For the Bible Tells Me So

Forthebibletellsmeso.org

I watched this movie in class today. Not only was it one of the most thought-provoking films I have seen, it really called me to question my thoughts on homosexuality and religion. Religion in America and homosexuality are both topics I like learning about. They are equally very controversial to our society.

In the hour and twenty minutes that this movie ran, I managed to scribble down a page of notes I thought to be interesting. Most of my thoughts are not fully investigated, but maybe I can piece them together enough to get you to watch the film.

- Prejudice was born in the church. The church is an institution where people of power (white males) have used the Bible as a source of oppression to "other" groups. Other groups in the past have been African-Americans and women. Now the "other" group is homosexuals.

- Hatred of homosexuals could also stem from the long belief that women are inferior to males. Typically it is generalized that men are more feminine if they are gay and their masculinity is lost. Feminine men are thought of as a bad thing in our culture. Lately this has not been looked upon as so bad, but in the past gay men were stereotyped as acting transsexual.

- The Bible has been taken too literally on its stance on homosexuality. Right-winged Christians claim the Bible addressed the issue of homosexuality 6-7 times. Now, I am not a Bible expert, but from what I have read of these 6-7 passages doesn't blatantly discuss homosexuality at all. Sodom and Gamorrah has so many ambiquities and translations that it would be jumping to conclusions to think it was about punishing homosexuality.

- In the Bible there is a theme of take what you have and give it to the poor. Obviously, people don't take this passage too literally, so why do they exploit the more ambiguous ones to subordinate gays/lesbians/bisexuals/transgendered?


- Bible literalists are typically capitalists who use there conservative believes to make money off the Bible (politicians).

- Humans are not the only species who have homosexuals. Lions, sheep, zebras, among thousands of other animals have same sex relationships.


- The oppression of homosexuals has caused suicide rates to be three to seven times higher than that of heterosexual individuals. This rate continues to climb. Every five hours one homosexual successfully commits suicide.

- Bible literalists claim being a homosexual results in "abomination." Eating shrimp, having two seeds in one hole, working on sabbath, wearing linen and wool simultaineously also causes "abomination." Would people be criticized, terrorized, and feared for doing any of these other acts?

- When people say "This is what the Bible says," respond back, "No, that is what the Bible reads." There is a big difference.