There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. 3:38
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythiam, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Col. 3:18
Careful reading of the text and historical practice indicate:
1. Both Christianity and Islam established a principle of equality within the church community for men whatever their ethnic origin.
2. Christianity but not Islam established a principle of equality within the church community for women as well as for men.
3. Neither Christianity nor Islam ended slavery of non-believers. Rather both countenanced the enslavement of “infidels” taken captive during war.
4. During the Middle Ages, slavery was abolished in western Europe. This was only a partial victory as the very European powers that ended slavery there, established slavery overseas, in their vast empires.
5. During the 18th and 19th Century, an abolition movement ended slavery in one after another country; e.g., ended slavery in the U.S. This was accomplished through various means, e.g., graduation emancipation in most northern states, abolition in a few of them, compensated emancipation in the British empire, as well as Civil War in the southern states.
6. At the end of the 19th Century, all the Christian, Islamic and independent countries of the world joined in a worldwide convention ending slavery. The independent countries of Asia soon joined into the convention.
7. Today, the problem of slavery is one of criminal behavior; e.g., human trafficking.
I meant to say:
6. At the end of the 19th Century, all the Christian, Islamic and independent countries of AFRICA joined in a worldwide convention ending slavery. The independent countries of Asia soon joined into the convention.