[A-List] Baha'i teachings on science and religion

[Louis Proyect]

http://info.bahai.org/science-and-religion.html

The Unity of Religion and Science

A major source of conflict and disunity in the world today is the 
widespread opinion that there is some basic opposition between science 
and religion, that scientific truth contradicts religion on some points, 
and that one must choose between being a religious person, a believer in 
God, or a scientist, a follower of reason.1

The Bahá'í teachings stress the fundamental harmony of science and 
religion. This view derives from the belief that truth (or reality) is 
one. For if truth is indeed one, it is not possible for something to be 
scientifically false and religiously true. 'Abdu'l-Bahá expressed 
forcefully this idea in the following passage:

     If religious beliefs and opinions are found contrary to the 
standards of science, they are mere superstitions and imaginations; for 
the antithesis of knowledge is ignorance, and the child of ignorance is 
superstition. Unquestionably there must be agreement between true 
religion and science. If a question be found contrary to reason, faith 
and belief in it are impossible, and there is no outcome but wavering 
and vacillation.2

Bahá'u'lláh affirmed that man's intelligence and reasoning powers are a 
gift from God: "This gift giveth man the power to discern the truth in 
all things, leadeth him to that which is right, and helpeth him to 
discover the secrets of creation."3 Science results from our systematic 
use of these God-given powers. The truths of science are thus discovered 
truths. The truths of prophetic religion are revealed truths, i.e., 
truths which God has shown to us without our having to discover them for 
ourselves. Bahá'ís consider that it is the same unique God who is both 
the Author of revelation and the Creator of the reality which science 
investigates, and hence there can be no contradiction between the two.

Contradictions between science and traditional religious beliefs are 
attributed to human fallibility and arrogance. Over the centuries, 
distortions have gradually infiltrated the doctrines of many religious 
systems and diluted the pure teachings originally given by the 
Manifestation who was their Founder. With time these distortions become 
increasingly difficult to distinguish from the original message. 
Similarly, unsupported speculations of various schools of scientific 
thought have at times become more popular and influential than the 
results of rigorous scientific research, and have further blurred the 
picture.

'Abdu'l-Bahá affirmed that religion and science are, in fact, complementary:

     Religion and science are the two wings upon which man's 
intelligence can soar into the heights, with which the human soul can 
progress. It is not possible to fly with one wing alone! Should a man 
try to fly with the wing of religion alone he would quickly fall into 
the quagmire of superstition, whilst on the other hand, with the wing of 
science alone he would also make no progress, but fall into the 
despairing slough of materialism.4

In another passage from the same work, He affirmed that the result of 
the practice of the unity of science and religion will be a 
strengthening of religion rather than its weakening as is feared by many 
religious apologists:

     When religion, shorn of its superstitions, traditions, and 
unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, then will there 
be a great unifying, cleansing force in the world which will sweep 
before it all wars, disagreements, discords and struggles--and then will 
mankind be united in the power of the Love of God.