Two Boise churches to host LGBTQ+ rights, Biblical mistranslation documentary screening
The Rev. Josh Lee talks to a reporter at Boise's First Congregational United Church of Christ on February 3, 2025. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
Two Boise churches are hosting a free event on March 11 to showcase a documentary highlighting the religious rise of the anti-LGBTQ+ movement.
Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ and the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will show, '1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture,' which discusses how scholars and theologians in 1946 mistranslated two Greek words used in earlier editions of the Bible into the word 'homosexual.' The mistranslation resulted in many Christians justifying anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment with the Bible.
As Idaho legislators push to create policies that affect the LGBTQ+ community, the Rev. Josh Lee of the Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ said the event can help Idahoans speak to legislators, family members and others who may use the Bible to justify their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Participants will have a chance to engage in a discussion after the screening, he said.
When: 7 p.m. March 11 Where: Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2201 Woodlawn Ave.
Lee decided to host this event after he testified against House Joint Memorial 1, a legislative petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse its decision that legalized same-sex marriage. After testifying about his experience being a pastor who is married to a man, legislators asked him why he did not view being gay as a sin.
'It became clear that many of these legislators, as well as other people of faith in attendance, lacked an understanding of the history behind the evolving translations of their own Bibles and were unfamiliar with the complex history of gay theology as it relates to scripture,' he said.
Faith drives Idaho legislator to reverse same-sex marriage. These faith leaders push back.
Lee said he doesn't believe legislative hearings are the appropriate setting for theological debates, which is why he decided to host this event at the church he represents.
'We're hosting this event because the documentary sheds light on an issue that is deeply aligned with our core values of justice, compassion, and community engagement,' Lee told the Idaho Capital Sun. 'It's an opportunity to raise awareness, spark important conversations, and inspire action around a topic that affects many of us.'
The term 'homosexual' was introduced into the Bible in 1946, Lee said, and since then, it has been weaponized against the LGBTQ+ community. Lee said he believes educating people about this history is essential for healing and freedom for the LGBTQ+ community.
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