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Narrator's
Commentary
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Forum
Participants' Discussion
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| Well,
it's been an interesting afternoon so far, hasn't it? We've heard a lot
of different arguments, but we will probably see the most interesting perspectives
here. A main concern that anyone arguing for or against slavery is whether
or not it is humane. The most common means of trying to answer this concern
is through a religious perspective. We should be hearing some amazing arguments,
so let's go sit down before the excitement begins! |
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A Christian slave's grave (103) |
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| Good
afternoon, gentlemen, I am Mr. Williams, a Puritan pastor. Lately,
there have been many abolitionists arguing that slavery is contradictory
to Christian principles. This simply is not true. |
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Our
positions in life are chosen for us by God, and we are subject to
His will. Since a slave's condition in life is also determined by
God (16), it is permissible to hold
slaves. At the same time, the slave must be respected as a servant
and a brother; in other words, as a part of the family (17).
As long as the slave is not hindered from salvation, his position
in life is acceptable (18). After
all, even if a person is a slave, he can still truly be a free man
if he is a Christian (19).
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| Mr.
Williams is expressing a common belief that one can physically be a slave,
yet still be spiritually free. That makes sense on a very basic level, but
it still seems to be a violation of the slaves' humanity, and thus, cannot
be justified... |
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| Pardon
me, Mr. Williams, but may I interrupt? I am Parson Bell of the local
Anglican parish, and I feel that your argument falls short of the
true extent of the issue. |
| Slavery
is a relative term. Anybody can be a slave since slavery is nothing
more than a biblical metaphor: a man can only be a slave to sin. If
Jesus shall make a man free, then that man shall be free (20).
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| As
can be seen in the New Testament, freedom from slavery is freedom
from ignorance, error, prejudice, lust, passions, and other moralities. |
| This
concept of slavery is true for any person. But, the real issue at
hand is that blacks are not really human beings at all. They are not
descended from Adam, but rather, are descendants of Cain and carry
Cain's mark of blackness (21). Blacks
are beasts without rights or claims to religion, and thus, they are
eternally damned by God (22). These
factors show that blacks are not humans to begin with, and therefore,
can be held in bondage. |
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| Well, that
argument seems to address our previous objection by claiming that
slaves are not humans. A slave holder cannot violate the slave's human
rights (for
more on rights, see our page on political
perspectives)if
he or she is not human. But, there is a flaw with Mr. Bell's argument.
Adam, the father of all humans, had two children: Cain and Abel. Mr.
Bell argues that blacks are descendants of Cain and thus, are not
human. But, how does a human being father a non-human son? |
| Oh my goodness!
John Wesley is here, and he is going to speak on the Methodist view
of slavery! Wesley is one of the most influential opponents of slavery
in England (for
information regarding social opinions of Wesley and other religions,
see the Religious
Satire page of ECE).
Shhhh! He's about to start his speech. |
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The Reverend John Wesley (37) |
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| Thank
you, Mr. Bell, for enlightening us as to why you think a Christain
may hold another man as a slave. For those of you who do not know,
I am John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church. I am here on behalf
of true Christians everywhere, as well as our oppressed black brothers
and sisters. Slavery is entirely contradictory to the true Christian
message we find in the Gospels. |
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Slave
traders (for
more on the trade itself, see our economics
page) are
man-stealers who obtain blacks by means of sin: through lying, trickery,
and enticements (23). One cannot
justify an institution in the name of Christianity when the means
are contradictory to the faith's teachings.
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| The
argument that blacks are not humans also has no basis. Negros are
people of natural virtue and sensitivity (24),
are fair, just, honest, mild, friendly, and are remarkably sensible
(25). They are not the dumb, brute
beasts that Mr. Bell would have you believe. They are just as human
in their manner as any man at this forum. |
| Slave
traders and owners are guilty of fraud, robberies, and murders. Jesus
made all free, may He make the blacks free (26)!
Slavery denies blacks the chance to live freely, and was instituted
by man, not God. We cannot allow man to so openly defy the teachings
of Jesus through false justifications of slavery. We must free our
fellow man, regardless of the color of his skin! |
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| Wow,
listen to that applause from the abolitionists! And, see how the proponents
of slavery scowl? Mr. Wesley addressed all of the assumptions of Mr. Williams
and Mr. Bell, and then completely refuted them. He is right to point out
the inconsistencies of trading and owning slaves with Christian teachings.
I believe that he has had extensive personal contact with many blacks, and
he justly addresses their humanity through qualities we all share. We are
going to move on to a less common perspective of slavery through the woman's
voice. |
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