Christianity Slavery and religion

slavery in different forms existed within christianity on 18 centuries. although in years of christianity, freeing slaves regarded act of charity, , christian view of equality of people including slaves novelty in roman empire, institution of slavery criticised. indeed, in 340, synod of gangra condemned manicheans urging slaves should liberate themselves; canons of synod instead declared preaching abolitionism should anathematised, , slaves had christian obligation submit masters. augustine of hippo, renounced former manicheanism, argued slavery part of mechanism preserve natural order of things; john chrysostom, regarded saint eastern orthodoxy , roman catholicism, argued slaves should resigned fate, obeying master obeying god . stated slavery fruit of covetousness, of extravagance, of insatiable greediness in epist. ad ephes. apostle paul admonished christians; there neither jew nor greek: there neither bond nor free: there neither male nor female. 1 in christ jesus . , in fact, of first popes once slaves themselves.

in 1452 pope nicholas v issued papal bull dum diversas, granted afonso v of portugal right reduce saracens, pagans , other unbelievers hereditary slavery. approval of slavery under these conditions reaffirmed , extended in romanus pontifex bull of 1455. (this regarding wars caused fall on constantinople) in 1488 pope innocent viii accepted gift of 100 slaves ferdinand ii of aragon , distributed slaves cardinals , roman nobility. also, in 1639 pope urban viii purchased slaves himself knights of malta.

other popes in 15th , 16th century denounced slavery great crime, including pius ii, paul iii, , eugene iv. in 1639, pope urban viii forbade slavery, did benedict xiv in 1741. in 1815, pope pius vii demanded of congress of vienna suppression of slave trade, , gregory xvi condemned again in 1839.

in addition, dominican friars arrived @ spanish settlement @ santo domingo in 1510 denounced enslavement of local indians. along other priests, opposed treatment unjust , illegal in audience spanish king , in subsequent royal commission. response position, spanish monarchy s subsequent requerimiento provided religious justification enslavement of local populations, on pretext of refusing conversion roman catholicism , therefore denying authority of pope.

some other christian organizations slaveholders. 18th century high-church anglican society propagation of gospel in foreign parts owned codrington plantation, in barbados, containing several hundred slaves, branded on chests word society. george whitefield, famed sparking of so-called great awakening of american evangelicalism, overturned province-wide ban against slavery, , went on own several hundred slaves himself. yet whitefield remembered 1 of first preach enslaved.

at other times, christian groups worked against slavery. seventh century saint eloi used vast wealth purchase british , saxon slaves in groups of 50 , 100 in order set them free. quakers in particular leaders in abolitionism, attacking slavery since @ least 1688. in 1787 society effecting abolition of slave trade formed, 9 of 12 founder members being quakers; william wilberforce, supporter of society, went on push through 1807 slave trade act, striking major blow against transatlantic slave trade. leaders of methodism , presbyterianism vehemently denounced human bondage, convincing congregations likewise; methodists subsequently made repudiation of slavery condition of membership.

in southern united states, however, support slavery strong; anti-slavery literature prevented passing through postal system, , sermons, famed english preacher charles spurgeon, burned due censure of slavery. when american civil war broke out, slavery became 1 of issues decided outcome; southern defeat led constitutional ban on slavery. despite general emancipation of slaves, members of fringe christian groups christian identity movement, , ku klux klan (a white supremacist group) see enslavement of africans positive aspect of american history.

slave christianity

in united states, christianity not held views slavery on how slaves practiced own form of christianity. prior work of melville herskovits in 1941, believed elements of african culture destroyed horrific experiences of africans forced come united states of america. since groundbreaking work, scholarship has found slave christianity existed extraordinarily creative patchwork of african , christian religious tradition. slaves brought them wide variety of religious traditions including both tribal shamanism , islam. beyond that, tribal traditions vary high degree across african continent.

during eighteenth century, anglican missionaries attempting bring christianity slaves in southern colonies found butting against not uncooperative masters, resistant slaves. unquestionable obstacle acceptance of christianity among slaves desire continue adhere as possible religious beliefs , rituals of african ancestors. missionaries working in south displeased slave retention of african practices such polygamy , called idolatrous dancing. in fact, blacks embraced christianity in america did not abandon old world religion. instead, engaged in syncretism, blending christian influences traditional african rites , beliefs. symbols , objects, such crosses, conflated charms carried africans ward off evil spirits. christ interpreted healer similar priests of africa. in new world, fusions of african spirituality , christianity led distinct new practices among slave populations, including voodoo or vodun in haiti , spanish louisiana. although african religious influences important among northern blacks, exposure old world religions more intense in south, density of black population greater.

there were, however, commonalities across majority of tribal traditions. perhaps primary understanding of tribal traditions there not separation of sacred , secular. life sacred , supernatural present in every facet , focus of life. tribal traditions highlighted experience of supernatural in ecstatic experiences of supernatural brought on ritual song , dance. repetitious music , dancing used bring on these experiences through use of drums , chanting. realization of these experiences in possession of worshipper in 1 not taken on divine becomes 1 divine.

echoes of african tribal traditions can seen in christianity practiced slaves in americas. song, dance, , ecstatic experiences of traditional tribal religion christianized , practiced slaves in called ring shout. practice major mark of african american christianity during slavery period.

christianity came more slaves of north america. many colonial slaveholders feared baptizing slaves lead emancipation because of vague laws concerning slave status of christians under british colonial rule. after 1706, time many states had passed laws stating baptism not alter slave status, slaveholders worried catechization of slaves wouldn t wise economic choice. slaves had 1 day off each week, sunday. time used grow own crops, dancing , singing (doing such things on sabbath frowned on preachers), there little time slaves receive religious instruction.

during antebellum period, slave preachers - enslaved or formally enslaved evangelists - became instrumental in shaping slave christianity. preached gospel radically different of white preachers, used christianity in attempt make slaves more complacent enslaved status. rather focusing on obedience, slave preachers placed greater emphasis on old testament, book of exodus. likened plight of american slaves enslaved hebrews of bible, instilling hope hearts of enslaved. slave preachers instrumental in shaping religious landscape of african americans decades come.