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'''Slavery''' is the act or institution of holding one or more persons in a state of involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the person(s) held in bondage is/are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The value of a slave was typically about the same as that of a [[race horse]], although Biblical injunctions existed granting certain rights and prohibitions, such as the right of the slave to go free after a certain amount of time or the prohibition against the master of putting a slave's eye out{{fact}}. The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.

'''Slavery''' is the act or institution of holding one or more persons in a state of involuntary servitude to another person or persons, such that the person(s) held in bondage is/are considered to be property.  It reduces a person to the status of [[chattel]] who can be owned by another person. The value of a slave was typically about the same as that of a [[race horse]], although Biblical injunctions existed granting certain rights and prohibitions, such as the right of the slave to go free after a certain amount of time or the prohibition against the master of putting a slave's eye out{{fact}}. The master controls and commands the slave, either through property-like ownership of the slave or by right to command him.

Slavery is best known to Americans as a peculiar institution of the Southern states before the US Civil War, although it is found in some <!-- proposing that ALL civilizations have slavery is a bit silly and unsubstantiated --> [[civilization]]s. Slavery still exists today in many parts of the world including China, Africa and some Latin American countries. In particular, even today, people are enslaved in the [[Sudan]].

Slavery is best known to Americans as a peculiar institution of the Southern states before the US Civil War, although it is found in some <!-- proposing that ALL civilizations have slavery is a bit silly and unsubstantiated --> [[civilization]]s. Slavery still exists today in many parts of the world including China, Islam, parts of Africa and some Latin American countries. In particular, even today, people are enslaved in the [[Sudan]].

Slave owners in the Southern states cited Ephesians 6:5, “slaves, obey your masters” in arguments for the Christian endorsement of slavery.  

Slave owners in the Southern states cited Ephesians 6:5, “slaves, obey your masters” in arguments for the Christian endorsement of slavery. Another Bible verse states that thieves should be sold into slavery.<ref>Exodus 22:3 "He should make a full restitution; and if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.</ref> Under the [[Mosaic Law]], slaves could be kept for six years. <ref>Exodus 21:1-4 "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing."</ref> (See [[#"Slavery"_in_the_Bible|"Slavery" in the Bible]], below.)

 

Under the [[Mosaic Law]] thieves were to sold into slavery if unable to fulfill a debt.<ref>Exodus 22:3 "He should make a full restitution; and if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.</ref>slaves could be kept for six years. <ref>Exodus 21:1-4 "If thou buy a Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve; and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing."</ref> (See [[#"Slavery"_in_the_Bible|"Slavery" in the Bible]], below.)

The slavery system diminished a person to the point where they would be regarded as a thing or an object to be owned. Christian [[abolitionists]] disagreed with this valuation, and advanced an interpretation of the Bible which presented human value in terms of God's parental love for all people as His children (see [[human rights]]).

The slavery system diminished a person to the point where they would be regarded as a thing or an object to be owned. Christian [[abolitionists]] disagreed with this valuation, and advanced an interpretation of the Bible which presented human value in terms of God's parental love for all people as His children (see [[human rights]]).