We were catapulted into this week's topic by visitors to our guestbook imparting messages of sexism and homophobia. These had to be removed in view of agreements with AOL not to publish sexual fantasies or scatological and pornographic content, but — as indicated in the notes from last week's meeting — sparked some very good metaphysical work on behalf not only of our visitors and community but ourselves as well.

One member described his work on this problem. While his initial reaction was one of anger and fear with a desire basically to turn the whole thing over to the authorities, he soon realized that these missives were screams for help — not just from our visitors but from ourselves too (after all, it is our web site!). Screams for help are forms of desire or prayer, which from God's standpoint is fulfillment. Furthermore, Mary Baker Eddy's own tough attitude to death threats, etc., emboldened him to look into the protective power of understanding the oneness of Being. Some mortals being aggressed against by other mortals is dualistic language for God being the only cause and effect. Our member stuck with the latter view and let the former fade out. Eventually, he saw the whole episode as an opportunity to seek the common roots of Love and Life in both so-called Gay and non-Gay romantic attraction — still a work in progress.

Most members were helped last week by our study of Science and Health, p. 540: 5-16, concerning chemicalization and stirring the muddy river-bed. This week we amplified this study with the following insights:

1) Anyone seeing himself or others as mortals will be persecuted and hounded by problems until he gives up the erroneous pose. Propounding this thought to one unprepared to hear its healing intent can lead to pointless arguments; so we need to be kindly and wise in our attempts to let this verity be known. In the end, however, we're doing no one a favor by trying to rest and encouraging others to rest on a lot of falsehoods.

2) The word "persecute" includes the root "seq" which means "to follow". When we feel persecuted, as shown in the Beatitudes quoted in the readings above, we have help immediately by following the Christ, i. e., by being what we are: infinite, eternal ideas, not dualistic mortals.

3) Persecution can come from within or without. Some of us have drifted around in a "cloud of victimhood", thereby attracting persecution and/or inferring it where none is intended. In both cases, we saw the need to question and disrupt our habitual state of mind, which may be based on childhood experience or minority status. Possible lines of questioning might go like, "Did God's man even have a childhood?" or, "Is one with and as God a minority?"

4) The GLBT community is facing a number of areas where persecution is rampant and needs handling. For instance, the latest quarterlies from The Human Rights Campaign and The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force mention problems with safety, partner rights and employment. Solutions in Science are available. Based on what we have discussed so far, these two approaches seem appropriate: the commonalities basing all of God's ideas and their non-minority status.

5) Perhaps the most interesting idea of the evening concerned the attitude with which we approach persecution. Do we try to escape it by mortal means or work in Science merely to eliminate the problem? Or, do we run forward to meet and embrace it as an opportunity to bring more of God's presence into conscious human experience? We all had plenty of examples of running away or working narrowly for an on the spot solution. We had no complaint about this — one can only do what one is ready for. But the examples of David running forth to meet Goliath, Jesus going forward with his mission and Mrs. Eddy publishing of Science and Health alerted us to higher deeper meanings and possibilities for work in Science.

Seeing persecution or any problem as the early appearance of the Christ — the healing energies of God's presence and power, seeking followers, was how one member summarized this idea. Another said, "We can progress from being aggrieved innocent victims, sideswiped by someone else's bad mood or hatred, to being active participants in hoisting us all to a new apprehension of existence." "As an active portion of one stupendous whole, goodness identifies man with universal good" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 165:16-18).

We saw this model for healing persecution as carrying us beyond self righteousness and personal sense. It's "impersonal reform", having its way with us all.

Three healings were reported.

1) One member found his relationship with a former co-worker and spouse completely healed of previous animosities and threats. He had done no specific work recently — although he did much some years ago — and felt his spiritual growth and theirs was responsible for the change.

2) A member was walking late one evening in full leather regalia through a Gay neighborhood when someone called him a "Faggot". He used to become angry and fearful in such circumstances, but this time found himself merely amused.

3) Another member had a copiously flowing nosebleed. Somehow he thought of the Red Sea and God's saving the Israelites there. As a spiritual idea, he could see that he was saved. The nosebleed stopped therewith.

Next week we'll have our usual Thanksgiving meeting, which will have readings from the Quarterly Bible Lesson published by the Christian Science Publishing Society and time to share testimonies appropriate to the occasion.