THE task of forgiveness is much simplified in Christian Science because it is impersonalized. Standing on the watchtower of Truth, and challenging error, the Christian Scientist sets himself to prove that neither the offending action of another nor its attempted reaction in himself —taking form, perhaps, in resentment, discouragement, or sadness— has any legitimate claim to presence or action. He rouses himself to unmask and disbelieve the error in question on the ground that the all—knowing God neither made nor knows it. The ideas of divine Mind, having a common source, cannot offend one another. Therefore the three-in-one of offense, offender, and offended lies outside the realm of intelligent consciousness.
Pleading with the Corinthian Christians for compassion, Paul points out to them that an evildoer's punishment is sufficient, and that "contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow." This same healing compassion lies at the heart of forgiveness in Christian Science and facilitates it.
In human experience it is evident that error would often make the innocent suffer for the guilty; but a Christian Scientist cannot suffer on account of another's faults if he abides by the harmonious action of spiritual law and withholds his consent to such fruitless suffering. True being includes neither temptation nor fall, and the claims of sin need to be nullified, not multiplied.
