About the Bahá'í Principles
About the Bahá'í Principles

The Oneness of MankindUniversal PeaceIndependent Investigation of TruthThe Common Foundation of All ReligionsThe Essential Harmony of Science and ReligionThe Equality of Women and MenElimination of Prejudice of All KindsUniversal Compulsory EducationA Spiritual Solution to Economic ProblemsA Universal Auxiliary LanguageAbout the Bahá'í PrinciplesVideo Content

A Prayer from the Baha'i Writings A Meditation from the Baha'i Writings
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Principles of the Teaching of Bahá'u'lláh:
The Acceptance of the Relation
Between Religion and Science

Every religion which is not in accordance with established science is superstition. Religion must be reasonable. If it does not square with reason, it is superstition and without foundation. It is like a mirage, which deceives man by leading him to think it is a body of water. God has endowed man with reason that he may perceive what is true. If we insist that such and such a subject is not to be reasoned out and tested according to the established logical modes of the intellect, what is the use of the reason which God has given man? The eye is the organ of sense by which we view the world of outer phenomena; hearing is the faculty for distinguishing sounds; taste senses the properties of objects, such as bitter, sweet; smell detects and differentiates odors; touch reveals attributes of matter and perfects our communication with the outer world; yet after all, the circle and range of perception by the five senses is exceedingly limited.

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The barracks of the citadel from the entrance to the upper floor of the northwest tower. (2004)
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But the intellectual faculty of man is unlimited in its sphere of action. The eye views details perhaps a mile, but the intellect can perceive the far East and West. The ear may hear tone modulations at one thousand feet, but the mind of man can detect the harmonies of the heavenly spheres as they swing in their courses. Mind makes geological discoveries in subterranean depths and determines the processes of creation in the earth's lowest strata. The sciences and arts, all inventions, crafts, trades and their products have come forth from the intellect of man. It is evident that within the human organism the intellect occupies the supreme station. Therefore, if religious belief, principle or creed is not in accordance with the intellect and the power of reason, it is surely superstition.

('Abdu'l-Bahá: The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Pages: 63-64)

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Baha'i Principles HomeContact Us
Visit the picture gallery.
View a larger picture. Among many other prominent visitors to the Temple, which was opened in 1986, have been the president of India, the prime ministers of Norway and Sri Lanka, the president of Iceland, the vice-president of Uruguay, and the Dalai Lama.

Known in India as the Lotus Temple, it is one of the most visited buildings in the world and has won numerous architectural and engineering awards.

It is designed in the shape of a lotus flower, which is beloved in India as a symbol of purity and tenderness -- and of God's Messengers.

The Temple is one of seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship in the world. The others are in Australia, Germany, Panama, Uganda, the United States, and Western Samoa. Another is to be built in Chile.

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