The new documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So" is framed by devout Christian families who tell moving stories of how they've navigated the challenges and ups and downs of facing their son or daughter's sexual orientation in the context of a faith tradition that loves to shout in the streets and from the pulpit Leviticus 18:22, that those same beloved children are "abominations."
The film also features scholars, both Jewish and Christian, among them the highly respected and well known Peter Gomes of Harvard, unpacking this same oft-quoted verse from Scripture, among other infamous biblical passages on this issue including the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. There is high-level, critical reflection about what's behind this prejudice and "fear of the other, sex, and the feminine," as Dr. Gomes comments, about homosexuality, as well as hard-hitting indictments of biblical literalism. And the film dutifully traces the controversial promotion of Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican community, by the American Episcopal Church, one of several recent moves that have caused a rift verging on a possible schism of the world-wide Anglican Church.
But the heart and driving force of "For the Bible Tells Me So" are the diverse group of young adults and men and women like Jake Reitan, Christine Gephardt (daughter of politician Richard Gephardt), and Tonia Poteat, among others, all raised Christian (of all different denominations), who are working hard to be who they are, to have fulfilling, loving relationships, and do so without losing either their faith or their families in the process. Perhaps even more powerful are the honest words spoken by their parents, many of whom admit to feeling incredible pain, denial, embarrassment, and even despair upon first learning that their son or daughter was gay. Even years later they feel traces of this, but they are working hard to, at the very least, embrace a new attitude about homosexuality while loving their child. In some cases (that of Jake Reitan and his parents), they have taken this effort to the level of protesting and speaking out in very public ways that Christianity must change its attitude on this issue--that its un-Christian not to.
Unfortunately, I fear, this is one of those documentaries that will preach to the choir, rather than reach the audience that most needs to see and hear its message.
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It is totally appropriate for us to love folks who say they're gay. God loves them, LOVES the person but no matter how you try to change the Bible to make it fit what you want, the behavior is wrong. Homosexual behavior is an abomination to God. It is very clear and it is important for us to understand that. We do also need to remember that gay behavior is not the ONLY sin nor is it the unforgiveable sin. But it is sin. It is sin just as much as lying, adultery, sex outside of marriage, etc. I have friends who are gay and I do not hate them nor do I have a phobia about it. What I have is a need to follow what Jesus says and to love all of His creation.. all the people and not to judge them. But not to close my eyes to the truth and to the words of the Bible. I pray for them to be healed from that which sends them to this behavior. I do not hate them. I hate what they do.. just as much as I hate what I do that sins against Him. No matter what people want, the bible is what it is. God said what He said and wanting it to be different doesn't change it. We do not need to embrace a new attitude about homosexuality. Homosexuality is define solely by behavior. It is not a blood, genetic, racial, gender thing.. it is based solely on feeling and behavior. We choose behavior. We don't choose some things but we do choose behavior. I am single and I choose not to have sex because I am not married.. so I choose to follow what the Bible says. It is not outdated. It does not have to be updated. We need to be loving and serving to the person but not accepting of behavior that He condemns. People don't understand that. Never forget He loves people not matter what they do. But He will not accept actions against His will.
As with many things in life, it is easy to believe in dogma, spread prejudice, and spout hate, up to the point you find that the object of your ignorant scorn is a loved one, a friend, or a child.
Gay sex is not an abomination. The term used Biblically, as the documentary says, does not mean "morally wrong," as some folks mistakenly believe. It means "against tradition." So gay sex wouldn't be an abomination, though a Jew eating pork might. He may not view his eating habits to be morally wrong, though it would go against his religious tradition, making it an abomination.
I found the documentary to be immensely moving. The support the Reitans and the Gephardts showed their children was beautiful and exactly what God had in mind when he called for unconditional love.
That's an interesting point that thindi brings up...that "Homosexuality is define [sic] solely by behavior."
I think we're seeing the result of that belief play out nowadays with the number of men and women that are coming out of the closet after years (decades, even) of fighting against the "wrong" behavior for that of the "right" behavior of getting married, having kids, etc.
These people often say that they would rather die than live one more day of a lie and that that determines their eventual admission to their friends and family. I'm not that familiar with specific Bible verses, but does it matter what God says about lying? Or is the behavior so abominable that lying is given a green light?
The fact that families are devastated and destroyed so many years later after the parent finally "admits who they really are," as they often say, makes me wonder if we can say that it's really only defined by behavior.
Jesus is totally cool with gay marriage.
the bible mentions lesbianism of ANY form ONCE, and it is lesbian sex in a pagan temple without the benefit of marriage. of course having sex to honor a pagan deity with someone you are not married too is wrong.
the OT says celibacy is bad.
the NT says it is good.
cain married a sister, and moses then forbids it.
women did not consent to marriage in the OT. especially the concubines.
polygamy was cool for the OT but bad for christians esp bishops...the point: there is no universal sex ethic.
christian sex is about committed, marital covenant sex...gay or straight.
it is time the people of God heard the voice of God and got back to preaching the liberating news that the kingdom of God is here now, available to help bring JUSTICE and PEACE to this world, not just the human heart.
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