There is a fallacy abroad in the world, based upon centuries of scholastic theology, which states emphatically that man is mortal, born in original sin, and hence that men must convict themselves of guilt and unworthiness before their prayers can be effective and their sicknesses healed. In other words, they must be their own prosecuting attorney.
This groundless doctrine is deeply entrenched in human consciousness, and students of Christian Science will do well to be alert to it and thoroughly examine their thought to see if they have consciously or unconsciously accepted as real the dualistic concept of man—the Adam-dream related in the second and third chapters of Genesis. This allegory pictures man made of the dust of the ground, capable of expressing both good and evil.
Compassionately aware of mankind's need for assurance, Christ Jesus gave his followers the parable of the prodigal son to impress the spiritual facts of their sonship with God, who is infinite Love, upon all those who are able to hear. He thus illustrated and proved that all false, unjust, dogmatic decrees concerning God and man are ancient, traditional mythology.
