Mining history for only certain sins

Economist Thomas Sowell, who's archive I link to on the right, has written another timely piece that explores why we are becoming a society of victims and the slanted view of history currently being taught at many schools...

"Slavery is a classic example. The history of slavery across the centuries and in many countries around the world is a painful history to read– not only in terms of how slaves have been treated, but because of what that says about the whole human species– because slaves and enslavers alike have been of every race, religion and nationality.

If the history of slavery ought to teach us anything, it is that human beings cannot be trusted with unbridled power over other human beings– no matter what color or creed any of them are. The history of ancient despotism and modern totalitarianism practically shouts that same message from the blood-stained pages of history.

But that is not the message that is being taught in our schools and colleges, or dramatized on television and in the movies. The message that is pounded home again and again is that white people enslaved black people.

It is true.... But it is also false in its implications for the same reason. Just as Europeans enslaved Africans, North Africans enslaved Europeans – more Europeans than there were Africans enslaved in the United States and in the 13 colonies from which it was formed.

The treatment of white galley slaves was even worse than the treatment of black slaves picking cotton. But there are no movies or television dramas about it comparable to "Roots," and our schools and colleges don't pound it into the heads of students."

I agree with Sowell that it's quite apparent that other instances of slavery are not discussed and only whites of European ancestry are typically mentioned as enslavers and other groups are largely ignored. Also conviently ignored is the fact that it was English Christians that helped end the trans-Atlantic slave trade because after all, we can't cast Christianity in any sort of a positive light these days so we might as well demonize it instead.

Another point conveniently overlooked is the fact that "there are more slaves today than at any time in human history". It's far easier to concentrate on the evils of centuries ago and give the appearance of empathy than speak out against inhumane conditions as they now exist in the world today.

Certain internet skeptics will decry the instances of slavery that are mentioned in Biblical times without ever criticaly examining the subject with anything that resembles an open mind. Assuming that regulating a behavior equals approval for it and failing to note that slavery as mentioned in the Bible was an overwhelmingly voluntary in nature clearly demonstrates a prejudice against a religion that might conflict with the skeptic's worldview. Link.

I pray that we might learn a lesson from this and move forward and help lessen the effects of slavery as it now exists in our world. The next time an internet skeptic is critical of the Bible's stance on slavery, simply mention such organization's as the Church Mission Society and
Free For Life Ministries and politely welcome them aboard in the Bible's admonition, which is also found on the Liberty Bell, to "proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof". (Leviticus 25:10)