Editorial October 17, 1931 Issue

Idolatry or Idealism?

Violet Ker Seymer

Among the dictionary definitions of "idol" we find, "A form or appearance without substance; ... a pretender; sham; impostor." In experience an idol might be described as any mesmeric belief or influence from which we seem to have difficulty in freeing ourselves.

Christ Jesus triumphed over materiality through ideality. He constantly claimed unity with God and spiritual dominion. Hence it is not presumptuous, but truly obedient and humble, to follow the Way-shower by striving to love as he loved, to heal as he healed, and to triumph as he triumphed. There are no two ways of being a Christian, and no two standards for the Christian. Our demonstrations of spiritual dominion over sin, disease, and death rise in power and majesty only as we discard poor standards and press on, divinely curious to know more of good and to express more of spiritual man; to depend more upon Mind, and less upon matter for life and all its imperishable faculties.

Which does humanity need in order to be lifted out of its troubles, idolatry or idealism? Referring to Jesus, Mrs. Eddy writes, "He established the only true idealism on the basis that God is All, and He is good, and good is Spirit; hence there is no intelligent sin, evil mind or matter: and this is the only true philosophy and realism" (No and Yes, p. 38). This idealism translates our dependence from matter to Mind. So it undermines fear, which is traceable to the belief in subordination to material conditions. Fear springs from a limited and material sense, which cannot cognize the facts of Spirit; but spiritual sense is free from fear.

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