User Reviews

I found nothing new scientifically in this film, but that is because i love reading about science and new all the facts that were expressed.

Even though I believed I knew the Bible, I was surprised to find out that I hadn't a clue to the passages often quoted by Christian fundamentalists in their hatred of homosexuals. It turns out that they don't have a clue either.

Those passages they quote are taken out of the cultural context of the period and just knowing that there is no Aramaic, Hebrew, or Ancient Greek word for homosexual should tell you that is not what they were talking about.

As interesting as all that was, it is not the most interesting part of the film. The impact that this hatred has on the individuals involved - whether they be gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgendered - and the impact on their families is what is most important in the film. The fact that some families, like the Gephardt's, can continue to love their children is a testament to their strength. The fact that other families can learn to accept their children once they learn the truth is hopeful. The fact that some families become activists for their children, even after they have committed suicide, is amazing.

The truth is there for those who want to take the time to see it. But, more importantly, the examples of families who have struggled with children of different sexual orientations is inspiring and shows that we do have some hope in the crazy world.

A documentary that was a huge hit at the Sundance Film Festival. It talks about the passage in the Bible where it says that gay lovers are an "abomination". (For the record I'm gay). It introduces us to a number of religious families who have to deal with their sons or daughters coming out. They have to deal with accepting their children who are not accepted by their religion.

Strong, powerful but gentle documentary. It talks to priests and other experts about what the Bible REALLY says and how it should be perceived. The movie isn't in your face. It quietly points out that the Bible DOES condemn gays...but it also says eating shellfish is an abomination too. Also it should be perceived as when it was written--hundreds of years ago.

The families introduced don't all come to accept their children's sexual orientation and there are some unhappy endings...but this is a strong and very truthful film. Everyone should see this one. Most of my audience was in tears by the end.

I only give it a 9 because all the families are introduced in a confusing manner and there's a REAL out of place badly animated cartoon halfway through the film. Still this is a definite must see.

I also saw the film at Sundance and being a Christian, I can say that Karslake left out some of the stronger Biblical passages that were in the New Testament, but I don't believe he was shooting for a theological argument. I think he wanted to show that family is important and that gays/lesbians are people just like everyone else and deserve to be treated as human beings. To hear Karslake tell the stories that inspired this film deeply touched me and I think this film could stir a lot of good emotions in people, despite the fact that some areas of the film are a little weak. I think if Christians step away from what's right/wrong long enough to remember what love is all about and if non-Christians stop ridiculing the Christian community for the same reason, our world could be a better place.

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.

My husband and I saw this movie at the urging of our priest who strongly recommended it as a must see film for everyone. Our church is one of the few Catholic churches in our area that fully supports the GLBT community and is trying to change church doctrine. We were both glad we went. The filmmakers point out how the misuse of the Bible by Judeo-Christian leaders has created not only an environment that leads to shaming but also condones "sanctified violence" projected toward gays and lesbians. The film also addresses the real reasons why people are afraid to admit homosexuality is real and normal. I was so moved by this film I feel if everyone was at least willing to see it then it would open a dialog desperately needed in our country.

The sad thing about For The Bible Tells Me So is that the people who need to see this most are the ones who will be forbidden by their church to watch this very timely documentary. But for those who do get to see it they will be inspired and uplifted.

As a gay 60 year old man who has lived in the last half of the last century I saw many marvelous changes at how Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgendered people have been viewed in American society and in the world at large. Growing up as I did in the fifties and sixties it would never occur to me to do something as courageous as young Jacob Reinert, not only coming out in Mankato, Minnesota, but bringing his parents into the fight for equality.

For too many still gay is something where emotion kicks in and reason just flies out the door. Why is it so, religion and those few bible verses put down for an ancient tribe to make sure they multiplied and dominate, have become the touchstones to justify all kinds of hatred and bigotry.

A distinguished group of religious scholars talk about how this came to be in western monotheist religions. There not names you know associated with Christianity or Judaism because there not on the air and in your pocket to stay on the air. They present quite a contrast with the bible thumpers where we see video going back as far as Billy Sunday.

