We took a run at this topic once before (see notes for [#topic=20000427#]). This time we started with the observation that he word control comes from roots which indicate stopping a wheel from rotating. This suggested to us not only the often futile attempt by mortal mind to stop spinning out of control, but also the stillness and silence experienced as Deity is allowed to assume control.

The readings raised some issues concerning sin. Does God really punish sin? (Science and Health, p. 412:2). Must we destroy pleasure and pain to be well? (Ibid., p. 418:3-4).

One member took up the first quote by analogy to mathematics. We might say anthropormorphically that Math punishes us when we don't observe its rules. We'll suffer if we run around applying 2+2=5. Once we get the correct answer and use it the suffering is over.

A latecomer found us bedraggled by the second quote and reread it to us. It's the "belief in material pleasure and pain"that has to go. "Kind of like the spinning of mortal mind as against the calm and serenity of divine Mind,"said another member. That seemed to relax folks a bit, while a member noted our penchant for seizing on "sin"to beat ourselves up with. "Where's the Christian Science here?"Fortunately the readings from Mrs. Eddy's Prose Works contained a high level of Science in them to move us further out of the pit.

Based on the foregoing discussion our chairperson provided some clarity on the difference between human and divine control. If control is based merely on an exertion of human will power, then its results can be either good or evil — or maybe a bit of both. The real point in Christian Science is to let control proceed from the presence, power, knowledge and action of God. Even what seems to be human control must be in alignment with God's will through reflection. This passage from Science and Health was quoted: "The divine Mind, which forms the bud and blossom, will care for the human body, even as it clothes the lily; but let no mortal interfere with God's government by thrusting in the laws of erring, human concepts."(p. 62:22-26)

We went on to discuss some current problems in light of the above.

1) AIDS in Africa. "Eight thousand people a day are dying — what can we do,"asked a member. Of course, prevention and drug therapies can be seen as being in accordance with Life, God, without bad side-effects. And we can know that Life cannot destroy itself. A virus needs the host's body in order to replicate. The body in Science is not dual, not subject to good/evil — in fact it's Soul, God, who couldn't destroy Himself.

2) Hurricane Isadore. Quoting Mrs. Eddy, a member said "God controls the weather" — not man nor the laws of nature, which are basically just paranoia let loose.

3) Falling stock market and soft economy. "Let's keep our faith focused on the divine, all-harmonious Economy of God and His universe. There are no unemployed people in reflection and certainly no sinister nor dumb people running things. We're all together in this — held in the gospel of Love. This reality of the divine Economy is all that can or does control or occupy the human economy."That's how one member summarized his work on the area.

4) The "Bush Doctrine"of absolute U.S. hegemony seems to misplace the "I"in the following declaration of God, as imagined by Mrs. Eddy, from the divine to a human basis — an extremely dangerous inflation of mortal mind: "I am All. A knowledge of aught beside Myself is impossible."(Unity of Good, p. 18:25-26) Students of Christian Science need to haul human belief back to proper alignment, where everyone reflects the divine reality. What that'll look like on the belief level, need not be our concern if we're living the reality of I, Us as reflection.

A couple of members discussed a movie "The Fight Club"which came out a year or so ago. They took it apart psychologically first. The ego (Edward Norton) fails to integrate the shadow (Brad Pitt) and is driven to increasingly desperate and grandiose forms of abuse. Then they saw the Science — that we must live in accord with our divine Selfhood instead of being under the influence of societal whims (in this case advertising). They brought to bear this statement by Mrs. Eddy: "In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power, it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one."(Science and Health, p. 82:31-2)

Some healings were reported.

1) There was a real screw-up at the birth of one of our members and two birth certificates bearing different paternal names were issued. Needless to say this state of affairs has made legal matters in her adult life difficult. Finally she had to regularize things and got hold of a Christian Science practitioner to help through treatment. Right away they went to work to establish her divine parentage. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(Matthew 3:17) She was able to feel God as her Father. She needed to locate some important papers to complete the legal requirements and found herself saying, "Father, show me; Father show me."The papers were found and she is proceeding with the regularization process.

2) Another member has been in touch with the editorial staff of the Christian Science Sentinel about the July 22, 2000 issue concerning AIDS. Something of a breakthrough has been achieved but he cannot fully share it yet.

3) Another member who has been working on the Emergence International Conference scheduled for Houston in mid-October noted sadly that the meeting seems near cancellation because of hefty costs unmatched by attendance fees. He said he will now have to dig for just what it is he hoped to gain from the conference and, having found it, live it in the here and now. Perhaps our group can eventually look at some of the topics members of Emergence requested be handled in Houston.

4) Another member told of having to give up his civil service job when he decided several months back to run for political office. He is now looking for a job but was upbeat about being able to attend day sessions at school. He said this: "All the deprivation and economic hardship will lead to a good outcome."

Time was running short and a member wanted us to address the Iraq war possibility. Motes and planks were referred to — the need for us to look deeply within ourselves and handle our own murderous rage before we go on to Messrs. Bush, Hussein et al.

Our last healing testifier gave us our topic for next week. It's Adversity.