Editorial June 25, 1966 Issue

Why Be Moral?

William Milford Correll

There is a great surge of questioning going on in society regarding the reason why one should be moral. Traditional standards are being challenged, and this all may be part of a healthy reevaluation. But are the commandments against adultery and the warnings against fornication outmoded? Are these just arbitrary rules that have been bypassed through the current emphasis on material sense and the opinion of some so-called experts that anything goes? There is a much deeper meaning to these rules than just the limitation of conduct to accepted modes.

Self-respect is involved in the moral state, and this element of character enters deeply into one's life, his ability and fulfillment, his health and well-being. What one does with his body has much to do with his self-respect, his integrity, and his sense of identity. An added dimension of character comes into play when one keeps himself under the guidance of the laws of God. Paul implied this in his first letter to the Corinthians: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." ^{ I Cor. 3:16,17;}

Through Christian Science we learn that the individual is held intact through spiritual forces. God is understood to be divine Principle, Soul, the one creative and governing power. And man is His spiritual image and likeness, reflecting the oneness and wholeness of eternal Life, Truth, and Love. It is man's relation to God that assures his perfection and well-being. As we come to understand the divine nature and reflect the laws of God, we can demonstrate health and harmony in our individual human experience. The spiritual forces become evident in practical ways, and we can exercise dominion over sin and disease. These forces show up in human thought as moral forces, such as self-control, honesty, conscience, fidelity to home, family, and marriage.

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