"The Bahá'í Faith speaks to big questions many Houstonians care about — racial justice, equality, education, and building a more peaceful world. Its teachings offer a spiritual framework that encourages people of all backgrounds to work together. If you're exploring faith, community, or just want to understand a neighbor's beliefs, this is worth a look."
The Houston Bahá'í Community shares the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith, a worldwide religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh. Core beliefs include the oneness of humanity, racial and social justice, equality of women and men, and harmony between science and religion. The faith teaches that all people are one family working toward a peaceful global society. There are more than five million Bahá'ís in every country around the world.
The Bahá’í Faith is a worldwide religion based on the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892).
Bahá’u’lláh is the most recent in the series of Divine Messengers who founded the world religions as part of the progressive revelation of God’s guidance to humanity.
A central theme of the Bahá’í Faith is that humanity is one family bound together in a common destiny: a global society. Recognition of the oneness of humanity is the key feature of this age, an age in which humankind is approaching its collective maturity.
Basic Teachings
• Independent investigation of truth
• Elimination of prejudice
• Racial and social justice
• The nobility of each human being
• Equality of women and men
• Harmony between science and religion
• Universal education
• Spiritually guided solutions to economic inequality
• Justice and equity as foundations for world peace
The Bahá’í Faith was introduced in America in 1893. There are Bahá’ís across all regions of the United States. There are more than five million Bahá’is spread worldwide and in every country.
O PEOPLES of the earth! Verily the resplendent Light of God hath appeared in your midst, invested with this unerring Book, that ye may be guided aright to the ways of peace and, by the leave of God, step out of the darkness into the light and onto this far-extended Path of Truth.
The Báb
Dawn of the Light
Two hundred years ago, the Báb appeared, inaugurating a new Dispensation and preparing humanity for the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.
Dawn of the Light portrays several individuals from different continents as they relate their own personal search after truth and meaning. They share their discovery that God has sent two Divine Manifestations—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh—Whose teachings are revolutionizing human thought and behavior, changing darkness into light.
Light to the World
A story is unfolding—the story of humanity’s progress, guided through history by the teachings of the Messengers of God and now reaching the dawn of its maturity.
Two hundred years ago, Bahá’u’lláh appeared with teachings for this age, calling for an end to division and affirming the oneness of humankind. Discover this message through the stories of people from diverse backgrounds whose lives have been transformed by His light.
Exemplar
One hundred years ago, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh and the perfect exemplar of His teachings, passed from this world.
Exemplar traces His life and the lasting impact He had on people past and present, portraying Him as a source of refuge and strength for humanity. Through personal vignettes, the film reflects the universal principles He embodied in word and deed, which continue to inspire a global movement devoted to service to humanity, aiming to educate and motivate viewers about His enduring legacy.
Glimpes of a Hundred Years of Endeavor
In 1921, at the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the small Bahá’í community, though grieving, looked ahead with faith and courage, guided by the clear instructions He had left as the Centre of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.
Since then, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh have strived, often with great sacrifice, to carry out that guidance across the globe. This film offers glimpses into a century of effort and learning by a growing Bahá’í community and traces the journey that has led to its present work to help advance a world founded on the oneness of humanity.
• Visit the Houston Bahá'í Community website to read about core teachings
• Watch the short films to hear personal stories from Bahá'ís around the world
• Reflect on which teachings connect with your own values or questions
• Share the resource with a neighbor or friend who might find it meaningful
• Reach out to the Houston Bahá'í Community if you'd like to connect in person
