Bill Maher's New Movie "Religulous"

[DynamiteRave]

I think most people need to lighten up.

I don't think anyone is forcing religion or politics down anyone's throat. I think everyone has gotten into it with just about everyone else, yet everyone calms down after awhile and everything stays fairly civil.

There's no problem with being a dedicated Christian or Atheist, democratic or republican, but there's always dissenters, that's just how it is.

I'm not Christian but my family is... I'd like to identify as agnostic and I think almost everyone knows I'm a democrat but come on, everyone is full of shit no matter what side you're on. Nobody's right, its all a matter of opinion and since we live in America, Bill Maher has the right to say whatever the hell he wants just like everyone here has the right to flame him and say he's a dick for it. The dude's a satirist, and though he's left-leaning, I feel it's no different than a right-leaning satirist (Umm. I dunno any but I assume some exist) crapping on atheists. If Maher is playing fair, he'll report on everyone, including atheists.

I mean, you only have one life to live, why are you gonna sweat the petty shit? It's not about politics, race, religion, sexual orientation. WHATEVER. It's about people. Humanity is only lost when the people give up on it.

[SmootSmack]

I think most would agree that a little levity never hurts, even in the most sensitive of situations. Chris Rock's "N's vs Black People," Kevin Smith's "Dogma" Both I thought dealt with touchy subjects in a pretty funny matter. I even enjoyed "Saved.

At the same time, I understand there is a line that many feel should not be crossed. I don't care to see this movie, mainly because I don't care for Bill Maher. I think he's a fraud, a Dennis Miller-Jon Stewart-Stephen Colbert-even Tom Snyder wannabe who I'm not going to waste my time with anymore than I have. I don't care what he has to say about religion, politics, racism, classism, etc. I'd be offended I suppose if I thought he was worth respecting. In my opinion, he's not.

I'm a Republican and I'm Catholic, it doesn't make me an elitist, gun-crazy, greedy rain-dancer as some here like to lead you to believe. Nor does it mean that those who are not Republican or Catholic don't have the right to have their beliefs. Most people here don't know me but if you can't make the distinction by now between me and what the stereotypes behind some of my beliefs/values are then that's your problem, not mine.

This isn't exactly the sort of thread I would have started and politics/Maher/Moore is one (three) area where Matty and I have much, much different points of view (further proof that we're not the same person). But I know Matty well enough to know he's not trying to attack any faith here. And I know that Skinsguy's value to this board is too strong that this thread should encourage him to leave. I hope he reconsiders as well.

[GTripp0012]

I probably will never understand the concept of a "proud athiest".

You don't believe in any sort of higher power? Fine. Whatever. It's a defensible position, based on what we know/don't know about the workings of the world. But being apathetic to the concept of religion and feeling the need to poke fun at it because people disagree with you and it throws off your definition of "rational" is pretty pathetic. And I think if I looked up "pathetic" in the dictionary, Bill Maher would not be all that far away.

And since when is this bozo a filmmaker? Did I miss something here?

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I probably will never understand the concept of a "proud athiest".

You don't believe in any sort of higher power? Fine. Whatever. It's a defensible position, based on what we know/don't know about the workings of the world. But being apathetic to the concept of religion and feeling the need to poke fun at it because people disagree with you and it throws off your definition of "rational" is pretty pathetic. And I think if I looked up "pathetic" in the dictionary, Bill Maher would not be all that far away.

And since when is this bozo a filmmaker? Did I miss something here?

Don't think he is. I just saw the commercial and it's directed by the guy who made Borat. From the studios that made Farenheit 9/11

Basically I think it's Borat.. But with Bill Maher. and the preachyness of Farenheit 9/11.

Either way, I don't care enough about him or what he has to say about religion to shell out money to see it.

[That Guy]

i guess he saw moore's bank account and decided to jump on in.

[MTK]

The movie isn't even out yet and people's feathers are ruffled.

Hilarious.

