Posted by Jonah on March 25, 2101 at 05:42:50:

In Reply to: Request for answer posted by Munir A. Qureshi on March 24, 2101 at 10:44:51:

Hi. I can tackle your first question, on the Iqan's teachings on science. I suspect that the translation of the Iqan which gives the impression that Baha'u'llah teaches "science & chemistry are dead knowledges" is misleading or even mistaken, as every other Writing of Baha'u'llah, Abdu'l-Baha, or Shoghi Effendi that touches on the topic affirms the vital usefulness of science as a path of understanding the world and improving it. In the English edition, pages 186-87, Baha'u'llah does reject the "sciences" of metaphysics and magic, saying that these are not true sciences. In this, of course Baha'u'llah is affirming, and even pre-dating to a degree, modern science's rejection of alchemy in favor of true sciences like, if I might presume to guess, chemistry.

Here are some quotations from the book _Lights of Guidance_ on the Baha'i attitude towards science and its harmony with and importance in religion:

#481: "It is incumbent upon Baha'i children to surpass other children in the
acquisition of sciences and arts, for they have been cradled in the
grace of God."

#1746. "Astronomy is a science, astrology does not come under the same
category, but we should be patient with people who believe in it, and
gradually wean them away from reliance on such things."

#1881. "The third Tajalli is concerning arts, crafts and sciences. Knowledge is
as wings to man's life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is
incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should
be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which
begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of
scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world. Unto this beareth
witness the Mother Book on the day of His return. Happy are those
possessed of a hearing ear. In truth, knowledge is a veritable treasure
for man, and a source of glory, of bounty, of joy, of exaltation, of
cheer and gladness unto him. Thus hath the Tongue of Grandeur spoken in
this Most Great Prison."

#2110. "In the Baha'i Cause arts, sciences and all crafts are (counted as)
worship.... Briefly, all effort and exertion put forth by man from the
fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest
motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to
serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is
prayer...."

-Jonah

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