There are tens of millions of people in my country who do not want to get vaccinated by the shots currently recommended by the medical community for control of the coronavirus. Reasons for not getting vaccinated range from fear of the shots, not wanting to be told what to do with their body, to not seeing a need for a vaccination.
A practicing Christian Scientist who chooses not to get a vaccination, does not fall into any of these categories.
In Christian Science, when a contagion threatens society, such as the coronavirus has done, there is a recognition that steps need to be taken to protect oneself and one’s neighbors from the spread of disease. The problem is not ignored, belittled, or derided. It is faced head-on with a conviction that something needs to be done for the contagion to stop and health to be preserved.
A practicing Christian Scientist chooses to do something!
Experience in Christian Science proves that the most effective remedy for preventing and curing infection is spiritual mindedness. It’s the spread of fear and false belief that needs to be guarded against most of all.
When consciousness is imbued with the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, germs are rendered harmless, infection is stopped, and health is preserved. In essence, when consciousness is vaccinated with spiritual truth, mind and body are protected from contagion and the spread of disease.
The choice to stay healthy for a Christian Scientist, is not whether to get medically vaccinated or not, but to stay spiritually minded. It requires consistent prayer to do this, but the effort and commitment to stay spiritually minded brings certain and good results. It is doing something! And it brings the best protection possible for self and for all around.
Thank you Evan. This topic is getting vigilant application of the truth concerning contagion and infection. You are leading the way through this challenge. Bringing peace to the world with omnipotent power of truth.
Thank you Evan, for your very comforting thoughts
The situation in some countries has certainly become challenging. In France, for instance, travel by most trains is not permitted without the compulsory “passe sanitaire” which confirms vaccination, and this extends to most restaurants, theme parks etc.
As we endeavour to stay spiritually minded, and to lean on divine protection, for many people this is leading towards exclusion from everyday society for many. Would so appreciate any thoughts.
Dear Mary Ann, here is just one thought:
I have heard it said that sometimes, it is better to behave as a willow than as an oak when strong winds are blowing. The willow is bending and when the wind ceases, it is still intact whereas an oak might brake. It is as with the grass which is flattened when someone walks on it, but when the foot lifts from the grass, it stands up again.
You know in your heart what is true. A vaccine will never protect you. God is always your protection whether you get a vaccine or not. The vaccine cannot harm you. Neither can it do you any good. These seem to be complicated times, and the individual situations are not the same everywhere. So, we trust God to be our protection in EVERY circumstance.
See Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 330:28 “When gentle violet lifts its blue eye to heaven, and crown imperial unveils its regal splendor to the sun; when the modest grass, inhabiting the whole earth, stoops meekly before the blast; when the patient corn waits on the elements to put forth its slender blade, construct the stalk, instruct the ear, and crown the full corn in the ear, — then, are mortals looking up, waiting on God, and committing their way unto Him who tosses earth’s mass of wonders into their hands? When downtrodden like the grass, did it make them humble, loving, obedient, full of good odor, and cause them to wait patiently on God for man’s rich heritage, — “dominion over all the earth”? Thus abiding in Truth, the warmth and sunlight of prayer and praise and understanding will ripen the fruits of Spirit, and goodness will have its springtide of freedom and greatness.”
‘Is it contagious?’
https://sentinel.christianscience.com/shared/view/29r7pa5hsxm?s=e
Thank you, Evan for pointing out this very powerful idea-that staying spiritually minded is doing a lot. I do enjoy your spiritual ideas shared Monday-Friday.
Thank you, Angie for sharing these articles- I read them and pass them on to friends- they are helpful.
I am grateful for this community that share spiritual armor/immunity prior to me venturing off into my day.
This is a practical Science.
If I am hemorraging and clearly need to stop
the flow of blood, I believe I should pray –acknowledge the power of divine Law in operation to help me–AND apply a tourniquet. Divine Love gives us immediate, practical solutions to challenges. A floating log when in a flood, a makeshift shelter when caught in a snowstorm, vaccination to help stop a rampant (hemorraging) fear of contagion…our own and others. “Suffer it to be so (for) now.” (Bible) In every way, God meets human needs. This is not Abstract Science, it is practical, ever-operative divine Law…Light lighting the way through belief’s dense darkness, mental and physical and…societal. And, every individual’s free choice to see with this Light.
Thank you, Thinker and Evan.
Thank you. Do the right thing, not for just you, but your community.
Through the healing Christ — yes, I am FULLY vaccinated. Continuous vaccination of consciousness through conscious and constant spiritual-mindedness and understanding of unchangeable spiritual law is the best and most effective protection for all mankind. Christian Science heals quickly, thoroughly and permanently.
