For those interested in documentaries, arguing or both, the Faulkner County Library in Conway is hosting a showing and discussion of the award-winning and controversial film For the Bible Tells Me So, which tackles the topic of reconciling homosexuality and Christian scripture. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
The full announcement from the library (i.e., I am not the author of the opinions expressed herein):
The Faulkner County Library is proud to announce a Doc and Talk Movie night and discussion concerning the consequences of homophobia. The documentary to be screened is For the Bible Tells Me So. The screening of the film will be followed by a community discussion and presentation by Mary Lou Wallner of T.E.A.C.H. ministries. This movie night and presentation will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. The film will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by the discussion. The community is welcome to participate in the discussion following the movie. There will be free popcorn and drinks! Help the library reduce and reuse by bringing your own bowl for popcorn!
The documentary For the Bible Tells Me So asks, “Does God really condemn loving homosexual relationships? Is the chasm separating Christianity from gays and lesbians too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate?”
These questions and more are answered in this award-winning documentary, which brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture – and reveals that religious anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a misinterpretation of the Bible.
Through the experiences of five very normal, Christian, American families – including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson – we discover how people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child or family member. Offering healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual orientation, this landmark film “boldly takes on a loaded topic and examines it both intellectually and emotionally; the result may well leave you blinking away a few tears.” (Seattle Times). Honors for the documentary include a nomination for a grand jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and the audience award for best documentary at the Seattle Film Festival.
Mary Lou Wallner (also featured in the film) of T.E.A.C.H. ministries will host the community discussion. Mary Lou Wallner lost her lesbian Christian daughter to suicide in February of 1997. Being raised in a fundamentalist, legalistic church environment, Mary Lou was taught the untruth that homosexuality is a sin. Her journey from “tragedy to transformation” is nothing short of amazing. She and her husband, Bob, are strong allies for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender people. They have a sincere desire to see the church accept and welcome GLBT people just the way God made them. The mission of T.E.A.C.H. ministries is To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia through public speaking, brochures, workshops, videos, books, and any and all other appropriate means.
For more information on this event contact the Faulkner County Library at 501-327-7482. Refreshment donations are always needed for special events (2-liters of soda especially!) The event is free and open to the public.
Tags: Bible, controversy, conway, documentaries, documentary, faulkner county library, film, gay, GLBT, homosexuality, movies, religion