The man who comes in for the most scorn is James Dobson, pop psychologist and big kingpin on the religious right. Young Jacob Reinert attempts to confront him, but the most moving story in the film concerned Mary Ann Wallner who listened to Dobson's advice about rejecting her lesbian daughter who later kills herself.

For The Bible Tells Me So makes it abundantly clear the political nature of the anti-gay religious right. GLBT people are the 'other' the straw villains you create to justify why the populace should empower your crowd. As Hitler did to the Jews, so the religious right has done to us.

My favorite moment in the film was when one of the scholars challenges these religious leaders to obey Jesus's commandment to sell all you have and give it to the poor and then you can follow him. Talk about selective Bible reading, can you see a Pat Robertson doing that? It can never be forgotten that these folks place different emphasis on certain bible verses as opposed to others.

My working life consisted in large degree of working at NYS Crime Victims Board as an openly gay investigator. I saw the most manifest examples of anti-gay hate, culminating in violence with serious injury and death. The religious right who keep talking about how our sin is so horrible are the ones who give justification to those who would do us bodily harm. I wish they could see their handiwork from where I sat for 23 years.

For The Bible Tells Me So, is an excellent documentary that will hopefully win an Oscar in that category next year. And this review is dedicated to the young people from Soul Force I met and broke bread with in my city this past spring. As long as there are people like these confronting the hate and getting the message out, I have no worries about a movement or its ultimate success.

While this is a nicely encouraging docu, I wasn't all that happy with the cartoon in the middle illustrating how science suggests homosexuality is part of our genetic imprint. Maybe that's because I'm from Germany and half gypsy, which under the laws of the most unfortunate period of that country's history would have meant that I am ethnically impure and therefore not fit to live; racial biology in Nazi Germany heavily relied on sociological and physical surveys to prove a link between criminal or anti-social behavior and race, as a justification for eradicating these elements. I therefore consider the gay gene theory a rather double-edged sword: while it might counter the assessment of many fundamentalist Christians that being gay is a choice, and therefore 'curable', it could also be used as an argument for total annihilation if times should ever get as rough as in, say, the Weimar Republic: they can't help being perverts, so let's kill them all (and enrich ourselves with their possessions in the process).

Fact is, sexuality is a very complex thing, in which the difference between choice and innate need cannot be clearly drawn; it would be rather dull if it was. Think of your own sexual preferences: don't we all have things we'd rather do or not do? How much of this is part of our nature, and how much of it is part of our choice? It's impossible to say, right? So it would seem to me that a more neutral approach might have been more fitting here: so fundamentalist Christians say gays make a 'choice' to be gay. Well, so what? Even if they make a choice, does that hurt anyone? Should anybody be ostracized for the choices they make?

And while the stories of the interviews were nicely chosen in respect to the encouraging message they are meant to deliver, I can't help but thinking that a lot of the realities of gay life have been omitted. After all, what drives people to question their homosexuality and regard it as something that must be cured? Yes, of course, church plays a very important role in this. But all guys I have known who tried to 'reform' themselves did so because they felt as outcasts in the gay community itself, either because they felt not attractive enough or because they couldn't cope with the difficulty of establishing a real relationship; I know one guy who got married to a woman for the latter purpose, and he says he's happy. I also know the counter example. So I would say that it's neither in my nor in anybody else's judgment to say reform is only denial, as long as nobody gets pressured into doing it.

But OK, that dilemma is not what the film is about, it's directed towards an audience influenced by or familiar with fundamentalist Christians, and as such it does a really nice job to point out the futility of their arguments. Only if you're gay, not really religious and just watching this to see what makes these people tick, you're none the wiser: the real question to me is why homophobes draw on that issue so much. Like, isn't there enough other stuff that's more indisputably wrong with America that they should be more concerned about? The hate is in the film, but I still don't get where it all comes from.

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.

I am always glad to see documentary films made without bias. Love me some unbeatable logic presented in a extremely articulate manner. All this without being insensitive to either groups.

The film has thoroughly expressed the argument that people quoting the bible to hate on homosexuals are basically misinformed. The interpretation of things and events and writings and even art changes depending on what time it is perceived for judgment.

