In 1857 the US Supreme Court made the second worst civil rights decision in their history, and the first decision that directly contradicted arguments made by Christians based on their biblical beliefs.
Many people believe that Christian theology promoted slavery, but in fact that is one of the many lies perpetrated by slave owners in the South. In fact, for hundreds of years Christians had struggled against slavery, and the Southern states of the US was one of the few places that had a Judeo-Christian history, but still supported slavery.
Dred Scott was a slave who had been relocated to a free state. After attempting unsuccessfully to purchase freedom for himself and his family, he, with the help of Christian abolitionists and the son of his previous owner, sued for his freedom.
The fact that he was in a free state made it clear that he was protected by Mosaic Law from being returned to slavery.
The 15th and 16th verse of Deuteronomy reads:
Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee: He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him."
The Supreme court, being loaded with Democrat party appointees, and under pressure from Democrat President James Buchanan, began the precedent of ignoring morality and decency in its decisions, but rather favoring the powerful political interests of moneyed politics. This Supreme Court decision was one of the key factors leading to the outlawing of a major activity of Christian abolitionists, who went underground, in civil disobedience of the law of the land. We were forced to struggle for freedom and our Christian beliefs against a corrupt government intent on oppression and the denial of human rights.
