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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, Islam, parts of 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, Islamic countries, 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. 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.)

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.)