Daily Frameworks for 28 January 2025

Fidál, 11 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 181 B.E.

Walking Together on a Path of Service

Quotes for Reflection

Bahá’u’lláh teaches that religion must be in conformity with science and reason. If belief and teaching are opposed to the analysis of reason and principles of science, they are not worthy of acceptance. This principle has not been revealed in any of the former Books of divine teaching. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

The fourth teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the agreement of religion and science. God has endowed man with intelligence and reason whereby he is required to determine the verity of questions and propositions. 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. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Now, all questions of morality contained in the spiritual, immutable law of every religion are logically right. If religion were contrary to logical reason then it would cease to be a religion and be merely a tradition. 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. All religions of the present day have fallen into superstitious practices, out of harmony alike with the true principles of the teaching they represent and with the scientific discoveries of the time. Many religious leaders 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. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ³

The virtues of humanity are many, but science is the most noble of them all. The distinction which man enjoys above and beyond the station of the animal is due to this paramount virtue. It is a bestowal of God; it is not material; it is divine. Science is an effulgence of the Sun of Reality, the power of investigating and discovering the verities of the universe, the means by which man finds a pathway to God. All the powers and attributes of man are human and hereditary in origin—outcomes of nature’s processes—except the intellect, which is supernatural. Through intellectual and intelligent inquiry science is the discoverer of all things. It unites present and past, reveals the history of bygone nations and events, and confers upon man today the essence of all human knowledge and attainment throughout the ages. By intellectual processes and logical deductions of reason this superpower in man can penetrate the mysteries of the future and anticipate its happenings. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁴

Whereas the religion of God is the promoter of truth, the establisher of science and learning, the supporter of knowledge, the civilizer of the human race, the discoverer of the secrets of existence, and the enlightener of the horizons of the world. How then could it oppose knowledge? God forbid! On the contrary, in the sight of God knowledge is the greatest human virtue and the noblest human perfection. To oppose knowledge is pure ignorance, and one who abhors the arts and sciences is not a human being but is even as a mindless animal. For knowledge is light, life, felicity, perfection, and beauty, and causes the soul to draw nigh to the divine threshold. It is the honour and glory of the human realm and the greatest of God’s bounties. Knowledge is identical to guidance, and ignorance is the essence of error. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁵

Much of the discord and disunion of the world is created by these man-made oppositions and contradictions. If religion were in harmony with science and they walked together, much of the hatred and bitterness now bringing misery to the human race would be at an end. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ⁶

Question for Consideration

Section 5 of the second unit, “Uplifting Conversations,” in Book 2 Arising to Serve concerns the relationship between science and religion based, in part, on the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted above. ⁷ How can one draw on His explanations to better understand the significance and implications of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings and feel encouraged to initiate and sustain meaningful and uplifting conversations with others about the inherent congruence of religion and science?” ⁸

Perplexity Pro Response ⁹

Bahá’u’lláh’s teaching on the harmony between science and religion represents a groundbreaking principle in religious thought, asserting that true faith must align with scientific understanding and rational inquiry. This concept, as elucidated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, posits that religion and science are complementary forces essential for human progress and the advancement of civilization.

Harmony Between Science and Religion

The principle of harmony between science and religion, as taught by Bahá’u’lláh, emphasizes that true religious beliefs must withstand scientific scrutiny and rational analysis. This revolutionary concept, not found in previous religious scriptures, asserts that if religious teachings contradict scientific knowledge, they are mere superstitions and imaginations [2]. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá further elaborates on this idea, describing science and religion as two wings that enable human intelligence to soar to great heights [3]. This metaphor underscores the essential nature of both elements for human progress and spiritual growth, highlighting the impossibility of advancement with only one wing.

Religion’s Role in Knowledge

True religion, according to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, actively promotes the pursuit of knowledge and truth rather than opposing scientific inquiry. He describes knowledge as “the greatest human virtue” and “the noblest human perfection,” emphasizing that authentic religion is “the promoter of truth, the establisher of science and learning, the supporter of knowledge” [3]. This perspective elevates the status of scientific endeavor within religious discourse, positioning it as a divine pursuit that aligns with spiritual growth. By characterizing religion as “the civilizer of the human race, the discoverer of the secrets of existence, and the enlightener of the horizons of the world,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá underscores the essential role of faith in fostering intellectual and scientific progress [3].

Science as a Divine Gift

‘Abdu’l-Bahá characterizes science as a “bestowal of God” and an “effulgence of the Sun of Reality,” elevating its status in religious discourse [2]. He distinguishes the human intellect and capacity for scientific investigation as supernatural gifts that set humans apart from animals. This perspective not only emphasizes the divine origin of scientific inquiry but also positions it as a means for humanity to discover universal truths and draw closer to the divine. By describing science as “the power of investigating and discovering the verities of the universe,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá underscores its role in unveiling the mysteries of existence and advancing human understanding [3].

Avoiding Superstition and Materialism

The harmony between science and religion serves as a safeguard against two extremes: superstition and materialism. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá warns that relying solely on religious dogma without reason leads to superstition, while depending exclusively on science without spiritual values results in moral and existential despair [3]. This balanced approach prevents the pitfalls of clinging to outward forms and ceremonies, which many religious leaders mistakenly emphasize, and helps individuals avoid confusing these practices with inner spiritual truths.

Citations:

[1] Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[2] Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

[3] Book 2: Arising to Serve (PDF) – Ruhi Institute

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• How can the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh help reconcile conflicts between religion and science?
• What are some examples of religious beliefs that contradict scientific principles?
  How does Bahá’u’lláh’s view on the relationship between religion and science differ from other religions?
• What role does reason play in evaluating religious beliefs according to Bahá’u’lláh?
• How can individuals apply Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to foster a harmonious relationship between science and religion?
• How can one balance material possessions with spiritual values?
• What are some practical ways to avoid superstition in daily life?
• How does the Bahá’í Faith recommend living a simple yet fulfilling life?
• What are the consequences of materialism according to Bahá’u’lláh?
• How can one cultivate a sense of detachment from material possessions?

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 434. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/32#770255389. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 181. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/13#473669591. ↩
3. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ʻ’Abduʼl-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912. 11th British Ed. 1912. Reprint, London, England: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1972, 143. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/5#352527373. ↩
4. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 49. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/3#692638730. ↩
5. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed January 26, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/some-answered-questions/7#066346398. ↩
6. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Paris Talks: Addresses given by ʻ’Abduʼl-Bahá in Paris in 1911-1912. 11th British Ed. 1912. Reprint, London, England: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1972, 144. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/paris-talks/5#335710686. ↩
7. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, v, 22-23. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩
8. Ruhi Institute. Walking Together on a Path of Service. 2.1.1.PE February 2024. Vol. Book 7. 14 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2024, 70-72. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#WLK. ↩
9. Perplexity Pro. “Religion and Science: Harmonious Wings.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. January 26, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/bahaullah-teaches-that-religio-SDwDYb3YQ.eMaYZ2qDFT7Q. ↩