The time when the bible was written in and eventually translated are remarkably different than the ones we live in right now. So how does it make any sense to hold up principals and values laid upon man thousands of years ago when the rule makers priorities were different. The Sodom and Gomorrah story has been very well explained as being one of the most misunderstood ones. Anti-Gay factions often quote the destruction of the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of god's wrath against the homosexuals. Apparently anal rape was considered the worst humiliation you could lay upon an enemy or a wrong doer as a punishment, completely without a homosexual desire to do so. What the people of Sodom and Gomorrah meant when they yelled at Lot to send the two angels out, so they could rape them was that they only wanted to deal out the punishment they deemed fit for Lot going against the towns rule against bringing strangers in.

The towns were known for there endless wealth and riches. To secure there goodies they literally banned the citizens from inviting outsiders inside there homes, lest they be thieves. Interestingly, as the movie points out, hospitality or entertaining guest in your house, a stranger even is one of the biggest rules in Christianity. Despite of looking at the destruction of the cites as a punishment for being a douche to guests, we in our twisted times, choose to see it as a sign against the wholly barbaric yet symbolic act of punishing ones enemy.

Wonderful stories to be heard. Do watch.

PS: There will be tears...

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.

This is an excellent documentary if you are looking for an objective socio-cultural study of the American culture war in contemporary society. Hence, probably the high ratings. But look somewhere else if you are interested in a complete study of the Bible's interpretation of homosexuality.

In light of the latter, these types of television documentaries are probably the second least-trustworthy source of information, right after online journalism. They rely on only a handful of scholars, and since they're looking for a scholar who's able to devote a lot of time to them they're usually getting people on the edges of the scholarly community who are invested in pushing some agenda. And because the documentary is run by film-makers rather than actual scholars the editing room tends to turn the scholars' message into something other than what it actually is.

My judgment is based on the movie as a whole, as well as other polemical websites. It views just like anything you can find on a Google search of "what the bible really means" (especially if that's followed with something about conspiracies and church suppression.) But with respect to this particular film, only one real scholar was used at all. All other references were extremely random or biased, meaning that the film makers strung together sources in order to make it look like there was a convergence that supported its own thesis that the text doesn't really mean anything.

There were definitely some very accurate things that these people said. But the things that they didn't say, coupled with the context in which they said the things that they did say, render the show useless to viewers looking for an objective study of grammatical-historical exegesis and/or biblical theology in the covenantal/redemptive-historical context.

As the documentary said, scripture has been misinterpreted (by certain people,) true enough but (a) they didn't say what the Bible actually says about it ("the things that they didn't say," from above) and (b) they said this in a context in which "not clear" means either "nature" or "nurture" ("context," from above) because operating in social terms is much more clearer to deal with and helpful in this kind of issue rather than using biological-gayness, or in nature/nurture terms which IMO is based on a false dichotomy in this case, as a primary parameter for this kind of discussion. Michel Foucault, himself a homosexual (and so far as I know the premier theorist of the development of homosexuality), traced our idea of "the homosexual" to an 1870 article (see his bombshell The History of Sexuality, Vol I). He argues that homosexuality is not something inherent but instead a socially constructed kind of status or even celebrity. I think some of the queer theorists engaging Foucault have said about this same thing -- about it being a social construction. They unaminously agree very much that (1) gay-gene and gay-lib stuff is really outdated and (2) Queer theory has grown up within the space Foucault structured.

The "science" is inconclusive. E.g., if it were all and only some genetic sequence that "made" one gay then twins would overwhelmingly have the same "sexual orientation," but they don't. Of course, the "science" also has strong suspicions that there are meaningful biological factors. So this means that it's inconclusive whether it's "nature" or "nurture." (Notice that I did not say that this means it is "nurture.") Speculation on "nature vs. nurture" is unhelpful, then.

But it's also irrelevant. Of course biology plays a significant role in how any person acts. Similarly, of course we can't expect relationships to be asexual. But that doesn't mean I'm going to start approving of rape, even though so many (myself included) are biologically inclined toward it. So not only is the "science" category unhelpful, it's irrelevant.

