The Christian Church was involved in the slave trade at many levels. It owned slaves on plantations in the West Indies, and when slaves were taken to their places of labour (for example the Americas) they were subjected to various processes to make them more compliant to slavery - Christianitsation was part of this process. 91热爆 Radio Leicester's Shirley Burgess spoke to Bishop Doctor Norman Gooden from the New Testament Church in Leicester to ask: If Christianity was thrust upon slaves , why do black people still embrace it today? Listen to the interview with Bishop Doctor Norman Gooden from the New Testament Church in Leicester...
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When the trade was abolished, government compensation for the loss of slave labour included almost 拢9,000 for the Church, a huge amount in the early 19th century. | "While some clergymen used Christian scriptures to justify slavery, others were searching the Bible to find references to help end the practice." | |
However, it is important not to overlook the Christian Church's vital role in the abolition of the slave trade. While some clergymen used Christian scriptures to justify slavery, others were searching the Bible to find references to help end the practice. The origins of Christian abolitionism can be traced to the late 17th century and the Religious Society of Friends or 'Quakers'. They believed that everyone was 'equal in the sight of God', and capable of receiving the 'light of God's spirit and wisdom', including Africans. To find out more about Christianity's role as both an enslaver and a liberator, visit the 91热爆 History website: | 
