Why Did So Many Christians Support Slavery?

[MineralMan]

18. Yes, you'd think so.

Of course, the words recorded as coming from Jesus were not written by anyone who ever heard him speak. So, we have no certain knowledge as to what was actually said. We have a game of "Telephone," even if we assume that such a person ever spoke any words at all.

Christianity, and most other religions, I assume, are variable in their adherence. One can simply ignore what is inconvenient in doctrine to suit one's preferences. That appears to be the rule. If I own slaves, I can find support for that. If I do not like slavery, I can find support for that, as well. Either way, I must ignore the doctrines I do not like.

Christianity, the religion with which I'm most familiar, is very flexible in its doctrine. There's so much slop in it that one can pretty much do as one likes and find scriptural justification. Since a popular doctrine is "Judge not, lest ye be judged," it's easy enough for people to ignore those who follow paths that seem wrong. It wouldn't be "Christian" to criticize other Christians.

Slavery is just one thing. There are many, many others. Divorce and adultery are a couple of them. Both are proscribed, but both are ignored by most Christians. It's easy. You just don't judge others. It's so simple. That singular doctrine lets you ignore what your co-religionists do, it seems. Very convenient, I think.