The Documentary Film
Backstory
The first time the word “homosexual” appeared in any bible was in the Revised Standard Version (RSV) published in February 11, 1946. In the RSV’s translation of 1 Corinthians 6:9, the word “homosexual” was used in lieu of the Greek words “malakoi” and “arsenokoitai.” Researchers agree today these words translate loosely to “effeminacy,” and “pervert,” or “sexual pervert.” The decision to use the word “homosexual” instead of the accurate translations was voted on by the RSV committee. 1946 explores how this mistranslation ignited the anti-gay movement within American conservative Christians.
Evidence
Kathy Baldock and Ed Oxford have dedicated their lives to researching the roots of anti-gay theology. As part of their extensive research, they uncovered 90 boxes of notes from the archives at Yale University. Filed in these boxes for over five decades, was a letter sent to the RSV translation committee, written by a young seminarian named David S.
In the letter, David points out the dangerous implications that could come with the mistranslation and misuse of the word “homosexual.” Dr. Luther Weigle, the head of the translation committee, wrote a letter back to David S. to acknowledge their mistake and commit to correcting their grave error.
Unfortunately, the revised version of the RSV which replaced “homosexual” with “sexual perverts” wasn’t published until 1971 — 25 years after the mistranslation occurred. By then, other translations of the Bible had applied the RSV’s use of “homosexual” in biblical texts.
The Effect
Today, the misuse of the word “homosexual” appears in most translations of the Bible, namely in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. Sadly, this has become the foundation for much of the anti-gay culture that exists today, especially in religious spaces.
Many conservative religious leaders have used these biblical texts to condemn and marginalize LGBTQ+ Christians. And society at large has been shaped — at least in part — to believe the idea that sexual and gender minorities must choose between their faith and their identity.
The film features the research of Kathy Baldock and Ed Oxford along with biblical and ancient scholars: Rev. Dr. Cheryl Anderson, Rabbi Steven Greenberg, Rev. Dr. Angela Parker, Trevor Thompson, and Dr. David Potter.
We hope this film's evidence and stories will challenge our assumptions and change our hearts.
credit: content & images for this page taken from www.1946themovie.com
