Idolatry or Idealism?

Violet Ker Seymer

Among the dictionary definitions of "idol" we find, "A form or appearance without substance; ... a pretender; sham; impostor." In experience an idol might be described as any mesmeric belief or influence from which we seem to have difficulty in freeing ourselves.

Christ Jesus triumphed over materiality through ideality. He constantly claimed unity with God and spiritual dominion. Hence it is not presumptuous, but truly obedient and humble, to follow the Way-shower by striving to love as he loved, to heal as he healed, and to triumph as he triumphed. There are no two ways of being a Christian, and no two standards for the Christian. Our demonstrations of spiritual dominion over sin, disease, and death rise in power and majesty only as we discard poor standards and press on, divinely curious to know more of good and to express more of spiritual man; to depend more upon Mind, and less upon matter for life and all its imperishable faculties.

Which does humanity need in order to be lifted out of its troubles, idolatry or idealism? Referring to Jesus, Mrs. Eddy writes, "He established the only true idealism on the basis that God is All, and He is good, and good is Spirit; hence there is no intelligent sin, evil mind or matter: and this is the only true philosophy and realism" (No and Yes, p. 38). This idealism translates our dependence from matter to Mind. So it undermines fear, which is traceable to the belief in subordination to material conditions. Fear springs from a limited and material sense, which cannot cognize the facts of Spirit; but spiritual sense is free from fear.

The work that Christ Jesus inaugurated, his enlightened followers are destined to carry on to completion. It is not credible that Jesus should have had the monopoly of God, Spirit, divine Principle, or that the gateway to Mind should be closed to us to-day. God, the divine cause, is still causative, and spiritual law is still operative. God still produces good alone and without limit. Then why should we not humbly expect to show forth the characteristics of spiritual man in ever increasing measure?

A subtle form of idolatry consists in the worship and adulation of persons of fine character, but Christian Scientists are on guard lest their gratitude should be diverted from fount to stream. Because a Christian Scientist so freely expresses real loving-kindness, wisdom, strength, and proves himself able to uplift and comfort, and also to heal the sick by divine power, he should not therefore be personally idolized. The good qualities which anyone expresses originate in God, and the Christian Scientist worships cause, not effect. Mrs. Eddy says that "as we rise above the seeming mists of sense, we behold more clearly that all the heart's homage belongs to God" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 107). Therefore, while alert Christian Scientists appreciate and love all those through whom they learn more of God and of their own true selfhood, they unfailingly recognize that it is always to God that one must render homage in the first place. Every true effect glorifies its cause; effect cannot glorify itself. So the Christian Scientist keeps before him the fact that spiritual man worships God alone. Man does not worship man; that would be a form of self-worship. Christ Jesus said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."

Wherever real lovableness, fidelity, and wisdom are expressed, both practitioner and patient in Christian Science render their homage to God, and this individual homage directed to the one source solidifies the union between all true worshipers. On the other hand, should there seem to be unlovableness and discord apparent, this evidence of material sense cannot blind the faithful Christian Scientist to the ever-presence of God and the ideal man. Idealism also safeguards one from the idolatrous belief in so-called physical health, and from the fear of ill health.

In mountainous regions no one thinks that the ferny banks and pebbly bed have produced the bubbling streams which are refreshing the valley. These streams, it is known, spring from the snowy heights far above the valley. So from the pure heights of divine Mind spring the ideas which are refreshing the thirsty human consciousness. Each true word in season spoken to us through anyone is the echo of the Word of God. Each tender thought and deed brings to us a message from divine Love.

In all the healing work of Christian Science we see the march of idealism and the vanishing of materialism. We observe the disappearing of the mortal and the appearing of the Godlike man. On page 272 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy writes, "The real man was, is, and ever shall be the divine ideal, that is, God's image and likeness; and Christian Science reveals the divine Principle, the example, the rule, and the demonstration of this idealism."

Violet Ker Seymer

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