Article January 2, 1984 Issue

Moral courage—"king of the mental realm"

JEANNE STEELY LAITNER

With delightful imagery, Mary Baker Eddy describes moral courage in these words: "Moral courage is the lion of the tribe of Juda,' the king of the mental realm. Free and fearless it roams in the forest. Undisturbed it lies in the open field, or rests in 'green pastures, ... beside the still waters.'"^{Science and Health, p. 514.} What is this moral courage, which is so attractively pictured?

Moral courage, in contrast to physical courage, is the strength to be honest, ethical, fearless, undisturbed; to do the right thing regardless of pressure to the contrary. Moral courage does not hide behind trees or creep about timidly! When moral courage motivates an individual, he acts with God-given strength and freedom, and he rests quietly, without tension. Moral courage is plainly an expression of one's God-given dominion.

Christian Science teaches us that God is the one source, the one cause, of all reality, and that He is totally good and perfect. Man, His offspring, is made in His image. Therefore, man's real selfhood inherits infinitely good qualities from God, the one Parent. The man of God's creating reflects dominion. As we understandingly claim our God-given dominion, we find ourselves expressing such qualities as moral courage in our present experience.

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