Sentinel Watch January 31, 2011 Issue

Human trafficking: don’t look away

Dave Hohle

Writer Nicholas Kristof shed light on the problems of modern slavery and human trafficking in a recent New York Times commentary, “A woman. A prostitute. A slave” (November 11, 2010). He writes, “No one has a clear idea of the scale of the problem . . . [but] it’s hugely profitable and carries less risk than selling drugs or stealing cars.” By some estimates, the sale of human beings will outpace even drug trafficking, to become one of the largest criminal enterprises on earth. 

Human trafficking is a modern twist on an ancient problem. History provides many examples of people who have been taken against their will and forced into servitude. Populations have been forced into slavery by invading armies, and cruel treatment has been perpetrated under the mistaken concept that one individual can legitimately own another.

It may seem that there is little we can do about this issue. But the study of Christian Science uniquely prepares us to engage with tough problems from a metaphysical basis. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy encouraged us to stand against error in all its forms. She made this instructive statement about the apparent conflict between good and error: “During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection” (pp. 96–97).