Article May 31, 1924 Issue

Evil is Unreal

ROBERT RAMSEY

Sometimes the young student of Christian Science is puzzled as to how the fact of the unreality of matter or evil, as taught by Christian Science, is going to benefit him, when some phase of evil still seems to be real to him. He has probably been educated to believe that everything is as it appears to be. He has possibly, also, accepted evil as a temporary fact; and he is sure that, meantime, it is undoubtedly real. Moreover, he is apt to inquire, "What does it matter whether you say that evil is real or unreal, so long as it appears real to me?"

In seeking a solution to this quandary we must examine the difference between a statement of Truth and an unreal belief. Suppose some one believes that two times two is five. Is there any cause for the belief? No. Neither is there any law supporting it; for whether the erroneous belief remains or disappears depends upon its acceptance or rejection. It is equally obvious that there is no support for the erroneous belief under any condition; no one would hold that two times two might be five if a sufficient number of people believed it to be so. The statement that two times two is four, on the other hand, is an arithmetical fact. It exists as fact whether it be accepted or not. It has always existed; it will always exist; it is true everywhere.

Now let us return to the Science of being. If evil is real, or even if it claims to have temporary reality in a so-called human mind, it would then have a cause and law behind it. On the other hand, if evil or error is unreal, it can claim to exist only so long as it is believed in; and it can have no cause, no law, and no supporting circumstances behind it apart from the belief of the believer.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Evil is Unreal

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access