In Wesley's "Thoughts Upon Slavery," he refers to Africans as "heathens" without seeming to intend a negative tone, but also later criticizes those takings slaves for considering the Africans to be "brute beasts". He also asks if such treatment of people can be justified even under "heathen honesty". Did "heathen" have a different connotation in Wesley's day, or is this evidence that he considers himself superior to Africans?
How unique was it to take a stance against slavery as incompatible with justice and mercy in Wesley's context? I wonder this, because today it seems that it is almost the more popular stance to be against Trump--and plenty of people are writing their views against him--but that does not prevent his policies from being in place and harmful to others. Was this the same with slavery, or was it the popular opinion to justify slavery?
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