Question

Why did white southerners feel that it was important to show that the bible sanctioned slavery?

Answer 1

White southerners felt that it was important to show that the Bible sanctioned slavery because religion played a significant role in shaping their worldview and cultural values. Many white southerners were devout Christians who believed that the Bible was the word of God and provided guidance for all aspects of life, including the institution of slavery.

By claiming that the Bible sanctioned slavery, white southerners could justify the practice as morally acceptable and even ordained by God. They could also argue that abolitionists who opposed slavery were going against God's will and were therefore morally wrong.

Additionally, white southerners used biblical passages to argue that slavery was a natural and necessary part of society, and that slaves were inferior and needed to be controlled by their white masters. By using the Bible to support their beliefs, white southerners could avoid confronting the ethical and moral implications of slavery and maintain their social and economic power over enslaved people.

It's important to note, however, that not all Christians in the South believed that the Bible sanctioned slavery. Many abolitionists and other Christians argued that the Bible was being misinterpreted to justify a cruel and oppressive system, and that it was the duty of Christians to work towards the abolition of slavery.

Answer 2

White Southerners used the Bible to justify slavery, claiming it provided moral and spiritual validation for the institution. They manipulated religious instruction to maintain social control and reinforce a racial hierarchy.

Step-by-step explanation:

White Southerners felt it was important to demonstrate that the Bible sanctioned slavery to provide moral and spiritual justification for the institution of slavery. By claiming that slavery was supported by the Bible, they aimed to validate the system as a natural and moral order, supporting the idea of paternalism where White slaveholders believed they were acting in the best interests of those they enslaved. To sustain this belief, they used biblical interpretations that reinforced a racial hierarchy, as well as legislation that controlled the religious practices of slaves, ensuring that the preached message upholds the social structure that they benefit from.

Religious instruction was used as a means of social control, fostering a belief in a Christian interracial community where slaves would ostensibly be satisfied with their subjugation. This manipulation of religious belief and scripture worked to reinforce the status quo, promoting the notion that slaves were better off under the care of their masters. The Southern elite also used historical and biblical evidence, such as the Curse of Ham, to argue that slavery was beneficial for both the enslaved and the masters, and served to civilize African people.