Imagine there’s someone outside your house, loudly and belligerently declaring that something you know to be true is nonsense. In particular, suppose that something is Christian Science. As someone who studies and practices Christian Science, you’d likely strive to separate the attitude from the person. You’d pray to understand that this individual is as much a child of God as you are, and that the false impression they’re voicing has no power to harm them or you. You’d pray to see that any falsehood, any false state of thought, must and will be destroyed, replaced with the joy of spiritual truth.
Now imagine two such individuals, or three. Perhaps that wouldn’t be too different—you’d handle it the same way. But what about ten? What about a mob, such as Christ Jesus and, later, Paul faced on several occasions? What about millions or even billions of people all telling you, directly or indirectly, by means of advertisements, entertainment, social media, casual conversations, etc., that you’re a fool if you think there’s any reality beyond what the material senses tell us, or even that you’re crazy if you think there’s a God at all?
In theory, it shouldn’t matter. Truth is true, regardless of who does or doesn’t believe it. But the pressure of feeling persecuted, misunderstood, or even ignored may tempt us as students of Christian Science to feel worn down, or to question our faith and trust in God. We might even feel tempted to doubt Christian Science—or perhaps, more subtly, our ability to practice it.
