I think you have to account for how many becames slaves during that time. I don't believe the bible condones slavery, in fact, I believe it admonishes both slaves and slave owners to behave in a Christian fashion.

I would have to do some more research, but I believe that one could become a slave/indentured servant if you or your familiy owed a debt that it could not pay.

I don't believe that all slaves were as we think of them, being captured and brought to other nations, like one envisions from the mini-series "Roots"

The way I read it, if you are a slave, be the best slave you can be, and if you are a slave owner, do the same. Do your work and treat others around you with love.

Many people are still slaves today, be it slaves to their car habit, cigarettes, alcohol, debt, you get the idea.

I'm not all for this touchy feely stuff, but I do feel that slavery is mostly a state of mind for many today, even in America.

The question is, who keeps you enslaved and who offers to set you free. If you turn your troubles over to Christ, you may not be a Warren Buffett(SIC?) but you will be at peace.

FWIW,

TB
M4sT3r 0f p4g3 Tw0

Tony Boner
Personal: 98cdw27@charter.net Work: tony.boner@sun.com
Saving the computer world from WinBloze as Unix/Solaris/Java Guru http://www.sun.com
1998 Contour SVT Pre-E1 618/6535 Born On Date: 4/30/1997
Now with Aussie Bar induced mild oversteer.