Article July 14, 1997 Issue

On justice being served

Doreen L. Wheeler

I am a trial lawyer in the United States. I'm aware and regret that there is a general discontent regarding the judicial system these days. I have, at times, personally experienced disappointment in the behavior and ethics of my opposing counsel, as well as frustration with some of the rules those in the legal profession must follow. I am also a Christian Scientist.

Recognizing that human remedies often fall short of our expectations, I decided to turn my attention to the more spiritual aspects of justice. Christian Science teaches that God, as Principle, imparts divine justice, which is impartial, incorruptible, and infinite, and that in spiritual fact, every man, woman, and child is governed by and subject to divine justice. A Bible passage counsels, "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they" (Eccl. 5:8).

The advice to "marvel not" really stood out to me. It reminded me of something I learned as a child: not to react to a lie. It becomes very important, then, to understand what is true and what is a lie. Harmony and justice are the law of God, Principle. Man is His spiritual likeness. Sometimes, it's easy to feel as though we are far removed from God's harmony and justice. But because God's law is unchanging and unfailing, any injustice or inharmony is a lie.

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