I think this film was a fascinating point of view of the family dynamics that evolve out of fundamental ideologies. The interactions between each familial member based upon divergent ideologies in their own evolution was also interesting.

I would say that Markie Hancock’s body language towards her family does show me various forms of tension and even aggression at times. I think there is more that went on in her past than what is presented in this film. In regards to her past, I do not necessarily think something sexual happened, but I do feel confident in saying that there was some event around her time in Princeton Seminary that created the change in her towards her beliefs and subsequently her family too.

Religious zealotry have always seemed opposed to free-thinkers. I do think this film, and many others, poignantly show the defiance of the religious zealots towards rationale, reasonable discussions concerning beliefs. Most of the deontological-type people rely on circular based logic and false premise or cause-and-effect type reasoning to argue their viewpoints.

Someday, we may evolve into a position where we can civilly discuss different viewpoints in a logical, reasonable manner. However, after 2,000+ years of religions that permeate society at large indoctrinating with radical reason-defiant viewpoints; I am not holding my breathe.

~JDM

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD,,AND LOVES YOU VERY MUCH !!!,,,"SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND ,,KNOCK AND THE SHALL BE OPEN”.

What if Zeus is the real God. What if the Biblical god was actually an evil god, that was tricking all of Christianity? What if God was Imaginary. What if the world realized that there wasn’t any great afterlife and that this world and the people Alive on it Now were all that there really was?

As an advertiser I admire religion for it’s marketing genius. Convince the consumer that they are profoundly and fundamentally flawed (by original sin) and that this invisible flaw will lead to an eternity of hell, then offer your “solution” (redemption through the church) in order to correct this unseen Flaw. All that is require is a lifetime commitment (and 10% of your earnings). All the while convincing them that your right, by quoting from the ‘User Manual” (bible) that god gave to a select few special people.

My children will receive a religious education, but not the kind I received. When my daughter first asked me what the “devil” was and I told her that it was an angel that god made who became bad. She asked me “why would God make the devil?”

To which I replied to her (and all christians) “That’s a great question, I don’t know Honey-it’s just a silly story that doesn’t really make much sense”

There is a growing population of religious people in this world who are openly hating this life and too eager to move into the next-I say feel free to move on and leave this life for the rest of us who really want to live it, please.

Great work Markie-Loved the film and you for making it! (friend of Olivier)

Salin, I can’t scare anyone into believing.  Believing is a free gift of God.  He gives faith to whomever he chooses:

Acts 16:14
One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Acts 11:18
When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

In the film maker’s family some were given faith and some were not.  None deserve God’s gift of faith and so God has no obligation to give it to anyone, but gives it freely to whom He chooses.  However, His gift of faith does divide families as we see in the film and as Jesus predicted:

Luke 12
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

I can’t scare anyone into believing, only God can give faith, however fear is not all bad:

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Steve:  “What if?...” How about “So what?”

Are you trying to scare people into believing?  What’s your point?

What if the Bible is true?

What if it really is the inspired Word of God?

What if the prophets really were inspired by God to deliver His message to the world?

What if Jesus really is the Savior prophesied by Isaiah, who would be born of a Virgin, would be God, and would die for the sins of His people? (Isaiah chapters 7, 9, and 53)

What if all mankind really cannot set themselves free from the indwelling sin that enslaves them and which manifests itself in every kind of sin including homosexuality and alcoholism as depicted in this film?

What if God has power to set sinners free from the indwelling sin that enslaves them by His Almighty Spirit?  What if millions of people already testify that He has done this for them?

What if God has no obligation to free anyone from the sin that enslaves them and the consequences of it which is eternal separation from God in a place of eternal torment, the just penalty for rejecting God and loving sin?

What if God really is sovereign over His creation and powerful to draw anyone He chooses to Himself, indwelling them with His own Spirit of love, joy, and peace, and setting them free from the sin which would have sent them to eternal torment in Hell?

What if His indwelling Spirit is a free gift that He gives freely to undeserving sinners whom He chooses, removing the blindness of sin that enslaved them, and drawing them irresistibly to Himself, the One who is perfect in every way?

What if God really is totally free to save whomever He desires while passing over the rest since no one is deserving of His love and salvation because of their sins, but rather are deserving of His punishment as a just penalty for their sins?

What if Jesus really is the Son of God and His Words are true? 

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” “
(John 6)

What if the Bible is true?

What if it really is the inspired Word of God?

What if the prophets really were inspired by God to deliver His message to the world?

