Event 2

For the Bible Tells Me So
November 29,2007
Lyric Theater

This was a documentary written by Daniel Karslake about homosexuality and its relation to the Bible.

There were about 4 or 5 families interviewed as well as other people within churches and other religious organizations. Being a Christian, I was very interested to see the point of views that would be made and the correlation between them.

The main point that was shared by the Christian group is that homosexuality is an abomination. The only other abomination mentioned on any parallel to homosexuality is suicide. Taking one's own life, a life that God made and put on the earth for a reason.

Bishop Robinson was a gay man married to a straight woman. This was before he admitted to himself that he was gay. And they knew something wasn't right, but they wanted it to work. They wanted straight love to triumph over homosexuality. Bishop Robinson finally accepted his homosexuality and he and his wife released their vows. She remarried another man and he found love with another man. This was not the last we were going to hear about Bishop Robinson. After all, he wasn't perceived to be a bishop the whole movie. He was the first person to run for a bishop position or a leadership position in the church as an openly gay man. He had many death threats and had to wear a bullet proof vest when he was being sworn in.

Another story that was told that really touched me was the story of the Reitan family. They had 4 children. 3 boys and a girl. But the youngest in the family, a boy named Jake came out to his parents at the age of 16. Being Lutheran, they were not sure how to accept him and were more worried about him contracting AIDS and how their family would be perceived by the community. This story also has a happy ending. Jake's parents studied the Bible and upon their studies they were able to read that the interpretation can vary. They realized that as parents they would do anything to protect their child and that they have an unconditional love for him just as God has for the entire population of the world. Jake and his parents started the soul force program where they traveled to visit Focus on the Family's main headquarters to protest what Dr. Dobson is preaching and telling parents about raising their children.

I know a lot of people that relay on Dr. Dobson's works of literature. I've never been a fan of him but at the same time I've never had anything against him either. But one of the things I learned he teaches is: do not accept [your child/friend/co-worker/relative] if they are gay. If you do then maybe that person will think it is okay and be less likely to decide to become straight.

I think one of the biggest points made was that the Bible does not necessarily read the same way now as it did when it was written. I have been one to understand this well. I have two tattoos. In the Old Testament it says to not put markings on your body. In this same scripture is also says to not cut the hair on the sides of your head or to clip your beard. There are Old Testament laws which we are not bound to and then there are New Testament laws which we are bound to. I had to make this argument to my dad when he found out about my memorial tattoo i got over the summer.

It was also mentioned that going to church may change someones sexual conduct but most likely will not change their sexual identity. One thing that I was glad to hear was that as Christians we are supposed to love and accept everyone, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, height, etc. God does not judge us and we should not judge others. We all do it on a daily basis, but it isn't something that can't be changed. I know my God is a forgiving and loving God. My only concern with the topic of homosexuality and the Bible is that these perspectives, which I believe as well, are true in God's eyes. When I heard that a certain person was killed on April 16, all I could think was, I hope he knew God. I knew he was gay and I still loved him to pieces. Now he is gone and I do not know where he is now, and that breaks my heart. When I went home I talked to my youth pastor about how I was feeling about the situation. He gave me some comforting advice. But I still worry. I would tell you what he said, but I don't remember the exact words.

This was probably one of the best events I have been to here at school. It opened my eyes to more possibilities and showed me that more people do have the same perspective that I do and that not all Christians are as close-minded as I thought.