Article February 1, 2014

Bondage or freedom?

Sue Ella Bradshaw

Originally published in the December 15, 1889 issue of the Christian Science Series (Vol. 1, No. 16)

Man’s conscious condition as regards bondage or freedom is determined by the sense entertained of the ruling Power of the universe. The varied beliefs as to its nature,—whether good or evil, one or many—have formed the basis of mythologies of the past, also of philosophies and religions of later date. In the light of the Science of Christ, we begin to see, what we shall completely understand, only when fully divested of mere opinions, all of which grow out of belief in the personality of God and man.

Christian Science comes as did Jesus in the spirit of fulfilment. It proves beyond doubt what has hitherto been but half believed. It makes clear the scientific and spiritual fact that man has a divine Principle of existence, of which he is the full and perfect expression; and that God (Good) is this Principle. Must not his true freedom consist, then, in perfect harmony with all that is included in his Principle,—Life, Truth, Love, Soul, Substance, and Intelligence? In Science this relation is indestructible.

Man’s freedom to exercise inalienable rights is established and maintained in Principle alone. The permanence of human affairs or institutions depends upon conformity to Principle. We cannot even conceive of existence without it. Civil law shadows forth this truth in its treatment of criminals. One accounted wholly unprincipled is either denied the right to exist at all, or he loses his freedom, through imprisonment, virtually—as to relations with society—ceasing to exist.

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