Last week I sat squished on a red couch chatting with a gay pre-med student as we waited for the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So to begin. Our venue was the GLBT center at a local university, a cozy facility with student art work on the walls and a grand window looking out over the Redwood trees. About 25 of us were gathered around the center’s television set—GLBT students, a few staff, and a handful of folk from the United Church of Christ student club.
For the Bible Tells Me So was written and directed by Daniel Karslake, producer of the award-winning PBS newsmagazine, “In the Life.” After watching Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine, Karslake reports, “It became clear to me that I could make a movie that reconciled homosexuality and scripture, by bringing the argument to a level normal lay people could understand.” He was encouraged to proceed with the project after meeting Robin and Bruce Voss, a couple who had been influenced by a five-hour seminar at their church entitled “What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality.” The seminar was conducted by Reverend Steven Kindle who appears in the film. Deeply moved by the seminar, Robin and Bruce approached Karslake about bringing the seminar’s gay-affirming theology to a wider audience.
The documentary starts with a jolting 1977 clip of former Religious Right activist, Anita Bryant, being smacked in the face with a pie by an angry gay man on live television (During our group’s discussion afterward, one insightful lesbian student commented that the scene distressed her. “I don’t like to see anyone humiliated,” she said, “The gay community cannot respond to hate with hate). From there, the movie expertly crafts together interviews, footage of fiery preachers, and even a cartoon. It is an engaging film and one that will likely have an impact on audiences’ views of homosexuality and Christianity.
Much of the focus of the documentary revolves around five Christian families who are forced to grapple with their views of homosexuality after discovering their son or daughter is gay. In this regard, the film became very personal for me. I particularly related to Chrissy Gephardt, the winsome daughter of 2004 presidential candidate, Dick Gephardt. Like Chrissy, I was a tomboy who liked sports. I also assumed that my lack of attraction to boys in high school was simply because I hadn’t met the “right guy” yet. And, like her, it was through falling in love with a friend that all the pieces came together for me.
The “coming out” stories of each family reminded me of when I first came out to my parents in 1995. I was so nervous. Just before they drove up to Oregon from California to visit me, I prepped my parents by saying I had something “important” to tell them. My stomach was in knots as we sat in a diner for lunch. I couldn’t bring myself to utter the words out loud so I finally pleaded, “Just guess. Tell me what you think it is.” Like Chrissy’s mom, my mom, too, guessed correctly. When I asked her how she knew, she said she could tell by the look in my eyes when I was with my friend.
Yet, despite resonating with the family stories, I also felt strangely alienated by the film. Ultimately, despite what one would expect, it did not represent me—a Christian with same-gender attraction. The only reference to me, and those like me, was during a cartoon segment that portrayed ex-gay ministry participants as repressed and depressed. Admittedly, I laughed during the cartoon. It was funny. But, it was also mocking. It mocked me and my story. That struck me as hypocritical given the claims of the filmmakers who say they want to help change myths and stereotypes about gay people. Ironically, For the Bible Tells Me So reinforces stereotypes of same-gender attracted Christians who decide not to affirm or act on their homosexual desires.
In fact, the documentary, despite how well it is done, resorts to the same propagandist tactics as the Religious Right. Those who believe homosexuality is not God’s design are portrayed as ignorant and primitive. This is done by focusing on antiquated clips of “fire and brimstone” preachers, allusions to 1950s simplicity, the mocking cartoon, footage of extreme anti-gay activists (as if they are representative of the norm) and even a subtle linking of conservative Christians to Hitler and the Nazi concentration camps. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary (an institution considered “liberal” by most fundamentalists), is given only a two sentence sound bite regarding his interpretation that homosexuality misses the mark. And it appears he was only included in the film to categorize him and the school in the same camp as other “misguided” folk (i.e. in the end, Fuller is supposedly just like Bob Jones University).
