Last weekend I attended a screening for the new documentary, "For the Bible Tells me So." The film follows the lives of five devout conservative Christian families and how each family comes to terms with their child’s homosexual orientation. It is both a moving and incredibly intimate portrait about real people at a crossroads and how they are able transcend barriers that exist only in the mind.
The film also delves into the history of how the Bible has been, and continues to be, used as a weapon to spread hate, intolerance, subjugation, and death based on subjective interpretation. It ultimately reaffirms how the Bible can also be used as an instrument to spread love, acceptance, and healing.
The honesty of the families at the heart of the film and the crisis of faith some experienced as they were forced to re-examine their "immovable" belief system was eloquent and heartbreakingly beautiful. You grow to know and love these families who allow you access to their innermost journey and evolving faith in each other. These families became the mantra, " Be the change you want to see in the world."
After the film, there was a Q & A with the Director, Daniel Karslake, and one of the Executive Producers, Robin Voss, at a local church. I am unable to fully describe the range of emotions expressed by some of the audience members. Some were active, devout, gay evangelical Christians who, throughout their lives, tried to rectify their personal history with their faith. The emotional waves of release expressed by several in attendance as they came to the microphone with questions was like watching prisoners being released from a life of incarceration for a crime they never committed but in some way felt condemned as if they had. It was at times overwhelming for you could almost feel the tears of hurt and pain so long submerged change to acceptance and gratitude right before your eyes. I think it's the closest I’ve come to witnessing a miracle.
Near the end of the film, activists march holding signs stating " Stop Spiritual Violence" to the front of the Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One of the families in the film is actually arrested. Focus on the Family, the largest international religious right group in the U.S. according to People for the American Way, also hosts "Love Won Out" conferences across the country which basically attempt to "in" gays to become ex-gays using what they term is "reparative therapy." Another group that purports to "help those who want to leave homosexuality behind" is Exodus International. The saddest part, in my opinion, is reading the "real stories" of "ex-gays" on the Exodus International website as they proclaim how the program helped them "heal" and overcome their "unwanted" gayness to lead healthy heterosexually spiritual lives. I say sad because, for a very brief moment, they actually seem to step out of the closet to acknowledge and accept themselves, but then slide back in and close the closet door so they fit in with the tenets of their religion and most likely the wishes of their families. For those who can't or won't "stay healed", The Ex-Gay Survivors Conference is a forum for devout, gay Christians who flunked the deprogramming of right wing religious "therapy" and are ready to reclaim their religion as themselves.
I was thinking that the "Stop Spiritual Violence" sign could be used for pretty much everything that causes division and hate in the world. That alone would probably bring peace on earth.
It is a rare film that allows a forum for discussion where understanding and acceptance can occur. This is one of those films and it touches everyone in the audience and on many different levels. I can’t recommend it enough. The documentary has been well received at several film festivals including Sundance and reviews have been extremely positive.
I know the common view of this site is that sexual orientation doesn’t matter and thus this diary is just "preaching to the choir." However, for those who daily encounter "devout Christians" preaching the "Bible says" whether at work, within your home, or in extended families, this is the film that just might be the salve which makes them sit up and think... even if it's just a brief illuminating second.
The film is currently in limited release but could expand to more cities and theaters if it does well these next few weeks. Here is the release schedule.
If it is playing in your area, I urge you to please go see it. There were several people in the audience who were going to buy blocks of tickets to give to their families and friends. It’s one of those rare movies that could, in it’s own small way, change the world.