A passionate disagreement erupted during the readings — our Group used to be famous for such struggles — over whether the Bible is homophobic. As the lightning and thunder cleared, we were left with these conclusions:

1) The Bible is homophobic in places.

2) It's difficult to know what's being condemned; modern Gay and Lesbian relationships were of course unknown.

3) The Bible is full of personal opinions and bigotry, as would be expected in documents from the period. These are of historical interest only.

4) Just as we can say that Thomas Jefferson was racist and yet pay attention to his grander vision, we must do the same with the Bible.

5) Our readings retrieved some of the spiritual pointers in the Bible on diversity. There is much that would conflict with this, but we just pass it by.

We then went on to a more general discussion of our topic. Diversity today is defined in categories like race, sex, nationality, religion and sexual orientation. While labels themselves are constrictive and respect tends to be shown in political correctness (often just not talking about quite painful differences and exclusions) anyone who survived 1950's America had to agree there has been tremendous progress. There is still a long way to go. An article in the January 19th issue of the Christian Science Monitor, page 21, describes John Rocker's bigoted outburst as only the tip of the iceberg of racism — and by extension all intolerance — in which this country is still awash.

To support the next phase of diversity's unfoldment, we felt it essential to discern its Science. Briefly, man as infinite idea including all right ideas and infinite individuality, embracing all diversities, looks out from divine Mind, wherein all is one and no conflict exists between I and Us.

This seemed to us the metaphysical bridge between today's labels and true diversity, wherein each individual is empowered to live and flourish as himself while being in complete harmony with the larger communities. Often this is more about surrendering to the innate perfection always pressing its claims upon us than any need for outlining results and incantations. We must actually live our individuality or Christ being.

We saw the tendency within us to evaluate ourselves and others as mortals or dualistic beings, encompassing both good and evil, leaving us with nothing better than luck to depend upon. It is foolhardy in the extreme to try on this basis to be a good person among good persons. But the effective student of Christian Science will rejoice in the floods of painful experience that flow from such error, driving him to higher ground. In this process he may even have to face his own inner aliens or unacknowledged diversities. As in all things, it is ever the Christ and not just a Jesus that is coming to the fore.

One member remarked on how colonial powers or strong personalities had held together entities like the Indian subcontinent, Yugoslavia, Indonesia, the Soviet Union — even 40's and 50's America — but once these were removed, the seething undercurrents broke through to proclaim the negated diversities. The mess that has ensued needs soothing and shepherding by Christian Science treatment.

Likewise the emergence of Gay people, recovering from centuries of oppression, need the ministrations of Christian Science treatment, that our sense of family, health, work and schooling may be put on a firm basis, untroubled by external or community coercion.

One member was told by a friend not to mention that he is a Christian Scientist. "Most people think you are child killers." This too needs refutation in Science.

While we rejoice in supportive laws and favorable reception of advanced ideas —   e.g., the uniformly positive response accorded Melissa Ethridge and her partner as they discussed their two babies on the Larry King Show — we know as students of Christian Science that these are secondary and must be undergirded with scientific knowing to assure continued harmonious unfoldment of individuality.

One member felt we need to behold in Science next week's Davos conference of government officials and corporate CEO's. They will discuss globalization and world trade among other things, but all interactions there will bear upon diversities and individuality worldwide.

The following healings were reported:

1) A member resolved not to have the flu this year, in spite of much chatter around him on the subject and recommendations for shots and so forth. Several times he felt the beginnings of something, but quickly got to work and rejected the claims. He has come through in good health.

2) This same member had been away from one of his jobs for several weeks. When last there, some difficulties had arisen and he was somewhat concerned as to what awaited his return. Again, the solution was at hand — Christian Science treatment, seeing only harmony presenting itself. When he got back to the job, everything proceeded without a hitch.

3) Another member had rented a space to conduct one of his very special make-up sessions with a client, who abruptly canceled at the last moment. He was tempted to throw a fit, but resisted and sought the Science of the situation. Yes, God was still completely in charge and he was supported totally by Him. He was moved to go ahead to his rented space, and found over a period of hours that others happened by for work that gave him in the end exactly the amount he had been hoping to obtain from the client who canceled. One of his pick up clients proved to be quite interested in spirituality, and an interesting dialogue developed.

For next week we'll look at Daily Duties, those prayers and treatments Christian Scientists are taught to undertake daily. We'll also try to get some fresh meaning into them.