For the Bible Tells Me So

For the Bible Tells Me So is a documentary film that explores the relationship between Christianity and homosexuality, featuring interviews with Gene Robinson, Desmond Tutu, and Richard Gephardt. The film delves into the lives of several Christian families with LGBTQ+ children, including Jake Reitan, Bridgette Reitan, and David Geyer. Through these stories, the documentary aims to promote understanding and acceptance, citing the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of Saint Paul. The film also features commentary from Bishop John Spong, Bishop Gene Robinson, and Reverend Jimmy Creech.

● Introduction

The documentary For the Bible Tells Me So was released in 2007, a time when the debate over same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights was gaining momentum in the United States. The film's director, Daniel Karslake, was inspired by the story of Mel White, a Christian minister who came out as gay and later became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The film features interviews with Mel White, Desmond Tutu, and Gene Robinson, among others, and explores the intersection of Christianity and homosexuality in the lives of several Christian families. These families, including the Reitan family and the Geyer family, share their experiences of struggling with their LGBTQ+ children's identities and the teachings of their Christian faith, as interpreted by Bishop John Spong and Reverend Jimmy Creech.

● Background

The documentary is set against the backdrop of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States, which has been shaped by the work of Stonewall riots veterans like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. The film references the Matthew Shepard case, which highlighted the need for greater understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. The documentary also touches on the role of Christian organizations like Focus on the Family and The Family Research Council in shaping public discourse around LGBTQ+ rights. Additionally, the film features commentary from Bishop Gene Robinson, Reverend Jimmy Creech, and Mel White, who have all been involved in the LGBTQ+ rights movement and have worked to promote greater understanding and acceptance within the Christian community, including through their involvement with The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church.

● Synopsis

The documentary follows the lives of several Christian families with LGBTQ+ children, including the Reitan family and the Geyer family. The film explores the challenges these families face as they navigate their Christian faith and their love for their LGBTQ+ children, citing the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of Saint Paul. The documentary features interviews with Jake Reitan, Bridgette Reitan, and David Geyer, among others, and examines the ways in which Christian teachings have been used to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals. The film also references the work of The Trevor Project and The Human Rights Campaign, which have worked to promote LGBTQ+ rights and provide support to LGBTQ+ youth, including through their partnerships with The National LGBTQ Task Force and GLAAD.

● Reception

The documentary received positive reviews from critics, with many praising its thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the intersection of Christianity and homosexuality. The film was screened at several film festivals, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival, and won several awards, including the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary. The film was also endorsed by several Christian leaders, including Bishop John Spong and Reverend Jimmy Creech, who praised its efforts to promote greater understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Christian community, including through their work with The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church. Additionally, the film was recognized by The National LGBTQ Task Force and GLAAD for its contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

● Impact

The documentary has had a significant impact on the conversation around LGBTQ+ rights and Christianity, helping to promote greater understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Christian community. The film has been screened at churches and community centers across the United States, and has been used as a tool for promoting dialogue and discussion around LGBTQ+ rights. The documentary has also been recognized by several LGBTQ+ rights organizations, including The Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, for its contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Furthermore, the film has been cited by The National LGBTQ Task Force and The Trevor Project as an important resource for promoting LGBTQ+ rights and providing support to LGBTQ+ youth, including through their partnerships with The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church.

● Production

The documentary was produced by Daniel Karslake, Helen Mendoza, and Linda Stay, and features original music by Peter Bradley Adams and Eastmountainsouth. The film was edited by Daniel Karslake and Nancy Kennedy, and features cinematography by Daniel Karslake and Peter Biagi. The documentary was released in 2007 and has since been screened at film festivals and community centers around the world, including the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival. The film has also been recognized by several LGBTQ+ rights organizations, including The Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, for its contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and has been cited by The National LGBTQ Task Force and The Trevor Project as an important resource for promoting LGBTQ+ rights and providing support to LGBTQ+ youth.

Category:Documentary films