Article January 9, 1960 Issue

WHY I DO NOT DRINK OR SMOKE

[Of Special Interest to Young People]

JOSEPH G. HEARD

A College student once said to a Christian Scientist, "You must smoke and drink if you want to be successful on this campus." The Scientist had been queried on other occasions about the use of tobacco and alcohol, and he had three carefully considered reasons for abstaining from these enslaving habits.

First, the Scientist spoke to his friend of the wisdom of resisting the pressure to conform to a false standard. Oftentimes it is the desire for security among college students that leads them into the illusive safety zone of conformity to the current campus fashion.

The desire to conform to the crowd comes from a false sense of man's origin. If we appraise ourselves as mortals, with a material set of values and a finite or limited life prospect, then the smoking and drinking may seem to be a crutch that helps us through superficial campus relationships. On the other hand, if we have faith in and understand God, the divine Principle of being, He always sustains us.

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