1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture

This documentary was so well made. It was very intentional to back up its claims with well founded research. I also really liked how they didn't hide the counter points and how a mother and father can still coexist even if they have completely different view points. It was amazing the people they were able to find and interview. As well as poke holes in what most Christian's would view as a "non-debatable" fact that the Bible denounces homosexuality. This documentary was so good and so helpful for someone like me, a gay Christian. It was great to buy extra tickets for my parents and family members who disagree with the idea of a gay Christian. Though I'm not sure they were fully convinced, the important thing was it got them truly thinking critically on the topic. Highly recommend!

You'd have to have your head in the sand to not have seen, lately, that the church is in tumult. From the Catholic Church and their sex scandals, deep inside of Protestantism with The Methodist Church, and through Evangelical Circles, the upheaval is live, and the world is watching it on Prime-Time Television.

This is especially true for the Evangelical church(es) as, for the first time since their arrival into the realm of Christendom - especially in America 150 years ago or so, they find themselves on the receiving end of scrutiny and public opinion.

What's one of the issues causing tremors? Gay folk. Or rather, LGBTQIA folk.

Over the course of several years, other documentaries have come out speaking about the effects of homophobia in the church. While those have been great films, what sets 1946 apart is their approach. The set out to not just talk about cause and effect of homophobia on folks who grew up in religion but to tackle an issue that has far more reaching implications beyond human sexuality. The error of Biblical Literalism.

Through the use of theologians, scholars, historians, and linguists, the "clobber" passages are opened up and examined thoroughly, carefully, even lovingly, amidst the backdrop of personal stories of the researchers who came to do the work.

1946 is a powerful film that is healing to those who've been hurt by bad theology in regard to human sexuality, a beacon of hope to the next generation of children coming up and asking themselves about God and what it means to be a human being, and a warning - a clear sign of the times- that this thing we call the Bible doesn't belong to any specific group or hierarchy. And it certainly doesn't belong to the powers that be inside these organizations to be used as a bludgeon.

This is a message Luther tried to make clear 500 years ago that, for whatever reason, needs to be reexplained.

I think 1946 is simply the beginning.

This changes everything, humbly showing both sides, without compromising my faith. I understand and receive these facts. It's pretty simple stuff. I'm so glad I didn't turn my straight heart away from this life-changing information. Even as a boomer, I can grow.

I'm adding more words here only because it is required... I am a great grandmother, raised Christian but didn't get serious about my relationship with God until I was 37. Since then I have studied the Bible a lot. I disagreed with the rejection of loving, gay, citizens from my large Baptist Church. But I deeply regret sitting quietly, appearing to agree with that stoic, hateful mindset. Seeing this film, receiving these beautifully presented facts, how could anyone ignore that the Bible was wrongfully altered in 1946. This is a must watch! I've seen it twice now and believe this should be a requirement in high school. Yes, to graduate and move forward. It is that essential!

Let us no longer be minions and just flow with a text that was altered AFTER our country was founded. It is for liberty Christ came to set us free.

This film has empowered me to rightly educate my children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren.

1946 was a very well made and informative documentary. It follows the stories of 3 people as they research how to be faithful to God and LGBTQ+ allies. I appreciate that the documentary specifically focused on being educational and reconciliatory over being aggressive and condemning. I'm currently working on some discussion questions but this is an excellent discussion starter. And while you won't come away knowing every single argument to the difficult Biblical passages they discuss, you will have a really good starting point. An encouraging, but also potentially triggering, watch for those who are exploring their religious and sexual identities. Personally, I've only been an ally for a few years and am struggling through my own church hurt and religious identity- and this was a hope filled watch. And it didn't have to be. I loved how they ended it. God loves you.

I think this is one of the most important films I've ever seen. Spreading the knowledge of how these harmfully inadequate interpretations ended up in this ancient text I think is extremely important for the queer+ community. Growing up being told who I was is "wrong" or that an experience with the divine was impossible because of fundamental aspect of myself was very damaging to me and many others in my community. The lives lost or wasted as a result of this harmful theology can never fully be put right, but sharing this information with others is a huge first step in correcting these toxic ideas so they aren't perpetuated to future generations. Only by being made aware and learning from past mistakes can we work towards repairing some of the damage done and creating a better life for everyone. It starts with winsomely sharing this with people and lovingly challenging harmful ideas. I'm hoping for wide distribution to be available soon!