For The Bible Tells Me So

This powerful and courageous video exposes the Fundamental Christian Right and other traditional organized religious venues for what they really are, as well as de-bunking their twisted logic, in an objective, academic and empiracal fashion, relative to the alleged "Words of God", via the Scriptures.The credible, thoughtful and realistic interpretations of the Biblical lines that the hateful/Old Testament autocrats use to freely admonish the ideologies associated with same-sex relationships, are skillfully presented in a creative and culturally time-sensitive fashion that is holistic, insightful and transcends the anal and restrictive mindsets associated with "Old Time Religion", thus guiding Compassionate and "Christ-like" minded human beings into the 21st century.Families that have experienced the heartache, pain, suffering and social sitigmatization that comes from the hateful rhetoric and shamful osterization energies that spew from those that "judge & condem" others who condone same-sex relationships, share their first-hand immersion experiences in a frank and forthright way. The powerful testimonials are gut-wrenching, profound, and at times, brought tears to my eyes as I empathized with them, being a parent and loving father.Watching the families deal with their crisis and finding the courage and strength to arrive at the Christ-centered conclusion that, regardless of the torment that may have occured because of their child's "choices", thier child is ALWAYS their child and worthy of their UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!It was refreshing to share the family's experiences, as they embraced life with zest and zeal, as they were willing to grow spiritually, accepting and loving their offspring, as being one of God's children, in spite of their gender specific choices. It took real courage and genuine parental love for the families involved, to whom traditional relationships were the norm, to reaffirm and validate the passion that emanates from the love of one's child, as only a mother and father can know. Kudos to those wonderful parents!What a travesty, actually an abomination that shames our great nation, as a few well-placed omniscient, seemingly omnipotent and self-proclaimed experts (such as Dr. James Dobson, Jimmy Swaggart and others), due to their high-visibility stations-in-life, often as alleged religious leaders, teachers, and spiritual mentors, have abused their powers. They have perpetuated the hateful, condescendingly judgmental and negative energies, acting as official monikders for the Almighty Ineffable, who have destroyed families and fueled the rage in the less-stable "Christo-Fascists" that perpetrate the increasing number of horrific hate crimes that are directed towards those that engage-in and/or support-same sex relationships.This DVD is a riveting, no-nonsense and sorely needed vehicle for positive change for all civilized and decent people who have an inherent sense of Reverence and Spirituality. More importantly, it is also a powerful wake-up call for the so-called Traditionalists who are driven by Old Testament energies that reek with the cruel "fire and brimstone" payback mind-sets that one will "go to hell" for same-sex interests. It may also encourage those that engage in rote and simplistic behaviors that are "preached" weekly in Church by the so-called Evangelicals and Ministers of organized religious venues that are often more interested in their own self-serving agendas and financial gains, as opposed to offering genuine spiritual guidance for the masses, to perhaps "re-consider" and reflect on thier own spiritual journey relative to Enlightment and Salvation.Additionally, the video reminds us that the old adage that states that the greatest problem with the Church is the Chruch, is worth a second look. Too often, the politics associated with traditional organized religious venues, spill-over into a hateful divisveness that perpetuates an "us and them" mentality where each venue claims to have the ONLY way to Salvation and Heaven. Sadly, the language of the so-called Judeo Christian Bible was written in the context of a reality that existed some 2000 years ago. As society and Culture evolved, progressed and grew with the times, too many of the "quoted" biblical lines have been either taken out of context or interpreted in a restrictive and unrealistic fashion that are misleading and simply dead wrong! Just as beauty is said to be in the eyes of the beholder, perhaps TURTH lies in the eyes(soul) of the beholder, as well.In the end, I doubt that a personal God works to inform us, day to day, about how we should behave, relative to societal norms, politics and cultural constructs. Freedeom for Americans allows for CHOICES in the domain of man-made rules, social order and in civilized living matters. "Because the Bible tells me so", is quite possibly the greatest impetus for all of God's children to observe and to LIVE The Golden Rule as the best guide towards Englightenment and Salvation! THANKS!Captain Rick RotundoJuly 28, 2008

