THE accusation is sometimes made that Christian Scientists attempt to do away with sin through a mere denial of its existence. The teachings of Christian Science reveal unquestionably the absolute truth of being as spiritual and infinitely good, containing no element or quality apart from God, good; yet the question, Is there no sin? may be asked with propriety by those who know nothing of its teachings.
Christian Science maintains the eternal truth that sin, sickness, and death are not creations of God, and therefore have no foundation in fact; nevertheless, evil's claim to existence in erring mortal experience must be recognized and overcome. The false claim of suppositional evil must be arraigned before divine Principle in order that it may be dealt with according to divine justice. It is therefore incorrect to say that Christian Science undertakes to dispose of sin by simply denying its existence or by ignoring its claim.
There appears to be a false claim of sin, an erroneous belief of life and intelligence in matter; but Christian Science, through its revelation of Christ, Truth, provides a definite rule whereby an understanding of the unreality of error may be reached; and through a process of scientific reasoning the allness of Spirit and the nothingness of matter are demonstrated. Evil or sin is but a false belief in a power apart from God—a belief that there is a mortal mind operating through the five personal senses. The term "sin" is broad in its application; it is not confined to willful wrongs, but includes the ignorant blunders and mistakes of human living. It applies to every thought, word, and deed which gives support to the claim of mortality.
