What IS good, and how do we determine it?

[Huggy Bear]

You're still wrong on slavery. The bible pretty clear on it being wrong to force someone into "slavery" against  their will. So is it "slavery" if you became a servant of your own volition?

Um. Yes. -_-

Slavery is
1) the state of being a slave
2) the system or practice of owning slaves

And a slave is
1) a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another; a bond servant
2) a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person

'Their own volition' doesn't enter the picture.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/slavery

slavery
noun
1. the condition of a slave; bondage
2. the keeping of slaves as a practice or institution.
3. a state of subjection like that of a slave : He was kept in slavery by drugs.
4. severe toil; drudgery.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bondage

bondage
noun
1. slavery or involuntary servitude; serfdom.
2. the state of being bound by or subjected to some external power or control.
3. the state or practice of being physically restrained, as by being tied up, chained, or put in handcuffs, for sexual gratification.
4. Early English Law. personal subjection to the control of a superior; villeinage.

You were saying?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voluntary_slavery

Voluntary slavery (or self-sale) is the condition of slavery entered into at a point of voluntary consent. In ancient times, this was a common way for impoverished people to provide subsistence for themselves or their family and provision was made for this in law.[1] For example, the code of Hammurabi stated that "besides being able to borrow on personal security, an individual might sell himself or a family member into slavery."[2] In medieval Russia, self-sale was the main source of slaves.[3]

In ancient times, one of the most direct ways to become a Roman or Greek citizen was by means of a self-sale contract. The laws surrounding Roman and Greek manumission made it quite possible for such erstwhile slaves to then become citizens or near-citizens themselves.[4]

Once again, you guys apply your modern day ideals to ancient civilizations. It was common practice for people to sell themselves into slavery if they were impoverished or owed a debt they didn't have the means to pay... what solution would you offer? Especially in a society that was based on the bartering system, seeing how the Hebrews just came out of slavery under the Egyptians.

If a homeless person agreed to work for me in exchange of food and shelter, it's your position that it's immoral?