Because circumstances which affect society in general have a bearing on individual happiness and well-being, mortals are sometimes led to look for some human prediction which will enable them to foresee impending events. They attempt to foretell the future by means of occult processes such as spiritualism, astrology, witchcraft, and other superstitious methods. Some turn to news analysts, public opinion polls, and applied psychology. And still others, in case of sickness, turn to a medical diagnosis to foresee their life prospects.
Ezekiel denounces false prophecies when he says (Ezek. 13:3, 6): "Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! ... They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The Lord saith: and the Lord hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word." We may conclude, then, that predictions which are based on the erroneous belief that matter is God, or that it has power to destroy the man of God's creating, will be found wanting. Any outlook which relies upon an appraisal of material factors alone lacks a vital element. It cannot possibly supply the needed sense of assurance for the future. Divine Truth alone can do this!
It is certainly right for us to think about conditions which involve our own welfare, together with that of society. However, such thinking will be beneficial only to the degree that it includes an understanding of the truth of being. We need to understand that our heavenly Father is not the creator of destruction or corruption. God, Soul, is perfect. Therefore perfection is an inherent quality in the universe of Soul. Mary Baker Eddy says (Unity of Good, p. 29), "Transcending the evidence of the material senses, Science declares God to be the Soul of all being, the only Mind and intelligence in the universe." This concept of God constitutes a sound premise upon which to base reasoning which leads to the ultimate triumph of spiritual-mindedness over evil beliefs.
