This huge and terrible industry [the slave trade] was…
![“This huge and terrible industry [the slave trade] was blessed by all churches and for a long time aroused absolutely no religious protest. . . . In the eighteenth century, a few dissenting Mennonites and Quakers in America began to call for abolition, as did some freethinkers like Thomas Paine.” quote by Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/3b5/christopher-hitchens-117_abolition_this-huge-and-terrible-industry-the-slav_2271791.jpg)
“This huge and terrible industry [the slave trade] was blessed by all churches and for a long time aroused absolutely no religious protest. . . . In the eighteenth century, a few dissenting Mennonites and Quakers in America began to call for abolition, as did some freethinkers like Thomas Paine.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The slave trade was historically endorsed by religious institutions, with early opposition only from dissenters and freethinkers.
In simple terms: Churches once supported slavery; early critics were few.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how institutions can normalize injustice.
Themes
history
morality
religion
activism
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
historical
ethical
activist
When to use this quote
- academic discussion
- human rights advocacy
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
institutional complicity
ethical awakening
Questions to Reflect On
- How do institutions become complicit in oppression?
- What drives individuals to break from prevailing norms?
A Different Perspective
Religious endorsement of slavery was not universal; many believers opposed it earlier.