(This diary has its origins in the comments of RichardR's diary, "An exhausted gay American". I was heartened by several commenters who noted the disconnect between what the Bible says and the views of many on homosexuality, and I realized that many may not be aware of this project.)
Last week I bought the gun.
Yesterday I wrote the note.
Last night I happened to see your show on PBS
And just knowing someday, somewhere I can go back into a church with my head held high
I threw the gun into the river.
My mom never has to know.
That e-mail, from a gay kid in Iowa who happened to see an episode of Daniel Karslake's "In The Life" on TV, fueled the director on a documentary project about the challenges in reconciling scripture and homosexuality. In just a few weeks, Sundance Film Festival goers will have the opportunity to view For The Bible Tells Me So, the result of years of effort of Karslake and many others. While it has been a long time in the making, the timing just might be right for a country that's undergoing political change.
The movie tells several stories focused on homosexuality and religion, and shows the human transformation that can take place when people open their hearts and minds. But just as interesting as the film itself are the stories of how it came to be. One of the major proponents of the film is Robin Voss, an Orange County grandmother who had never made a film, but who was moved to tell a story of how religion deals with gay people. In director Daniel Karslake, she found the right person to tell the tale. Here, Karlsake gives an interview explaining what went into the creation of this documentary.
But is it just preaching to the choir? Both Voss and Karslake in their interviews stress their goal of getting a wide audience to see it. Because if people can start a dialogue, then change is possible.
I wish I could say I've seen the film myself, but I'll have to wait until it's released. My neighbors had the opportunity to preview it. They went to the screening knowing very little about the film, and when it was over they said there wasn't a dry eye in the room. It was enough to motivate them to get involved in the project. And if their reports are any indication, Voss and Karslake are well on their way to their goal of fostering a discussion. I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot more about this powerful work in the coming weeks.