WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Religion Versus Homosexuality: New Documentary Tackles Sensitive Issues

Religion Versus Homosexuality: New Documentary Tackles Sensitive Issues

SAVANNAH, GA--Even for people of strong faith, the Bible can be hard to understand as applied to every day life. A new movie is earning awards, critical praise and some criticism for its depiction of the struggle between religious beliefs and homosexuality.  

Sunday night, the film was shown in Savannah to sold out crowds. It's called, "For The Bible Tells Me So," and follows five Christian, American families, each, dealing with a loved one who is gay or lesbian. The core question: Is anti-gay bias a product of a misinterpretation of the Bible?

WTOC spoke to one of the mothers involved in the film about her daughter, the movie and Savannah. "It's a sin for a man to be with a man," one of the opening clips from the movie exclaims. The words, signs and rhetoric have been around for decades.

"If homosexuals are allowed their civil rights, so should prostitutes or thieves or anyone else," another clip of anti-gay activist Anita Bryant says.

"If you tell a lie enough times, the whole world will believe it," another person says.

"What we have been taught in church was just not right. It was wrong. It was an untruth," Mary Lou Wallner told WTOC. Mary Lou has lived it. In 1988, her daughter Anna, came out as a lesbian. Because of her religious upbringing, Mary Lou at first rejected her daughter, which lead to a stormy relationship.

"On February 28, 1997, she killed herself," Mary Lou said. "She was 29."

Anna's death lead Mary Lou to re-explore her Christian beliefs. "A lot of study, a lot of prayer, a lot of reading the Bible, talking to people from both sides of the issue, just to try to figure out this thing they called homosexuality," Mary Lou said.

The creator of "For The Bible Tells Me So" spoke to Mary Lou and four other normal, Christian, American families, including former presidential candidate Dick Gephardt, whose daughter Krissy, is a lesbian. The documentary focuses on the struggle between family and theology.

"Two out of three Americans look at homosexuals with disgust, discomfort or fear," Mike Wallace is shown in a clip from the movie, reporting on the news in the ‘60s.

Mary Lou thinks attitudes have changed. "I would say it's better. I wouldn't say much better," she says.

"We want people to be able to talk about this issue," Dan Watson, organizer for Stand Out Youth Savannah, told WTOC. Sunday night, Watson and the organizers of Stand Out Youth, a local support group for teens struggling with sexual orientation, brought the movie, its creator and Mary Lou to Savannah to raise the issue here.

"Our intent is to bring this movie out and into the community and have an ongoing discussion," Watson said.

"What sets Savannah apart is Stand Out Youth," Mary Lou said. "These amazing young people are just awesome. Most of the time, I can watch the film and be pretty detached. But I was not last night. I was crying."

Mary Lou saw her own child in the Stand Out Youth kids, and she hopes the message of the film is clear. "Don't listen to your pastor or what anyone else tells you," she said. "Do your own research and make sure the conclusion you come to is what is right for you."  

All three showings of the movie last night were sold out at the Victory Stadium Theater on Victory Drive. Many had to be turned away. Now, they are talking about possibly bringing it back for a future viewing.

If you want to see the movie, contact Reel Savannah or the theater itself.  

"For The Bible Tells Me So" is on the short list of Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary and has already won a number of honors from across the county. The film has been shown in New York City, Chicago and even Little Rock, Arkansas.

Mary Lou says Savannah's response was the most emotional for her.

Reported by: Don Logana, dlogana@wtoc.com