I DON'T GET TOO surprised by much, even though I'm in a problem-solving business. But a recent New York Times op/ed column jolted me. Nicholas Kristof was addressing sex trafficking of young girls into brothels in Cambodia. Through graphic details of one teen's plight, he made the case that this is slavery. The article ended with the hope that the US Congress and the incoming administration would put pressure on nations where such slavery exists: "There would be powerful symbolism in an African-American president reminding the world that the war on slavery isn't yet over, and helping to lead the 21st century abolitionist movement" ("If This Isn't Slavery, What Is?" January 4, 2009).

It's quite possible the new president and Congress will exert such leadership in the US and elsewhere. But what strikes me most is the call for me—for every individual—to be part of the movement to abolish slavery, wherever and however it appears. As I've prayed for answers, I've asked, "How does such slavery appear in the first place?"

It's clear that there is mental as well as physical enslavement to address. In fact, since thought precedes action, the mental realm is the place to start.

One website, addressing sexual and porn addiction, puts it this way: "Research has been able to show that our brains cannot tell the difference between a thought that is repeatedly and vividly imagined and something that happens in the external world. To the brain, it's the same thing" ("innergold1000s channel," InnerGold.com).

In recent months, several men who have struggled with addiction to adult Internet porn have told me how easy it was to fool themselves into thinking that what they were doing in thought was harmless. And yet they wanted out of that mental enslavement, which robbed them of self-control, self-respect, and their ability to have honest relationships.

So are we helplessly tied to the apparent vulnerabilities of the brain? No! Spiritual resources are available. In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy addressed physical and mental slavery as "not the legitimate state of man," affirming that "God made man free" (p. 227). A too common response to that might be: "Yes, but we've/I've managed to mess things up pretty badly. Maybe we/I deserve it." Yet does this response make sense for all those children Jesus spoke of when he said, "Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost" (Matt. 18:14, New International Version). On the other hand, is Jesus' assurance true for the repentant and regenerated? Jesus answered that, too, when speaking of the dishonest tax collector Zacchæus: "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Salvation, freedom, came to Zacchæus' house in the form of the Christ—divine messages from God—bringing him new views of himself.

Science and Health describes Jesus' prayers as "deep and conscientious protests of Truth,—of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love" (p. 12). And Christ-messages are perpetually affirming the true nature of God, and of everyone's likeness to divine Truth and Love. From that vantage point Jesus destroyed the bonds of sin and sickeness and set people free. Each of us has the capacity to see ourselves and each other in this Christly way, wherever they or we may be. The transforming view of God's children, made and motivated by Him, takes away the sins of the world.

A woman whom I met spoke of her transformation from drug addiction and prostitution; for her it was learning of her identity as a child of God. She told me that for years she'd seen herself as an awful person, both villain and victim. "Now I see a beautiful woman of God's creating," she said. Not surprisingly, she's free from drugs and prostitution, living a normal life, both mentally and physically.

Another man I know, enslaved by Internet porn, told me that he'd achieved freedom by claiming his right to innocence, unselfishness, happiness, and satisfaction as a child of God. He literally experienced what the Psalmist sang: "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness" (Ps. 17:15). For centuries this approach has liberated people, and it remains universally applicable. That's worth singing about! For when men and women find their innate peace, the innocence of others is protected as well.

It turns out that the human mind must naturally yield to the divine Mind and intelligence, where bondage melts. The sons and daughters of God include the spiritual qualities and capacities that consitute innocence and goodness. Each of us can claim our own right to them, identify innocence in others, and actively participate in this freedom for everyone. css