Most people readily perceive the damaging nature of animosity. But the equally harmful nature of a false sense of love, called personal attachment, is not always so easily discerned. Oftentimes events of human experience—a separation, broken friendship, or the death of a loved one— cause mortals to turn to God for freedom from the sorrows of personal attachment.
Part of "A Rule for Motives and Acts" (Art. VIII, Sect. 1) in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy reads: "Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." In Section 2 of the above-mentioned article Mrs. Eddy provided for the reading of the Rule in full at all Christian Science church services on the first Sunday of each month.
Personal attachment tends to deify and idolize a human personality. It violates the First Commandment (Ex. 20:3), "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Christian Science teaches us to worship the one God. In order to do this, we need to know the nature of God. The Bible, in statement and story, gives proof that God is, among other things, infinite, omnipresent divine Love. This Love is impartial and universal. It radiates love to all.
