Dawkins and the slaves

In an article in today's Telegraph Richard Dawkins' family's slave owning past has been 'exposed'. I say family, but that suggests a close link. The actual descendent concerned was born in the 17th Century, dying over 250 years ago. He was Dawkins' great, great great great great grandfather. Were it not for the fact that one of his approximate 540 living descendants is Richard Dawkins this 'story' would not be in the news.

Which begs the question. Why is it in the paper? Someone obviously thinks Dawkins is somehow tainted because of his ancestry. What kind of sick morality blames someone for their distant ancestor's actions? Here is one.

Deuteronomy 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.

Exodus 34:7 ... visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation

It must be an important Christian message as you find similar in

Numbers 14:18 ....visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

While slavery may be 7 generations back down Dawkins' line it is nevertheless still prevalent today. Last week we heard of the case of a young woman kept as a slave and beaten in Manchester.

I find it interesting that the bible a book held up as a moral guide does not speak out against slavery. The opposite in fact. Luke tells a tale of Jesus instructing how to treat slaves.

12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 

12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes

So if your slave does not do what you tell him give him a damn good thrashing. If however he hasn't done it because you haven't told him what you want, just give him a few cracks of the whip.

I wonder why those like Cameron calling for the UK to recognize Christian  morals and values were not outraged that this poor couple are being persecuted for following Jesus' moral guide? Are these not the Christian values they are talking about?