A positive step forward, not only about slavery, but encompassing all human rights.
The Constitution of the United States was not just pulled out of a hat. It had many predecessors, the Magna Carta being foremost. As people and governments changed, new ideas were incorporated and bad ideas were minimized our expelled. rug refers to this as "developing morals". We can see this in many instances that happened during our lifetime. Actors used to apply burnt cork to their faces in order to portray African Americans. Modern audiences would find this offensive, and rightly so. Any book on the theater that would include this practice, even if it was originally printed in the 20's, would not be reprinted today without that section edited. Why is the Bible different?
Pope Francis finds the practice of slavery to be abhorrent. Kudos to him for taking it to the world stage, but he needs to exorcise the past. He can't just ignore these passages and pretend they are no longer being included in modern printings of the Bible. He needs to address them, and explain why they were there in the first place. rug refers to that as "context". He then needs to go on and explain his objection to them and how these passages are no longer compatible with modern society. Of course, there will be those who claim that the Bible is the "word of God" and can not be questioned, but isn't what Pope Francis is doing just that? Of course it is, and he is right to do that. Can anyone here support the passages I posted in my first reply? Please step forward.
When these passages are addressed by Pope Francis, and their centuries old ethics are firmly denounced instead of just ignored, then there will be a tsunami of new reflection on what it is to be human and the rights that should be granted to all. Centuries old thinking about the role of women can be updated to treating both sexes as equals. Centuries old hateful practices such as homophobia can be discussed in open forums by citizens of all ranks. We no longer need be bound by centuries old books that have been declared sacrosanct. Faith will not be threatened, it may even be strengthened by this new enlightenment. At the very least, the Bible will no longer have passages that atheists can hurl their indignation at.
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