A Glimpse of Modern Day Slavery (Part 2 of 2)

As I mentioned in the previous post, slavery is not over. Millions are being oppressed right under our noses in America, and an even greater number throughout the world. Slavery no longer resides in the cotton fields or in shacks, but its same old tricks still continue today. The lack of education, lack of independence for provision, and the continuation of human trafficking are just three ways that slavery has continued to exist, and need to be stopped.

Frederick Douglas, an escaped slave turned speaker for the abolitionist movement, wrote in his biography (found in the Norton Literature Anthology 7th ed. Vol. B) very powerful words about his experience between the connections of slavery and education. He tells of a story where his master rebuked his mistress for teaching Douglas to read. “Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world. Now, said he, if you teach that nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no keeping him.” (Douglas 2086). Douglas Points out that the oppression of slaves relied heavily upon the slaves being uneducated. This trend continues today. According to the 2002 Government Literacy Survey 85% of the American sample who completed 12 years or less of school (without graduating High school) cannot read a paragraph and answer questions on what they had read. (Level 2 proficiency pg 26).

We can also see how a link between the inability to provide for oneself can be an oppressive force. By needing to rely on another entity for food, shelter, and the basic necessities of life, this gives over complete control of the person’s life to the provider, making the person completely dependent upon the provider. According to the 2009 Census data as reported by the Washington post, 44 million people live below the poverty line in the United States. That is roughly 15% of the U.S. population or a little over 1 in 7 people that rely fully upon another agency to provide for their entire well-being. This in turn forces those recipients to be obliged to vote a certain way, or perform certain tasks to maintain their ability to survive.

Lastly, and perhaps the least well known of the listed forms of oppression is the continuation of the industry of buying and selling humans. No longer do those humans work in the field, but now they are confined to the bedrooms and households of their “owners.” As a Sacramento area resident I was appalled when the statistic was released that the Sacramento area is suspected of being within the top 5 largest areas for the underground sex trafficking. I don’t think I need to describe why this form of human trafficking is a form of slavery, but in every sense of the name, it is.

Although the whips and chains are gone, it is very apparent to see the mediums of slavery still very much alive in American culture, As Christians, it is our job to stop it! We had a war to get rid of the physical signs of bondage, so shouldn’t we be ready to once again fight for the freedom from oppression for the American people? Notice I only gave the statistics for problems in America where slavery is illegal, but when you view these types of injustices as slavery, it is hard not to broaden your scope.

How about the refusal to allow women an education in extremist territories in the Afghanistan and Pakistan? What about the starving people all throughout the African countries, or even the Asian countries? If we are appalled by sex trafficking statistics here, we couldn’t begin to think what they are like around the world. International Justice Mission reports that “over 2 million children are being exploited in the commercial sex industry.” I leave you with a bit for thought, If we were willing to go war to free the American people from this oppression, and should be up in arms at what is happening just in America, shouldn’t we as humans be willing to begin to free other parts of the world from the tyranny and oppression that holds them in bondage, or is the value of our dollar worth more than that person’s freedom?

If any of this has struck a chord, there are ways you can help. Go volunteer a day in a local elementary school or after school program, read to a child, or let a child read to you. Donate food in canned food drives, or organize one yourself. Be on the lookout for a way to help friends and neighbors in this hurting economy. Lastly, if you want to learn more about trafficking, I am no salesperson, but I absolutely encourage you to look at International Justice Mission and their website for more information.

Does the Bible Support Slavery? (Part 1 of 2 Part Post)

Often Christians are accused of using the Bible as an oppressive tool used by a theocratic population to hold down those who are different. Or something like that. We have all heard in history class how Christian Romans had slaves that built their empire to its greatness, how Crusaders took slaves from the many wars on their way to and from the Holy Land, and how the Bible was an oppressive tool used in the institution of American Slavery, due to it's mention of slaves and the need to obey their earthly masters. As Christians, we have vehemently fought against this notion, yet still stand extremely unclear of what the Bible really says, and what this really means for us today.

Where does the Bible really stand on the issue of slavery? It is clear that slavery was allowed and accepted in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. We can see that Exodus 21 lays out laws for buying a slave that is a Hebrew, and the conditions for their release on the 7th year. (It is important to note that Hebrews entered the bondage of slavery by choice, due to lack of ability to pay a debt, or provide for themselves.Today we would call this indentured servitude.)(Exodus 21:2). We then see a much harsher form of slavery meant for Gentiles, or anyone who was not of Hebrew descent, in Exodus 21:20, where masters are to be put to death if they kill their slaves, but it is permissible to knock them unconscious for 2-3 days. In Leviticus 25:46 it then says you can “gift them to your children as property.” We can then see that Paul addresses slaves in the New Testament. (Ephesians 6:5).

