History of North America

Why were slaveholders called hypocrites?

Slaveholders were often called hypocrites because they claimed to be Christians while simultaneously owning and mistreating other human beings. Many slaveholders justified their actions by citing passages from the Bible, such as those that state that slaves should obey their masters. However, these same slaveholders often ignored other passages that condemned slavery, such as those that call for justice and compassion for all people. As a result, slaveholders were often accused of being hypocritical in their religious beliefs and practices.