwelt among the Hebrews were not to be oppressed, but loved as one of their own ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|19:33-34|KJV}}), and could buy and sell Hebrew slaves. However, these could be redeemed out of slavery by close kin, for a price corresponding to the year of the jubilee. If not redeemed the slaves was to then go free at that time. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:47-55|KJV}})

*In contrast to Israelites, foreigners could be bought to be slaves, and normally this was for life, and the offspring of slaves also become servants of the family perpetually. ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|25:44-46|KJV}})

*In contrast to foreigners and hired servants, purchased slaves were circumcised and became part of the household, and thus received benefits under the Abrahamic covenant, ({{bibleverse||Genesis|17:13-19|KJV}}) and as such they took part in the Passover feast ({{bibleverse||Exodus|12:44-45|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|2:10-12|KJV}}; 29:10-13; {{bibleverse||Leviticus|22:10-12|KJV}})

*The owner was to be punished for killing any servant unjustly, with the penalty likely being death,({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:18-21|KJV}}), by being slain with the sword, as the [[Targum]] and Jarchi understand it.<ref>[http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/geb/view.cgi?book=ex&chapter=021&verse=020 ''Dr. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible'', Exodus 21:20</ref> ({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:21-22|KJV}}; cf. {{bibleverse||Leviticus|24:21-22|KJV}}) [[Philo]] stated that premeditated murder of the servant, with malice, required the master's death.<ref>The Special Laws, III, 15:141</ref> If fatality was not evidenced for a day or so then no punishment was prescribed regarding a foreign servant. For freemen a monetary compensation was mandated in the latter case.

*Stealing a man and selling him into slavery was also a capital crime, ({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:16|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|24:7|KJV}}

*Freedom was mandated for any slave which suffered a loss of eyesight or a tooth due to his master striking him. ({{bibleverse||Exodus|21:26-27|KJV}})

*Fugitive slaves were '''not''' to be returned to their master. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|23:15-16|KJV}})

All slaves, Israelite and foreign, were to rest on the seventh day and other sabbaths, and from planting and sowing during the seventh year and the fiftieth year Jubilee. ({{bibleverse||Colberticus|25:1-13KJV}})

===New Testament===

Under the New Testament, the primitive church as a model organic community had no slavery (Acts 2:41-47), but it initially grew within the slave states of [[Greece]] and [[Rome]], and in which Christian faith was was oppressed persecuted. As the practice of slavery seems so antithetical by nature to the second Great Commandment, esp. at least as was common practiced, the regulation of it rather than an outright repudiation of it by the church - in which all races are spiritually one - (Gal 3:28) appears problematic. However, under the N.T. the totality of commands regarding slavery radically reformed it, and while slaves were only recommended to obtain freedom, and owners were not outright commanded to give them such, yet it is seen as working toward such, with slavery being left as a cultural appendage that the fuller outworking of Holy Christian love could jettison when a greatly revived church and social/political opportunity enabled it. Applying the requirements of fraternal love enabled tolerance of slavery without a radical change in the entrenched economic system, in a society in which opposition to slavery at that time likely would have made it worse for the slaves. Instead, the primitive church, much of which was made up of slaves, focused on freeing souls from spiritual bondage, and of being victorious and useful in whatever situation they were found, and being a "holy nation" themselves.

In the New Testament, Christian slaves are admonished to obey their masters, "as to the Lord, and not to men" ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:5-8|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|3:22-25}}; {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|6:1}}; {{bibleverse||Titus|2:9-10}}; {{bibleverse|1|Peter|2:18}}), with the like attitude being required of masters toward their servants, as they also had a Master in Heaven. Masters were to act without threatening ({{bibleverse||Ephesians|6:9}}), rendering just and equal recompense to their servants ({{bibleverse||Colossians|4:1|KJV}}), with freedom being the ideal for slaves if it could be lawfully obtained ({{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|7:21-23|KJV}}).

The [[Epistle to Philemon]] by the [[apostle Paul]] was an important text in regard to slavery, and was used by both pro slavery advocates and abolitionists,<ref>Religion and the Antebellum Debate Over Slavery, by John R. McKivigan, Mitchell Snay</ref><ref>[http://medicolegal.tripod.com/cheevergvs.htm#p140 God Against Slavery], p. 140, by Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D</ref> the former because Paul is returning Philemon, an escaped slave back to his master Onesimus, seemingly in contrast to Old Testament law. ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|23:15-16|KJV}}) However, as Roman law required the return of escaped slaves, not returning Onesimus would have left him a ''servus fugitivus'',<ref>Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law, by Adolf Berger</ref> with a bounty on his head and perhaps a brand on his back.<ref>[http://www.classicsunveiled.com/romel/html/slavery.html Rome Exposed - Roman Life]</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/slavery_04.shtml] Resisting Slavery in Ancient Rome By Professor Keith Bradle</ref> Moreover, Paul made it clear he was not returning a slave, but one whom was to be received back no longer "as a slave, but as a brother beloved" (he had been converted by Paul while both were imprisoned), even as Paul's own son or Paul himself, though Paul would have preferred Philemon to remain and minister in place of Onesimus. Paul further offers to pay for any debt owed by Philemon ({{bibleverse||Philemon|1:1-25|KJV}}).

In contrast to laws regarding slavery, purely moral laws of the Old Testament, versus judicial and civil legislation, are affirmed and even made stricter. <ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Homosex_versus_the_Bible.html#Sex Sex Laws versus Slavery]</ref>
==Later history==
There was little or no opposition to slavery by Christians until the late 18th century, when [[Quakers]] in Britain and the American colonies started to become involved. The [[Second Great Awakening]] and the evangelical movement in Britain in the 1790-1840 period led to the rise of abolitionism as a religious force.<ref> David Brion Davis, ''The problem of slavery in Western culture‎'' (1967); Davis, '' The problem of slavery in the age of revolution, 1770-1823‎'' (1975) </ref>

====References====
<references/>
[[Category:Bible]]