Editorial March 2, 1974 Issue

What to Drink?

Carl J. Welz

To one who depends for his health upon his ability to bring his thinking into line with the truth of God and man, the difference between caffeine and alcohol is, in a way, similar to the difference between boxing with gloves and dueling with pistols. One is questionable; the other is inexcusable. While Christian Science is not a method of mere thought control, one who practices its healing method might find the use of drinks containing caffeine interfering with his ability to possess his own thoughts for clear, spiritual prayer. But the use of alcoholic drinks would ultimately destroy that ability.

The purpose of prayer in Christian Science is to align oneself consciously with the divine Mind, God, as Mind's perfect idea. A need for healing evidences belief in a mortal manhood, which is not God's creation and is, therefore, imperfect. An honest desire to think, live, and love only as the creation, or idea, of the divine Mind, is prayer. And as James says, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."^{James 5:16;}

What such prayer does is to open the channels of our own thought to Mind's constant impartation of the nature of its own being—to Christ, Truth. This Truth illumines in human consciousness the ever-present, true idea of Mind—perfect, eternal manhood. As we experience this illumination, we behold the real man and identify ourselves with that perfect idea. Our thinking is then entirely our own—that is, it represents the truth of our being, of Mind and man. And it becomes clear that there is nothing to be healed. The result, as it appears humanly, is a healing.

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