Essay on Religious Justifications of Slavery in the Caribbean

Religious Justifications of Slavery in the Caribbean The doctrine of Christianity grants eternal life to all persons who accept that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and choose to follow him. Such a statement leaves little room for interpretation of the scripture itself. Nevertheless, the nineteenth century Christian churches of the Caribbean Islands created a racial distinction between humans which determined who could and who could not be granted eternal life through the Christian faith. This concept of race was based on the belief that Africans were intellectually unable to make an educated decision regarding personal religion. Planters supported this discrimination against their workers because then they did not have to be cruel to†¦show more content†¦(Later they were informed by the missionaries). The slave owners did not encourage the institution of marriage. It was felt that the strength and power of the marriage union would offer a threat to the Plantation System. Concubinage was encouraged as it was believed that this frail type of union would keep the negroes humble and complacent. Despite the rapid social changes taking place, common-law marriages and concubinage are still present in Caribbean and will perhaps be for a long time. During the latter part of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century (1890-1910) there was a large movement of people from Jamaica to Cuba, Panama, Costa Rica and the United States of America in search of jobs. Fathers travelled away from their families leaving mothers to be solely responsible for the upbringing of their children. During the 1950s there was an exodus of Jamaicans to England. These included both fathers and mothers, and so, many children were left to be cared for by their grandmothers and other relatives. Although families differ in form according to the society, they nevertheless are responsible for carrying out certain functions. The chief of these are: 1. Procreation or reproduction - for continuation of the species. 2. Socialisation which includes -education, religion, preparation for a career, learning social relationships, management of leisure and being a responsibleShow MoreRelatedArguments Against Slavery in the British Caribbean Under the Following Headings: I) Economic Ii) Religious Iii) Humanitarian775 Words   |  4 Pagespresenting arguments AGAINST slavery in the British Caribbean under the following headings: i) Economic ii) Religious iii) Humanitarian On every street corner, in every household, on every tongue and on every wall, contradictory views on the system of slavery are being disputed. The public is being bombarded by the economic, religious and humanitarian views of slavery. The pressing issue that will be highlighted in today’s article is the arguments against slavery. 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