Following Fiona's study skills advice I asked myself 3 Questions before watching this documentary.
Who benefits from this belief system?
Parents in this documentary descibed using the Bible to try and make their children conform to social norms and what they believe is a Holy way of life.
It is also suggested that Politicians use Christianity to win favour with their constituents.
There are many self appointed 'Guru's' in America that benefit financially. The make claims of being able to cure Homosexuality. This is represented in this documentary by a man called James Dobson.
James Dobson carved a career out of preaching Christian Parenting advise , without being qualified to do so. In this documentary he is given a kind of Villain status due to his homophobic teachings.
Is the Bible misinterpreted?
From watching this documentary and drawing on my own experience I am certain that The Bible is misinterpreted to make homophobic behaviour acceptable.
The Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination that should be punished by death. Other behaviours in the Bible that are also described as an Abomination are , eating shrimp and working on the Sabbath.
How is childhood effected?
All of the families in this documentary found that having a gay son or daughter brought a sense of shame , sadness , fear and anger. The main topic that the parents found difficult was acceptance of their child's sexual orientation.
The children experienced feelings of inadequacy , becoming an outcast in there own community and a feeling that they have committed a sin.
One Mother in this documentary lost contact with her daughter because she could not accept her daughter's homosexuality. Her daughter committed suicide before they had a chance to reconcile.
The documentary follows 5 American , Christian families with Homosexual children.
Shocking , sad , thought provoking. Really opened my eyes to the discrimination that still goes on today. I would be really interested to see if this is also reflected in Britain.
fish can't fly is another one in the library . Sad but true. loved your analysis
ReplyDelete