"For the Bible Tells Me So", 2007

Bishop Gene Robinson during his consecration, as shown in "For the Bible Tells Me So"

    “For the Bible Tells Me So” is a documentary that explores homosexuality and the way it’s viewed on a Christian level through various interpretations of the Bible. The film is powerful, moving and intelligent. It never speaks down to those with conflicting views, but rather, seeks to educate not only them but anyone willing to sit down for the movie’s 99 minutes.

    Among those interviewed for the film are former politician Dick Gephardt and his daughter, Chrissy, Rev. Dr. Desmond Tutu and Bishop V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay non-celibate ordained minister, and his parents. Some tell their stories and first-hand accounts of homosexuality and the church. Others give their interpretations of the Bible. Interspersed among the interviews are clips of rallies and speeches condemning the LGBT community. Rarely are these not hate-filled rhetoric that prey upon the easily-fooled. There are, however, conflicting viewpoints given by some of the interviewees, who rather than coming across as ill-informed or ignorant, speak intelligently about their personal beliefs with passion and conviction and about how they have to resolve this with the fact that they have a loved one who is gay.

    The film (through both interviews and an animated segment) dissects passages of the Bible that are commonly believed to demonize homosexuality, as well as what it means to be homosexual. The camera never flinches, even through some of the more heartbreaking footage and stories and we are shown, at times, very graphic depictions of the violence that can invade these people’s lives. Through news footage and the documentary’s own filming we are shown brave families who stick together through the most troubling times, and in one case, what can happen when they don’t.

    I highly suggest this documentary to anyone willing to sit down and watch it with not only an open mind, but also an open heart. This is a very relevant in America today. The hatred towards another person for their sexuality, whether you believe it is a choice or not, is a very real thing. Just looking through the message boards for this film on IMDb.com will reveal the hatred and persecution that still exists for this segment of the population. It’s a shame, really, and if this film can help at least one person to not view the LGBT community as not better or worse than anyone else, but as just people worthy of the same rights and privileges that are afforded to anyone else in this nation, then the time and effort, I would say, would have to have been worth it.

9.5/10