What if Jesus really is the Savior prophesied by Isaiah, who would be born of a Virgin, would be God, and would die for the sins of His people? (Isaiah chapters 7, 9, and 53)

What if all mankind really cannot set themselves free from the indwelling sin that enslaves them and which manifests itself in every kind of sin including homosexuality and alcoholism as depicted in this film?

What if God has power to set sinners free from the indwelling sin that enslaves them by His Almighty Spirit?  What if millions of people already testify that He has done this for them?

What if God has no obligation to free anyone from the sin that enslaves them and the consequences of it which is eternal separation from God in a place of eternal torment, the just penalty for rejecting God and loving sin?

What if God really is sovereign over His creation and powerful to draw anyone He chooses to Himself, indwelling them with His own Spirit of love, joy, and peace, and setting them free from the sin which would have sent them to eternal torment in Hell?

What if His indwelling Spirit is a free gift that He gives freely to undeserving sinners whom He chooses, removing the blindness of sin that enslaved them, and drawing them irresistibly to Himself, the One who is perfect in every way?

What if God really is totally free to save whomever He desires while passing over the rest since no one is deserving of His love and salvation because of their sins, but rather are deserving of His punishment as a just penalty for their sins?

What if Jesus really is the Son of God and His Words are true? 

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” “
(John 6)

What if the Bible is true?

What if it really is the inspired Word of God?

What if the prophets really were inspired by God to deliver His message to the world?

What if Jesus really is the Savior prophesied by Isaiah, who would be born of a Virgin, would be God, and would die for the sins of His people? (Isaiah chapters 7, 9, and 53)

What if all mankind really cannot set themselves free from the indwelling sin that enslaves them and which manifests itself in every kind of sin including homosexuality and alcoholism as depicted in this film?

What if God has no obligation to free anyone from the sin that enslaves them and the consequences of it which is eternal separation from God in a place of eternal torment as the just penalty for rejecting God and loving sin?

What if God really is sovereign over His creation and powerful to draw anyone He chooses to Himself, indwelling them with His own Spirit of love, joy, and peace, and setting them free from the sin which would have sent them to eternal torment in Hell?

What if His indwelling Spirit is a free gift that He gives freely to undeserving sinners whom He chooses, removing the blindness of sin that enslaved them, and drawing them irresistibly to Himself, the One who is perfect in every way?

What if God really is totally free to save whomever He desires while passing over the rest since no one is deserving of His love and salvation because of their sins, but rather are deserving of His punishment as a just penalty for their sins?

What if Jesus really is the Son of God and His Words are true? 

“And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” “
(John 6)

Great film!  Except for the part of Markie not believing in God, this is MY story too!  So much hurt to overcome--so much conditional love....how can others profess to “love” us and yet their actions are exclusionary?  I don’t expect family to “accept” me or my partner (it just won’t happen) but I do expect them to follow what the Bible teaches and that is to “love one another....” and this “love” is not conditional.  Wouldn’t it be great if our families would “love us back to the Lord” instead of segregating us into the world of unbelievers and not have much to do with us?!  Didn’t Christ associate with sinners in an effort to “love them” into the fold?  But, I’m just rambling.....Great movie!

Hey you sound even-handed to me… haha j/k
Enlightening movie, with pertinent questions regarding why a person believes, and to what extent.

Joshua L.
http://theist.com

The attitude is attributable to humans and everything we do.  It’s not just religion.  Even the most cynical and skeptical among us has some kind of belief system, even if that belief system is called science...and we ridicule and despise people who do not agree with our beliefs.  Until people change getting rid of religion will not fix the problem, and evolution happens slowly.  Give us a million years...maybe then.

Very powerful.  Truth does that.  I recommend this film to everyone.

Josh Nankivel
http://non-theist.com

This one here, it hit close to home.

What a fine document and family portrait. The overwhelming problem with most if not all religions is the attitude:My God is greater than your God...OR My God is the only God!...God is a man and there is only one way TO God.

this film told me that you were a sheep that wanted to be a goat the grass was green on the other side of the fence and you went with the world .... the name you were given at birth put you on the path to be gay ... i looked up the symbols in your name and you have a lot of perversions in the name you were given ...your name has a dark circle and its keeping you in the box ... the dark box and square way of thinking .. keeping you in darkness .. much love to you sister your life is not over yet ...

This film is close to my heart for more than one person in my family has come to this conclusion. I too was a born again for a period of time in my young life, then I found my heart and knew there is no place for believing only one way to the same moutain. A moutain has many side to climb and the only way up the moutain is where you start the climb. Each person works their way up and finds that the sight is just as beautiful as the ascent. Lessons learned and beautiful aha moments which bring to ones heart the beauty of love, for love is all that maters in the end. Is there an end, and do we have the right to say what that end is? Tolerance is most important in our changing times. WE all need to remember to love on another period.