The film is also saying, "Looking at the social evidence, it says that being gay is all nurture/nature." Instead of using the term 'gay' as a social designator, what it is saying engages issues of whether "being gay is in your genes," or "you are taught/forced to be gay," and I think those answers are very muddled if not incoherent. That alone proves the documentary's material is dubious, poorly researched, and unreliable. The author's clearly manipulating data to contrive arguments and evidence. So there's no actual exegetical knowledge to be obtained from this film's approach.

A point of clarification: Greek went through plenty of changes and Classical Greek is different from (earlier than) the Greek used in the NT or Septuagint. E.g., Liddell-Scott-Jones and Liddell-Scott are the Classical counterparts to Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich and Kittel. However, some of the scholars' fields span Homer through the Hellenistic period, which would include (but not be focused on) NT Greek ("Koine," sometimes called Hellenistic Greek).

Also, I mentioned Hebrew because the crucial Leviticus passage is written in Hebrew and therefore their place as reverends are fairly irrelevant to it.

As.to.lexicography: Again, they're.nowhere near.any major.lexical scholar. Based.on both.their fringe-ish publications.and other.work, it looks.like they're.more like.individuals with.an agenda than.a representation of.scholarly consensus. Again, I'd.point at.the Kittel and B-A-G lexicons as.the universally recognized starting points. (Run a.web search.on "Greek".and try.to find.a lexicon or.NT word-study that is.even.once viewed.as superior.to either of.the two. You.won't, I promise.) As.to NT/Septuagint studies: Lexicography goes hand-in-hand with.other textual studies.for exegesis. For.this.reason, professional exegetes are.trained.in lexicography but.do.not specialize.in lexicography. It.takes.more than.a mastery of.lexicon and.grammar to understand language. Context is.key, and professional exegetes learn how to.understand the relationship between one particular word in one particular text.with.the phrase.or sentence.it appears.in, the.section of the text that phrase or sentence appears in, the broader influences and surroundings of.the.text, and.so.on. So, for.instance, NT.exegetes have.to bear.in mind.that Paul.and John.use the.same words differently because they.are different authors. They.also have.to recognize.the foundational place of.the Old.Testament in.the NT's linguistic usage, which.makes.for serious differences with.Greek.usage among those.with Greek or.Roman or.Egyptian backgrounds. So.lexicography has.a place.in this.kind.of exegesis, but.it's.not.the.only.factor. You've.got.to connect.it.with.other disciplines

To twist God's words and say that there is no word for HOMOSEXUAL in Greek Hebrew or Aramaic is justifying the sinful act of homosexuality. God makes it very clear that a man with a man or a woman with a woman is a detestable sin. The NEW LIVING TRANSLATION uses modern words such as homosexual.. look up the scripture Leviticus 18:22 in the New King James version: it clearly says that a "man shall not lay with a man , nor a woman with a woman, for this is an abomination".. Just because there is no ancient word for it, does not mean God approves of it... I resent the fact that because I am a Christian, I am labeled as a homophobic. You are trying to justify immoral behavior such as homosexuality or pornography.

It was enough for me to hear the demented ramblings of such a paragon of virtue like Jimmy Swaggart, to understand the whole evangelical, religious right. A dash of hard core nationalism and frantic flag waving, a little song, a little dance, easy answers to some of the hardest questions, and when you mix it all up- evangelical Christianity. These preachers calmly dismiss most of compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ, and dig into the Old Testament( by the way, the other people's holy book)randomly. Pick and choose few rules, mostly concerning the gay people, and there it is. They are the righteous, and we are sinners. It must be great to be that simple, to blindly follow the religious music man, and to be stunned when they fail to live up to their so high standards. My religion is much more complex, and it's a life long struggle to do good and be a better person. Good and very useful documentary.

Only days following its New York premiere, "For the Bible Tells Me So" plays Cinematheque, Cleveland Ohio's superb film series.

A capacity audience sits attentively through this informative feature, responding audibly to its content and ending with loud applause. I found the work well prepared and executed, offering varying points of view on the subject of morality and religiosity.