Thanks Evan and all readers for all your inspiring insights.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 165:15–18 speaks of each of us being an active portion of one stupendous whole. Other points include that of goodness never tiring. When we practice more goodness towards our fellow man (love thy neighbor as thyself) we lift up the atmosphere of dread, confusion, duality. We are each a pure idea of God and essential to our society. Let’s give our society a “booster” of goodness and love with each opportunity to be and do good. The opportunities will increase as we expand our thoughts of good being all. Only good is contagious! See MBE’s article on Contagion, Mis. 228:20..
“Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water” Isaiah 1:22. “As readily you can mingle fire and frost as Spirit and matter. In either case, one does NOT support the other.” Page 72 S&H (emphasis added). “The flesh and Spirit can no more unite in action, than good can coincide with evil. It is not wise to take a halting and halfway position or to expect to work equally with Spirit and matter, Truth and error.” Page 167 S&H MBE. Christian Science is practical and meets our need where we are at; but we must be careful of the serpent That would beguile us and remember that “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8
Thank you Evan … and Lori, what you added is beautifully helpful and clarifying. The thought came to me that we need to lift the whole veil … many things are seemingly trying to envelope us, but our job is to lift it all OFF, and that is done with continuing to apply what we’ve learned and demonstrated in Christian Science. All the decades of healings in my own family tell me this CAN be done.
Thank you Lori and Evan! The importance of being single minded can be stressed too often. I work with this daily, right at the top of my to-do list. If you guys have not already, check out the article called
The reward of single-mindedness
by Jurgen Kurt Stark.
It’s very good and inspiring.
A peaceful and blessed day to all
I tried to locate this article but could not. Can anyone find it?
https://journal.christianscience.com/shared/view/23hrdlcuskm?s=e
Thank you for sharing this great article. I recommend reading it very slowly.
Let’s also remember that MBE reminds us to “emerge gently from matter into Spirit”. We all are at different places in our spiritual growth. We can be lovingly guided by the understanding of others, yet let’s also remember to “judge not”.
Excellent point. Thank you, Margi!
Thank you Evan, and thank you Lori. The Bible Lesson tells us clearly this week that matter and Spirit cannot mix and they do not help each. The spiritual is the reality – perfect God and perfect man as the basis of thought and demonstration.(MBE)
The following citations came to mind. God doesn’t know anything about the
pandemic, He didn’t cause it and knows nothing about it, but the Bible tells us
how to deal with it:
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” ( 2 Cor. 10:3-6)
However, if we feel that we cannot cope, Mrs. Eddy gives us the following advice on
how to go forward with a view to eventually working things out permanently according to spiritual law.
“If from an injury or from any cause, a Christian Scientist were seized with pain so violent that he could not treat himself mentally, — and the Scientists had failed to relieve him, — the sufferer could call a surgeon, who would give him a hypodermic injection, then, when the belief of pain was lulled, he could handle his own case mentally. Thus it is that we “prove all things; [and] hold fast that which is good.” (SH 464:13)
I always appreciate all the comments, it always makes us think more
deeply. So no matter what, I am holding fast to that which is good.
Thank you Evan for this clear, uplifting message. We have the perfect remedy in the demonstration of Christian Science. This week’s Bible lesson is so perfect in reminding us that we can’t mingle Spirit and matter. We can stay single minded.
Thanks everyone for your inspired thoughts.
Couldn’t agree more with this.
Thank you, Evan. I cannot imagine that giving up on the power of spirit to support and guide all human life as a good outcome for the human experience. If we give up on the power of spirit to lead and support mankind, what are we gaining as an outcome of that choice? I don’t think it is a fair trade.
Thank you, Evan, for your willingness to challenge the “gossamer web of mortal illusion” head on as it present itself to impress us. I see this as a complicated issue involving more that just (possible) immunity from disease, especially since there is widespread concern about the vaccine itself…its actual effectiveness and short and long term serious side effects…even among a significant number in the field of immunology. Along with that, there’s concern about the loss of individual freedom through governmental overreach and bullying by employers and the medical community. It would appear that there’s a pandemic of “side issues” beyond just the “coronavirus.” Thanks to Mrs. Eddy’s courageous stand against heavy opposition, we have the tools we need to stop them all, including the belief that our neighbors are under the crippling influence of fear. After all, “The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent. It is indeed adequate to unclasp the hold and to destroy disease, sin, and death.” (SH p. 412). While I firmly believe getting the vaccine, or not, is a private and individual decision, in all the many years of practicing Christian Science, I’ve never once seen that appeasing mortal mind has lifted anyone higher in their demonstration of Divine Science.
“Whatever teaches man to have other laws and to acknowledge other powers than the divine
Mind, is anti-Christian. The good that a poisonous drug seems to do is evil, for it robs man of
reliance on God, omnipotent Mind, and according to belief, poisons the human system.” (SH p. 170, next to the marginal heading “Modes of matter”)
Thank you for pointing out the seeming complexities which has come to mortal consciousness and the remedy, as well as prevention being Christian Science.
Early on, I realized that once mortal mind figures out that it can manipulate our behavior by calling it, “being loving,” it will (seemingly) present us with many more “opportunities” in the future to “be loving”!
