Question

When the virginia house of burgesses decreed that religious conversion did not release a slave from bondage it meant that, under virginia law, christians could own other christians?

Answer 1

True--Christians could own other Christians under the Virginia law.

This law stated that slaves once converted would still remain slaves. This established slavery as being based on racial status instead of religious status as it had been used in Europe. Slaves in Europe were historically prisoners of war in particular during wars with other religious groups. However, the Virginia law changed the precedent and created a slave system based on race that would continue in the US until 1865.

Answer 2

By the statement above, this means that under the Virginia law, Christians could have the right to own other Christians as long as they are in the same religion based on the Virginia house of burgesses decreed in terms of religious conversion that does not release a slave from bondage.