BY ALLEN MCKIEL

Appeared in print:  Midnight, Aug. 13, 2011

As a Baha’i and an academic, I profess allegiance to both spiritual discipline and the rigors of science. I read scripture, pray and meditate daily. Through such disciplines, my mind and behavior have become more firmly grounded in God.

I also serve the academy as the dean of library services at Western Oregon University and trust in the integrity and utility of the scientific method.

I believe that scientific method and spiritual experience are both employed to human benefit. Science sorts out causes and effects of observable phenomena for the fulfillment of human need and purpose. The spirit of God that transcends human understanding is available to the human spirit in prayer and provides purpose and meaning to the individual and harmony in human society. Spiritual experience unites the human spirit with God, makes apparent the sanctity of human life, and provides guidance for the expression of justice and harmony in the human social world.

The last 500 years have seen the ascendancy of science and pragmatism over the affairs of civilization. The benefits to human society, particularly with respect to advances in material well-being, are undeniable by any rational and fair-minded soul. All gains admitted, the benefits of material civilization do not negate or obviate the benefits of transcendent experience to human well-being. Spiritual luminaries like Buddha, Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Baha’u’llah, Zoroaster and Krishnaare are the source of enlightenment for individuals and peace, harmony and social order for humankind.

I see the benefits of spiritual and intellectual discipline as integrally related and mutually supportive of each other. I suggest that a constructive dialogue concerning the implications of scientific investigation and religious understanding is essential to the advancement of human interests through both realms. Such a dialogue requires concessions from both perspectives.

The concession from the religionist is the acknowledgement that God speaks for himself to the human heart. As individuals, we may hear the word of God, but we cannot speak as the word of God. Our understandings of God are not God. Only God is absolute. Everything else is contingent. I believe that an acceptance of the limited and relative nature of our diverse conceptions of God is critical to the evolving global community.

For me this also means that interpretations of scripture, which pertain to the temporal world, require adherence to reason and evidence. Human understanding and social interactions occur in the realm of the contingent and are likewise subject to reason and evidence.

The obvious limitation of the scientific method is that it cannot deny and should not demean belief in the existence of God. Scientific methodology relies on probabilities, not absolutes. Respect for the transcendent and selfless capacities of the human spirit give purpose to reason and direction to the use of science.

Dialogue between reason and faith provides integrated and balanced benefits from both realms. Science protects religion from fanaticism and superstition. Religion thus disciplined facilitates transcendent meaning, purpose and harmony to human social experience.

Allen McKiel is the dean of library services for Western Oregon University, a member of the Baha’i faith in Springfield, and the author of “Beyond Tolerance: Religion and Global Community.” This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance to offer inspiration, share personal spiritual experiences and bring a deeper understanding of individual faith perspectives. For information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 541-747-3887.