Article August 7, 1937 Issue

Eliminating Condemnation

TERESE ROSE NAGEL

A shopper in a large metropolitan department store noticed the following sign as a warning to employees: "Three errors, one day off." At first the meaning did not seem at all clear. Then it was realized that this great merchandizing firm forced its employees to take one day off for every three mistakes made. This business method and viewpoint made the student turn gratefully to Christian Science, which teaches its students that opportunity is always given to correct errors or mistakes without regard to penalty. As the demand of uncovering and correcting error is met, it is destroyed—and dismissed.

What gratitude we should feel for a religion which affords fresh opportunity for a progressive life, as thought is lifted to divine Mind and so beholds man free from error or evil! Self-condemnation or the condemnation of others is far from helpful, and tends to drag oneself and others down instead of lifting up. To put the stumbling block of condemnation in our own path or that of our fellow man very often brings on the beliefs of heaviness, sadness, discouragement, or despair. These destructive thoughts should be replaced with constructive ideas of encouragement and helpfulness. Mrs. Eddy states in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 249): "You may condemn evil in the abstract without harming any one or your own moral sense, but condemn persons seldom, if ever. Improve every opportunity to correct sin through your own perfectness."

To see the true selfhood of our brother man as perfect in the likeness of Mind eliminates condemnation. An effective aid towards maintaining this sense of perfection is to watch thought, speech, and conversation; also, to check criticism and false judgment, and allow them no place in our experience. St. Paul states, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

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