Article November 13, 1971 Issue

The Leopard and His Spots

CHRISTINA ELIZABETH BENTINCK

Is it possible to alter character, to change fundamentally an individual's attitude and beliefs formed through heredity, circumstance, environment? The philosophy behind the saying that the leopard cannot change his spots implies that although changes may sometimes seem to take place, these are merely temporary and that character remains basically unaltered.

Human nature seems to be a mixture of good and bad elements. But students of Christian Science learn that the real character of man is a composite reflection of all the ideas and qualities of God and that this spiritual inheritance from the heavenly Father is inviolable and eternal. Seeing themselves and all mankind from this standpoint enables them to work scientifically and with inspiration and assurance toward the achievement of proving their inherited perfection.

They have Biblical authority. Christ Jesus claimed God as His Father, and he demonstrated perfection. He said to all his followers, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven"^{Matt. 23:9;} and "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."^5:48; He would not have given us such commands if he had believed it impossible to achieve the goal of perfection.