Poetry · Chapter
Bible Defence of Slavery explained
The chapter condemns religious leaders who use the Bible to justify slavery, accusing them of perverting truth and insulting God by defending the cruel institution.
What happens
The chapter condemns religious leaders who use the Bible to justify slavery, accusing them of perverting truth and insulting God by defending the cruel institution.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Class
The poem condemns the institutional and religious defense of slavery as a profound social injustice.
Faith and Divine Justice
It accuses clergy of blasphemy by using sacred texts to justify oppression, invoking divine judgment.
Key passages
“A 'reverend' man, whose light should be The guide of age and youth, Brings to the shrine of Slavery The sacrifice of truth!”
A clergyman, who ought to lead people morally, instead offers truth as a sacrifice to the idol of slavery.
Critique of religious hypocrisy in supporting slavery.
“Oh! when ye pray for heathen lands, And plead for their dark shores, Remember Slavery’s cruel hands Make heathens at your doors!”
When you pray for foreign missions, remember that slavery creates savagery right in your own country.
Challenge to prioritize domestic moral corruption over foreign evangelism.