Article June 19, 1937 Issue

Being a "good sport"

[Written Especially for Young People]

ARTHUR A. CROSBY

To many young persons in these seemingly perplexing times, the question of whether to use tobacco and alcohol presents itself almost daily. May they not be used in moderation for sociability's sake? Is it not right to indulge them. when this bears the approving stamp of what is called our best society? Should we not yield when our friends urge us to join them and so "be a good sport"?

To the Christian Scientist, the answer to these questions is in the negative. The reason for this answer lies in the fact that even a moderate use of tobacco and alcohol tends to lower an individual's moral sense. Furthermore, as alcohol and nicotine are habit-forming drugs—the desire for them growing with the using—moderate use of them permits evil eventually to establish the habit. Our Leader has told us (Science and Health, p. 454) that "the use of tobacco or intoxicating drinks is not in harmony with Christian Science."

What shall we do, then, when our friends want us to be "sociable"? To be sociable means to mingle with others on a friendly basis. It means to be truly good-natured, bright, and good company. We certainly can express these qualities without the aid of habit-forming drugs. Right qualities are sustained by God, and are not dependent upon artificial material stimulants for their expression. Furthermore, as we express these good qualities, we shall have no desire to drink or to smoke, and our friends will soon see that we do not need stimulants to make us sociable. Out task as Christian Scientists, then, is to cultivate and manifest more of the divine qualities that make one truly lovable.

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