For the Bible Tells Me So poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Genevieve Robinson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Imogene Robinson, Victor Robinson, Isabella 'Boo' McDaniel ... see more see more... , Brenda Poteat , David Poteat , Tonia Poteat , Randi Reitan , Phil Reitan , Jake Reitan , Britta Reitan , Jane Gephardt , Dick Gephardt , Chrissy Gephardt , Mary Lou Wallner , Rev. Peter J. Gomes , Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer , Rev. Dr. Laurence C. Kenne , Rev. Irene Monroe

The place of gay and lesbian congregation and clergy within various Christian denominations has become an increasingly controversial issue in recent decades, and many conservative Christian leaders ha... read more read more...ve justified church polices which limit the participation of homosexuals in the church (as well as support of legislation against gay marriage or civil rights for gays) by citing certain passages of the Holy Bible. But what do these passages really mean? How accurate is their translation from the original holy texts? And have they been used outside of proper context to justify a political agenda that runs counter to Christian ideals of acceptance and forgiveness? For The Bible Tells Me So is a documentary which looks at the ongoing battle of gays and lesbians to celebrate their faith without denying their sexual preferences. The film includes interviews with a number of conservative Christian families as well as V. Gene Robinson, who became the first officially ordained Anglican bishop; political activist and spiritual leader Bishop Desmond Tutu; and Chrissy Gephardt, the openly lesbian daughter of Congressman Dick Gephardt. For The Bible Tells Me So was directed by Daniel Karslake, longtime producer of the PBS news and public affairs series In The Life. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

89% liked it

3,633 ratings

Critics

98% liked it

49 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Daniel G. Karslake

Release Date: October 5, 2007

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: February 19, 2008

Get It:

Stats: 598 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

For the Bible Tells Me So
Upload a Photo | View All For the Bible Tells Me So Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (598)

  • Tomassgringo
    November 6, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    I really like that the movie shows the parent's religious struggles or acceptance more so than the child's point of view. This movie is all Fox News is not - it is fair and balanced. It helps me have tools for explaining myself as a gay man that has lost faith because of the ch... read moreurch's reaction. But the sad thing is.... the people that need to see this movie most... will not!
  • ceWEBrity
    April 26, 2009
    ceWEBrity
    My first reaction was to write this off as preaching to the choir, but there are a lot of really admirable things about this documentary that I think could do a lot of good. Sure, you're not likely to get 90% of Christians to sit down and watch this, but the ones this movie is ca... read morepable of reaching could certainly benefit from it. It takes a fair, gentle hand to religion, not vilifying it but instead reaching a compromise with it; the sense of balance makes the movie almost universally watchable. The message it sends across is "we respect your beliefs, and now we ask us to respect yours," something that would do us a great deal of good.

