Editorial November 3, 1962 Issue

Dealing with Contagion

Helen Wood Bauman

The medical theory that certain diseases are materially contagious leaves out the mental aspect of contagion. And medical theory also leaves out the fact that spiritual states of thought prevent such diseases from developing, even when the material conditions for contagion are present.

Christian Science explains the mental aspect of all contagion and provides the Christ-power that destroys it. Mary Baker Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 228), "Whatever man sees, feels, or in any way takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind; inasmuch as perception, sensation, and consciousness belong to mind and not to matter." Later she adds, "Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching."

These scientific precepts are immensely valuable to the Christian Scientist, for they give him assurance that he can protect himself physically by refusing to consent mentally to the possibility of catching a disease considered contagious. However, his refusal must be more than a mere human rejection of the possibility. It must rest upon his knowledge that God, Spirit, is the only Mind, that man reflects this one Mind, and that nothing can contaminate real consciousness, which emanates from pure Spirit.

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