Film
Nothing in Teachings to forbid watching films[edit]
"With reference to ... question whether it is permissible for the Bahá'ís to see pictures: There is nothing in the Teachings that would forbid such a practice."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, December 14, 1940: Dawn of a New Day, p. 85, in Lights of Guidance, no. 341)
Not advised to become film actor (unless only means of a livelihood) due to current corruption prevailing[edit]
"With regard to your question relative to the advisability of having Bahá'ís join film companies. Although on principle there is no objection if any believer wishes to become a cinema actor, yet in view of the excessive corruption that now prevails along such a line of occupation, the Guardian would not advise any believer to choose this kind of profession, unless he finds this to be the only means of earning his livelihood."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, September 4, 1935, in Lights of Guidance, no. 340)
Viewing the Film of 'Abdu'l-Bahá[edit]
Great skill will (and must) be needed to produce an effective film about the history of the Faith (without portraying the Báb or Bahá'u'lláh)[edit]
"As you are no doubt aware, it is not permissible to portray the Manifestations of God in dramatic works and it can be understood that great skill will be needed to produce an effective film about the history of the Faith in which neither the Báb nor Bahá'u'lláh could actually appear. Because of the overwhelming significance of the Bahá'í message and the Bahá'í Revelation, any such film produced under the aegis of the Bahá'í community would have to be of the very highest quality in all respects."
- (From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to a National Spiritual Assembly, 24 September 1978 to a National Spiritual Assembly, no. 74; also in Lights of Guidance, no. 345)
