Breaking the Chains

I recently saw the heart-rending video of the liberation of an elephant that had been in confined captivity for fifty years.  After these many years she was transferred from her chained existence at the Louisiana Purchase Zoo to the unchained freedom of the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.  Her longtime former keeper, a man named Solomon James, noted that he was not the one who put her in chains, but was overjoyed to be the man who finally was privileged to take her out of chains.  Over the years he had developed a great love for ‘his’ elephant.  Upon arrival at the Sanctuary, in addition to her being set free of chains was the immediately apparent joy of the elephant Shirley’s reunion of herself with her old elephant friend from decades before.  Animals, too, have feelings and love-attachments. 

I think of the many people who are sometimes literally, but more frequently figuratively in chains because of addictions or ignorance or despair or by the machinations of evil men.  I can hardly express how much I loathe those who cause and seem to take pleasure in physical, emotional, or spiritual harm or put into 'chains' once-innocent and hopeful people or even animals.

I am ashamed to admit that I once (over forty years ago) was a hunter who, like most—if they would only analyze their actions and admit it—enjoyed killing their game.  I still think of two or three incidents in my life that I unthinkingly (by childish action) or by design (as a hunter) killed animals for no good reason (such as need—say by starvation—or to limit the harm they were causing me).  I still kill ants, mosquitoes, and some spiders, and not with joy, but always have reservation about going beyond what I find necessary to do. 

 

The point I want to make, though, pertains to people.  To lead people into the chains of addiction by introduction or by supplying deleterious substances (drugs, harmful food, pornography, false ideas or ‘chains of darkness,’ etc.) to them, one is committing a crime against life.

Ours should be the opposite course—to liberate, where we can, by breaking the ‘chains that bind,’ or to take a helping role in helping others break their chains.

   

Could we all not find some way to be instruments to help liberate one so enchained? Think about it.