Monday, October 1, 2007

Science & Religion

It's interesting to me how personal bias in understanding can result in vastly different interpretations of Scripture.

The quote from Reality for today, if presented to a typical scientist, would be deemed to be far too limiting on the freedom they need to do science.

If it were presented to a typical religious person, they would judge it too liberal!


Hmmm...


"O thou true friend! Read, in the school of God, the lessons of the spirit, and learn from love's Teacher the innermost truths. Seek out the secrets of Heaven, and tell of the overflowing grace and favour of God.

"Although to acquire the sciences and arts is the greatest glory of mankind, this is so only on condition that man's river flow into the mighty sea, and draw from God's ancient source His inspiration. When this cometh to pass, then every teacher is as a shoreless ocean, every pupil a prodigal fountain of knowledge. If, then, the pursuit of knowledge lead to the beauty of Him Who is the Object of all Knowledge, how excellent that goal; but if not, a mere drop will perhaps shut a man off from flooding grace, for with learning cometh arrogance and pride, and it bringeth on error and
indifference to God.

"The sciences of today are bridges to reality; if then they lead not to reality, naught remains but fruitless illusion. By the one true God! If learning be not a means of access to Him, the Most Manifest, it is nothing but evident loss."

Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 110