Perhaps the discussion on homosexuality and Christianity is destined to be this way. Everyone wants to win, and winning doesn’t come easily by showing the validity of an opponent’s view. I just wish someone would actually put out a film that is representative of reality. The truth is the issue is not as simple as everyone would like to portray it. As someone who has a Master’s in Exegetical Theology, someone who researches the Bible extensively, and as someone who spent ten years sorting out my sexuality and faith, I am not persuaded by the documentary’s theological conclusions. While I strongly applaud its efforts to humanize gay people and to dispel myths perpetuated by the Religious Right, it doesn’t go deep enough. It doesn’t grapple with the hardest questions.
Despite my mixed feelings about the film, I encourage conservative Christians to watch it. It will generate much needed discussion and hopefully dispel certain harmful stereotypes about gay and lesbians.
13 Comments
March 20, 2008 at 8:31 am
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on “For The Bible . . .”. As a gay Christian who came out from a conservative/fundamentalist family, I recognized my journey in the movie. However, I understand and agree that the movie was one-sided and very Michael Moore-ish (of whom I’m a fan). And while the silly cartoon did broadly summarize my feelings on the ex-gay experience, it didn’t fairly cover the ex-gay perspective. I assume they didn’t cover the ex-gay issue because they probably would have had to double or triple the film’s length.
I do think movie was a good primer for Christians who are first dealing with the gay issue. I certainly wish I could have seen it when I began struggle with the issue 12 years ago.
March 21, 2008 at 10:05 am
[...] her blog, ex-gay advocate Karen Keen encourages conservative Christians to watch the film and “hopefully dispel certain harmful [...]
March 21, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Hey Norm–good to “see” you again. Glad you came by.
Yes, it would have made the movie too long to cover every point of view. They had a very specific purpose. And they did that well. Though, it would have been even more effective without the jibes, I think.
To me, when someone has to do that kind of thing it discredits it. Truth can stand on its own. Regardless of one’s position on an issue, if folks are having to use proganda tactics to sell an idea, there is something amiss. Something exaggerated, something not quite truthful.
March 24, 2008 at 9:29 pm
“I just wish someone would actually put out a film that is representative of reality. The truth is the issue is not as simple as everyone would like to portray it.”
I couldn’t agree more. And I also agree with that last comment of yours. I just wish there’d be something put out there that wouldn’t make those of us who are ex-gay or celibate gay Christians or whatever look like a bunch of nut cases just because we choose Christ over our own desires.
March 25, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Thanks for your thoughts on the movie. I’ve got it on my Netflix list. I’ll have to get back to you with my thoughts after I see it. =)
March 27, 2008 at 7:36 am
Well, I shall look forward to hearing your thoughts, then.
Definitely let me know when you have seen it.
April 10, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I should preface my reaction to the movie by saying I am not an especially religious person. I did not grow up going to church regularly and haven’t read the Bible in its entirety. That being said I thought the movie was interesting — though a bit one-sided as you mentioned. I also thought the cartoon portion was condescending and a bit ridiculous. It was the one portion that marred an otherwise thoughtful film.
Personally, I don’t think of the Bible as entirely literal. It was written by men that were influenced by their time and we all are influenced in our reading of it by our experiences. The movie just confirmed that feeling for me and gave me some good factual info to base that feeling on. They were preaching to the choir on that one.
One of the first things that jumped out at me was an old clip of a preacher giving a fiery speech about the need to return to old religion. He says that Christ-haters and other evil doers need to be “bound to the cross of Jesus Christ by the golden chains of love.” A veiled threat masquerading as a statement of tough love. Completely creeped me out.
The next statement that struck me was when Mrs. Waller talked about using the Bible “against” her daughter, Ann. The idea that the Bible was something to be used to crush someone else – a beloved daughter no less – was very sad. It was heartening to learn later in the film that Mrs. Waller had taken the time to learn about and study homosexuality and the Bible’s stance on it. That she came to believe everyone is to be loved and treated respectfully made me happy because I believe that to be a value of a true Christian. Leaving judgment to God as it were.
