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
'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.5
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1. Adapted
from William S. Hatcher and Douglas Martin, The Bahá'í Faith:
The Emerging Global Religion (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985), pp.
87-89.
2. `Abdu'l-Bahá,
The Promulgation of Universal Peace (Wilmette: Bahá'í Publishing
Trust,
1922. 2nd edition 1982, p. 181.
3. Bahá'u'lláh,
Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh (Wilmette: Bahá'í
Publishing Trust,
1939. 2d rev. ed. 1976), p. 194.
4. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1969), p. 143.
5. 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
Paris Talks (London: Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1969), p.
146.
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