Christian justification for slavery

[ramesh]

During the time of Atlantic slavery, Christian slave owners justified their actions by quoting the Bible so I went and looked up the passage in Genesis 9:25-27.

Genesis 9:25-27 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
[NKJV at Thomas Nelson] [Thomas Nelson, Inc.]

25 Then he said:
“ Cursed be Canaan;
A servant of servants
He shall be to his brethren.”

26 And he said:
“ Blessed be the LORD,
The God of Shem,
And may Canaan be his servant.

27 May God enlarge Japheth,
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem;
And may Canaan be his servant.”

But this is confusing as Africans (according to Biblical scholars) are the descendants of HAM, not CANAAN. (http://www.geocities.com/athens/oracle/5862/slavery.html) and Canaan was the one who was cursed according the above text.

What are your thoughts on this?

[Manu]

Christians misinterpret the bible to justify alot of things. I also heard or saw on a program on the history channel that black people are cursed because they're descendants of Cain. Because Cain killed Able, there was a mark on him. This was so that "everyone else" would know he was and what he did. (funny I though Cain and Able were the first children on earth). The mark was that the sun would follow him wherever he went thus making his skin darker...hence black people.

In regards this particular one, I thought he did indeed say your sons and your sons shall be servants to your brothers.

[CyberCat]

Excuse my ignorance, but where in teh Bible does it say that the Africans are the descendents of Ham? I wonder about some of these Bible scholars. I bet these are the same ones who go around asserting that sunday is The Lord's Day.

[Manu]

Orly? I thought everyday belong to God.....Hmmm.....

[Nika_869]

UHmm. no comment at all.

I recall everyday supposed to be the Lord's day. Some just feel different

[duster]

Excuse my ignorance, but where in teh Bible does it say that the Africans are the descendents of Ham? I wonder about some of these Bible scholars. I bet these are the same ones who go around asserting that sunday is The Lord's Day.

Bible don't say Africans but history traces it. Ham is not cursed Canaan was read up people. Slavery isnt condoned in the bible.. man made thing dat. down with the oppressors.

[Xenocrates]

What are your thoughts on this?

Religious quackery. ;)