Article November 25, 1950 Issue

CATEGORICAL DENIAL

L. CECIL STUDDERT KENNEDY

In a court of law the counsel for the defense is in a very strong position when, as he listens to the arguments of the prosecution, he knows that he has in his possession undeniable and provable facts. These facts enable him to make a categorical denial of all accusations and to convince the judge or jury of their falsity. The acquittal of the defendant is thus assured.

The annulment of falsities through the understanding and demonstration of facts is applicable to the varied fields of human experience. In the proportion that we obtain and retain in consciousness the absolute and unqualified facts of our real being, we are enabled to render null and void the testimony of the material senses, however menacing or pleasurable, however plausible, it may seem to be. In other words, it is the knowledge of the facts of real being, when faithfully adhered to, that serves as a categorical denial of error, whatever its name or nature. Surely this must be the underlying message of the Scriptures, and it is undoubtedly that of Christian Science.

In an allegorical portrayal of a courtroom scene in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 430-442), when Mortal Man is supposedly on trial, Mary Baker Eddy calls the counsel for the defense Christian Science. One by one the witnesses for the prosecution are called, and their testimony is rendered null and void. The counsel had that absolute and unqualified knowledge of the real facts which enabled him to face the arguments of the prosecution with a categorical denial of all accusations against the defendant, give proof of his innocence, and win the case.

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