For the Bible Tells Me So

I found nothing new scientifically in this film, but that is because i love reading about science and new all the facts that were expressed.

Even though I believed I knew the Bible, I was surprised to find out that I hadn't a clue to the passages often quoted by Christian fundamentalists in their hatred of homosexuals. It turns out that they don't have a clue either.

Those passages they quote are taken out of the cultural context of the period and just knowing that there is no Aramaic, Hebrew, or Ancient Greek word for homosexual should tell you that is not what they were talking about.

As interesting as all that was, it is not the most interesting part of the film. The impact that this hatred has on the individuals involved - whether they be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered - and the impact on their families is what is most important in the film. The fact that some families, like the Gephardt's, can continue to love their children is a testament to their strength. The fact that other families can learn to accept their children once they learn the truth is hopeful. The fact that some families become activists for their children, even after they have committed suicide, is amazing.

The truth is there for those who want to take the time to see it. But, more importantly, the examples of families who have struggled with children of different sexual orientations is inspiring and shows that we do have some hope in the crazy world.

While this is a nicely encouraging docu, I wasn't all that happy with the cartoon in the middle illustrating how science suggests homosexuality is part of our genetic imprint. Maybe that's because I'm from Germany and half gypsy, which under the laws of the most unfortunate period of that country's history would have meant that I am ethnically impure and therefore not fit to live; racial biology in Nazi Germany heavily relied on sociological and physical surveys to prove a link between criminal or anti-social behavior and race, as a justification for eradicating these elements. I therefore consider the gay gene theory a rather double-edged sword: while it might counter the assessment of many fundamentalist Christians that being gay is a choice, and therefore 'curable', it could also be used as an argument for total annihilation if times should ever get as rough as in, say, the Weimar Republic: they can't help being perverts, so let's kill them all (and enrich ourselves with their possessions in the process).

Fact is, sexuality is a very complex thing, in which the difference between choice and innate need cannot be clearly drawn; it would be rather dull if it was. Think of your own sexual preferences: don't we all have things we'd rather do or not do? How much of this is part of our nature, and how much of it is part of our choice? It's impossible to say, right? So it would seem to me that a more neutral approach might have been more fitting here: so fundamentalist Christians say gays make a 'choice' to be gay. Well, so what? Even if they make a choice, does that hurt anyone? Should anybody be ostracized for the choices they make?

And while the stories of the interviews were nicely chosen in respect to the encouraging message they are meant to deliver, I can't help but thinking that a lot of the realities of gay life have been omitted. After all, what drives people to question their homosexuality and regard it as something that must be cured? Yes, of course, church plays a very important role in this. But all guys I have known who tried to 'reform' themselves did so because they felt as outcasts in the gay community itself, either because they felt not attractive enough or because they couldn't cope with the difficulty of establishing a real relationship; I know one guy who got married to a woman for the latter purpose, and he says he's happy. I also know the counter example. So I would say that it's neither in my nor in anybody else's judgment to say reform is only denial, as long as nobody gets pressured into doing it.

But OK, that dilemma is not what the film is about, it's directed towards an audience influenced by or familiar with fundamentalist Christians, and as such it does a really nice job to point out the futility of their arguments. Only if you're gay, not really religious and just watching this to see what makes these people tick, you're none the wiser: the real question to me is why homophobes draw on that issue so much. Like, isn't there enough other stuff that's more indisputably wrong with America that they should be more concerned about? The hate is in the film, but I still don't get where it all comes from.

My husband and I saw this movie at the urging of our priest who strongly recommended it as a must see film for everyone. Our church is one of the few Catholic churches in our area that fully supports the GLBT community and is trying to change church doctrine. We were both glad we went. The filmmakers point out how the misuse of the Bible by Judeo-Christian leaders has created not only an environment that leads to shaming but also condones "sanctified violence" projected toward gays and lesbians. The film also addresses the real reasons why people are afraid to admit homosexuality is real and normal. I was so moved by this film I feel if everyone was at least willing to see it then it would open a dialog desperately needed in our country.

I saw this documentary last night at Sundance not knowing anything about it other than the title and general subject. The film is a tremendously moving exploration of family, religion, love, and acceptance. It is an astonishing documentary. I had never felt so uplifted and hopeful that the various points of view on the issue of whether homosexuality is a choice or inborn, and whether gays should have the same rights in love and family matters as others, will now be addressed through intelligent and informed discussion rather than the black/white "I'm right/You're wrong" arguments we have been subjected to. I also learned a lot about the Biblical background of the religious arguments against homosexuality and counterarguments. The director masterfully does not attack or denigrate these religious views so that this film will appeal to a broad audience, and lets the words and actions of the various interest groups speak for themselves. The film was so powerful that when the film ended at 1:30 a.m. and the Q&A session began with the Director and two sets of the parents in the film present -- the Wallners and the Reitans -- no one left the theater until the Q&A ended some time after 2:00 a.m. If everyone in this country would see this movie and really think about its message, our country would be a much better place.

I attended the premiere of the movie, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO, at Sundance on January 21, 2007. It is a powerful movie that opens for discussion the impact of religious teaching on homosexuals in America. It gives support to those within the American public who know and deeply care for some gays in their lives and innately feel that God loves all his children and so should they. Every church congregation and Sunday School Class should see this movie as one audience and then have their own discussion. I believe the result would stimulate an acceptance not heretofore anticipated. The naturalness and obvious commitment of the films director and participants make the impact dramatically strong.