For the Bible Tells Me So - Review

On Wednesday I saw the Doc Soup screening of For the Bible Tells me So. Despite sitting on the extreme right and the extreme front (that was a packed house!), I enjoyed the film. If you're interested, FTBTMS is playing here in Toronto over the next few weeks at the Royal Cinema.

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For the Bible Tells Me So
(USA, Directed by Daniel Karslake)

There is a chasm between the Christian church and homosexuality. The five American families profiled in For the Bible Tells me So attempt to bridge that gap and accept their own homosexual kin. It is a surprisingly respectful film that neither ignores nor ridicules the beliefs of many average Christians. It also expresses uncompromising condemnation of the intolerance, hatred, and violence spread by a literal (and distorted) reading of the Bible. Politics, history and science are introduced for consideration without the sometimes used sneer of an anti-religion “biased” film maker. In this way, director Daniel Karslake has made a thinking Christian’s film that challenges yet never discounts the faith.

Although rudimentary in his argument that the Bible has been interpreted incorrectly, Karslake does a good job of raising questions in his target Christian audience. Interviews with theologians and historians stress context in the interpretation of Bible study. Examination of the politics behind the church’s teachings effectively muddle long held doctrine. If you read that homosexuality is an abomination what does that word actually mean? Why are Christians told to adhere to one passage of the Bible yet completely ignore others? What do heterosexuals truly fear in homosexuality?

The film doesn't pull its emotional punches, especially in the interview of one woman who coolly admits to disowning her lesbian daughter and pushing her towards suicide. The mother eventually finds acceptance, but not before a long journey of education and prayer. There are other parents who never repent their beliefs but continue to struggle. Everyone speaks (and is allowed to speak) with honestly and emotion.

I really admired the wide scope of interviews used in the film. From families in heartland America, to people of God like openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, to public political figures like the Gephardt family, these are stories from real people facing a very modern religious conflict. I would say that they succeed beautifully in putting a face on loving, Christian families in America today.

Of course, a film with this subject matter is bound to cause controversy. Only a quick look at the internet discussion boards show that most people who care to comment about this film either hate homosexuals or hate religion. I suppose anyone so steeped in dogma and fear is unlikely to buy a ticket. It's a shame, and somewhat ironic, that prejudice will keep people from watching a film that refuses to scapegoat either religion or homosexuality, and in fact holds tolerance as its strongest message.

This is a somewhat sprawling, but still impactful film. It will be most resonant with Christians who need a primer on the evils of homophobia, but the film is accessible and thought provoking for others as well. It suffers from repetition and lack of visual flare, but has only a few misfires in terms of content . A short “humorous” cartoon about the biology of homosexuality, for instance, feels like it’s trying too hard to make science appetizing to conservatives. Uneven segments aside, For the Bible Tells Me So will stay with you and hopefully spark some very interesting discussions long after the credits roll. 4 out of 5.