And what of standing shoulder to shoulder with Christian Scientists who have chosen to “fight it out on this line” (See SH, p.492)? Are they not our neighbors, too?
Thank you, Robyn, for your carefully and concisely expressed response to Evan’s much appreciated thoughts. I am grateful for the guidance.
Referencing from a material perspective, I just saw a brief program on YT about the much more relaxed “pandemic” perspective in the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden and Denmark – just to name a few countries.
In the meantime, I daily put on God’s armor – as in Ephesians 6:10 – 18 and, in addition hold the thought from Isaiah 30:15 that in quiet and confidence is my strength.
Thank you so much, Robyn, for sharing these insights that address issues beyond what
appears to be on the surface. The Truth of the situation is important and well stated in what you had shared.
Thank you so much for this, Evan! I especially like your inclusion of “and one’s neighbors” and “for all around.” Christ Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves, and Mary Baker Eddy reminds us to consider that “a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love . . . in true brotherliness . . .” I believe that our desire to bless our fellow man will help us to make wise and loving choices for the good of all.
Beautifully worded Evan. Comfortingly clear !
Thank you
From day one I have had absolutely no fear of the virus. Material science however has gotten the world in much fear Material science Is begging us to get a shot –all are so fearful. In love to my neighbor the way opened for me to get the one shot that was required. I had absolutely no reaction.to it. When worried friends ask if I had gotten a shot and I answer yes, I can feel their release of fear. In this present situation of fear I feel that getting the shot was the very loving thing to do.
In loving my neighbors I see them as they truly are…whole, healthy, fearless and not vulnerable to the whims of mortal mind.
A practitioner friend reminds me of the law of Love: ” Nothing exists that can “trespass upon Love.” Divine Love gives us constant blessings. We were created to receive them. The will of divine Love is done. We are never vulnerable.”
A wonderful thought, Pam! Perhaps the most loving thing we can do for our neighbors is see them as God sees them, free of fear and possessing the spirit of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind”!
In fear lies the capacity for error. ~John Jakes
Yes…we just never need to make concessions for fear. I listened to a talk calling this a Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego opportunity. They were willing to go into the fiery furnace, Daniel to the lions den,-as well as many other examples- rather than bow down to the wrong power.
Such a helpful post and comments today. Thank you.
I am grateful for the still, small voice referring me to the following two guideposts:
Ezekiel 21:27 “I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it shall be no more…”
MBE, Science and Health p.97 “the higher truth lifts her voice, the louder will error scream..”
In Trinity County CA and across the north state we have fires all around us creating fear. I have been praying and the fires have not come near my town and are getting under control. except the one north of us. All prayerful thoughts on this appreciated.
Dear Jane b, The thought comes to me that God is North, South, East and West, all
around you and in between. God is not in the fire and the fire is not in God. As you
live and move and have your being in God, the fire cannot reach you – you are safe
in His omnipotent ever-present loving care. This is His message to you:-
¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness., …
(Isaiah 41:10, 11 (to ,))
My prayers are with you.
sending you lots of love. Maggie
Such deep and thought provoking subject and comments today. Thanks to all.
‘The vital part , the heart and soul of Christian Science is Love.’ S&H pg 113
Divine Mind is in control , the only law, the only reality, the sole protector.
Thank you for addressing this topic and situation head-on, and so clearly, Evan. Your message is a powerful and helpful standard bearer for us to keep our attention and purpose where it needs to be, with the “how” and “why”, amidst so much fearful and chaotic thinking going on around us, expressed by the fearful with much vitriol and anger.
Dear Evan, I am very very grateful to you that you give us such clear spiritual view how to handle that corona error. And you did it so often to help us to understand the nothingness of it and the divine Truth that nothing unlike God can touch us.
I love this simple to understand truth: “Man is spiritual neither in nor of matter, and man is healthy because health is spiritual.”
Thank you all dear writers for your inspiring and loving and helpful comments and for the links to the very interesting and healing articles given in today’s wonderful blog!
From FB group
TESTIMONY: Chrisitan Scientists enlisted to help out in hospitals during the Spanish Flu Epedemic
Here’s another newspaper report I found:
During the great flu epidemic after World War I, when millions of people died from that disease, there was an interesting incident. At the time, Fort George Wright in Spokane, Washington, was being used as a military hospital. So many of the nonmedical staff became sick that their work could not be done.
The hospital reached out to the Christian Scientists in the community and said, basically, “Would you provide us workers to help keep the hospital clean and orderly? We know that as Christian Scientists you don’t believe in the germ theory of disease. So you’re not afraid of it, and you can come and do this safely.”
These Christian Scientists did go to help in the hospital, and they did not become ill.See “Christian Science Lecture by Dr. Watson Hubbard, C.S.B.” Gross Pointe [MI] News, November 4, 1948)
A great education today! Thanks all for their contributions to,
Dealing with this mortal problem that needs worldly attention.