Article September 1, 2013

Inalienable rights

Originally published in August 7, 1912 issue of The Christian Science Monitor

There are certain so-called "inalienable rights" to which every man is born, and which, though circumstances or environment may not apparently permit him to assert his title openly, he should never lose sight of. That immortal declaration which concedes to the humblest as well as the most exalted citizen his God-given rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," is not lightly to be set aside, since it is but a restatement of that divine law enunciated nineteen centuries ago: "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,”—know that you are "free born," and declare your freedom.

Christian Science further declares that this God-endowed man, in the exercise of these rights, "is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 106); in other words, he who is obedient to the law of God is entitled to the fullest exercise of these rights. There is therefore something wrong, and which calls for remedy, when one who is striving to walk in conformity to divine law finds himself debarred in any way from his heritage.

Suppose, however, one has nothing to complain of in this respect so far as the outside world is concerned, but within the sacred precincts of home is subjected to a selfish and unreasoning tyranny. How far is one justified in yielding to this rule—a despotic assumption which demands and secures the gratification of its own desires, no matter at what cost to the comfort and well-being of others? Shall the situation be accepted, endured with long-suffering, or the error be quietly but firmly rebuked?

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