Christian Science offers the resolution for current divergent opinions regarding the way to attain human dignity. True dignity is man's spiritual birthright, to be seen in the manifestation of man's relationship to God, Spirit, and is therefore a spiritual quality, not merely a question of human attitudes.

One dictionary definition of the word "dignity" is "the quality or state of being worthy: intrinsic worth: excellence." It is important to see the spiritual nature of dignity; otherwise one's endeavor to evaluate it humanly may be futile. A false concept of dignity is a faulty hypothesis of mortal thought, theoretical and conjectural. The illusory character of a material sense of dignity will mislead the individual who depends upon it. True dignity reflects the perfection of divine Mind. It is as substantial and tangible as the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, and it rightfully belongs to the real man as the expression of his creator, who endowed him with dominion over all things. (See Gen. 1:26.)

Mrs. Eddy tells us: "To begin rightly is to end rightly. Every concept which seems to begin with the brain begins falsely. Divine Mind is the only cause or Principle of existence." ^{Science and Health, p. 262;} If our human endeavors begin with an adoption of spiritual aims and a complete surrender to divine intelligence, the results in our daily experience will partake of harmony, health, and satisfaction. But if our efforts begin with materiality, the results will appear in uncertainties and mortal illusions.

All right-thinking people agree that the attainment of dignity, equality, and justice is a worthy objective for mankind. What is not always fully understood is that to be permanent these qualities of human excellence must be understood through spiritual sense as the reflection of God. All good exists in impartial, divine Mind and is the perfect reflection of divine Principle.

The realization of this truth exposes the limiting inequalities of a mortal belief of selfhood, which would enslave and degrade mankind, and reveals the spiritual dignity of real manhood, which rightfully belongs to God's image and likeness. The Lord's Prayer expresses the dignity of the Supreme Being in the words, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever." ^{Matt. 6:13;}

The world has never seen such a noble example of sublime dignity and dominion as that presented by the master Christian during his arrest and crucifixion. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when he was confronted with threatening soldiers and betrayal by a chosen disciple, Jesus' spiritual dominion was shown in the compassion and dignity with which he restored a soldier's ear, which Peter had cut off in an attempt to protect his Master. When the Saviour was later brought before Herod for judgment, it was not the king in regal attire who displayed the dignity of royalty but the humble prisoner who stood before him with such calm assurance of divine government that Herod demurred at sentencing him and sent him to the higher jurisdiction of Pontius Pilate.

With the arrogance of his authority from Imperial Rome, Pilate told Jesus that he had power to put him to death; but Jesus, confident in the supreme purpose of his heavenly Father, replied, "Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above." ^{John 19:11}

The great Way-shower's example of spiritual dignity throughout a shameful trial and ignominious crucifixion has remained the inspiration of all Christians who have been subjected to injustice and who have in some measure perceived the triumphant glory of his resurrection and ascension. Jesus explained his triumph of dignity and dominion over the material sense of things when he said, "The Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." ^8:29;

All mankind wish to progress, for progress is an irresistible law of God. If one would progress spiritually, he must become conscious of man's inseparability from God and express Godlike qualities in all that he says and does. Ignorance of the allness and oneness of God subjects individuals to the indignities of a false sense of existence and results in hatred, envy, greed, avarice, tyranny, and innumerable forms of limitation. Dominion over every false sense of selfhood comes only as a result of consistent prayer and effort to express one's complete dependence upon God.

As one awakens to his spiritual selfhood, he obtains mastery over materiality and the irrational thinking which seems to influence those unaware of spiritual forces and divine law. Through the practice of Christian Science one realizes that harmony is the real and inharmony the unreal. To bring thought into conformity with man's spiritual relationship to God is to gain self-government in the dominion of Godlike manhood, which Jesus expressed when he said, "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." ^{6:38 .}

The lawlessness, or so-called self-expression, which would destroy mankind's dignity does not offer a satisfying substitute for spiritual dominion. Rather, it engenders confusion and discontent. Strife, contention, and violence are never dignified and denote unstable, immature thinking. Immoderate or uncouth conduct is indicative of a sense of insecurity and inferiority. None of these practices represent man's true selfhood, nor can any one of them assist in correcting the wrong conditions which afflict mankind. It is the recognition of the Christ, Truth, and the fatherhood of God, taught by Jesus and demonstrated in Christian Science, which will eradicate inequity and injustice in individual experience and in the world.

Spiritual dignity brings to daily life the graces of purity, rectitude, and moral courage. Dignity demands self-respect—the respect of one's selfhood, which is obedient to God's commandments. This self is the only self one has in reality ever possessed. It is man's sole identity, the expression of his Maker, manifested as well-being in human experience. Dignity reflects the dominion of Mind over matter, the government of Spirit over carnality. Dignity possesses the exalting power of Spirit, the vitalizing touch of Life, the healing compassion of Love, the stimulating wisdom of Truth. As individuals express true dignity, they attain the inner satisfaction of being a worthy representative of man's spiritual sonship with God.