It looks like the taxman's been editing the dictionary... Surely not?
The word 'usury' is currently defined as:
the action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest.
I suggest this isn't the true meaning of the word, and that the modern definition is covering something up.
Usury used to mean lending money at any rate of interest, not just 'unreasonably high' ones. In Islam it still means that, which is why there are separate Islamic banks which ostensibly don't charge interest.
So the meaning of the word has changed recently. It could have changed before.
The word's etymology suggests the word 'use', and I think usury is a much more generic concept than is commonly accepted. I don't think it applies just to money...
Interest
Interest is charged on the use of money. All money is lent into existence as debt, and some interest is charged on the loan (ignoring ZIRP and NIRP...).
The people are effectively renting the money from the bank. The money remains the property of the bank, but they let you use it for a fee.
Rental
It's a common practise to rent property. Paying rental on the use of a home is basically the same as paying interest on money.
But there's a difference between homes and money. You can buy a house outright. Then you don't have to pay rent any more.
If you choose to rent or buy a house is up to you, assuming you can afford the initial payment / deposit.
With money, you don't have that option. You can only ever rent it from the bank.
Perpetual Rent
If the chance to own something you need to live is denied to you, and you have no choice but to pay rent on it, then that is arguably a form of slavery.
Certainly if we define slavery as Collin's dictionary does: link
Slavery: the subjection of a person to another person, esp in being forced into work.
There is no benefit to a man in being forced to rent a property he would choose to own. There is no recompense for the work he is compelled to do. He receives no benefit, the master receives it all.
This arrangement could never be formalised in a contract because there is no 'consideration' offered to the forced-tenant. Therefore it is unconscionable, inequitable, and unlawful.
Veritopian Definition of Usury
Usury: Being compelled to pay rental for something you need to use, while being denied the opportunity of ownership.
We have to pay usury/interest on money because only the bank can own money, but if we're denied the right to own anything, and instead forced to pay to use it, then that also should be defined as usury.
If usury is being forced to pay for the use of something you need, then...
Tax is Usury
The state claims you don't own your body, and that it does, (and that you agreed to it). So it charges you to use it. To use your body you have to pay the state...
Taxes are effectively a rental you pay for your physical freedom. If you don't pay your taxes, your right to use your body (to leave prison) will be taken away.
In order to perform almost any bodily function, usury must be paid to the state.
Whether it's to have the right to eat and drink, to wear clothes, to live in a house, to travel, or even to defecate; purchase taxes, fuel taxes, employment taxes, water rates, business rates, etc. etc. must all be paid on every product you buy.
To use your home you have to pay land-taxes. To travel in any way you must pay taxes, even shoe-leather is taxed!
All taxes can be considered a rental of rights from the state. Rights that you had anyway...
When the state claims ownership of your body, it has crossed the line into criminality. Taxes are simply state-organised economic slavery.
The only way a government can be lawfully funded is by voluntary donation.
So that's the reason why the word 'usury' has such a narrow meaning today, because if it's real meaning was common knowledge people might notice that tax is usury too.
Usury is a criminal act that's equivalent to slavery, and that's why it was unlawful and should still be...
And a Jesus quote for good measure...
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (Luke 6:35)
:)