From: xx005@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Baha'i Faith Forum) Following is an article reposted from Usenet's soc.religion.bahai: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESSENTIAL HARMONY OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION "We may think of science as one wing and religion as the other; a bird needs two wings for flight, one alone would be useless." (`Abdu'l-Baha, _Paris Talks_, 130) "There is no contradiction between true religion and science...The Unity of God is logical, and this idea is not antagonistic to the conclusions arrived at by scientific study...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." (`Abdu'l-Baha, _Paris Talks_, 143) "Religion and science are in complete agreement. Every religion which is not in accordance with established science is superstition. Religion must be reasonable. If it does not square with reason, it is superstition and without foundation. It is like a mirage, which deceives man by leading him to think it is a body of water. God has endowed man with reason that he may perceive what is true. If we insist that such and such a subject is not to be reasoned out and tested according to the established logical modes of the intellect, what is the use of the reason which God has given man?" Likewise, the study of the sciences must have as its goal the welfare and benefit of humankind. Baha'u'llah writes: "Knowledge is as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world...In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of cheer and gladness unto him." "It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are useful and would redound to the progress and advancement of the people." With science ought to come the spiritual responsibility to wield it. "The unity of God is logical, and this idea is not antagonistic to the conclusions arrived at by scientific study. "All religions teach that we must do good, that we must be generous, sincere, truthful, law-abiding, and faithful; all this is reasonable, and logically the only way in which humanity can progress. "All religious laws conform to reason, and are suited to the people for whom they are framed, and for the age in which they are to be obeyed... "Many religious teachers have grown to think that the importance of religion lies mainly in the adherence to a collection of certain dogmas and the practice of rites and ceremonies! Those whose souls they profess to cure are taught to believe likewise, and these cling tenaciously to the outward forms, confusing them with the inward truth... "Some worship the product of their own imagination: they make for themselves an imaginary God and adore this, when the creation of their finite minds cannot be the Infinite Mighty Maker of all things visible and invisible!... "God made religion and science to be the measure, as it were, of our understanding. Take heed that you neglect not such a wonderful power. Weigh all things in this balance... "Put all your beliefs into harmony with science; there can be no opposition, for truth is one. When religion, shorn of its superstitions, traditions, and unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, then there will 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." (`Abdu'l-Baha, _Paris Talks_, 141)