Christianity
Islam
Judaism
Hinduism
Buddhism
Slavery & Liberation
The tension between bondage and freedom — both physical and spiritual — runs through every major tradition. The Exodus narrative, Islamic manumission rules, and Buddhist liberation from samsara all bear witness to the conviction that freedom is central to the divine plan.
Across the World's Religions
Christianity
- Practice
- Freedom in Christ; neither slave nor free
- Key Text
- Galatians 3:28; Philemon 1:16; John 8:36
Islam
- Practice
- Freeing slaves (itq) as meritorious act; equality before Allah
- Key Text
- Quran 90:12-13, 2:177
Judaism
- Practice
- The Exodus — God as liberator; Jubilee year (slaves freed)
- Key Text
- Exodus 13:3; Leviticus 25:10; Deuteronomy 15:12-15
Hinduism
- Practice
- Moksha (liberation) from the cycle of bondage
- Key Text
- Bhagavad Gita 4:16; 18:66
Buddhism
- Practice
- Vimutti (liberation) from suffering; Sangha open to all castes
- Key Text
- Dhammapada 90; MN 26; Udana 5.5