Editorial February 13, 1915 Issue

Unfounded Criticism

Archibald McLellan

Many of those who array themselves against Christian Science assume to justify their antagonism toward this religion by reason of its teaching that evil is unreal. It is no uncommon thing, indeed, to find these critics claiming that Christian Science countenances sin by asserting the unreality of evil.

It is apparent that those who criticize Christian Science in this way, fail to apprehend that by contending for the belief that evil is real they are dishonoring God, yet this is the inherent logic of their position. To allege that God is the creator of evil, is to assume that He is not even so good as the ordinary moral person who does no evil. It is to allege that He is not so good as the man who has carelessly or by reason of temptation fallen into sin. Were a good man to commit sin, his character would at once be changed, and he would no longer be classed as a good man. How much greater would be the change in God, whom the prophet declares to be "of purer eyes than to behold evil," should He become the creator of evil!

On the other hand, if God is not the creator of evil, and evil exists, the plain inference is that God is not omnipotent, and His power is secondary to that of the creator of evil. This is of course unthinkable nonsense, but it is the horn of the dilemma which the critic of Christian Science must grasp if he contends for a belief in the reality of evil as a test of Christianity. What Mrs. Eddy teaches in regard to evil and its unreality, is clearly stated in her various writings; and, to cite only one instance, we would call attention to what was written by her on this point in her

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"Many mansions"
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