MovieChat Forums > Dream Boy (2008) Discussion > Christian allegory in the film

Christian allegory in the film

posted 10 years ago by Mary_Crewe
12 replies | jump to latest

Ok, since a lot of people often think that only straight cis gender people and closeted people can be Christian, I'll give a disclaimer that, although I'm straight, I believe in interpretations of the Bible that are not anti-gay. Now, here's my topic, what I think was Christian allegory(or something connected to that) in the film.

Roy's church appears to be friendlier than Nathan's. Nathan was at church with his parents, both of which failed him. Roy's mother, a model parent, is the one to extend an offer to Nathan for him and his family to come to their church. Roy also remarks to his girlfriend, after what appeared to be a youth group meeting,that the new pastor gave cheerier spiritual guidance than the old one that was not full of condemnation.

When Nathan sets up a trap for his father, there is a long shot on Jesus being crucified. Nathan is obviously an innocent victim (and although they're different situations)and so was Jesus Christ.

When Nathan is raped by Burke, I couldn't help but think of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although Burke is never even hinted at being gay or bisexual, he rapes Nathan, like how the men of an entire village (in a society where men raped other men to humiliate them and the rapists were not gay or bisexual). I'm not sure this scene was intended to be like that, but it's the intention I made.

When Nathan is assumed to be dead, his dad acts very strangely by taking him up to his room. Later on, Nathan gets up, like how Jesus was resurrected, and finds the person he loves and that's what Jesus did with his followers, although it was different kinds of love.

I think the movie is subtly told with religious allegory that, like how it is unclear if Nathan is alive, like in my theory, or a ghost, in case someone who doesn't agree that the LGBTQAI community and Christianity can mix.

For anyone who doesn't quite understand or know that Christians like me (some of which are LGBTQAI and even both clergy and LGBTQAI) exist, these websites has some great resources to learn about interpretations of the Bible that are more inclusive: http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/, http://www.transchristians.org/, http://www.godswordtowomen.org/feminist.htm
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[–] AndaleArriba 10 years ago

Have you read the Bible. I am sure your intentions are just, but when you go against His Word, you go against Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior. While your intentions are tolerant accepting and basically promoting equality, at the end of the day, if just one person listens to you and your misinformed message, they will be condemned for an eternity. Personally, I think homosexuals should error on the side of caution and just abstain. Jesus would recommend the same my friend.

[–] Mary_Crewe 10 years ago

Yes, I've read the Bible and other research about it, because it does not translate perfectly into English, since it was originally in Hebrew and Greek. Being LGBTQAI is not a sin. God and Jesus never gave exact instructions on why you can't be in a same-gender relationship (just that you can't do it involving pagan practices, etc.) or why you can't be transgender. No one who listens to me is going to burn in hell. I'm using scripture based beliefs. You're asking people who are gay (and in some situations this would include people who are bisexual) to be celibate and not be able to share romantic love with someone, when you feel you don't have to do that, which is hardly fair. Jesus accepted people who were normally told by "religious" people of his day that they were abominations. Some of which, as argued here http://www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/gay_couple.html, were gay.

[–] AndaleArriba 10 years ago

I should clarify. By being abstinent, I mean that men should not have sex with other men. They could, if they desired, have a relationship based on true love with a woman, and have sex for the purpose of procreation according to God's commandment. But male-male relationships seem to be based on lust and go against His Word. It seems unnatural to me and most men to have sexual desires for the same sex. It should not be that hard to just refrain from male-male relationships to have a proper relationship with God and a woman. God Bless You.

[–] Mary_Crewe 10 years ago

As a Christian and a woman I take offense to that. Nobody should have to feel pressured into having a romantic relationship with a woman, if they aren't made too. Someone who is gay or some bisexual can't turn off falling in love with someone of the same gender, just as straight or some bisexual people can't turn off falling in love with the opposite gender. As for only having sex to make children, some people are sterile. Would you tell them they can't have sex? Yes, God said to go and have children, but he never said that was our only role and the only way love is allowed. Maybe, sterile people and same-gender couples are examples of that.

"But male-male relationships seem to be based on lust and go against His Word. It seems unnatural to me and most men to have sexual desires for the same sex." Since I assume you are straight, the reason it seems unnatural to you may because you are not interested in men like that. that's why it doesn't seem hard to you not to be involved in that kind of relationship and to be with a woman. Some male-male and female-female relationships may be based on lust, like some male-female relationships might be. However, do you really think people are fighting for marriage equality for relationships based on lust?

Here's an example of a same-gender marriage done in a church that does not appear to be based on lust but love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtmlNiPNakI

[–] AndaleArriba 10 years ago

I am sorry I offended you. That was not my intent. I respect your opinion, but I do not agree with you.

[–] Mary_Crewe 10 years ago

Apology accepted, although I still disagree with your stance and think that pressuring a man who is gay to be with a woman is still harmful and wrong.

[–] KatrinaW 10 years ago

Great thoughts! I wish IMDb had 'like' buttons, similar to Facebook.

[–] Mary_Crewe 10 years ago

Thanks.

[–] KatrinaW 10 years ago

No disrespect, but really??? God doesn't make junk, and God made everyone in his image. Therefore, gay people, in fact all LGBT, whatever, are just the way He meant them to be. End of story.

[–] Mary_Crewe 10 years ago

Finally! Someone agrees!

[–] rodcenray 10 years ago

As a young man who is both gay and Christian I find what you wrote to be incredibly judgmental, misinformed and not very Christ-like. I could get into why it IS possible to be both gay and Christian but I know it won't change your mind so I'll refrain. My only question is that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, immoral or lustful why did you devote your time to watching a movie about two young men who happen to be gay? Anyway, thanks Susan for your post! You made some excellent points that made me view the movie a bit differently--I already felt it was a great movie and with that Christian-semblance in it it's even better.

[–] KatrinaW 8 years ago

Honestly, there is no right or wrong in beliefs/religion. There's only opinion. Please be aware that there are many millions of people on this earth that don't share your 'opinion'.