Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Veil of Deception: The Impact of Same Sex Marriage on American Youth is a DVD from www.missionamerica.com, a Christian organization whose goal is to "cover the latest cultural and social trends in our country and what they might mean for Christians."
Discolsure: I am reviewing this particular DVD as part of the Mind & Media network of reviewers, who are given books and other media by publishers in exchange for an honest review on their site.
This DVD is aimed at educating and mobilizing Christians around the issue of opposing gay marriage. The narrator guides us through a series of news clips about the public battle over the definition of marriage, as well as speeches and interviews with conservatives involved in promoting traditional marriage. It ends with a plea for action on the part of all Christians.
The strong point of the video is that it makes a somewhat convincing link between the redefinition of marriage in the courts and the success of pro-homosexual curriculum in the public schools. The argument is that once same-sex marriage becomes legal, we will be obligated to teach it in the schools as legal and therefore OK, since it is the law of the land.
This point should be made clear to every Christian – when we are fighting for the public and legal definition of marriage, we are also safeguarding our schools from having to teach homosexuality as a normal, sanctioned activity.
The video quality is a bit low, and much of it is obviously simple camcorder footage. Also, for me, there is a disconnect between the alarmist and ambiguous title, and the overly calm and matter of fact presentation of the material. The title should avoid the trite and meaningless term "veil of deception" – it’s a cute play on the "marriage veil", but unfortunately, this play on words, although supported by the snake coming out of a veil in the cover artwork, are too over the top. To be respected, they should probably show two gays getting married rather than a snake coming out from the veil – that’s too spooky.
The matter of fact tone of the piece is also a bit understated, and could be a little more of a call to arms – it aims at being a kind of news report or documentary, but it doesn’t really drive home it’s point in a structured way. It could be sharpened with a better narration and better idea development.
However, it is an noble effort in a social battle that promises to continue. I would like to see a second effort in the same vein with a little more time spent on the production and writing.
I agree with you. I thought the quality was a little lacking and that they didn't do enough to make the connection between same-sex marriage and homosexual advocacy in schools. You can see my review of this DVD at this link.
Conversations about GOD and struggling to be Gay
Is religion something that only belongs to a few? Taking a secular point of view, FISH
CAN’T FLY explores the lives of Gay men and women of faith as they recall their journeys to
put their sexuality and spirituality in harmony. While the whole concept of changing ones’
sexual orientation may be viewed with a high level of skepticism, ridicule and even humor
by the larger GLBT community, these are the stories of those who have tried.
Finding that their strong religious convictions and faith seemed to be used against them,
these are the personal stories of people who have participated in “ex-gay” ministries and
found in fact that they did not provide a “cure“…. the answers seemed to come from
within. The stories they recall are sad, frightening, poignant and yet surprisingly inspiring
and enlightening. With less of a focus on the "ex-gay" movement, the film is more about
the telling of stories behind the debate and the role religion can play in one's life. During
our lives, each of us embarks on a journey to find our place in the world. Being Gay can
make that process more difficult….being Gay and having strong religious convictions can
make it doubly hard.
The film contains candid, fascinating and heartfelt discussions about God and being Gay.
There are even some surprisingly humorous events in hindsight. With the current social
and political climate, this feature length documentary by award winning filmmaker Tom
Murray, is timely. http://www.fishcantfly.com/
Interesting. I wonder where it will be showing? Since I live close to San Fran, I may be able to catch it there. However, it would be better to catch it on video.
I guess I'll watch Fish Can't Fly and I Do Exist together and provide my own feedback.
This is absurd – you want to deny Americans rights simply because your Bible says it's wrong. I'd like to find a book somewhere to deny Christians their rights wholesale – maybe their right to use money – simply so they can feel the pain of an unnecessary crackdown that's bad for everybody involved.
Homosexuals have the same right to marry someone of the other sex as heteros ;). They have the right to be gay and live together. They just don't have the right to make their immorality and maladaptation a norm in our land.
Homosexuality has not been proven to be normal, nor healthy, nor genetic in origin. Norming such maladaptions (sins, coping mechanisms, perversions, whatever noun you like) are bad for society because they preclude the healing of such persons, and promote such unhealthy modes of being, which erodes the fabric of civil society. That's the argument.
Christianity has not been proven to be normal, nor healthy, nor genetic in origin. Norming such maladaptions (sins, coping mechanisms, perversions, whatever noun you like) are bad for society because they preclude the healing of such persons, and promote such unhealthy modes of being, which erodes the fabric of civil society.
I might add that, given the violent and oppressive history of Christianity, and the present-day backwardness it promotes (ie, anti-science, anti-semitic, anti-gay, misogynistic, etc) it should not be tolerated. It is definitely a danger to our children and their education. Its emphasis on an unprovable and completely unrealistic "spiritual world" is pure superstition and should be discouraged, with legislation if necessary. We should promote ex-christian movements and therapy to help these individuals live a healthy and productive life away from their pathology. The christian agenda must be stopped!
anti-science, anti-semitic, anti-gay, misogynistic?
Wrong on all counts, except for anti-gay, and even that is a misnomer.
I was jerking your chain, buddy. Don't like the taste of your own medicine?
Actually, that was a nice turn of phrase, smart and amusing. But I still disagree.