religion

At a press conference in Houston Wednesday, Jay Bakker [pictured] issued an open invitation to families from Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church - the largest church in the U.S. - to share a picnic with LGBT families in Houston’s Levy Park on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

The fact that you’re asking this question means you’re not quite as agnostic as you claim. You are probably a lapsed Catholic, protestant, or Jew who eschewed church- or synagogue-going shortly after your confirmation or bar/bat mitzvah but deep down still harbor latent religious impulses that you don’t admit to yourself.

The Free Press, in Mankato MN, is reporting on the incredible public response to the documentary For The Bible Tells Me So.

The film focuses on the debate about gays-in-the-church. And many pro-gay veterans of theological discussions give their positions on the subject throughout the documentary.

Former House majority leader Dick Gephardt and his daughter, Chrissy Gephardt appear together in the film.

Dr. Warren Throckmorton, producer of the documentary I Do Exist has started a lively discussion on his blog.

At issue is the number of studies done on same-sex parenting, and how much favorable data it may take to satisfy questions about our ability to be good parents.

One commenter on WThrockmorton.com writes:

Anyone and Everyone is a documentary film about having a lesbian or gay child.

Families from diverse backgrounds including Japanese, Bolivian, and Cherokee - and various religious denominations like Mormon, Jewish, and Southern Baptist - share their sensitive stories of children coming out.

The parents also talk about being ostracized by relatives, friends, and religious congregations.

"It was so evil and so bad that we almost couldn’t talk about it... You just had the idea it was so terrible that it was unspeakable," said a Mormon mother in the film.

Anne Hart, from Southern Mamas blog, wrote a great piece for the Savannah Morning News about a group of young people who are reaching out to each other for support.

CNN's Wolf Blitzer recently interviewed Chrissy Gephardt and her dad to discuss Chrissy's new film, For the Bible Tells Me So.

Here's a transcript of the appearance:

WOLF: The former House majority leader and presidential candidate, Dick Gephardt, is teaming up with his daughter, Chrissy. They’re speaking out about her decision to come out. They appear in a new documentary about Christianity and homosexuality.