Editorial March 1, 1969 Issue

Morality Has a Spiritual Basis

William Milford Correll

One must look beyond the apparent material nature of mankind to find the true basis of morality. If man were considered to be just a material organism or an animal, what would prevent society from reverting to the jungle? There is a spiritual force, a divine intelligence, which underlies morality and civilization.

Civilized society cannot exist without some understanding of God, divine Spirit. And the tendency to deny God is self-destructive. But, of course, very much depends upon a correct concept of God and of man as God's child. If one denies God, he denies Life; and this is suicidal. If one denies God, he denies Principle, the very foundation of law, order, justice, and harmony. If one denies God, he denies Soul, the basis of identity and individuality, the source of all the higher sensibilities of man. The materialist who denies God just doesn't know what he is talking about.

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Mrs. Eddy says: "Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress. Without it there is no stability in society, and without it one cannot attain the Science of Life." Science and Health, p. 57; Sin is a denial of God and is self-destructive. Immorality leads to the loss of self-respect, and then the individual has a tendency to disintegrate. Through his separation from God he loses the very forces that hold him together as a unit. On the other hand, adherence to the laws of God unifies the individual, strengthens his moral fiber, and he finds healing and regeneration. He increasingly reflects the self-sustaining nature of divine Principle.

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