Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Carole Mikita Reporting The first openly-gay bishop of the Episcopal Church has traveled to Utah as part of the Sundance Film Festival. He has a starring role in a new documentary.
Bishop Gene Robinson gained international attention when he was ordained, but the reason he and his parents were asked to be in this film was his outreach to gays who are seeking to express their faith and have that faith accepted.
Courtesy "For the Bible Tells Me So": "When people ask questions about homosexuality, it almost always they follow with ‘and what does the bible really say about it?'"
A provocative new documentary challenges traditional Christian interpretations of the Bible. Knowing so many gay and lesbian young people, who are struggling with their faith, the filmmaker felt it was important to start the dialogue about religion.
Daniel Karslake, Director/Producer, "For the Bible Tells Me So": "There were so many Christian denominations in America that were kind of at war, over homosexuality and what to do with it and how to welcome or not welcome gay and lesbian people."
The film focuses on five Christian families; one of them being Rep. Dick Gephardt's. They are Catholic, but his daughter, Crissy, is a lesbian.
Crissy Gephardt: "In fact, there were two things that I remember that were an abomination, homosexuality and suicide."
Courtesy "For the Bible Tells Me So": "There was just huge security, Gene had a bullet-proof vest under his vestments and I realized how scary it must have been for him."
Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, who is openly-gay, is another subject. He, his ex-wife and parents all agreed to be part of the film.
Bishop Gene Robinson, "For the Bible Tells Me So": "Dan found his way into my office, at the time I was getting the most death threats and I had the most careful security around me, and he told me about this film. There was a voice inside me that said, 'you just have to do this.'"
The bishop believes this film can help so many who have felt rejected by their faiths.
Bishop Gene Robinson, "For the Bible Tells Me So": "After all, we all need God. We all need purpose in our lives, we all need the answers to life's big questions and gay or lesbian people are no different."
Courtesy "For the Bible Tells Me So": "Once they realize who we are up-close-and-personal, that fear begins to go away."
"For the Bible Tells Me So" has two more screenings at the festival, tomorrow afternoon and Friday morning, both in Park City.
