A Personal Look at "For the Bible Tells Me So"

Sunday I will spend part of the afternoon watching the film “For the Bible Tells Me So” at the Liberal Catholic Church in Casa Grande and being a panelist for a discussion after the film. A growing rural area halfway between Tucson and Phoenix, Casa Grande is in search for an identity that is not about being a suburb of either Tucson or Phoenix.

I needed to preview the film and give myself plenty of time this week to process its content and prepare to the best panelist I could be on Sunday. So in goes the DVD which starts with a tearful Anita Bryant wiping a fruit pie from her face and praying for the homosexual that hurled it at her from across the room.

For 95 minutes I was taken on an unexpected journey. I didn’t expect to feel physically sick, I bawled like a baby, I let out several of those guttural activist grunts, I was educated, I cheered, I was challenged in my own prejudices about religion and I was angry.

Having been raised Catholic I am all too familiar with the abuse religious institutions heap on its congregants to maintain order, to make money and to ensure there is always an “other”. (You’ll have to see the film to understand “other”.)

The film finally ended and the song “True Colors” begins to a backdrop of photo stills and film credits. I leaned forward in my chair, exhausted, tears still streaming down my cheeks. From across the room Aspen, my dog, jumps down from the couch comes over to my chair and puts his head in my lap. He looked up at me as if to say, “I’m giving you a hug.”

I don’t know what I will say sitting on that panel next Sunday. I can’t predict that I wouldn’t repeat tonight’s emotional journey, including the various outbursts that surprised even me. I can only hope (some would say pray) that I find the same gentle kindness Aspen brought with me next Sunday when undoubtedly there will be folks in the room with their own anger, prejudices and joy to process.

I’ll let you know how it goes,

Barbara McCullough-Jones

Executive Director of Equality Arizona

Click here for a list of "For the Bible Tells Me So" viewings.

For the Bible Tells Me So- viewings across Arizona

For the Bible Tells Me So allows viewers to discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child by walking them through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families.

Viewings of For the Bible Tells Me So will be followed by an open and frank discussion with faith and community leaders about the impact and implications of the film and how this divide between the religious and lgbt community might be bridged in Arizona. All are welcome with an open mind.

RSVP today! Showings locations include;

Valley Unitarian Universalist Church Friday, Feb 13th 7:00pm
Good Shepherd United Church of Christ Tuesday, Feb 17th 7:00pm
Flagstaff Federated Community Church Saturday, Feb 21st 7:00pm
New Vision Spiritual Growth Center Saturday, March 7th 6:30pm
St Michael & All Angels Liberal Catholic Church Sunday, March 8th 4:00pm

Please visit http://www.education.equalityarizona.org/ for a complete list of film showing locations and to RSVP for a showing near you!

For the Bible Tells Me So

Equality Arizona is teaming up with First Run Features and faith organizations from across the state to bring award winning documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So" to Arizona through out the Spring.

Can the love between two people ever be an abomination? Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? The film notes, most Christians no longer feel it is necessary to kill anyone who works on the Sabbath or eats shrimp though the Bible still reads that way. "For the Bible Tells Me So" allows viewers to discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child by walking them through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families.

The opening presentation of For the Bible Tells me So will be held at the Church of Beatitudes on Tuesday, February 10th starting at 7:00pm. The film will be followed by an open and frank discussion with faith and community leaders about the impact and implications of the film and how this divide between the religious and lgbt community might be bridged in Arizona. All are welcome with an open mind and a $5 suggested donation.

Click here for more information and to RSVP.