Interesting thread, and lots of thoughts. Would like to address the original post and then maybe add a few thoughts of my own.

The first example of text with Noah- Genesis is a historical book, recounting a history. I don't see a command or insinuation that slavery was ok in the text, just a telling of events that happened. But you asked, so why is it in the Bible? Not sure, but will submit a hypothesis... Prophecy- the Bible is full of it. Why? it builds faith. So if an early manuscript has a passage where Noah curses the son of his son that shamed him and that grandson's descendants settled in the land of Canaan and became Canaanites, and then the land of Canaan was given to the Israelites, the descendants of Shem hundreds of years later and recorded in other texts, the greatest skeptics should be asking themselves why, and if that's true what else is true? All the way up to and including the claims that Jesus made about himself.

2nd text from Leviticus- whats the context? God is laying down the rules for how His Holy people should treat each other. It wasn't supposed to work. (It would take a long time) but these rules were meant to demonstrate people's need for Jesus. That a nation of moral rules fails(sound familiar?)... ultimately forcing people to recognize their need for a different way. Jesus The fact that its a rule that we find distasteful can probably be explained by looking at another passage Matthew 19- Jesus teaching about divorce. What was his answer for why divorce was allowed? Because their hearts were hard. Do I think that slavery was God's plan?-No but I believe he was creating laws that pushed on people's sensibilities where they were at(remember their hearts were hard) while he worked out his master plan and laid the framework for sending his Son.

3rd text from Ephesians I think this text describes a modern employee/employer relationship as much as it does a slave/master relationship in its historical context. The verse actually includes a warning against the mistreatment of slaves.

Permit me to add my own thoughts, What is a Christian? Was Noah a Christian? Was Jesus a Christian? Is a Christian someone who has a relationship with Jesus or just someone that just goes to church on Sunday or someone who carries the title to pander to a constituency for votes, or someone that checks a box on a census? For someone to say that they won't join Christianity because some people that called themselves Christians condoned slavery is really a poor argument. Why not renounce American citizenship next time something immoral happens that you don't agree with. Its a silly statement that only the Hollywood elite sometimes threaten but never carry out. Not picking on anybody, it was a long time ago but I didn't want to be called a Christian because of all the hypocrisy I saw in the church. I got over myself. Read Matt 13:24-30 parable of the weeds. God knew there was going to be hypocrites and people that looked like the real thing or said the right things but were not really were not. He's already committed to taking care of it later.

So if slavery isn't the real reason you aren't becoming a Christian then what is? Only you and God know but let me encourage you to think about some things that God has been speaking to me about lately. Eternity. Our 70 or 80 year life is a blink in eternity. Our time on earth is so short, and then comes eternity where we spend in Heaven or (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) based on the decisions we made while we were here. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

God's giving you a chance and given you many chances because he loves you and sent his son to die for you!

Sorry for the length.

"So, the day is coming when Christians in America will be persecuted and suffer for our faith. It's rapidly approaching.
It is the sincere view of many conservative theology and military minds who have spoken to us here at chapel in the last three years."

Your persecution complex diminishes the sacrifice of those who really were martyred for their faith.

Please give specific examples of how Christians are persecuted in modern America.

Jim

"So, the day is coming when Christians in America will be persecuted and suffer for our faith. It's rapidly approaching.
It is the sincere view of many conservative theology and military minds who have spoken to us here at chapel in the last three years."

Your persecution complex diminishes the sacrifice of those who really were martyred for their faith.

Please give specific examples of how Christians are persecuted in modern America.

Jim

Lets keep the facts straight sorry all those people died but he said he shot the place up because he was mad at his mother in law not Christians.

So his anger at his mother-in-law had nothing to d o with her Christian faith or stance that affected his marriage? You know this?

Sure seem like he could have just as easily had his shooting at his mother-in-laws residence instead of her church. Couldn't be the mother-in-law and church could be supporting his wife to lead a Christian life or even leave an abusive relationship. There is a reason he chose to shoot up the church not her house or a restaurant or her job.

IT was in the article bowhunter posted read it. Look at countries where thousands are killed for their faith and thrown in prison and you guys say America compares to that. REALLY?

That religion has been used to justify evil and all manner of craziness. For example here in the U.S. to enslave Africans. In order to salve their conscience, American slavers convinced themselves it was ordained by the same creator that gave them unalienable rights. For example these passages. I will leave you to their "correct interpretation" but they show a glimpse of what I am talking about.








There is lots more but you get the idea. Today, generally speaking, parts of the bible are ignored and never talked about in most churchs. Justification for forcing the virgins of a conquered people to marry soldiers while the rest of their tribe, including male babies are killed. Incest . All can be justified by people using the bible.

So be aware. Dont let yourself be led down a path no good will ever come of. Ancient people had a lot of strange beliefs and practices. So did and do, a LOT of modern people. all using religion to justify their claims.

That religion has been used to justify evil and all manner of craziness. For example here in the U.S. to enslave Africans. In order to salve their conscience, American slavers convinced themselves it was ordained by the same creator that gave them unalienable rights. For example these passages. I will leave you to their "correct interpretation" but they show a glimpse of what I am talking about.








There is lots more but you get the idea. Today, generally speaking, parts of the bible are ignored and never talked about in most churchs. Justification for forcing the virgins of a conquered people to marry soldiers while the rest of their tribe, including male babies are killed. Incest . All can be justified by people using the bible.

So be aware. Dont let yourself be led down a path no good will ever come of. Ancient people had a lot of strange beliefs and practices. So did and do, a LOT of modern people. all using religion to justify their claims.