For the Bible Tells Me So (2007)

An exploration of the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S. and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.

Director:

Daniel G. Karslake (as Daniel Karslake)

Writers:

Daniel G. Karslake, Helen R. Mendoza

Stars:

Imogene Robinson, Victor Robinson, Gene Robinson

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Imogene Robinson	...	Herself - Parent
Victor Robinson	...	Himself - Parent
Gene Robinson	...	Himself - Homosexual Activist (as V. Gene Robinson)
Isabella 'Boo' McDaniel	...	Herself - Gene's Wife
Brenda Poteat	...	Herself - Parent
David Poteat	...	Himself - Parent
Tonia Poteat	...	Herself - Homosexual Activist
Randi Reitan	...	Herself - Parent
Phil Reitan	...	Himself - Parent
Jake Reitan	...	Himself - Homosexual Activist
Britta Reitan	...	Herself - Jake's Sister
Jane Gephardt	...	Herself - Parent
Richard Gephardt	...	Himself - Parent
Chrissy Gephardt	...	Herself - Homosexual Activist
Mary Lou Wallner	...	Herself - Mother

Storyline

We meet five Christian families, each with a gay or lesbian child. Parents talk about their marriages and church-going, their children's childhood and coming out, their reactions, and changes over time. The stories told by these nine parents and four adult children alternate with talking heads - Protestant and Jewish theologians - and with film clips of fundamentalist preachers and pundits and news clips of people in the street. They discuss scripture and biblical scholarship. A thesis of the film is that much of Christianity's homophobia represents a misreading of scripture, a denial of science, and an embrace of quack psychology. The families call for love.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | theologian | protestant | homophobia | christian | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kata tas grafas

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,438 (USA) (5 October 2007)

Gross:

$309,123 (USA) (14 March 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atticus Group, VisionQuest Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

David Poteat: I had good kids. We had one of each sex. When my kids were growing up I said "God, please don't let my son grow up to be a faggot and my daughter, a slut." And he did not. He did not do that. He reversed it.
[chuckles]

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Connections

Edited from The West Wing: The Midterms (2000)

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Soundtracks

Don't Go Away
Written by Scott Anderson
Performed by Catherine Murray
Courtesy of Berimbop Music

User Reviews

Highly recommended.

A documentary following five families who have been touched by the issues surrounding Homosexuality and the biblical interpretation most often publicized by the religious right.

This movie shows what happens because of this and covers both sides of this issue in an even handed manner. I would be surprised that after watching this movie, many wouldn't change their viewpoint and be more tolerant of homosexuality. It has terrific interviews with theological scholars, Desmond Tutu, and many others.

My only concern is that those who need to see this most aren't the ones who will attend this movie.