Editorial April 17, 1971 Issue

The Right Use of Statistics

Naomi Price

Computer technology is undoubtedly bringing us great benefits. Through its ability to make rapid calculations and to produce complex information at high speed, electronic data processing is providing incredible service.

Nevertheless, many thinking people are seriously concerned about the dangerous side effects and perversions that could result from the growing pyramid of earthly facts and personal statistics in our midst. The Christian, in particular, may realize that not least of these dangers is the possibility that mankind will become so mesmerized by material facts and figures that vital spiritual elements will be overlooked, consideration of physical mass will eclipse the importance of spiritual substance, and the false belief that existence is mortal and finite will be perpetuated.

The Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy indicate that there is a right use of statistics and a wrong use of them. They can subserve the cause of orderly planning in human affairs, or they can so mesmerize one into contemplation of material data as to blind one to spiritual factors, which are, in reality, the ones most pertinent and decisive.

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