I respected the Gephardts and Reitans for the unconditional love and respect that they showed to their children. The Gephardts recognized that when their daughter came out to them that was the moment she most needed their support and they gave it to her right away. While not all the parents were able to react that way right off the bat, they did all come to a place where they could communicate with their child respectfully and express their love for them even if they didn’t fully understand and accept the child’s homosexuality. Now THAT is a display of family values.
April 11, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Note: this comment was edited from the original. I shortened it.
Hey Laura,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts about the film. I was wondering how it would hit you, especially coming from a non-religious background.
Like you, I also appreciated the love the families had for their kids. Its hard for many parents. That is the one thing that is difficult about Christian circles sometimes–its hard for some families to be understanding or even talk about it. I appreciate it when people can be loving even if there is disagreement about the issue of homosexuality itself.
On another note–the view of the Bible they gave, in my view, was distorted. They made the Bible seem primitive and backward. While the Bible has been abused by people, there is actually so much good there for those reading it for its intended spiritual purpose and not for manipulation and control.
February 21, 2009 at 4:05 am
Since I am Jewish–an observant Conservative Jew who is lesbian and soon to be married in a traditional halachic wedding, i am alienated and befuddled by the comments above. I hope more of you decide to get married to a nice person of the same sex, have children, and raise a family. Mazel tov!
March 26, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Karen,
I read an article about the making of this film and there were several invitations for “the ex-gay movement” to give their side of things, but they did not agree to be in the film. I was very sad to read that just minutes before viewing the film myself.
You are right, it did seem mocking toward my dear friends who, like you, hold to their convictions and faith of celibacy and change.
In the audience with me at the southern theater were the parents of Gene Robinson. The sweet old couple received a standing ovation.
And sitting next to me was a dear friend and former “ex-gay” ministry participant.
First let me say, that no one has done a truly non-biased documentary on this subject. This film invoked a lot of emotion from the entire audience. My friend next to me especially. And I cried with her. The pain that has been brought to those of us caught in this struggle is unknown to those who haven’t walked in our shoes. And neither “side” should be mocked.
I don’t think hate should be repaid with hate either, and the opening scene with Anita Baker was shocking. And I now question if that opening scene with Baker, had been taken out of context, and I now wonder if it (in the time it happened) had anything to do with the assassination of Harvey Milk. Baker was the “poster girl” of the anti-gay laws trying to be passed in the mid 70s in CA. I remember them. It was the first time I ever asked my parents what it meant if I had a gay teacher.
In the film Milk, Milk’s friends are shown pushing pies in each others faces. After seeing this in the film, I immediately remembered the clip with Baker. I just don’t know if my assumption is accurate. But it makes me see that shocking scene in a whole different light.
Forgive my rambling thoughts here…
There are no great examples in our media of those who adhere to the “ex-gay” movement in the ways I know many of my dearest friends have.
The closest thing I have ever seen was a character on the F/X Network TV Show, The Shield. His name was Julian and his character is what made me become a devoted fan of the show. Fans didn’t like him overall. But I loved him for following his faith. When the series ended, it showed Julian as being married and the issue very much unresolved. A perfect ending.
I attempted to video document my journey through the ex-gay movement. I also attempted to document stories of those around me. But even I was moved to be biased toward the idea of change. Basically, it would be better called propaganda.
Too bad our human nature gets in the way of being an unbiased reporter.
March 26, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Regarding films, I have some very good news: google the title, “For Such a Time as This”. The producer of this film has had quite an impact on many — but I will let you read this for yourselves.
I’ve been in contact with Ms. Darden regarding being in the film myself when things get rolling again with our recession.
This may be *the* documentary of our time for GLBT people. It seems that way, at least to me.
March 26, 2009 at 3:59 pm
google searching just that title didn’t help
but here’s the link I found…it this what you meant?
http://www.hopeunlimitedproductions.com/movies.html
April 27, 2009 at 5:00 pm
[...] Joined local GLBT center for a viewing of For the Bible Tells Me So [...]