Editorial October 9, 1965 Issue

Is Christian Science Escapism?

Helen Wood Bauman

Christian Science is not a form of escapism, although its adherents escape from many evil experiences common to humanity. But they do this by facing evil situations courageously and not by fleeing from or avoiding them. The Scientist knows that his escape from any threat or experience of evil depends upon his conviction that God, divine Mind, did not make it and that it is consequently unreal. Holding his ground, he sees the erroneous situation fade out of his consciousness and leave him the victor.

This scientific method is very different from the escapism which habitually diverts thought to lurid literature or vapid entertainment in order to avoid fear or discord or boredom. The scientific way of escape calls for spiritual vigor, which affirms the presence of harmony and denies the presence of evil on the basis of Mind's allness and of man's security as Mind's idea.

Mary Baker Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 113): "He who refuses to be influenced by any but the divine Mind, commits his way to God, and rises superior to suggestions from an evil source. Christian Science shows that there is a way of escape from the latter-day ultimatum of evil, through scientific truth; so that all are without excuse."

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