What is the general attitude of the well-balanced Christian Scientist toward active military duty? Faced with this problem in mortal experience, many have gained an intelligent answer for themselves; but others, perhaps beginners in their study of Science, have found it difficult to adjust their perception of spiritual truths to the exigencies of material warfare. Yet for the sake of the morale of all concerned, confused attitudes should be cleared up and replaced with positive convictions, with the dauntless courage and determination which the hour demands. In regard to active military service the thoughtful Christian Scientist knows that in addition to his patriotic duty he must be actuated by still higher incentives, namely, his duty to God, to himself, and to his fellow men in bearing witness to Truth.
War is evil. Few will deny this. However, the present conflict does not leave us with the simple choice between good and evil, but between two evils, and of these two evils we must choose the lesser one. If one doubts this, let him answer a few of the inescapable questions upon which our decisions must rest: Shall we rise in defense of justice, equality, and liberty, which are divine rights of being, or shall we sink beneath the weight of autocratic domination? Shall we resist the crushing blows of the anti-Christ and preserve our heritage of religious freedom, or shall we passively submit to the enslavement of dictatorship which would hinder spiritual progress and make it difficult? What will be the lasting effect of the outcome of this struggle upon future world advancement and generations yet unborn? What will bring the greatest good to the greatest number? As we ponder these searching questions, the personal element recedes into the background of our thinking and our position becomes one of upholding equity, justice, mercy, human dignity and honor, faith and purity, as well as other values—all of which can be traced to their true source or basis—divine law.
Sometimes the question is zealously asked, Why cannot this universal upheaval be settled through spiritual means alone? To this we answer that for mankind to be healed by divine Truth, Life, and Love requires willingness to turn to the power of God. While so much of the earth's population at home and abroad is ignorant of, resistant to, or possessing only a meager understanding of divine power, material might must be met with similar force if we are to halt its advancing course of devastation. Therefore, in rendering "to Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's," let us not falter or fail in taking whatever human footsteps seem necessary in order to defeat the designs of attacking evil. For with this defeat is the promise of a release that will bless all mankind—a release that will restore a higher and more enduring sense of peace on earth—a release that will renew the hopes and achievements of men once more the world over.
