Online Course Format

Our courses are asynchronous, so you can log in any time of the day or night to access the course materials, but they have a weekly Zoom meeting that all are encouraged to participate in (they will be recorded and posted). To facilitate the flow of discussion in the online course forums, each course is divided into units. You will be encouraged to progress through the course alongside the other course participants. A two-week period at the end of the course is provided for you to reflect on what you have learned, to consider how your learning can be applied to your daily life, to give feedback on your learning experience, and to complete any outstanding readings or assignments.

Information about all courses

Science, Religion, and the Bahá'í Faith

Faculty

Stephen Friberg

Robert Sarracino 

Whitney White Kazemipour 

Douglas Perry 

Science and religion are “the two most potent forces in human life” according to Shoghi Effendi. In Science, Religion, and the Bahá’í Faith, we will explore how science and religion relate to each other from a Baha'i perspective. 

We will examine the Bahá’í writings as they relate to physics and cosmology, biology and evolution, the social sciences, technology, and consider perspectives they inspire with regards to the crises of our age. A major focus is the question of how the idea that the "Bahá’í Revelation... is scientific in its method" relates to the methodology of science and the systematic work of the Faith. 

Learning Objectives
  • Advance our understanding of science and religion from a Bahá’í perspective
  • Advance our understanding of the harmony between them
  • Prepare for participation in the discourses of society around this topic

 "Put all your beliefs into harmony with science; there can be no opposition, for truth is one. When religion, shorn of its superstitions, traditions, and unintelligent dogmas, shows its conformity with science, then will there be a great unifying, cleansing force in the world which will sweep before it all wars, disagreements, discords and struggles—and then will mankind be united in the power of the Love of God." ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p 146)