Article February 24, 1945 Issue

The Fallacy of Fighting Against God

OLIVE GRAY ROTTLUFF

The first decisive naval battle recorded in the annals of English history is familiar to all historians. In Germany, Holland, Switzerland, England, and the Scandinavian countries Protestantism was gathering momentum and establishing itself in the hearts of men. Ecclesiasticism was ever close upon the heels of Christianity, definitely determined to crush its activities wherever found. To this end Philip II launched a crusade against England with his "Invincible Armada," fully prepared to take over the government and religious institutions. Medina Sidonia, commander of the Spanish fleet, waited in vain for the English to draw near, and finally sailed up the English Channel. Here the alertness of the English and their skill in seamanship and gunnery won for them a victory that marked a new era in the world's history. A battle had been won for Christianity; it was free to grow in the consciousness of men. Upon the return of Medina Sidonia to Spain, Philip consoled him by saying, "It is impossible to contend with God."

Mary Baker Eddy writes on page 10 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, "History shows that error repeats itself until it is exterminated;" and so we find the same negative forces working in the consciousness of men today as in earlier centuries. Preceding this statement, our Leader gives a graphic portrayal of the effects of these negative forces which appear to operate in human consciousness. She says: "Certain elements in human nature would undermine the civic, social, and religious rights and laws of nations and peoples, striking at liberty, human rights, and self-government—and this, too, in the name of God, justice, and humanity! These elements assail even the new-old doctrines of the prophets and of Jesus and his disciples."

Some nations have made a scientific study of these "certain elements in human nature" in order to use them as weapons to "undermine the civic, social, and religious rights and laws of nations and peoples, striking at liberty, human rights, and self-government." They have been exploring the field of thought for years, testing and experimenting with the effects of these negative forces on the human consciousness, individually and collectively.

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