It Is Not unusual to hear someone say, "The system isn't fair!" News reports regarding the public's cynicism toward government often include statements citing bias on the part of officials or their staffs. Some people fear that institutions of democracy may fail primarily because of the unwillingness of participants to relinquish self-interest and willfulness.

A sound way to deal with selfishness and dishonesty was established hundreds of years ago. The Bible tells of a good government official named Daniel who was so hated by others working for King Darius that they plotted to entrap him through his religious beliefs (see Dan. 6:1–28). Knowing that Daniel prayed to God three times daily, they tricked the king into signing a law making it illegal (and punishable by death) to petition anyone but the king. When Daniel was arrested and put into a den of lions, it looked as if justice had clearly broken down. An honest man had been indicted and sentenced to death. Even the king regretted this act, but he felt unable to do anything about it at that time.

Yet Daniel perceived his circumstances differently from those who awaited what appeared to be his certain death. His consciousness was filled with the knowledge of God, leaving no room for fear, animality, or hate to operate. Throughout his life he had turned to God, and this situation was no different. He must have felt the divine presence with him and the lions, making it possible for them to coexist. God shut the lions' mouths, and Daniel was alive the next morning. A grateful and astonished king set him free, punished his accusers, and made a decree promoting the worship of God.

What kept Daniel safe, and what will improve any government, was articulated by Christ Jesus many years later. Among his many teachings that provide inspired direction are these: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God ..." and "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Mark 12:30, 31). Such love, practiced, would promote both the willingness and the ability to work together for the good of a unified whole. These commandments, lived in human affairs—in marriage, church, government, and schools—would make institutions better able to promote moral stability, affection, order, peace, and harmony.

Human systems prove their usefulness in proportion as they follow the divine and thus rest on a spiritual foundation. In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Mind, supreme over all its formations and governing them all, is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation; and man is tributary to divine Mind" (p. 209).

Understanding that there is but one Mind, one God—one divine cause and effect—we can reason that unity must be a primal and essential factor in God's creation. Then, the unifying properties of adhesion, cohesion, and attraction must have their roots in the monotheistic character of God. So, instead of our resorting to such destructive elements as criticism, conflicting human opinions, and lack of respect, we find the one divine Mind, when appealed to, bringing all together for a common good.

God's oneness, reflected and understood, keeps essential systems operating as a unified whole, with all the pieces of the whole complementing, enhancing, and strengthening one another. The one Mind provides a continuous supply of fresh ideas and good purpose.

Isn't it reassuring to understand that God is with us, aiding us in any good work we undertake? Science and Health declares: "Mankind will improve through Science and Christianity. The necessity for uplifting the race is father to the fact that Mind can do it; for Mind can impart purity instead of impurity, strength instead of weakness, and health instead of disease. Truth is an alterative in the entire system, and can make it 'every whit whole'" (p. 371).

God's laws are operating, underlying, supporting, and strengthening every good system.