(April 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm)Nestor Wrote:(April 6, 2015 at 3:16 pm)Minimalist Wrote: Why do you say that?
For one, most of the secularists throughout the Enlightenment were raised in the Church, so many of their values were shaped by principles they had been taught as children. This includes the idea of universal human rights, whether because we are endowed with them by a Creator or because of the rationale of the Golden Rule (I'm not claiming that the Golden Rule is original with Christianity, but it certainly was its most important promotional tool). This was not an idea you found anywhere in the ancient world until Christianity:
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." - Paul in Galatians.
Separation of church and state also had a basis in the teachings of Jesus:
"Render that which is of Caesar unto Caesar, and that which is of God unto God."
Those are two extremely important aspects of modern-day secular ethics that Christianity had a dominant role in shaping.
The New Testament contradicts itself almost as much as the Old Testament. The verses about equality are beautiful but sadly there are other parts that completely contradict the spirit of the verse you quoted.
Ephesians 6: 5
Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ
Colossians 3:22
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
Titus 2:9-10
Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior. … Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one look down on you.
