Article March 2, 2009 Issue

HEAD IN THE SAND?

NATE TALBOT

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

I CAN REMEMBER one of my early encounters involving the exchange of religious beliefs. Really early, like grade school. My friend had picked up the view that Christian Scientists were a little like the ostrich who hides its head in the sand to avoid problems. I explained why this was a little puzzling to me. After all, I had seen consistent evidence that prayer was an effective way to face problems squarely and intelligently. But the fact that I dealt with issues differently caused others to assume I wasn't doing anything.

As years passed, I realized that I did tend not to dwell on material discords, physical injuries, or personality problems quite the way my peers did. And such a different emphasis probably looked to others as if I was ignoring issues. This came to mind when I learned of a Christian Scientist who'd badly injured herself. She quickly wrapped her hand so she wouldn't have a graphic picture of the damage. Ah, the ostrich stereotype, I thought. Most people would probably think it strange, even naïve, to look away from such an injury.

Some might challenge the wisdom of Mary Baker Eddy's words, "Look away from the body into Truth and Love, the Principle of all happiness, harmony, and immortality" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 261). But she goes on to indicate that when we are more at one with God's total goodness, we'll bring this into our experience. The woman was quickly healed. I, too, have found validity in this guidance. In fact, healings have sometimes been instant, not just by my refusing to focus on frightening material evidence, but by my dwelling in the reality of God's perfection—the invulnerable substance that all His creation actually expresses.

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