Film challenges what the bible told us
06th October 2008
People with nontraditional sexual orientations (gay, bisexual, transgender) are often marginalized by society for being their true selves.
Ignorance, apathy and fear of the unknown are generally to blame for this negative outlook. It can be easy to judge people looking from the outside, but what happens when a family is confronted with a gay daughter or son? Suddenly the issue becomes personal, and of utmost importance.
Families of Christian backgrounds use the Bible as a guide for morality. Literal interpretations of these passages referencing homosexuality can leave families torn between the love for their children, and condemnation of their orientation.
This week is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Week at Boise State University, and to kick off the festivities, the Women’s Center is presenting the documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.”
This documentary focuses around five Christian families, including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, each with a gay or lesbian child. Parents and adult children talk about their childhoods, coming out, reactions of the family and their change in perspective over time.
The documentary concentrates on the interpretations of scripture regarding homosexuality.
The literal interpretation of certain Bible passages is often the foundation for discrimination against the gay community. The film includes interviews from Protestant and Jewish theologians like Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard’s Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Rev. Jimmy Creech as they discuss the scriptural interpretations of these passages.
These biblical scholars are interspersed with interviews of the featured families. Through their tumultuous journeys, in the end, the families just ask for love and respect.
Janet Summers, a one-time viewer said the film moved her on different levels, and “it was compelling to hear the stories of individuals who have different sexual orientations, especially people who are very fervent in their beliefs.”
She also stressed the point that while religion is discussed in the documentary, no faith is bashed. The film treats everyone, and everyone’s beliefs with respect.
Robin Voss was compelled to make this documentary after she attended a seminar in her church dealing with homosexuality and the Bible. Expecting “fire and brimstone intolerance” she discovered that everyone there was dealing with a gay friend or family member, and also struggling with their faith teachings.
“It opened hearts, opened minds,” Voss said. “It got straight people like me to be open to hearing something different from what they’d been taught their entire life. That experience was so overwhelming that I believed in my heart that I had to do something, like make a movie, to perpetuate the ideas and the healing I’d experienced that day.”
“For the Bible Tells Me So” has been honored with many awards, including the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights.
The film will be presented at the Barnwell Room in the Student Union Building, Monday, Oct. 6 at noon.
The showing is free, and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.
Source: Arbiter Online