DOES the Christian Scientist believe in what is called direct action in social affairs? When direct action is properly defined and analyzed, we can answer Yes without any doubt.
There is always room for balanced, sober, and intelligent participation in fundamentally right social action. But the Christian Scientist will go deeper than just the surface estimate of what is needed. He understands, as certainly as do many others, that social wrongs have a mental base. Trying to change the surface conditions without changing the mental base of those conditions is like cutting off a weed at the top and then expecting it not to grow again.
The direct action that is needed is action to dissolve mentally and prayerfully the hatred, the prejudice, the fear, and the ignorance which make up the false mental base for wrong social conditions. These are the roots of the trouble. And here is where the Christian Scientist will find his abilities most useful and his action most direct.
Mrs. Eddy was keenly aware of the need for righting social wrongs. She laid the foundation for our direct mental action in the textbook, Science and Health. She says (p. 340), "One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, 'Love thy neighbor as thyself;' annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,— whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."
Jesus advocated direct action. He cared for those who were in need. He fed the hungry, healed the sick and the sinning, and even raised the dead. How could any action be more direct than that? He said (John 14:12), "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also."
These actions were always accomplished through spiritual means. It was through the power of his prayerful spiritual thinking that he corrected the problems that came to him. He knew that problems have a mental base and that it was through the action of the divine Mind that the needed change was effected. Then the individual was not only healed of the physical difficulty but morally and spiritually benefited as well.
The story of the good Samaritan is an excellent example of direct action. Here Jesus was advocating meeting the individual's need in a very practical way. The love manifested was an active love, and it took into account the human need as well as the mental and spiritual need. Many of Jesus' parables have this quality of direct action.
The Christ, as God's idea, is the direct action of the divine Principle in human affairs. It is the manifestation of Love and Truth which destroys the elements of error. It is today proclaiming the universal and impartial nature of good. The right idea of individual dignity and usefulness is emerging and causing vast changes in human society.
Spiritual evolution is taking place. And it is possible for everyone involved to keep proper pace with this evolving good. The Christ dissolves blind prejudice on the one hand, and it also eliminates overzealous self-will on the other. When we are guided by divine wisdom, the necessary change can take place without suffering.
One of the basic errors involved is a limited sense of good. The belief is that when some individuals attain more of a realization of good, others will be deprived of what they consider their good. This is where the right idea of God, or good, comes into the action. The fact that God is infinite, that good is unlimited, can relieve the error and eliminate the fear, an illustration of how "one infinite God, good, unifies men and nations." There is no danger to anyone when the Christ unfolds the progressive steps.
Good is demonstrated only as it is understood. And here is where patience and perseverance come into the picture. Social changes do not take place overnight. The wrong elements of thought must be replaced by the intelligent right qualities that are manifest in man as the image and likeness of God. It is only as individuals come to appreciate and understand the nature of God that they can demonstrate good in their lives.
It is divine Love that stimulates wise direct action. Divine Mind alone can unfold the effective and resistless motion of the Christ in human affairs. When Peter wanted to strike out with the sword at the time of Jesus' capture, the Master knew the better way and bade him put up his sword. Jesus was acting under divine direction.
The direct action of the Christian Scientist is primarily the scientific action against wrong mental qualities, which make up the problems facing society. It should be understood that we are not dealing with personal enemies but with wrong elements of thought. We need to confront hatred, fear, and malice with the strong, clear qualities of the Christ, the true idea of Love.
Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health (p. 225): "The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator."
This passage indicates the direct action that is needed at the present hour.
