Editorial May 26, 1945 Issue

The Scientific Destruction of Evil

Margaret Morrison

There is only one way in which evil can scientifically be destroyed. That way has been pointed out by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, throughout her inspired writings. One very definite rule she has given on page 334 of "Miscellaneous Writings," where she says: "You must find error to be nothing: then, and only then, do you handle it in Science. The diabolism of suppositional evil at work in the name of good, is a lie of the highest degree of nothingness: just reduce this falsity to its proper denomination, and you have done with it." This scientific way of annihilating evil does not involve the destruction of aught that is real. Through spiritual enlightenment the illusory nature of evil is revealed, and it is reduced "to its proper denomination."

Without an understanding of Christian Science, individuals and nations continue the unscientific and unavailing attempt to destroy evil with evil or to allow evil to destroy itself, and so, today, the material world finds itself engaged in the most devastating war it has ever known. Mortal mind engages in its own nonintelligent method of destroying. It builds for itself defenses it declares impregnable and then builds weapons strong enough to penetrate those defenses. This necessitates building still stronger defenses, and again still stronger weapons of penetration, and so the unavailing vicious circle continues. Christ Jesus denied the ability of Satan to cast out Satan, and declared that he cast out evils "by the Spirit of God."

In many passages throughout her writings Mrs. Eddy reaffirms this truth. On page 55 of "Retrospection and Introspection" she says: "Evil is not mastered by evil; it can only be overcome with good. This brings out the nothingness of evil and the eternal somethingness, vindicates the divine Principle, and improves the race of Adam." So we may never sit complacently by and say of war, disease, or any form of evil, "It is just evil destroying itself," and leave it there. Never thus is evil handled scientifically and fundamentally destroyed.

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Christian Science Services in Yosemite National Park