Article September 24, 1979 Issue

A dialogue: How can we best participate in the political community?

Two Christian Scientists—Lamar S. Smith and Ralph Byron Copper—discuss how spiritual understanding can support the political process. They each have firsthand experience. Last year Lamar was elected county chairman for a major political party. Ralph's interest in politics began the summer before high school, when he worked as a volunteer in the I960 American presidential campaign.

Ralph: To many people politics is a dirty business. And at times, it seems, the dirt turns to mud in our own backyard—in the community where we live. Why, then, did you decide to run for local political office?

Lamar: A major reason was the satisfaction that can come from direct involvement in politics. Trying to raise the level of politics—to remove some of the dirt, the wrong thinking and acting, that gives politics a bad name—is very rewarding. So is helping advance causes one considers just and reforming laws one considers unjust.

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