“Last week, I bought the gun. Yesterday, I wrote the note. Last night I saw your story on PBS and knowing that someday, somewhere, I might be able to go back into a church with my head held high. I dropped the gun in the river...”
When he read those words in the short email from a young gay man, PBS producer Dan Karslake, realized that he needed to create a film to “get the word out that God doesn’t hate gay and lesbian people; in fact, God loves them.” The result is For the Bible Tells Me So, a documentary film that explores the experiences of five families as they struggle to reconcile their Christian faith and accept their gay or lesbian children.
These five stories are told with tenderness and compassion. Deftly woven throughout are thoughtful commentaries by theologians on the historical teachings of the Church about homosexuality. As each family struggles to understand the references in the Bible that have long driven the conversation in the Church about homosexuality, the viewer is drawn in to their personal and powerful stories. This is a film about the overwhelming power of love to transform.
I had the privilege of meeting Dan Karslake as he was making this documentary. Throughout its production, Dan’s goal was to make a film that would move the discussion of religion and homosexuality beyond the polarizing and often stereotypical language which is too often used and has only the effect of diminishing any productive conversation. In this deeply moving film, he has succeeded. He has added a needed voice to the discussion of the place of homosexuality in the church.
The poignant stories told in this film draw the discussion of homosexuality from the abstract to the personal and concrete, giving faces and names to those who find themselves and their families caught in the ongoing debate and struggle within the church. These personal stories make this film a useful tool for any group wishing to have a meaningful and truthful conversation about the place of homosexuality in the church.
The Rev. Patricia Harris Curtis, Rector
1 comment:
I was delighted to find out about this blog at yesterday's clergy meeting and even more delighted when i did some reading online this morning. Excellent resource.
A few months ago Tom and I watched and were very moved by FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO. That is terrific that a copy will be given to each parish. Pattie, I really appreciated your review and the background of the film in the making.
Thanks to all for your good and faithful work.
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