UPDATED Slavery and American Religion + Baylor

Slavery in America since 1619

Puritans had slaves; slavery was embedded in American life from the very beginning.

Anti-slavery voices during the American Revolution

Some strong opposition existed, even in the South, but it was the exception—not the norm.

Biblical argument against slavery

The Bible is against oppression of any kind; abolitionists argued that "permissive statutes" on slavery were superseded by the spirit of the Bible.

Pro-slavery biblical interpretation

Used literal interpretation of the Bible; claimed divine law sanctioned slavery and that abolitionists followed reason, not revelation.

Economic root of pro-slavery ideology

“Cotton is King”; economic interests fueled defense of slavery.

Impact of slave rebellions on pro-slavery thought

Hardened pro-slavery attitudes due to fear; major rebellions included Denmark Vesey's planned revolt and Nat Turner's rebellion.

Nat Turner

Claimed religious visions, seen as a prophet; led a rebellion in Virginia, killed 55-65 whites; over 50 slaves executed, over 100 killed by mobs.

Christian defense of slavery

Claimed slavery was an act of Providence; people born into ranks by divine design; used scripture to justify social hierarchy.

Richard Furman's 1823 letter

Addressed to the governor of South Carolina after Vesey revolt; cited OT and NT to defend slavery; argued divine law never sanctioned immoral actions.

Pro-slavery scriptural strategy

Used the fact that apostles did not directly condemn slavery as implicit support; prioritized letter of scripture over spirit.

Division within denominations in the 1840s

Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians all split over slavery; Southern Baptist Convention formed in 1845 due to national agencies not appointing slaveholders as missionaries.

Southern Baptist Convention

Formed May 8, 1845; key issue was slavery; first missionaries were James Huckins and William Tryon.

Frederick Douglass on American Christianity

Said American Christianity is not the religion of Jesus; it supported slavery and was hypocritical.

Peter Randolph

Former slave and Baptist pastor; wrote From Cabin to Pulpit, warned not to forget the horrors of slavery.

Christianity's dual legacy in slavery

Involved in both love/justice/mercy and violence/oppression; religion was used to both defend and abolish slavery.

Formation of Baylor University

Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas at Independence, TX; created by the Texas Baptist Education Society.

Key founders of Baylor

R.E.B. Baylor (President), William Tryon (Corresponding Secretary), James Huckins (Board Member).

William Tryon's role in Baylor

Called the "father" of Baylor; missionary and pastor; chair of first board of trustees.

R.E.B. Baylor background

Judge, Texas Supreme Court member; Grand President of the Know Nothing Party (nativist); Baptist lay preacher.

Baylor timeline highlights

1854 – First degree awarded; 1855 – First female graduate; 1866 – Baylor Female College forms; 1886 – Baylor relocates to Waco; 1934 – Baylor Female becomes Mary Hardin-Baylor College.

Baylor’s Baptist identity

Founded by Baptist Education Society; 12 of 15 original trustees were Baptist; until 1991, all Board of Regents appointed by Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Current BGCT representation on Baylor board

Today, 1/4 of the Board of Regents is elected by the BGCT.

Why Baylor studies its past

To hear a fuller, more accurate version of its story; silence leads to a distorted view of history (quote paraphrased from President Livingstone).

Baylor founders and slavery

All three—Baylor, Huckins, Tryon—owned enslaved people; Huckins bought and sold slaves, accused of beating one; Baylor was one of the wealthiest enslavers in Texas.

Baylor during the Civil War

Supported the Southern Confederacy once Texas joined in 1861.

Historical relevance today

Baylor’s story is intertwined with slavery and white supremacy; currently addressing this through efforts like the Memorial to Enslaved Persons on Founders Mall.

Reason for Southern Baptist split

Northern Baptists would not appoint slaveholders as missionaries; Southern Baptists formed a separate convention to support them.

Missionaries supported by Southern Baptists

James Huckins and William Tryon were among the missionaries supported despite owning slaves.

Baylor Commission on Historic Campus Representations

Established to address and publicly acknowledge Baylor’s history with slavery and racial injustice.

The “____________” argument:

• The Bible is against oppression of any kind

• Slavery passages with “permissive statues” that would

be superseded

• Abolitionists interpreted Bible differently. They argued

that it was the spirit rather than the letter of the Bible

that was antislavery.

abolitionist

“________ _______” Convention formed May 8,

1845 when national agencies said they wouldn’t

appoint slaveholders as missionaries

Southern baptist

1845 – Charter is granted for the formation of Baylor University
and _____________ Texas is chosen as the Location

Independence

[William Tryon] Called the _________ for the creation of Baylor

visionary

Today, ___ % of the board is elected by the BGCT

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