MovieChat Forums > For the Bible Tells Me So (2007) Discussion > Missing one major group

Missing one major group

posted 11 years ago by rgcustomer
3 replies | jump to latest

This is a valuable documentary, showing the results of Christianity-based homophobia, and at the same time showing differing interpretations of Biblical quotes or passages. And I'm glad to hear the stories of these gay and lesbian people who took a stand for truth and their own freedom and humanity.

However, as soon as you introduce the idea that the Bible is not literally true as written (for example let's pick the notable King James Version) then you must question what use it is on anything.

Keep in mind that this book was (and is still) used to justify slavery, racism, patriarchy, anti-semitism, homophobia, creationism, the rejection of science-based medicine, and the Jesus story.

For some reason, we're OK with throwing out all that other stuff, and leaving the Jesus story in. But if our primary source for information on Jesus is so ridiculous that it was wrong on all these other things, how can it possibly be justified in teaching about Jesus?

A great many people have left Christianity because the truth inherent in their gay selves proved the Bible wrong. And yet, these people were subject to the same damaging attitudes and societal consequences as those who stayed in the church, because the church is pervasive in society and government (in spite of the First Amendment's un-enforced protection from a state religion). Some of these people went to other religions (Wicca, for example) and many went to atheism.

Further, there are parallels in coming out gay and coming out atheist, in the US. These days, in some places, it can be worse to come out atheist, with the same familial and societal rejection in the here and now, and in the supposed afterlife.

This documentary failed to include this side of the story, and it feels somewhat false that way.

[–] LightningBalt 11 years ago

But this film is about the relationship between Christianity and homosexuality, not atheism or its relationship to anything.

[–] jocelyn73 11 years ago

Is it that solidly religious all over the USA? Like you're either a believer, or your alternate is to be atheist - which you seem to relate to religion in terms of how much time and energy is spent on it. I don't understand- being raised in a very liberal country and living in a city that isn't very religious, it just seems odd to me.

Sorry for the derail!

[–] Mngirl1974 9 years ago

It's pretty religious. It's worse down south (I've lived all over and traveled a ton) and in many social or even work situations the first question you are asked is where do you attend church. My no soliciting sign on the door says no religion, no magazines etc. otherwise they will knock at least monthly.