Daily Frameworks for 17 June 2025

Fidál, 14 Núr (Light), 182 B.E.

Social Action: The Nature of Bahá’í Social and Economic Development

Quotes for Reflection:

With regard to the harmony of science and religion, the Writings of the Central Figures and the commentaries of the Guardian make abundantly clear that the task of humanity, including the Bahá’í community that serves as the “leaven” within it, is to create a global civilization which embodies both the spiritual and material dimensions of existence. The nature and scope of such a civilization are still beyond anything the present generation can conceive. The prosecution of this vast enterprise will depend on a progressive interaction between the truths and principles of religion and the discoveries and insights of scientific inquiry. This entails living with ambiguities as a natural and inescapable feature of the process of exploring reality. It also requires us not to limit science to any particular school of thought or methodological approach postulated in the course of its development. The challenge facing Bahá’í thinkers is to provide responsible leadership in this endeavour, since it is they who have both the priceless insights of the Revelation and the advantages conferred by scientific investigation. — Universal House of Justice ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

What are some of the challenges facing Bahá’í thinkers as they apply “the priceless insights of the Revelation and the advantages conferred by scientific investigation” and “provide responsible leadership” in the “creation of a global civilization which embodies both the spiritual and material dimensions of existence?”

Perplexity Pro Response ³

The Bahá’í Faith envisions the creation of a global civilization that integrates both spiritual and material dimensions, requiring a harmonious relationship between science and religion. Bahá’í thinkers, tasked with providing responsible leadership in this endeavor, encounter several significant challenges as they apply the insights of Revelation alongside scientific investigation [1] [2] [3].

Navigating Ambiguity and Complexity

Living with Ambiguity

The process of integrating spiritual principles and scientific discoveries inherently involves ambiguity. Bahá’í thinkers must accept and navigate uncertainties rather than seek premature or rigid resolutions, recognizing that both science and religion are evolving fields [1] [4].

Scope Beyond Current Conception

The true nature of a civilization that fully embodies both spiritual and material dimensions is still beyond current human understanding, requiring humility and openness to new possibilities [1] [2].

Avoiding Extremes and Maintaining Balance

Guarding Against Materialism and Dogmatism

There is a need to avoid two extremes: dismissing religious truths due to attachment to materialistic scientific interpretations, or rigidly insisting that all scientific findings must conform to personal interpretations of religious teachings [4] [2].

Maintaining Balance

Bahá’í teachings emphasize that science without religion can lead to materialism, while religion without science can degenerate into superstition and fanaticism. Achieving a genuine balance between these forces is a continual challenge [3] [2].

Interpreting Revelation and Scientific Knowledge

Metaphorical Interpretation

Bahá’í writings encourage interpreting religious scripture symbolically rather than literally, especially when apparent conflicts with scientific findings arise. This approach requires intellectual flexibility and a willingness to reinterpret traditional understandings in light of new knowledge [2] [4].

Progressive Interaction

Both religion and science are seen as progressive, with each influencing and informing the other. Bahá’í thinkers must foster a dynamic interplay, ensuring neither is subordinated or isolated from the other [1] [5].

Embracing Diversity and Consultation

Diversity of Perspectives

Achieving objectivity and escaping bias requires engaging with diverse viewpoints, both within the Bahá’í community and in broader scientific and intellectual circles. This demands a consultative spirit and willingness to learn from others [6] [1].

Unity Amid Diversity

While encouraging independent investigation of truth, Bahá’í thinkers must also promote unity and avoid divisiveness, especially in academic and public discourse [1] [6].

Ethical and Moral Leadership

Ethical Application of Science

Bahá’í thinkers are called to ensure that scientific advancements are guided by spiritual and ethical principles, preventing the misuse of science for harmful or materialistic ends [7] [3].

Responsible Leadership

Providing leadership means not only advancing knowledge, but also modeling the integration of spiritual values with scientific inquiry in personal and collective life [1] [7].

Lifelong Learning and Intellectual Engagement

Continuous Study

The Bahá’í writings encourage ongoing study of both the Faith and contemporary sciences, urging thinkers to correlate Bahá’í principles with modern philosophy, history, and social sciences [1] [8].

Independent Investigation

Each individual is urged to independently investigate truth, which requires intellectual rigor, open-mindedness, and a commitment to both faith and reason [8] [2].

In summary, Bahá’í thinkers face the profound challenge of fostering a civilization that harmonizes the spiritual insights of Revelation with the discoveries of science. This requires intellectual humility, ethical responsibility, a commitment to unity, and a willingness to engage with ambiguity and diversity in the pursuit of truth [1] [2] [4].

Citations:

[1] Issues Related to the Study of the Bahá’í Faith – Bahá’í Reference Library

[2] Baháʼí views on science – Wikipedia

[3] An Ever-Advancing Civilization: Science and Religion – The Bahá’í Faith

[4] 21 February 2016 – [To an individual] – Bahá’í Reference Library

[5] Science and Religion in Dynamic Interplay (PDF) – Journal for Bahá’í Studies

[6] Revelation as Scientific in its Method: Science, Diversity, Consultation, and Learning in Action – Journal for Bahá’í Studies

[7] Science and Religion Are Complementary – BahaiTeachings.org

[8] Science, Philosophy, & Religion: The Foundations of a Human Development Approach to Social and Economic Development – Educational Psychology Interactive

[9] KNOWLEDGE and CIVILIZATION – Bahai.works

[10] Unity of Science and Religion – BahaiTeachings.org

[11] New world order (Baháʼí) – Wikipedia

[12] Harmony – Science and Religion – Bahá’í Quotes

[13] Science and the Bahá’í Faith – The Bahá’í World

[14] What is your most scientifically challenging idea in the Baha’i writings? And how have you addressed it? – reddit

[15] The Challenge of the Bahá’í Faith (PDF) – Bahá’í Library Online

[16] Science & Religion – a new twist – Bahá’í Forums

[17] Science and the Bahá’í Faith – The Bahá’í Faith

[18] How Two Baha’i Women Integrate Science and Religion – Sinai and Synapses

Follow-Up Approaches Proposed by Perplexity

• Identify key ambiguities Bahá’í thinkers must navigate in science and religion.
• Explore methods to integrate spiritual principles with scientific inquiry.
• Develop strategies for leading societal acceptance of this integrated vision.
• Address challenges of interpreting scripture metaphorically in modern contexts.
• Promote education that balances material progress with spiritual development.

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/390017455. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “19 May 1995 – [To an individual].” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed June 16, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/r/113992922. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “Challenges Facing Bahá’í Thinkers in Harmonizing Science and Religion.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. June 16, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/with-regard-to-the-harmony-of-SnrflfrzQb68JaDgcOY3IA. ↩