I had the opportunity to see this film at my church as part of a new companion study that's just been released, and I want to say how much both have helped me in my understanding of this issue. The class was at my Methodist church here in Nashville, and I joined it because I confess that, despite all the controversies surrounding this issue -- gay marriage, gays in the military, etc. -- I really hadn't gone beyond a surface understanding of the scripture. Mostly, I have been upset by how much this issue has divided our church, and I haven't been sure how to feel about it.We watched the film the first week of the class. More than anything, I think it took me beyond the word "issue" and really opened my eyes to the human suffering that has been caused by our Christian tradition. I have no doubt that certain Christian practices are in place with the intent of upholding the Word of God. But how can God not be compassionate amid the pain endured by the families in this film?God calls each of us to undertake a faith journey with an openness to the Holy Spirit, and the film definitely showed me the Holy Spirit was at work, particularly in the stories of Gene Robinson, the woman who lost her daughter to suicide, and the Minnesota couple with the gay son. Watching this film, I saw how these people changed their hearts not necessarily because they wanted to (after all, it's a lot easier to stick with the status quo), but because they were compelled to only after great thought and prayer and study. Literally, soul-searching.After watching the film, I yearned for a similar experience, and I must say, in the next six weeks I found it through the study. It's called "This I Know," and each of the six lessons is written by a different author. The two that really caught my attention are Brian McLaren and Marcus Borg. McLaren is big in evangelical circles and he's written several influential books. (My church did a Sunday school class series on his "Everything Must Change.") Borg has certainly made a national name as an authority of Christ's teachings.Each lesson is a step in a journey of both your mind and your heart. For me, the study was able to fill in some of the gaps the film left, particularly in the depth of scriptural understanding. Not to knock the film, but there's only so much you can cover in that time frame. There was a lesson by a national expert on the Apostle Paul, who did a great job of introducing me to the context of his writings. I also came to understand why the beliefs about sin and homosexuality have been kept going through the centuries. The lesson that most blew me away was written by a devout Mennonite who made a complete turn-around in her beliefs. The last chapter, which is Borg's, is all about putting Christ at the center of our understanding. Our class did include a couple members who are gay, and being face to face with their pain and faith struggle also really made an impact on me.You can find the study at its own website (search for "This I Know study"). I highly recommend both together, especially if your church is looking for a "safe" way to get into the topic. While the film and the study both have a certain perspective, they present it with the authority to back it up. In other words, I never felt belittled or beaten over the head -- as I would by the "death to fags" protesters in the film! I came away from the whole experience feeling like I truly took my own journey and came to my own conclusions, and I'm now trying to get more Sunday school classes at my church to offer it. This is what we need to make our peace with this issue once and for all.

I loved this DVD and, apparently so did the person I lent it to as I never got it back!! I'm going to have to re-order it as I liked it that much.

If you still need to prove the point that Church should accept homosexuality, this is the best demonstration that you can fin. It is smart and objective

Watch with an open mind! Excellent documentary!

After watching For The Bible Tells Me So ,I realized that this film could have a huge impact on viewers. Imagine that this film is shown to a group of teenagers,and that someone in the audience might be gay,and too afraid to tell their parents or a close friend, and is contemplating taking their own life. This documentary may just be enough to make that person re-think their situation and know that there are support groups around,not just hatred and judgment. This film uses home cine film footage, and recent interviews with people that have gay children. The home movie segments are poignant,showing happy families,years before the coming out and the trauma.Also featured are comments by people as varied as Bishop Tutu, conservative anti-gay activist Anita Bryant, and gay Bishop Gene Robinson,who was sent death-threats. The film admirably does try to at least show the differing points of view. A cartoon segment about half way through the film attempts to briefly tell of the scientific findings of recent research regarding homosexuality,explaining that being gay is not a choice,as people once thought.Given the sometimes grim nature of the topic, I was surprised that there were parts of this film that were entertaining as well as informative.Each of the five families tell their story in a very personal way,and of their varying degrees of acceptance (or not) of their gay children. There are numerous archival news reel clips,images,television talk shows or radio broadcasts on the topic of homosexuality ,and christianity, intercut with the family stories.I would highly recommend this DVD to any schoolteacher,guidance counsellor or parent. Education is the answer to the hatred,& this film will do a lot of good in the years ahead,hopefully. Outstanding and well-researched.

I write this review from a 'Gay Liberal Christian' perspective, (if you will allow that this is possible!) so it may not be completely objective. If you want a film which weighs both the fundamentalist and liberal points of view equally look elsewhere, but from my position, I found this film really inspiring. The well known passages from The Bible dealing with homosexuality were discussed seriously and explanations given placing the stark condemnation of same sex relationships in a historical perspective.The film chiefly followes the lives of christian families one of whose children is gay, the effect that their 'coming out' had on the relationships within the family, and on the lives of the son or daughter. The terrible harm done by not accepting each person for who they are is clearly shown. I found the last part of the film really moving as it demonstrates how individuals and the church can move forward in accepting and even celebrating diversity.