What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[Mr.wizard]

The idea that one of his instructions to slaves was not "Rise up, because the Good Lord will strengthen your right arm against the slave master", but rather, "be meek and obedient to him like you are to me" speaks volumes about not only his alleged views about slavery -- that it was acceptable because this world is meaningless, only the next one counts -- but also to the mindset he wants in his own believers.  Believers are not to question the master.  They are not to exhibit will of their own.  They are to accept and obey commands given them by the master, on pain of eternal punishment.

Of course such a god would endorse slavery in this world ... it is, after all, exactly what he has planned for you.

If you think Jesus condoned slavery, then what do you make of His commandment to love everyone, even our enemies, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to treat others how we want to be treated?

You're looking at the paragraph in the bible where Jesus addresses slaves and forming the conclusion that, because He didn't tell them to try to run away or to fight, He must have condoned it. Objectively speaking, don't you think that you can form a much more accurate conclusion about what He meant and where He stands on the issue by looking at the entirety of what He taught, and His character?

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Also, I just wanted to point something out: there's no way in the world such a vigorous debate as this one would be supported on a religious website.

Kudos to AF.

I don't know what site you are referring to, but the site I was a member of had debates just as heated (if not more so) than this one.

Only difference it people didn't use foul language and resort to personal attacks. But it got just as passionate.

Randy can attest to this.

If jesus viewed slavery as moral I can see him saying love everyone and condoning slavery, after all he is the guy that tells people to love everyone and holds the threat of eternal torture over their heads at the same time. Also we are looking at the entirety of his work and his character by noting what he commanded in the old testament as god the father, rather than just trying to pick the feel good parts of jesus we like.