by ir » Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:01 am
hebrew law had slavery laws, which were probably a bit more englightened than the ones around. (protection of women slaves from rape; and the duty to release a slave after 7 years, unless he asks to remain a slave and then he becomes a lifelong slave with a special earing to mark it). Of course, in the 2000 years these laws were dormant as Jews lived under foreign laws.<br><br>However, recently, a certain Law professor in Israel who is also an expert on jewish law (and is also right wing religious extremist) wrote some articles making an analogy between people who are employees and the <br>slaves, namely, those who don't own a business but rather are employees of another (wage workers) are, in his interpretation equivalent to the "hebrew slave"...that's his exegesis/ or adaptation of the old laws.<br><br>there is a body of people, religious right wing neo conservatives here who are looking for "biblical" reference to corporate capitalism, namely that enterpreneurs are "full people" and wage workers are not really full citizens, but either parasites, lazy, and "childish" or not fully mature citizens. next thing they'll take away the voting rights from people who don't own a business, certainly those on welfare or disability.<br><br>---<br>With the disappearance of social protection here, I can see how workers are in fact slaves, some don't realize it, as they feel identified with their employers, for a while, they feel "part of the family" and protected. But, if a person can be fired at will, and then not have any unemployment benefits/insurance, or welfare, or subsidized housing, medicare - they ARE slaves. But the mind can still be free. <br><br>--<br>As for homosexuality - I also sense that elevated institutionalized homosexuality coincides with "Empire" lifestyle. Regardless of the right of individuals to practice same without being harassed or killed, or penalized.<br>In Jewish law, according to the Bible, it is a sin which carries the death penalty, but so do a host of other "sins" including a son/daughter who talk back to their parents. This is obsolete and nobody is taking it verbatim. BUt, there is another precept in Judaism which makes it imperative to procreate, so even homosexuals are not exempt. this rule applies only to men, BTW. So, a man who has not kids is considered "EVIL", whatever his reasons. WOmen, who in the past were dependent on men to procreate are exempt from said command. <br><br>--<br> <p></p><i></i>
