I think that slavery is not as black and white as many would like it to be. In the modern society, most people would condemn it without giving it a second thought. However, much like the ancient roman empire leaned heavily on slavery for its exisitence and luxeries, our modern society actually does the same. But many people don't realize the extend of this.
Think of the following products: shoes, clothes, flowers, chocolate, coffee, tea, jewelry, banana's, plastic knick-knacks, mobile phones - this is just a small list of items that is made with the help of modern slavery. In Africa, and large parts of Asia huge amounts of people are put to work for saleries they can barely survive on. The work is back-breaking, and 12 hours per day is common. It's not a few products here and there that have been tainted by it; Throwing a figure in the ballpark, I wouldn't be surprised if 50% of our daily products have some components originating from such third world countries.
Modern people may condemn it, but there is far, far too little action about it. No public outcry. No public rage. Just a few individuals trying to make it better. Slowly, some stuff is changing, but only after many, many years of squeezing those poor people out.
I try to live just. I must say, it is hard to find products that are fair. Part of the problem is that I don't even know which products are made through modern slave labour, and where I can find products free of this stain.
Were we to make the world really fair, and pay people what they deserve, our culture as it currently exsists would change radically. If slavery is bad, and you know it happens - how much should we do before we can say 'I did my best, there is no blame on me'?
Think of the following products: shoes, clothes, flowers, chocolate, coffee, tea, jewelry, banana's, plastic knick-knacks, mobile phones - this is just a small list of items that is made with the help of modern slavery. In Africa, and large parts of Asia huge amounts of people are put to work for saleries they can barely survive on. The work is back-breaking, and 12 hours per day is common. It's not a few products here and there that have been tainted by it; Throwing a figure in the ballpark, I wouldn't be surprised if 50% of our daily products have some components originating from such third world countries.
Modern people may condemn it, but there is far, far too little action about it. No public outcry. No public rage. Just a few individuals trying to make it better. Slowly, some stuff is changing, but only after many, many years of squeezing those poor people out.
I try to live just. I must say, it is hard to find products that are fair. Part of the problem is that I don't even know which products are made through modern slave labour, and where I can find products free of this stain.
Were we to make the world really fair, and pay people what they deserve, our culture as it currently exsists would change radically. If slavery is bad, and you know it happens - how much should we do before we can say 'I did my best, there is no blame on me'?
When I was a Christian, I was annoyed with dogmatic condescending Christians. Now that I'm an atheist, I'm annoyed with dogmatic condescending atheists. Just goes to prove that people are the same, regardless of what they do or don't believe.
