I can say what Saint Paul couldn't
Saint Paul was in a real bind about the time he was writing his letters to early Christian churchs around the Greco-Roman world. He couldn't expect to get many converts to Christianity if he condemned the entire economy of the Roman Empire. I am thinking specifically about his letter to the Colossians, in which he asked masters of slaves to treat their slaves kindly. Many early Christian patrons had slaves.
Like other important early Church figures, Saint Paul picked his battles. He took a firm stand on some issues and let others go with a few words or none at all. I don't fault him for that. I kind of wish he had decided that slavery would have been a big issue for him, but I am sure it was difficult enough to get everything started without completely reworking the basis of labor.
Slavery is abhorrent to God. This is so obvious that it amazes me how rampant slavery still is so prevalent in the world (heck, this country even). The practice of slavery in the 21st century world includes, but is not limited to:
-Chattel Slavery, as practiced in our country prior to the Civil War. It still occurs in many parts of the world.
-Indentured Servitude
-Roman-style P.O.W. slavery
-All forms of sexual slavery, from child pornography to "bar-girl" arrangments
-Marriage for money, usually brokered by parents
-Abuse of undocumented aliens, including forced factory/field labor
-Wage-slavery, including child labor
If our government cared half as much for putting an end to the rampant world slave trade as we do for the "war on drugs" the problem would be a lot better.
Mr. President, pick up the phone and call world leaders. Apply the same economic pressure you apply for bad ends (example: the war in Iraq) to the cause of emancipation for all.
