Final answer:
In the church during the era of slavery, slaves were to be treated in accordance with the doctrine that supported their subordination, which was manipulated by slaveholders to maintain control. The actual treatment could vary, but it was always within the context of upholding the institution of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Within the dynamics of the church during the period of enslavement in the United States, a different set of expectations was often upheld compared to the typical master-slave relationship found outside of the religious setting. It was generally understood that the church was a place where slaves were to be treated differently than their masters; however, this did not necessarily equate to better treatment overall.
The institution of slavery had strong ties to religious justification, with slaveholders manipulating Christian doctrine to endorse the subordinate status of slaves, even within the church environment. Religious gatherings often had to occur under the supervision of white pastors or overseers, reflecting the control and dominance of the slave owners even in the supposed sanctity of religious worship. This control extended to the messages delivered in sermons, with the content being tailored to reinforce the slave's obedience to their master. Nonetheless, the ethical considerations around the treatment of slaves in the religious context varied, with some masters taking an interest in the slaves' spiritual lives, but always under the conditions that upheld the broader system of slavery.