LETTERS: CELEBRATE DOING AWAY WITH SLAVERY

To the editor:

Instead of beating ourselves up over the fact that we once had slavery in the United States, it seems to me that we should be celebrating the fact that we did away with slavery. Slavery was accepted as a way of life throughout history.

Accounts in the Bible show that slavery was accepted. Exodus 21:1-11 outlines ordinances regarding slavery. In Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11, Paul speaks of Greek, Jew, male, female, free, slave as one in Christ.

According to reference works, the practice of slavery dates to prehistoric times. It is not accepted here. Slavery was first abolished in Denmark in 1792, followed by Great Britain in 1807. The courageous men and women of the Civil War era forced slavery out of our society. How wonderful. Let's celebrate that.

ANNABEL GILHAUS

Cape Girardeau