Editorial July 18, 1994 Issue

Dominion over contagious disease

Russ Gerber

The outbreak of a contagious disease can have an effect similar to what happens when a flight controller suddenly sees something unexpected and perhaps potentially dangerous on his radar screen. Warnings go out immediately. Authorities are notified. Word spreads quickly as to what's been identified and what precautions to take.

We can learn a lot by watching the currents and quality of thought associated with reports of contagious disease. Whether in the form of official advisories, news stories, or conversation among friends or family, those currents are often swift and disturbing. They certainly show the need to be watchful as to what's influencing our own thoughts and actions.

Being aware of currents of human thought was immensely important to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy. Consistent with the teachings of Christ Jesus, she encouraged people to keep a close watch over what they were thinking, because she recognized the potential of thought to influence rightly or to mislead, to make mankind better or worse. And she well understood the direct correlation between one's state of thought and his or her health. In an article called "Contagion" she wrote: "Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say. Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 228).

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