Last Christmas season, I watched the 1954 film, White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Rosemary Clooney. In the script, the characters used the word “gay,” meaning happy-go-lucky, a definition not referred to very often today. In fact, hardly ever!
The vast perception alteration of the word gay reminds me of 3 factors:
1. Words are vulnerable to a menagerie of perceptions.
2. The same word can mean 3 different things to 3 different people.
3. Words can become narrowly defined.
As a freelance writer, often writing on the subject of divine Science, a.k.a. Christian Science, I come across multifarious perceptions of the brand name Christian Science. All too often, Christian Science is viewed primarily as a means of physical healing, while the broader definition of science as knowledge, removing false convictions, myths, and beliefs, is forgotten. But, we need knowledge in order to be wise and overcome physical and mental limitations.
When priorities get twisted―in the field of Christian Science, or even in the medical field―a bitter struggle ensues, pointing to the mistake of primarily trying to advocate physical healing instead of acknowledge Life, Truth, and Love. Focusing on physical healing becomes the attempt to prolong mortality, or make matter absolute, which is not going to happen. Whereas, focusing on Life, Truth, and Love allows our minds to expand, broaden, and discover an immortal power having a positive influence wherever we are in our scope of understanding.
No offense is necessary just because the meaning of words change, or because the meaning of words are different than what we are familiar with. Every day our perceptions need to broaden. Fortunately, by the very nature of infinity, the expansion of all that is meaningful is unstoppable.
“It’s important to remember the work of divine Science is not primarily one of physical healing. Now, as in earlier times, signs and wonders are realized in the metaphysical healing of physical disease; but these signs are only to elucidate its divine origin―to substantiate the reality of the higher mission of the Christ–power which is to take away the sins of the world.” 21st Century Science and Health
Tagged: bing crosby, Christian Science, defining words, gay, healing, knowledge is divine, life, movie, primary goal, spirituality, truth, white christmas, wisdom
Healing Science Today 
Thank you for these clear writings on this deep subject. And help me get more clear on the subject: physical healing is not the object or priority. I can see to focus on Love, Life, Truth, Spirit: GOD… does lead on to the physical healing
L. Allen