This is in response to Bob (and any Christian who wonders why there are “recovering Christians.")
Sooooo many others do not question their faith, they refuse to think, they become “sheep” or “children,” they simply believe, which, true, is an admonition of the Bible.  Unfortunately most Christians do not study their religion, if they did they would find that the bible was written by men, and rewritten, and rewritten, and that the basis for their religion is just as based in historical problems as any other religion.  Not all are chosen to close off their minds to reason, love, and kindness, not all are chosen to believe that others are going to a wicked wicked place because a book that was written by powerful white men tells them so.  Want to find some recovering Christians--look at seminary students, biblical historians, divinity students, and generally anybody who has actually studied Christianity

I hope this lady can reconcile her relationships with family and God.

It’s sad when the older brother had said he’s not sure if his sister and brother are going to heaven.  That’s the way I feel I have two sister’s and a brother.  And they also have kids.

Interesting film.  Why do people like this woman, and Bart Ehrman turn from their Christian roots when sooo many others do not?  Perhaps an answer is found in the biblical admonition to make sure of your faith - that it is real and not fake.  For these people I have to really believe that it is (was) never real tho it seemed so because of their upbringing.  Is it perhaps better to come to your faith instead of being brought up in it?  Probably not, but the point is that each individual needs to come to their faith whether brought up in it or not.  Not all are chosen even if they are brought up as if they were.

Well, this was good all in all. It explians what an iron-fisted conservative to the max evangelical family can do to someone who has never had a chance to go outside of the box. As a christan, it’s hard for me to see her parents and her brother not try to be more involved in her life, after all chrstianity is about relationships. I know if it were my daughter, I would be tempted to travel to the ends of the earth and spend as much time as possible. The disscusion between her brother and her was the best, it is at the core of it all. The divide is there but it is not great. It is a simple yet fundamental one. So many issues in this movie and so little time. I think that Markie was at least trying to give her all to the Lord and her guilt nor anything else could convince her that the Lord has forgiven her of her sins and that her life could be spirit lead if she understood the implications of God in the grand scheme. I just know I like sex and food to make indulgent lifestyles out of them and damage me and my familes relationship, also friends...it would not be worth it. But, that’s my personal story and this is hers.

This is not just a film about division from an evangelical family, it’s a strong examination of just some of the things that can divide any family. I was brought up in a right wing Republican Catholic household and somehow managed to morph out of that world into becoming a moderately liberal democrat today. Fortunately for me, my parents accepted, respected and celebrated my individuality (although my Mother will still never understand my support for any democrat ). I saw many parallels in this film with my life, and while I am able to celebrate the diversity among us, this film serves as an important reminder that there are still those conditional “dividers” that continue to plague so many families. Wonderful film.

I just finished watching _Born Again_ and, as someone raised fundamentalist (Southern Baptist) I want to thank you for making your film. I had a hard enough time (a) getting out of religion and (b) getting religion out of me--not to mention telling my Ma I had done so--that I can barely imagine the added difficulty of conducting these discussions on film--even without the further complication of sexual identity. (I think my parents would have pretty much disowned me entirely had I been gay. It seems weird how high up on their hierarchy of sin homosexuality is.) But anyway, thank you again and best of luck with your life and family.

I just finished watching _Born Again_ and, as someone raised fundamentalist (Southern Baptist) I want to thank you for making your film. I had a hard enough time (a) getting out of religion and (b) getting religion out of me--not to mention telling my Ma I had done so--that I can barely imagine the added difficulty of conducting these discussions on film--even without the further complication of sexual identity. (I think my parents would have pretty much disowned me entirely had I been gay. It seems weird how high up on their hierarchy of sin homosexuality is.) But anyway, thank you again and best of luck with your life and family.

I’m a Christian and I also see the divisions it makes in society. I sometimes feel I’m in a constant conflict with acceptance of myself and sometimes others.  I feel at “odds” with myself alot....

This film is powerful as it shows the ramifications to family when beliefs are not in sync.  Markie does an amazing job at showing the disconnect in her family but finally finds her own family.  Very genuine.

A powerful film about the affects of religion/culture in one’s view of sexual orientation. I like how Markie takes you to the cliff of when religion serves to divide rather than to include. The unease and unwillingness of the parents and the brother towards the acceptance of who she is, along with the resentment of the other brother towards their born again upbringing creates the wonderful [sic] living dialogue of the importance of how we bring up our children, of the results of this upbringing, and the perpetual consequences that ensue.

Nicely done, I couldn’t agree more.