From: Eberhard von Kitzing - MPImF - Heidelberg - FRG <mpimfhd!vkitzing@oneworld.wa.com>
Newsgroups: soc.religion.bahai
Subject: Re: Unity between Science and Religion
Date: 6 Nov 92 09:44:39 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.45460
Organization: -

In his posting Ken Arromdee writes

KA> Is it considered a mistake for a Baha'i to believe, in this case, what
KA> science says instead of what your founder says, when they contradict?
KA> When one of your teachings conflicts with science, is it your
KA> teaching, or science, which has made the mistake?

(Unfortunately, as a member of the mailing list I did not receive the
original poster from Ken Arromdee, I got only the response due to Bob
Edis!  Thus, I may have missed other interesting questions, EvK).
[I'm mailing Eberhard a copy of the original post. --rdt]

The Baha'i-Writing are very clear concerning this question.  In His
talks in Paris `Abdu'l-Baha, the son of the founder of the
Baha'i-Faith made several rather clear statements:

      "I will now explain the Fourth Principle, which is `The
   Acceptance of the Relation between Religion and Science'.
      There is no contradiction between true religion and science.
   When a religion is opposed to science it becomes mere 
   superstition: that which is contrary to knowledge is ignorance.
      How can a man believe to be a fact that which science has proved
   to be impossible? If he believes in spite of his reason, it is
   rather ignorant superstition than faith. The true principles o all
   religions are in conformity with the teachings of science."
		    (`Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 141)

My personal interpretation of this statement and similar one is that
any apparent contradiction between the Baha'i-Faith and science must
be due to my personal misunderstanding of at least one of the two.  I
personally did not find a contradiction which I could not resolve.

Consider for instance take the question of evolution.  In the book
"Some Answered Questions" `Abdu'l-Baha explains a lot concerning this
question.  But especially in this case one has to carefully
distinguish between science and scientific metaphysics.  Whereas the
writings agree with the facts (indeed not much is said there about
this aspect of evolution) presented by science, `Abdu'l-Baha certainly
gives a different metaphysical interpretation of these facts.

A very common interpretation of the fact that the human race appeared
on this planet by an evolutionary process is that man is "incorrigibly
selfish and aggressive and thus incapable of erecting a social system
at once progressive and peaceful" [in the words of the Universal House
of Justice, in "The Promise of World Peace" --rdt].  For these and
similar views see Jaques Monod, "Chance and Necessity" or Konrad
Lorentz, "Die Kehrseite des Spiegels" (I don't know the exact English
title, it could be "The Reverse of the Mirror").

On the other hand the Baha'i-Writings present a positive picture for
the potentials to be found in man:

      "All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing
   civilization.  The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the
   beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit
   his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness
   towards all the people and kindreds of the earth."
	 Baha'u'llah, "Gleanings", p. 215

      "Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value.
   Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and
   enable mankind to benefit therefrom."
	 Baha'u'llah, "Gleanings", p. 260
------------------------------------------------------------
Eberhard von Kitzing
Max-Planck-Institut fuer Medizische Forschung
Jahnstr. 29, D6900 Heidelberg, FRG

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