A Biblical Approach to Human Trafficking.

I was asked to write a short essay on human trafficking from a religions perspective. This is what happened. The views expressed here are not my own. This is a thought experiment meant to show that religion is not always good source from which to draw one's morals.

The nineteenth century saw many great advances in human rights. Few eras in history have seen equal progress in slavery, women’s rights, racial bigotry and labor conditions. While it feels good to reflect upon our successes, we must also engage other, more painful thoughts. How much farther do we have to go? Have we gone too far? This last question might seem somewhat Machiavellian at first, but Machiavelli was arguably a secular man; he may not have felt it necessary to answer a higher power, and his morality was not laid out in type as a good Christian’s is.

There is no doubt that the modern slave trade is sinful beyond measure, not because slaves are kept, but because they so often used for carnal sin, and if not that, then they are more like than not to be mistreated by their masters. The Bible teaches us that we should care for our slaves. Both the New Testament and the Old lay out clear rules for the treatment of those bound in servitude. Any good Christian should feel outraged when he/she hears of slaves being beaten, dehumanized or used for fornication. We must never be overeager to beat our slaves, and we must remain in control should a heavy hand be found necessary. As Exodus teaches us:

“When a man strikes his male or female slave with a rod so hard that the slave dies under his hand, he shall be punished.  If, however, the slave survives for a day or two, he is not to be punished, since the slave is his own property (Exodus 21:20-21 NAB).”

Clearly there must be some temperance in regards to how slaves are treated. There is no good reason to beat a good working horse to death; surely there is no good reason to do the same to a slave. As Christians, we should remember that in many ways we fulfill the position of Christ to our slaves, for it is written, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear.  Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ (Ephesians 6:5 NLT).” Slaves should be treated with respect. They are after all fellow children of almighty God. In fact, one day it may fall upon us to be slaves ourselves. Should this happen we must accept it with humility before God. The Bible teaches us that:               

 “Christians who are slaves should give their masters full respect so that the name of God and his      teaching will not be shamed. If your master is a Christian, that is no excuse for being disrespectful.  You should work all the harder because you are helping another believer by your efforts.  Teach  these truths, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them (1 Timothy 6:1-2 NLT).”

It is plain that God, the glorious, the loving, the kind, accepts slavery. Yet, as with all things he has set rules regarding it. We should keep with his ways in all things and at all times. We should not lean upon our own understanding, but on his great wisdom, for He is the creator of all that is, has been, and will be.

As Christians, we must reach out to the world and attempt to right what is wrong. Perhaps the best way to improve the lives of those suffering in sinful slavery is to fully acknowledge their suffering. Let us make slavery legal once again. Let us make the world once more a Godly place to live. Let us not ignore what is unpleasant, but face things as they are. Some estimates tell us that there are perhaps hundreds of millions of slaves living right under our very noses, hiding in a world that pretends they do not exist. Let us bring both them and their masters into the fold, and if not that, then let us bind them to a more just and Heavenly law. Protect the slaves, not be freeing them into an unforgiving world, but by finding for them masters who are Christ like. Let us never again fall into the pit of racism. Let everyone, slaves and masters alike, be equal before the Father and subject to his laws, which guide us and sustain us in our times of trouble.

              

Somewhere out there, there is a child who is suffering. She is being violated and abused, humiliated and defiled. That very same girl, forgiven and innocent before God, could be the slave of a God-fearing master. She could have pride in her life and joy in her soul. All it would take is the legalization of slavery, and a Biblical legislation to guide that legalization. We can make this the beginning of the end. Let it be so, amen.