Katrina, who here doesnt read the bible? It helps to read it in context (let the TEXT speak) led of the spirit of truth not a spirit of unbelief. Anyway The bible has laws on how "Slaves" (Employees, Servants) were and werent to be treated so any horror stories about slavery shouldnt be compared to biblical "slavery". http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm The Modern labor force uses many of the same concepts of biblical "slavery". Do you have a job? Some had no other way to provide for themselves other than by their labor and allegiance. The Bible does NOT condone rape (and i challenge you to expose your level of understanding scripture on the subject), as far as genocide goes, Yes there where entire cultures that were destroyed for their continual rebellion against G-d and His will(and we shall all die eventually and answer to him you are NO exception to that no matter what you tell yourself), you can challenge His righteousness and authority at judgement if you wish, Who are you (a creation with limited knowledge and understand) to even say what is good or bad verses the Holy Word? You Totally have NO idea what Torah was saying at Deut 22. I think we have all seen the claim by biblically Illiterate critics that "Torah tells rapists they must marry their victims or victims their rapists" GET REAL..... Here is the verse they pervert out of its conText.............. "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days."............................ It's an ignorant view of Deut.22 (:28- 29). It never said they must marry. It is best FOR him if they marry but it ********NEVER**** said she/he must. IF (thats a big IF) she were to (agree to) marry him it would free him from the transgression (sin) cause they would be echad (one/ Gen.2:24) thus there would no longer be a transgression AND its basically up to her and her father (to accept) if you know anything about Jewish culture (This isnt some barberic islamic culture being mentioned in which many women/Girls are forced to marry or sold into marriage). In the Jewish culture the man asks the blessing of the father and if he gives his blessing the man gives payment as gift showing respect for the value of the woman. If the man recieves the Fathers blessing he then asks the woman to be engaged. (If she says Yes and IF they marry you cant come against him cause it would be to come against her as well for something she didnt do cause again they are one and this relates to them being one. (If they dont marry guess what? He would have recieved the punishment.) Thats the WHOLE reason marriage was even mentioned cause it requires its own set of standards thus the man would be innocent cause their is No victim. THINK... (What G-D joins together let No man set asunder)
Note: "and she shall be" is one Hebrew word (hâyâh) which means to be or become. Many may try to say shall means must but No its one word and yet for the Torah observant believer it would be unto them as they will (must/ shall) cause they seek the statutes of Hashem. 2 Tim.3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
