Article March 28, 1942 Issue

Resisting the Propaganda of Evil

[Written Especially for Young People]

E. OLIVE DAVIS

In this age, the attempt to sway men's thought through the press, the radio, and the spoken word is a daily, almost an hourly, occurrence. This openly avowed activity has naturally brought about in our young people of today an alertness to the methods of propaganda and a habit of questioning the validity of whatever is presented to them. This is certainly a desirable practice, if it does not lead to an inability to come to conclusive decisions on any point through a fear that one is confronted only by propaganda, and a desire not to be erroneously influenced.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes (pp. 82, 83), "In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power, it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one." This statement, pondered in the light of what Christian Science teaches, makes it plain to the young student that he must rest his demonstration of guidance on the one divine Mind, and not allow himself to be influenced by a belief in many human minds; and it also brings to thought another sentence of our Leader's (ibid., p. 492), "For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence."

These two instructions provide the student with a solid basis on which to stand and confront the conflicting claims of many minds and many opinions, and enable him to come to unerring and sound conclusions in solving his problems. When the Christian Scientist sees that the whole claim of propaganda rests on the belief in many minds, each trying to influence others, he also sees that he cuts off this claim at its base when he knows and declares persistently that there is but one Mind, God, wholly good, and that man is, as defined by Mrs. Eddy, in part, on page 475 of Science and Health, "that which has no separate mind from God." To realize that Mind is also Truth, as Christian Science teaches, gives one the assurance that as he claims Mind as his, it will govern his thinking, and enable him to separate truth from falsity in all his human affairs; consequently, he will no longer be deceived or misled.

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