Article July 11, 1942 Issue

Freedom to Worship God

ROSEMARY BAUM HACKETT

Men guard as priceless possession the right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. Worldly possessions, home, friends, human life itself, have been sacrificed by many individuals in the struggle to preserve this freedom of worship. The Pilgrims braved the dangers of ocean and wilderness, accepting the certain loss of social and economic advantages and the possibility of privations, in order that they and their children might be free from ecclesiastical tyranny. Their freedom was bought with a price; and freedom to commune with God is worth the price of self-conquest. Said Jesus, "What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Perhaps no form of liberty is fully appreciated until it is in danger of being lost. In modern times, under democratic government, it is taken for granted that every man may attend the church of his choice and think about God in his own way. Comparatively few persons have been called upon to sacrifice material advantages for the sake of religious liberty. With the threat of mental enslavement creeping like a shadow across the world, freemen have begun to consider more thoughtfully the privileges which have always been theirs.

Christian Scientists in particular have occasion to ask themselves whether they believe they have achieved spiritual liberty merely by becoming members of Christian Science churches. Does not freedom to worship God imply freedom in worshiping God, freedom from mental elements which would obstruct our full and free communion with God, our ability to know Him as Jesus knew Him? Have we cherished the pereogatives of our spiritual sonship and proved our willingness to pay the price of spiritual freedom?

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