It is true that the Bible is full of commandments for slaves, but it is not as direct as it may seem. First, while the New Testament addresses slaves as a reality in society; it does not advocate the institution. Next, it is important to know that with the sacrifice of Christ, both Jews and Gentiles became reconciled before God. (Romans 10:12). Therefore the rules for Gentiles are out, since we are all God’s children only the institution of indentured servitude continues (under the laws for Hebrew slaves mentioned above.) Lastly, The Bible not only puts all men, of all origins, on the same level of equality before God, but goes one step further to ban slavery as we commonly perceive it. Exodus 21:16 says, “Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or is still in the kidnapper’s possession.” The American institution of slavery obviously violated this command with their endorsements of the slave traders, and the slave auctions. Since all men have been reconciled to equality in the sight of God, and become God's people, and this type of institution is specifically banned for God's people, it is apparent to see that this type of institution is in direct contrast with the Old Testament law. Even still, the New Testament is consistent with the Old Testament, 1Timothy 1:10 puts slave traders in the exact same boat as lawbreakers, and those who kill their fathers and mothers.

But the point is moot for Americans thanks to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. All Americans are free and equal by the law of the land. The main question then becomes who cares? The answer is millions. Slavery is not over. Millions are still oppressed by a lack of education, lack of independent provision, and the buying and selling of human lives in America and abroad. It is our job as Christians to recognize that this form of slavery, this oppression, is not Biblically permissible, therefore giving us a moral obligation to stop this travesty in any way that conforms to Biblical law.

Are We Peter? Or Should We Be?

I have a friend, he's one of the smartest men I have ever met. He just happens to be gay. Because of his sexual preferences he has been scorned by many "Christians." So badly to the point where he doesn't want anything to do with Jesus.

Peter loved Jesus, no doubt about that. Even to the point of willingness to fight against Roman officials to keep Jesus from being taken away.

It is important to stand up for what we believe in, but there may be a difference in standing and fighting. 

There are people who want to learn about God, and are desperately looking for him, but are being cut off by well meaning Christians who are "fighting" for what they believe in.

Are you swinging the sword of God around so wildly that you cut off the ear of those God is trying to speak to?

Are your convictions more important than loving those around you?

The good news is that Jesus can heal the hearts of those who have been hurt by the church, just as he did the guard that had his ear cut off by Peter.

But as Christians we should live our lives in a way that makes it easier for people to love and know God, not harder.


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Conflicting Assumptions

Question: What was your favorite worship song today? Why is it meaningful to you?
Answer: It doesn't matter which song is anyone's favorite. It's all about worshiping our Heavenly Father.

What's going on between these two people? There seem to be conflicting opinions about worship, that much is obvious. Look a little deeper and you can see some assumption taken by both individuals. The questioner is assuming that someone will think like they have about worship songs in terms of preference along a sliding scale of personal value and meaning. The answerer may, by context of the forum (in church from an official publication) in which the question was raised, assume that the questioner is looking for a certain type of answer--polling which songs were most popular.
The answerer then reacted to their own assumption (rather than the question itself) by addressing the underlying issue of defining the mysterious quality of worship. Thus, the answerer does not supply in their answer a logical answer formed out of great consideration and weighing of thought. The answerer responds emotionally to an instinctively perceived assumption. Why? I must assume they have already given thought to worship in this context and arrived at an emotional evaluation, which has colored their response with the pigments of truth--not some canned response formulated to be safe, but genuine and heartfelt meaning.
Perhaps they don't want anyone to spend a moment planning or formalizing what is supposed to be an organic gathering of hearts and souls around time dedicated to God. Or perhaps they are afraid that some songs will be taken out of the mix because they aren't popular enough, and they're trying to communicate that it is a waste of energy to spend more time figuring out which songs will be popular than actually working to experience God's power. Whatever the reasons, it's clear that there is perceived conflict of paradigms.

So what should we do in the face of such unexpected, bald-faced responses like this?
(1) First, I think we need to start expecting them. What I mean is we need to foster an environment where honesty and transparency are allowed to exist, then check our own defensive knee-jerk reactions so that we learn to carefully analyze the reasons behind an honest answer. There is truth everywhere if you're willing to work at its excavation, and I believe the rewards are great for those who will invest themselves in putting others ahead of themselves. If I am the questioner in this example, I need to allow the answerer to be right.
(2) Second, I think we need to act on feedback. If people know their feedback is actually considered and implemented in some way, they will be more likely to do any or all of four things:

1. Feel valued.
2. Feel integrated.
3. Provide more feedback.
4. Help others to feel valued, integrated, and encouraged to disclose their own thoughts.
   

So what do you think?

The Skeptics Easter Egg

by Kyle Reynolds