Editorial October 17, 1936 Issue

Spiritual Freedom

Duncan Sinclair

The human race is struggling for spiritual freedom. The fact that mortals are beset by all manner of apparent difficulties necessitates the struggle. Sin takes away happiness; sickness causes suffering, and incapacitates its victims; sorrow casts a dark shadow wherever it may seem to abide, unsurping the brightness of gladness; while lack stalks grimly through the experience of many. Little wonder that mankind, resenting the burden which it is bearing, cries out against the infliction and engages in a constant effort to find a way out of its woes.

If the difficulties common to all mankind be examined, it will be found that the root of every one of them is the belief that matter and evil are real. Consider sickness, for example. The prevalent theory is that sickness is caused by violation of material or moral law. The material body is supposed to be governed by physical law, since physical law is held to determine the functioning of the so-called material organs or other organic structure constituting the body. Let physical law be violated, and sickness follows. Such is the belief. Or if moral law be broken—moral law which sustains harmony—mental inharmony will ensue, with possible physical disturbance showing itself as sickness.

Consider, more particularly, sin and its effects. Sin is the outcome of the belief that matter and evil are real. Mortals regard matter as substantial, as endowed with sensation and capable of giving pleasure. They therefore indulge themselves materially or sensuously, the result being inharmony—sickness, sorrow, suffering. Further, mortals regard evil as real. Consequently, they practice evil to their own and perhaps others' discomfiture.

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