Editorial July 17, 1965 Issue

"Released from materialism"

Helen Wood Bauman

Undestroyed materialism is the cause of every human woe. And here is one of Webster's definitions of "materialism": "a theory that physical matter is the only reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter."

One need only look at the devastating effects of the belief in matter's reality to realize where such a theory would lead mankind. Crime, poverty, immorality, disease, death—all limiting elements of human thought—are often the results of it. The world's struggle for freedom from limitations is a struggle against materialism, even though this is not widely recognized.

Christianity's purpose has always been to destroy materialism in society and to establish spiritual values. But until Christian Science was discovered by Mary Baker Eddy, only a hazy sense of how this change can be brought about was seen. This Science points out that matter is lifeless and mindless and has no value apart from the thought entertained about it. So thought is what needs to be watched and corrected if materialism and its effects are to go.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Distinct Individuality