Could the origins of Christian homophobia be linked to a misinterpretation of biblical texts?

What if the anti-gay and homophobic language from the Christian right in recent decades was based on a misinterpretation of the Bible?

The film “1946: The Mistranslation that Altered Culture” examines the mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 6:9 in 1946 and its impact on the ongoing Christian anti-gay movement. Experts and academics investigate this event and its role in shaping modern attitudes towards homosexuality.

The movie’s main idea is based on the fact that the term “homosexual” was first mentioned in the Bible in 1946, possibly due to a mistake in translation of the Greek words malakoi and arsenokoitai. Malakoi refers to a person who is effeminate and indulges in a soft, lazy and idle lifestyle, while arsenokoitai is a combination word that can be translated as “male bed”. However, during that time, scholars believed that arsenokoitai referred more to abusive, predatory behavior and pederasty rather than homosexuality.

Sharon “Rocky” Roggio, the director and producer, captures the story of author Kathy Baldock and advocate Ed Oxford as they sifted through records at the Yale Sterling Memorial Library. The pair uncovered correspondence between the leader of a translation committee and a homosexual seminary student, where the committee leader acknowledged the student’s argument about a mistranslation. However, in the following translation in 1971, the committee changed the wording from “homosexual” to “sexual perverts” – but by then, the damage had already been done. Countless Bibles with the incorrect translation had been printed, and conservative religion and politics joined forces to promote an anti-gay agenda.

Roggio combined her personal experience with her research. As a teenager, her father, who was a pastor, found out that she was a lesbian and sent her a letter quoting Bible verses, urging her to change and reject her identity. In the documentary, she captures her father attending talks by Baldock and remaining steadfast in his belief that the Bible considers homosexuality to be a sin. In the film, he states, “I cannot compromise my conviction.”

“Before learning about the incorrect translation in 1946, I came across it because I recognized the importance of using scripture to discuss my reality and identity with my parents,” Roggio explained.

That didn’t make it easy. “I knew what my dad was going to give us,” Roggio said. “I have been around for a while and I’ve been dealing with this for a while and I’ve put up enough armour to be able to go back and have those conversations. And it was extremely painful, just as I’m sure it was painful for my dad.”

The film delves deeper into this personal story by also examining the academic and research aspects. It includes interviews with language specialists and biblical scholars to give a broader understanding of not only the misinterpreted verse, but also other “clobber” verses that are often used by the Christian right to condemn homosexuality. The film explores the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the historical background of the Leviticus verse that denounces men lying with other men. Scholars believe this verse was referring to ritualistic pagan prostitution rather than homosexuality.

According to Rev Dr Cheryl Anderson in the documentary, we should recognize that this text is limited by the time and culture in which it was written. Our understanding of God and the Holy Spirit should not be constrained by time. Instead, we must constantly question what the message of God is for our current time and location. This may be a new concept, but it is what the Bible does as it reinterprets itself.

During the investigation, Roggio also explored the emotional impact on the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the feeling of being deemed an abomination by religious texts and growing up with the belief that even God does not love them. In a poignant moment in the film, Oxford confesses that despite being vocal about religion and sexuality, he has not been able to allow himself to be intimate with anyone.

“I no longer become depressed about the harm caused by theology,” he states. “I have been hurt and it saddens me to see how it still impacts me in the present.”

The film, debuting this week, initially debuted in 2022 and has earned 23 accolades from festivals. However, Roggio acknowledged that it has been difficult to secure a wider audience. Prior to its release, the documentary faced criticism from conservative sources through articles, radio segments, and videos attempting to discredit its research – despite some not even watching it, according to Roggio.

a woman sitting against a window with a camera in front of her

Roggio and the film have received a significant amount of support from viewers. To help disseminate its discoveries, the film has received over 1,700 donations totaling more than $150,000 on GoFundMe. Roggio is actively seeking additional opportunities to screen the film at churches and community centers. They have also created a workbook to supplement the material presented in the film. Just as Mark 15:16 urges Christians to share the gospel with all of creation, Roggio is striving to spread the film’s message globally. She expressed her desire for millions of people to have access to this information.

For LGBTQ+ Christians like Roggio, this incorrect translation holds immense importance. It signifies that “no one has the authority to determine your connection with God,” she explained. “We’ve been instructed on how to live as Christians, by suppressing our identity and a part of who we are. But you can fully embrace your identity as both gay and Christian.” However, the message of the film extends beyond Christianity. “Regardless of your religious beliefs, the Bible has an impact on you,” Roggio stated. “It is the most widely published book in the world, translated into countless languages for thousands of years.”

During a conversation in the film, Roggio’s father shares his sorrow and dissatisfaction with what he envisioned for his child’s future before finding out she was gay. He acknowledges their similarities and reveals that at one point, he saw her following in his footsteps and becoming a minister.

Perhaps this is my calling, Roggio replies.