INNER CHAINS

Erich Fromm (1900-1980) German humanistic philosopher and psychologist wrote, “This is the case in Western democracy, where political liberation hides the fact of dependency in many disguises… Man can be a slave even without being put in chains… The outer chains have simply been put inside of man. The desires and thoughts that the suggestion apparatus of society fills him with, chain him more thoroughly than outer chains. This is so because man can at least be aware of outer chains but be unaware of inner chains, carrying them with the illusion that he is free. He can try to overthrow the outer chains, but how can he rid himself of chains of whose existence he is unaware?”

Most of our captivity is from within, not from without. However, many people have been captive both outwardly and inwardly. These are ugly memories and circumstances. Now there is little difference in outer chains and the same reality is present for inner chains. There are reasons for wanting to remain a slave when offered freedom and none of them are good reasons. If we can get free inside…we can probably get free outside as well.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Jesus