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 USA:

$9,438, 7 October 2007, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$309,123, 16 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 Remember the Titans (2000)

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Soundtracks

Family Bible
Written by Walt Breeland, Paul Buskirk, Claude Gray
Performed by Willie Nelson
Published by Glad Music Publishing LP (BMI), Pappy Daily Music LP (BMI)
Courtesy of MCA Nashville by arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

This film will stimulate a very timely and important discussion.

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.