Bill Maher's New Movie "Religulous"

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Why would God punish those that have questioned his/her existence? To me, if there is a God, my idea of him/her would be one that is forgiving and loving of every creature that is on this earth.

I struggle with this idea too. I used to argue with a couple of folks who were very traditional "by the book" Christians about people who hadn't "accepted Christ" going to hell. The God I believe in wouldn't condemn someone to eternal damnation because they never had the chance to know Him. In the Catholic faith we believe in Baptism by Desire which addresses this; "Non-Christians who seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try to do His will as they know it through the dictates of conscience can also be saved without water baptism; they are said to desire it implicitly. (cf. Catechism, 1260)".

I certainly don't believe God would punish someone for questioning him, if he did Mother Theresa and many others (including me) would be in big trouble.

Obviously I have not seen Maher's movie yet, but going by his religious rants in the past I think this movie is going to focus on religious zealots who believe 110% that they are right, everyone else is wrong, the existence of God should not be questioned or debated, and everyone that doesn't believe is going to burn in hell. To me, extremist views like that should be called out into the open.

If the movie is what you describe then we agree 100%. But I think this movie will turn into a 90 minute commercial for atheism, demean regular people who believe, and not recognize the incalculable good works people do in the name of faith.

I've never understood why some people can't handle talking about topics like this. It boils down to this for me, neither side can prove the existence of a God beyond a reasonable doubt. So it just seems odd to me that there should be any sort of hardcore belief on either side. But if you choose to believe without any doubts at all, that's fine. Just don't push your beliefs on me and tell me I'm going to hell for not being on "the right team".

We agree here too. My experience has been that questioning my own faith, listening to different views, and reading/researching is a very good thing. One thing I think many religious folks forget sometimes is that God gave us free will and if He gives that to us, shouldn't we respect the free will of others?

Personally I'm not sure what I believe. It's something I go back and forth with all the time. And honestly I hope I never come to a hardcore conclusion either way. I do have a problem with organized religion. I think it's something that's become quite corrupted over time and originally it was something that was used as a method to control the masses through fear and guilt. But some of the basic principles I do find interesting and of redeeming value and I do think you can be a spirtual person without being a supporter or follower of organized religion.

Unfortunately if you believe in God, you must believe in Satan. Things evil people have done throughout history in the name of religion have kept many away from it altogether.

One of the customers I work with has an E-mail signature; "none of us is as smart as all of us". I think this applies to organized religion, when you worship as part of a group and work together for good things in the name of God, it's often remarkable what can be done that no single person could do alone.

I'm sorry we lost skinsguy over this, I think he overreacted, but religion is a very emotional thing. To be mocked for your beliefs (which I know you weren't doing, but he felt Maher's movie trailer was) isn't a good thing. The video Beem posted calling religious folks "delusional" goes to the opposite extreme IMO of pushing religion on others.