[SeminoleSoldier]

Many Southerners, Davis and Lee included, believed that Christianity would lift the slaves out of the pagan beliefs and into civilization


I simply cannot believe that on a discussion board committed to individual liberty the complete violation of liberty is justified as a missionary effort. I cannot recall where in the gospels Jesus said to enslave people to "lift them out of pagan beliefs"
I hold to my contention that slavery apart, it is a matter of fact that slaves were often beaten, female slaves were often sexually abused, and were subjected to many other forms of ill treatment. Abolitionists greatly exaggerated such abuse, but there was some truth in their accusations. I believe in federalism and I believe that local issues should be handled by local government.
However, the CSA is not really an example of that. How do you explain the fugitive slave act, forcing non-slave owners to aid in keeping slaves?

[4CJ]

I simply cannot believe that on a discussion board committed to individual liberty the complete violation of liberty is justified as a missionary effort.

Not that I agree, but for much of the world circa 1800 blacks were seen as savages and sub-human. Heck, most Tarzan movies, Shaka Zulu, "Tears of the Sun", "Blood Diamonds" or their companions continue to demonize blacks as cannibals, sub-human etc.

Given the alternative, I laud their Davis, Lee, Jackson et al and their efforts.