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 | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jer mi tako Biblija kaže

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

Features The West Wing (1999)

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Soundtracks

True Colors
Written by Tom Kelly, Billy Steinberg
Performed by Cyndi Lauper
Published by Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Rella Music

User Reviews

A movie everyone in America should see

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.