Slavery and Religion in Frederick Douglass's The Narrative

             Douglass does observe the injustices and discrepancies that were common during slavery. He then tries to understand the root of the evil behavior of white slave holders in an effort to abolish slavery. Through his exploration of the Christian religion in America, he is able to come to many realizations that reinforce his persuading narrative and to show how most religious whites used Christianity as a means to justify their cruel actions. Douglass explores his own religious beliefs in reference to the religious constructs of white America and reveals the unjust ways that Christianity was used to oppress the slaves.
             One of the most puzzling issues that Douglass tries to understand is how the whites could justify slavery and the brutality that was encompassed in this institution. In particular, he notes that his Master, Captain Auld, was one Christian who would vocally justify his abuse of slaves with a passage from the Bible that he misconstrued. Douglass writes:.
             "I have said my master found religious sanction for his cruelty. As an example, I will state one of many facts going to prove the charge. I have seen him tie up a lame young woman, and whip her with a heavy cow-skin upon her naked shoulders, causing the warm red blood to drip; and, in justification of the bloody deed, he would quote this passage of Scripture- "He that knoweth his masters will, and doeth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes." (Douglass 66). .
             Can a religious person who abides by Gods word be so cruel to another human being? The answer to this is: In this particular passage that Captain Auld used from the Bible could literally be viewed, as the person who disobeys his master should be punished. However, Douglass looks beyond the literal meaning that Auld finds and understands that the master is not a man or in particular the white man, but is God. The beatings that are referred to in this passage are not necessarily physical in nature; however, they are the punishments that God will give to the sinners who disobey his will and testament in the Bible.