What, in the light of Christian Science, is the reasonable view of atomic power and its practical meaning now and in the future for oneself and mankind? Is it to have its way with men, or are they to have their way with it? Can they protect themselves from it? Can they make it serve them constructively? And if mankind as a whole or groups of mankind can do these things, how far can the individual go in the same way? Can he, regardless of what others are doing, remain unharmed by this vast new appearance of force, and have it as his servant?
The answers of Christian Science to these questions are of the most definite and satisfying character. They are not unlike its continually demonstrated answers concerning disease. Almost from its discovery, people with what appeared to be incurable sicknesses have turned to this Science for help; and its record in healing them accounts largely for its widespread and increasing acceptance today. Few public practitioners have gone far in their work without accomplishing such healings, and for many they have come very often.
In one way, these diseases have been more formidable as a problem than nuclear energy. For while it is obvious that this newly released power is subject in a degree to the thought of men—that the explosion of an atomic or hydrogen bomb, for example, comes only with the consent and positive action of those in charge of it—this has by no means been the case with the action of many of the diseases referred to. Here were conditions which were expected to go their own way regardless of the thought or will of those concerned. But even in such instances, Christian Science has shown that control and correction are possible. It shows with no less clarity and assurance that freedom from all the seeming hazards of atomic power is available for mankind, including every individual, and in substantially the same way.
