Jordan,
Quote:Do you actually believe that, or could you just not be bothered answering the question?
Can't get much past the keen eye of Jordan. You're right it is the latter.
freediver,
Quote:But you also argued that it effectively allows it
I did no such thing.
Quote:As far as I can tell the historical facts indicate the opposite. It was the British who were the driving force behind it.
Like with most issues, your memory only goes back about 5 minutes.
When Islam was revealed, slavery almost overnight became virtually outlawed. Prior to Islam, slavery was rampant, and pretty much anyone could just capture and slave another, so long as he had the ability to do so. Islam changed this, and prevented it in all cases, except captives during war, who were considered to have forfeited their freedom by waging war against the Islamic State.
Islam also put extremely stringent rules on servitude, that meant you must clothe, feed and house any servants (I am using this word, because the English word slave just doesn't mean the same as what we're talking about here) in the same manner anyone else in your household was to be looked after. In the West, yes even just a few centuries or less ago, they were considered animals, and usually slept in the barn with the other animals. Except for the favourite slave, the "porch n1gger" who was allowed to sleep on the porch with the dog.
Also we have the two independant cases of 'servant kingdoms' arising in the Muslim lands. The Mamelukes of Egypt and the Mamelukes of India (mamlook means possessed). In which servants as an entire class of people rose to such a high rank in society they became the Sultans, not just once, but twice, independantly.
As stated, it was mostly in later years, the last 500, that slavery became very widespread in the Muslim lands, with the rise of the Barbary states, and their situation is a special case, due to to the extreme persecution and genocide they suffered.
Also with the Mongol/Tatar invasions slavery was made quite big in Muslim lands, by the invaders. Prior to it, slavery was very rare.
Quote:Because it is something that a large number of people are pushing for. We should not wait until they achieve it to consider it. It is a threat to democracy, freedom and human rights. It seems that every time I discuss I discover something new about it that concerns me.
As I asked, can you guarantee Democracy and Christianity won't re-institute it in future? After all, it's clearly written in the Bible...
Quote:The fact that you are arguing that it shouldn't be discussed just adds to that concern.
You are free to discuss it, just don't think it's as relevant as you make out.
Quote:Well, you talk about the decline of slavery like it is a good thing.
Yes, it is a good thing. And Islam views it as a good thing too. Don't forget to add that to your wiki... or is it in only the 'juicey' bits that make the cut?