Article February 13, 1971 Issue

Criticism Can Be Helpful

ROBERT J. HILL

In the true state of being, where God is acknowledged as supreme, there is never a reason for criticism. Who would criticize all-knowing divine Mind or its expression, man? However, in our present state of consciousness, there is often valid reason for criticism.

People are always in need of a better way, and criticism can help them find it. But how? Human thought is reluctant to admit that it is wrong. It can be shown a better way by example, and this often leads to abandonment of erroneous concepts. But dwelling on another's error as a basis for improvement often tends to make him cling to the error. This type of approach also indicates that the error is real in the mind of the criticizer. Criticizer and criticized alike are making something out of nothing; no consideration is given to God, the only real substance and power.

The Christianly scientific way is the way of Love. The person employing this form of criticism will build on the good qualities of the one being corrected and, by enlarging them, will crowd out the erroneous concepts that seem to be identified with the individual. Mrs. Eddy explains that "the way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love."^{Science and Health, p. 201;}

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