Study of Science Raised to the Level of Worship

Abdu’l-Bahá spoke often of the importance of science and reason. In a talk given in Cambridge, MA (a city well known for institutions of higher education), He said:

Scientific knowledge is the highest attainment upon the human plane, for science is the discoverer of realities. It is of two kinds: material and spiritual. Material science is the investigation of natural phenomena; divine science is the discovery and realization of spiritual verities. The world of humanity must acquire both. A bird has two wings; it cannot fly with one. Material and spiritual science are the two wings of human uplift and attainment. Both are necessary…
Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 138 (23 May 1912, Cambridge, MA)

He also said:

Bahá'u'lláh has declared that religion must be in accord with science and reason. If it does not correspond with scientific principles and the processes of reason, it is superstition. For God has endowed us with faculties by which we may comprehend the realities of things, contemplate reality itself. If religion is opposed to reason and science, faith is impossible; and when faith and confidence in the divine religion are not manifest in the heart, there can be no spiritual attainment.
Promulgation of Universal Peace p. 298-99

To read more about the Bahá'í teaching on the unity of science and religion, see The Unity of Religion and Science, and to read more about what Abdu’l-Bahá said about science, see Abdu’l-Bahá on Science and Religion.

If you'd like to follow along with some of the discussions contemporary Bahá'ís are having on the relationship of science and religion, see this fascinating blog Common Ground, Faith, Reason, Science and Religion.

What are some of your thoughts on this interesting topic?