Religion and Science in Harmony

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).

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 expresses this idea forcefully in the following passage:


Bahá’u’lláh affirms 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.”2 Science results from our systematic use of these God-given powers. The truths of science are thus discovered truths. The truths of prophetic religion are revealed truths, i.e., truths which God has shown to us without our having to discover them for ourselves. Bahá’ís believe that it is the same unique God who is both the Author of revelation and the Creator of the reality which science investigates and that there can thus be no contradiction between the two.

Contradictions between science and traditional religious beliefs are attributable to human fallibility and arrogance. Over the centuries, distortions have gradually infiltrated the doctrines of many religious systems and diluted the pure teachings originally given by the Manifestations who were their Founders. In time, these distortions became increasingly difficult to distinguish from the original message. Similarly, unsupported speculations of various schools of scientific thought have at times become more popular and influential than the results of rigorous scientific research and have further blurred the picture.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá affirms that religion and science are, in fact, complementary:


In another passage from the same work, He affirms that the result of the unity of science and religion would be a strengthening of religion rather than a 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.4

* Adapted from William S. Hatcher and Douglas Martin, The Bahá’í Faith: The Emerging Global Religion (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985), pp. 87-9.