So God sent his only son

[edhopper]

who was also God himself, to complete change how people worship. Creating a revolutionary new religion. Right?
But he couldn't be bothered while he was overturning everything people believed to end things like slavery, executions. women's servitude, etc...
The excuse is "that is how times were" flies in the face that Jesus was meant to change how times were.
When you set out to change the world, maybe just saying that we have to look at the times when it happened isn't really a good excuse.

[Harker]

1. Yes. There's a limit on the value of precedent. n/t

[Lunabell]

2. I like Jesus.

But I dont like his followers.

[edhopper]

3. Why didn't he condemn

slavery? Was slavery okay with God? He comes to Earth just once and doesn't want some horrendous things changed? Why?

[Lunabell]

4. Wow, I dont know

Dont jump down my throat!

[edhopper]

7. Sorry it came off that way

just extending the conversation.

[JustFiveMoreMinutes]

11. Early writings... God was vain and commanding.... slavery was a good comparison to service. n/t

[Mariana]

9. Jesus was a jerk in a lot of ways, according to the stories.

Racist, sexist, destructive, violent, and selfish.

[msfiddlestix]

5. The belief in the wizard in the sky does have it's downside

But the rationalizations are pretty special..

[guillaumeb]

6. Free will is the key.

Without free will, there is no choice.

[edhopper]

8. And the free will of the slaves?

that counts for nothing to God?
So if a man owns 100 slaves, his free will is more important that that of the 100 slaves, who did not choose top be slaves.

And of course your answer does not address the immorality of slavery. Because if God did not condemn slavery, then the "free will" of the slavery owner does not come into play at all. Why would he think about the morality of slave owning if God endorses it? Why would he choose not to own slaves and why would God punish him for it?

[Eko]

10. Ah man, dont you know?.

All people have to do is say things like "free will" or "its god's will" and it answers every problematic question about the christian god out there. Sheesh, get with the program man.

Added just in case.

[edhopper]

12. You left out

"mysterious ways"

[Eko]

13. Dang,

knew I was forgetting something.

[guillaumeb]

14. Free will is an attribute of human sentience.

It does not mean that one is free of burdens.

[edhopper]

15. Boy

is that meaningless and have nothing to do with the question.

[guillaumeb]

16. It has everything to do with the topic.

Your position basically requires a controlling deity, and that control by definition removes any free will.

[edhopper]

17. It requires a diety that give no moral instruction.

I didn't say God/Jesus should have abolished slavery by fiat, I said he should have said something to show he was opposed to it. He did not.
Are you saying Jesus and God gave no moral instruction?

How does free will to choose to between good and evil work if God doesn't tell you which is which?

[hurl]

18. Well if you go by the applicable religious texts

The deity character makes all sorts of attempts to interfere with free will using commands like don't mix fabrics, don't shave sideburns, don't eat shellfish, don't allow people with flat noses to approach the altar... Throwing in something about not owning people would have been no more intrusive on free will than telling women to stay quiet in church. That deity shows little regard for free will, even meting out punishment for those who exercise it in unapproved ways.

A non-controlling deity is an intriguing concept, but it's not the one depicted in those particular holy books.

To me, they are just examples of people misinterpreting their own cultural prejudices and norms as divine command, with no indication of supernatural inspiration.