For the Bible Tells Me So
For the Bible Tells Me So Image
Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson -- we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard's Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For the Bible Tells Me So offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the cross-hairs of scripture and sexual identity. (First Run Pictures)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    88
    Through the hard-won experiences of these families, Karslake shows that Scripture and homosexuality are not mutually exclusive, and with the help of a number of academics and theologians, shows how the Bible has been misread, particularly during the 20th century.
  2. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Andrew O'Hehir
    80
    A powerful documentary.
  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    75
    It works well as a film and a lesson about, as one open-minded preacher puts it, what the Bible "reads" about what it supposedly "says" about homosexuality.
  4. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Jessica Reaves
    75
    Doesn’t shy from heart-tugging opportunities, and there’s a five-minute cartoon embedded in the movie that should have been excised, but beyond those problems and some stylistic dead air, this is a compelling, thought-provoking portrait of a quiet challenge rising within America’s churches.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. AndrewD.
    10
    Devout Christians need not feel belittled watching this film. It takes their beliefs seriously but argues convincingly that most people have not thought this subject through exhaustively. Many people only consider the issue when a loved one comes out of the closet. The most painful journey is sometimes made by those whose struggle to understand comes in the wake of tragedy. The film is hard on those who have practiced spiritual violence, such as James Dobson (Focus On the Family) Jerry Fallwell. Religious people should realize that the Bible should not be used as a weapon of assault. Our words have power and if used irresponsibly, have the potential to lead to tragedy. The film expresses clearly the conviction that it is perfectly possible to be Christian and gay. This film is clear in its message but knows how to say things to win hearts and minds.… Expand
  2. MikeO.
    10
    Very informative & an invaluable insight into the current culture wars.
  3. smijatov
    8
    "For the Bible Tells Me So" is definitely a film that all Americans should watch! It carries the ultimate Christian message - the message of love! Love and acceptance that the church preaches but ignores in their relation to gay people. The irony is exceedingly striking in video footage of Christian fundamentalists who claim they do not hate, but love gay people... they just want to help them change. That juxtaposed to anti-gay protesters with very offensive, death-threatening signs makes the relevance of the film's message ever-more important. From a technical aspect, the film is pretty ok, but it has some messy editing, that could have been fixed and made to flow a bit better. Overall, however, it is the message of the film that is important and the shedding of light over the fictional interpretations of fundamentalists in the US on the issue of homosexuality. Definitely worth watching, if for nothing else, for a lively and (for once) informed debate.… Expand
  4. jimmytancredi
    7
    Love people, love up anything. This type of documentary is very interesting because it comes from and superimposed on those who translate the Bible in their own way, everything condemning homosexuality, an abomination. The world needs information and destruction of common sense which, they (religious-capitalists who were shown in the documentary), these traditionalists - **** that **** do not defend unless the millions who make up the poor people without structure psychological or think enough to say â… Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

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