Article August 29, 1977 Issue

Man's only contact is with God, good

Stop Contagion Now

ELIZABETH CARROLL DeWINDT

Contagious diseases—indeed diseases in general—appear to be physical, to have a physical cause and nature. But Christian Science meets this belief with insistence on the mental nature of all disease and proves its unreality. Mrs. Eddy states: "Disease arises, like other mental conditions, from association. Since it is a law of mortal mind that certain diseases should be regarded as contagious, this law obtains credit through association,—calling up the fear that creates the image of disease and its consequent manifestation in the body." Science and Health, p. 154;

The basic assumption is that man is material and subject to disease, whereas he is a pure and perfect spiritual idea, free from all evil. A further assumption is that certain diseases can be transferred to others through physical contact. But in reality there is no matter, healthy or sick, to communicate disease. There are no private material mentalities to foster belief in it. God, good, is the only Mind.

Media warnings add to the fear of contagion and reinforce the belief in it. Mrs. Eddy writes: "The press unwittingly sends forth many sorrows and diseases among the human family. It does this by giving names to diseases and by printing long descriptions which mirror images of disease distinctly in thought." ibid., pp. 196-197; How can we stop contagion? By realizing that in the eternal allness of divine good there can be no evil. By knowing God's allness and the consequent nothingness of anything unlike Him. By insisting on seeing only His perfect creation—His nature reflected in purity, health, harmonious activity.

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