    Poignant, informative and optimistic, For the Bible Tells Me So is a great watch for just about anybody.
  • bottcorecords1
    February 27, 2009
    bottcorecords1
    Documentaries about controversial subjects really have to be brave in order to be effective. The nature of this documentary, homosexuality and the bible, is about as controversial as you can get, but I'm not sure it pushes things as far as it could've. It does, however, cover a... read more wide area with both interviews and film clips. 3/4ths of the movie is dedicated to personal anecdote, from Gene Robinson who becomes a bishop in the Episcopal church to Dick Gephardt, whose daughter is a lesbian, as well as other figures who are less well-known, but all share the same spirit of activism in their cause. The movie also takes the time to (pretty effectively) dissect each of the Bible quotes most often used when condemning homosexuality. For instance, the same bible passage that calls homosexuality an "abomination" also calls eating shrimp an "abomination" (and yet, when is the last time anyone saw any christian groups protesting outside a Red Lobster?). It does tend to paint the anti-homosexual movement as simply ignorance and outright bigotry, but at the same time, this movie is preaching to the converted (and I do mean "preaching" because at times it is very preachy). I don't get the sense this movie will change many minds, and it lacks the emotional power necessary to rally anyone not already militant. I would've preferred less personal anecdotes and more refutation of the bible passages through the use of other bible passages (as the title of the movie suggested). Still, there's no harm in watching it, if only for the bit about "Sodom and Gorrah" alone.
  • purplemegan
    May 9, 2008
    purplemegan
    AMAZING! I really don't know what else to say about it. I saw a screening of it and there was a question and answer time with some of the families afterwards. I think I admire the Reitan's the most out of the whole bunch.
  • Chiefilms
    April 2, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Very moving, great topic to focus on.
  • fb100001223760895
    July 31, 2011
    fb100001223760895
    More informative than you would expect it to be, this movie rises above mere morality issues and bible smashing. Instead, it explores the bible in its historical context along with exploring human thought and psychology on the subject of homosexuality both on its own and in relat... read moreion to religion and human nature. Although I was hoping for deeper exploration of the bible in relation to history, I found this movie satisfying.
  • fb20312798
    July 9, 2011
    fb20312798
    While I think that trying to find counter-arguments against Christians who use the Bible to justify their anti-gay agenda to be kind of a fruitless effort (They are stubborn and hateful people and I honestly don't have the time or the energy to try to convince them of a truth the... read morey will never accept), I do find fascinating the varied stories about families personally dealing with this very issue. Its easy to disregard members of a minority community until they become a part of your everyday life. The stories range from very sad to rather inspiring and it makes for an interesting look at how Biblical Literalism is an impossible theology for anyone to seriously follow.
  • fb100000185301014
    January 22, 2012
    fb100000185301014
    I literally don't know what to write for this film, like I don't know where to begin.
  • SunilJawahir
    October 8, 2011
    SunilJawahir
    Wow. This documentary is heartfelt and follows some fascinating people on their dealing with the church and homosexuality. You really feel for the families.
  • robfearon
    February 28, 2010
    robfearon
    You'll have plenty of ammunition next time you want to tell some Bible-thumper where they can stick their Leviticus.

View All For the Bible Tells Me So Reviews

Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
January 11, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

Progressive clergy provide enough historical context to neutralize the handful of Bible verses prohibiting homosexual acts, but Karslake never confronts the broader issues of sexuality and procreation... Full Review

Jessica Reaves
November 29, 2007
Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune

This is a compelling, thought-provoking portrait of a quiet challenge rising within America's churches. Full Review

Stephen Hunter
October 25, 2007
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

A brisk, entertaining and even moving exploration of the sometimes frayed intersection where Christianity meets homosexuality. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
October 19, 2007
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Its main surprise is the compassion shown toward everyone, on all sides of the debate. It does not vilify those who vilify gays. Full Review

Frank Scheck
October 19, 2007
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

While the film is unlikely to sway anyone whose mind already isn't made up, it provides plenty food for thought in its examination of biblical doctrine on same-sex love and how it resonates to this day.

David Wiegand
October 12, 2007
David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle

For the Bible Tells Me So doesn't follow the formula. That's just one of the reasons it works well as a film and a lesson about, as one open-minded preacher puts it, what the Bible "reads" about what ... Full Review

Jeff Strickler
October 12, 2007
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune

If you can look beyond the polemics, this is also a powerful story about the emotional pain and psychological trauma that splits families and breaks hearts. Full Review

Kevin Crust
October 12, 2007
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

[Director] Karslake balances the more emotional elements of the film together with the scriptural analysis and weaves them into a moving conclusion. Full Review

Ty Burr
October 12, 2007
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

For the Bible Tells Me So probes the conflict between an obdurate force and a movable object, hoping against hope and the laws of physics that one can sway the other. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
October 5, 2007
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Here's hoping Karslake's film won't simply preach to the converted. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Jesus Camp
    Jesus Camp (50%)
  • Lake of Fire
    Lake of Fire (100%)
  • Cure For Love
    Cure For Love (0%)

More Movies like For the Bible Tells Me So

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

For the Bible Tel... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for For the Bible Tells Me So. Want to create one?

Video Clips

No video clips yet. Want to upload one?

Meet Other Fans

Add For the Bible Tells Me So to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?