How have the people of the eighties coped with demands on their time and attention? Why, we have turned into couch potatoes—according to marketing specialists! Certainly there is nothing wrong with enjoying one's home and family. Spending more time at home may well strengthen the family unit. But what effect do the excesses of this societal attitude have on Christian Scientists? Is there a danger that we may become couch potato Christian Scientists?
We must be increasingly alert to defend our thought actively against influences that are not from God, divine Mind. One such influence is apathy. The argument might begin any number of ways: "The church is too far away, too small, too large, too old, too young, too white, too black, too active, too inactive. I can't attend because of my family, my work, my lack of work, our recreational activity, my illness, someone else's illness." But the argument usually ends with the conclusion "I really don't need to attend church, because I have all I need right here at home!"
These arguments can be especially aggressive for students of Christian Science. The self-education system provided by the Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, is thorough. There are weekly Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly; testimonies of healing and inspirational articles in daily, weekly, and monthly periodicals; class instruction and annual Christian Science Students Association meetings. Christian Science practitioners are available to provide healing treatment. Christian Science Reading Room attendants answer basic questions. And the pastor of our Church—the Bible and Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy—is always present with us, ministering to our needs and healing us through the Word of God. At no time, however, did Mrs. Eddy endorse isolation from other faithful followers of Christ. Oneness and unity are characteristic of God's creation, not limitation and separateness. In fact, Mrs. Eddy clearly states that man is not "an isolated, solitary idea." Here's what she says: "Man is not absorbed in Deity, and man cannot lose his individuality, for he reflects eternal Life; nor is he an isolated, solitary idea, for he represents infinite Mind, the sum of all substance." Science and Health, p. 259
