Fish Out of Water
My Thoughts: As a supporter of gay rights and as a Christian, this documentary not only resonated with my beliefs, but also answered a lot of questions I had about my own faith and societal views. What does God actually think about homosexuality? How can gay people be condemned when one of Jesus’ main teachings is to love your neighbor as yourself?And is same sex marriage acceptable within the context of the Bible? Also, as Christians who claim to live out a life based on a gospel of love, how can they condone open (or any) hatred of another person or group of people? I feel as though this film is perfect for those who may be on the fence about the issue or those people like me who just can’t accept that Jesus would condemn homosexuals to be sinners.
Why it Works: One device that made the film successful is the organization. Dickens begins by giving the viewer context beyond the issue by sharing her story. She then goes through several Bible verses that are commonly interpreted to deem homosexuals as “sinners;” she uses interviews to explain how each one is twisted against homosexuals and how they can also be interpreted to be accepting of homosexuality or not even be about homosexuality.
The interviews she uses work in two different ways. First she has member of the LGBT community talking about their own experiences with Christianity. With Dickens’ story, it makes the film personal and intimate. Second she interviews prominent members of the church (reverends, pastors, etc.) on both sides of the issue. This gives her film a huge amount of credibility because these are people who are knowledgeable about the Bible and are looked to for spiritual guidance. And although there isn’t equal representations on both sides of the issue, she does make an effort to present both views.
Explore the Issue Further:
The film — Fish Out of Water
Article — What the Bible Says - And Doesn’t Say - About Homosexuality
