Not long ago the London Times published a challenging article by John Sparrow, Warden of Kings College, Oxford, in which he opposed the current trend toward uniformity, the apparent apathy and lack of incentive, the prevalent desire to "opt out," and stressed the world's need for men of character and genius who would endeavor to succeed and progress.The Times (London), January 23, 1971One of the two photographs accompanying the article was of innumerable young people basking motionless in the sun; the other was of the same scene, but the baskers were iguanas (lizards). There seemed little to distinguish between the two.
The photographs and article brought vividly to my mind the great need, amid the mesmeric pressures of today's world, for lifting thought above the mass mesmerism of material reasoning, moral apathy, and mental indifference right up to God, divine Mind, omnipresent, active intelligence. I saw the need to claim with confidence, for oneself and others, the wisdom, love, and ability of infinite Mind to show us with increasing clarity man's God-given identity and essential individuality. In fact, to reveal the genius and ability and intrinsic value of man.
Christian Science makes clear the importance of understanding man's unity with God, and the distinctiveness of the spiritual nature of man. Any belief of absorption or loss of identity is to be rejected, as this contradicts one's understanding of God and man, and would rob one of dignity and confidence.
