Article May 31, 1952 Issue

SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING DISMISSES SUPERSTITION

JESSIE DEANE MEWS

It is recorded in the seventeenth chapter of Acts that as Paul journeyed through Athens he found an altar inscribed "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." Discerning the ignorance of their worship, he declared to the inhabitants of that city that they were "in all things ... too superstitious." Then he sought to remove this superstition, resulting from ignorance of God and fear of the unknown, by expounding to them the nature of God as the creator of all good, and man's spiritual status as the offspring of God, dwelling in Him.

Much superstition has been removed from human thought through the enlightenment of the teachings of Christ Jesus and also, in some degree, through the advancement of modern education. Superstition, however, is not merely the belief in luck, chance, and magic, but according to a dictionary definition also includes "an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God, proceeding from ignorance, unreasoning fear of the unknown or mysterious." If we find that some problem or physical condition is of long duration and seemingly difficult to overcome, it may be that some superstitious belief is being entertained. Perhaps our attitude toward God is unreasoning, due to ignorance of His nature, or fear of the unknown and of the future may be holding us in ignorance and retarding progress.

On page 390 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes, "It is our ignorance of God, the divine Principle, which produces apparent discord, and the right understanding of Him restores harmony." Christian Science is dispelling the ignorant and erroneous concepts of God and unfolding the right understanding of Him in a way similar to the preaching of Paul at Athens This Science is based on the Bible, especially the words and works of Christ Jesus, and this Christianly scientific knowledge of God and His creation is conquering fear, lack, disease, death, and all phases of evil. Mrs. Eddy also writes, on page 149 of the textbook, "We need to understand the affirmations of divine Science, dismiss superstition, and demonstrate truth according to Christ."

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