Article February 5, 1996 Issue

Holding crime in check

Elaine R. Follis

Reports of rising crime or crowded courtrooms and the legal compromises that result sometimes leave citizens feeling helpless and fearful. Praying may not seem like a practical solution when danger threatens. Yet in the two articles that follow, this is just what the authors did, with healing results. Their different perspective on life, a perspective based on the Science of Christ as both a healing and protecting agent, was fundamental to their prayers.

What's the responsibility of a good citizen in a crime-ridden community? Mary Baker Eddy addresses this issue in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures when she writes: "This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. ... During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection" (pp. 96–97).

That's a tall order! But the context within which this challenging statement appears shows that the war on crime is part of a "moral chemicalization" that is taking place not only on the streets but, more importantly, in consciousness. Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, "This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless" (p. 96).

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