Famed world leaders from far left to far right are given time to express their varied opinions, while the viewer is allowed to reach a personal conclusion. The presentation is comprehensive and fair minded in delineating key points of scripture that are used to judge sexual orientation and practices.

A film worthy of extensive screening, especially in churches of all denominations as well as civic organizations. Ultimately, it's a most valuable addition to any film collection.

I have seen this movie two time thus far. I plan on seeing it a couple more times. I am bringing all of the people that I can possibly get to come. The last show we had 15 people in our group.

go to the website and see the trailer and share it with everyone you can.

It is an insightful and intelligent documentary that investigates the relation of the Bible and Homosexuality. It is well filmed and has a lot of incredibly moving stories from several Christian families with Gay children.

I promise that if you have ever wondered what the Bible Really says about Homosexuality, this movie is a must see.

The documentary centers around five families each with a gay or lesbian child. The parents and the children (adults now) participate in lengthy interviews on the impact on both sides when the child revealed their homosexuality. All of the families hold very religious backgrounds and the film gives us a closer look into what love really is. Watching this film was heart-breaking as you see families being torn apart and people doing monstrous things to young adults who have come out as gay or lesbian. It opens your eyes to how early Christians have perverted phrases of the bible, declaring homosexuality as an "abomination". Yet it was also inspiring because it finally teaches some of the parents a lesson of what unconditional love is and what it truly means.

This is a very average documentary overall. It's very heavy-handed on the link between being gay and still accepting religion. I think that's bogus. Why the hell go back to the church after all it's done against people. It's created some of the worst crimes against humanity and also stood by silently while some of the worst were committed. Reforming such an institution is utterly useless. If you're gay why associate yourself with an institution which persecuted your own kind for so long? Most of the documentary is about people coming to terms with being gay but also coming to terms with being a gay Christian. That's not really what I wanted out of this movie. I wanted to see how gays are fighting the church outside of the church itself. There are a lot of loonies out there so why join them when you can fight them?

As a teenager that has grown up not only in a Catholic family but also in a society that portrays the issue of homosexuality as controversial, I found this movie extremely eye opening and interesting. Within the first few minutes of the movie, there was a quote that really stuck out to me: "This country is doing everything it can to make it seem like it is okay to be gay, and it's not." When I heard this I was shocked. How could someone say something so harsh and horrible? Throughout the movie, there were several families with a homosexual son or daughter. Most of the parents mentioned that when their child came out, they referred to the Bible. Leviticus 20:13 states, "If a man also lie with man and a woman also lie with woman, both of them are committing an abomination. They shall be put to death, their blood is upon them." Despite the fact that I am apart of the Catholic community, I had never once before heard of this verse. I feel as though the church portrays homosexuality as a sin that should be punished with death. I find this ridiculous. Overall, I thought this movie was intriguing and gave a new perspective on homosexuality (interviews of Christian parents of homosexuals) that I had never seen before.

This film filled the eyes of those who saw their own hurtful experiences in it as the history they try to forget. If wishes could come true, then everyone would watch this film with an open mind if only to find out if afterward, they were still willing to throw the first stone of "righteousness". What was NOT surprising was that all the viewer's ratings for this film was distributed extremely skewed, at both poles. It correlates almost exactly with a picture of the world that the film illustrated. How poetic is it that the credibility of the film's message is actually reflected in the way people rated their personal viewing experience of this documentary. The film's message is visibly demonstrated by the prejudice reflected in the film's polarized evaluations; a powerful confirmation of the actual world around us. Bravo, Film Maker, for a job well done!

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

This film has plenty of good clips from other programs, lots of nice candid interviews with families (including the noteworthy Dick Gephardt), though it does tend to be light on confrontation. It would be nice to have James Dobson or someone like him confronted with the pitfalls of Biblical literalism.

On November 19, 2007, "For the Bible Tells Me So" was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of 15 films on its documentary feature Oscar shortlist. However, it did not make the final list of five nominated films as announced on January 22, 2008. Did this get it a little more attention? Probably.

Pleasantly notable is that even at seven years (2007-2014) the film is already dated. The criticism of homosexuality from American society, even those who are religious, has decreased and will likely continue to decrease. The film has quickly gone from making a statement to being a historical document.