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Flora Teckie-A Bahai Perspective
Science and religion play important roles in our lives, and both are necessary for our development.
Religion and science are two complementary and indispensable sources of knowledge and together provide the fundamental organising principles by which individuals, communities and institutions function and evolve.
However, it is often claimed that science and religion are antagonistic, that scientific truth contradicts religion, and that one is obliged to choose between being a religious person and following God’s teachings, or being a scientist and be a follower of reason.
In the Bahá’í view, there is no conflict between science and religion.
They are, in fact, like two wings of a bird complementing each other, and the advantages of both need to be used together if we are to build a progressive and peaceful society.
Social advancement does not arise only through scientific knowledge and material progress, but it is achieved through combining science and religion – by using our science and technology together with values that weld society together.
True prosperity — a well-being founded on peace, co-operation, dignity, rectitude of conduct and justice – requires the spiritual virtues in addition to scientific discoveries and material resources.
The Bahá’í Writings state “that science and religion are two complementary systems of knowledge and practice by which human beings come to understand the world around them and through which civilisation advances.
The writings also state that religion without science soon degenerates into superstition and fanaticism, while science without religion becomes the tool of crude materialism” and “far from being in conflict with one another, these fundamental modes of the mind’s exploration of reality are mutually dependent”.
Religion and science are both important for our well-being
Religion is the knowledge system that studies the powers of the human spirit and is concerned with the demands and the desires of the higher nature of the human being.
It is the fruit of the creative Word of God, which transforms human thought and action. God’s teachings offer to humanity a basis for values and provide answers to moral questions, human purpose, and our relationship to God, which science cannot provide.
Religion in its purest form (the way it was revealed through God’s messengers) is not opposed to scientific facts.
God, who has given us the gift of the intellect, does not expect us to lay it aside when investigating religious truth.
Scientific method is our tool for understanding the physical side of the universe and is the key to new technologies. It is this knowledge system, which studies the material universe and teaches us how to generate material means for the advancement of humanity.
But science does not have the answer to every question about human existence. Although, through science we can figure out the “how” of the universe, science alone cannot help us find the meaning of our existence, or the “why”.
Insights into profound questions of meaning and purpose of life are to come not from science, but from religion.
The independent investigation of reality, whether scientific or religious, is strongly encouraged in Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings. Individuals should strive, He said, to free themselves from prejudices and preconceptions.
According to the Bahá’í Writings: “… in the search for truth man must weigh religious questions in the balance of science and reason.
God has given us rational minds for this purpose, to penetrate all things, to find truth.”
At the same time “… the principle of harmony between religion and science, while it enables us, with the help of reason, to see through the falsity of superstitions, does not imply that truth is limited to what can be explained by current scientific concepts”.
Relationship between science and religion
Science provides us with tools and means, and religion teaches us how to use them to the best advantage of all humanity.
For example, a knife is a useful tool, but it can also be used to kill someone.
Religion teaches us to put this tool to good use and not to use it to hurt anyone.
Atomic energy is useful, but without God’s guidance it can become one of the most destructive forces produced by science.
Science without religion leads us to materialism and religion without science can breed fanaticism and superstition.
The Bahá’í Writings state: “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 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”.
Our major task today is to create a global civilisation which incorporates both the spiritual and material dimensions of life.
This will depend on a progressive interaction between the truths and principles of religion and the discoveries and insights of scientific inquiry.
As the Bahá’í International Community states: “In the quest for truth, science and religion — the two systems of knowledge available to humankind — must closely and continuously interact.
The insights and skills that represent scientific accomplishment must look to the force of spiritual commitment and moral principle to ensure their appropriate application”.
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