[Beemnseven]

Wow. It doesn't take much to offend religious sensibilities, does it?

On that note, here's a short video that will no doubt offend, though in reality it's designed only to get you to think...

[SmootSmack]

Yeah that was absolutely offensive Beem. Because I believe in God and have faith and am, to an extent, religious I'm delusional? Then everyone here who talks about their gameday rituals and superstitions is delusional as well I suppose.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Yeah that was absolutely offensive Beem. Because I believe in God and have faith and am, to an extent, religious I'm delusional? Then everyone here who talks about their gameday rituals and superstitions is delusional as well I suppose.

Yeah, pretty much.

Keep in mind, I didn't create the video. Do you disagree with the video's message? Did you disagree with the definition of the word 'delusional' ??

How about the comparisons between Mormonism, Islam, and Christianity? Why are two them completely ridiculous while one is perfectly reasonable and legitimate?

[FRPLG]

Here's the problem with the video. The guy clearly misunderstands religion. First off he completely ignores the idea of faith. Faith allows rational reasonable people(not delusional) to understand that their own religion's seemingly unlikely tenant history can be both "magical" (a very poor word choice, actualy a wrong one but we'll run with it for consistency's sake) and reality.

His bigggest error is in his assumption (wrong at that) that all Christians think the Muslim and Mormon stories are delusional. In fact they don't from what I have experienced. We don't believe them but we don't believe them because we have no basis for believing them. We think they are simply WRONG not crazy. Just like when we watch a football game and one evaluates a play differently than another. It doesn't make one person right and one person delusional. It makes one person right and one person wrong. Big difference.

Honestly I have seen and heard much stronger arguments made against religion. This one is pretty lame.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

Yeah, pretty much.

Keep in mind, I didn't create the video. Do you disagree with the video's message? Did you disagree with the definition of the word 'delusional' ??

How about the comparisons between Mormonism, Islam, and Christianity? Why are two them completely ridiculous while one is perfectly reasonable and legitimate?

We can agrue about politics, sports and things of that nature all day long and I won't get bent out of shape. I've steered clear of religious discussions here because they can get quite divisive. We lost skinsguy because of the religion bashing so I'm stepping up and saying my piece. By posting this video I am assuming you agree with the message. The video is pretty damn offensive and I absolutely disagree with the video's message.

Everyone has a right to their beliefs and not to be ridiculed for them. Whether they believe in God through whatever religion or don't believe at all. I haven't seen any folks who believe in religion throwing up bible study info or pushing their messages on anyone on this site.

Many of the "facts" and "scientific studies" this guy throws out are flat out wrong and have no back-up documentation. I would love to see the "scientific studies" he mentions. There are actually scientific studies that strongly suggest there is a healing power of prayer. Since we're calling people who believe in God delusional, I would suggest the makers of this video are self-righteous idiots. Their opinion is the opposite of a vast majority of the world. The majority of the world believes in God, whether through the Jewish, Christian (Mormons are Christians), or Muslim faiths. The people who created this have only a "bird's-eye" view of each religion. Many books have been written on the differences between the religions. But all three religions have the same basic belief that God exists. Mormons believe in Jesus the same way other Christians do and Jews and Muslims believe Jesus existed. There is historical evidence that many events in the bible did occur. Isn't it possible that God reaches out to people in different ways? Because evil people throughout history have perverted religion for power or personal gain does that make the message of religion wrong? Throughout the bible it speaks of false prophets who would lead many away from the teachings of God.

Look at it this way, one side or the other is correct, either God exists or he doesn't. If the video is correct and religious people are delusional then what have I lost by believing in God? I have gone through life in a state of happy delusion, tried to live as best I can, and tried to help others (good for society). When I die, it's over, I'm gone, because I'm just a mass of organic matter and chemical/electrical impulses, no after-life to worry about. But what if God exists? The religious people who lived good lives will join Him in heaven. The people that were exposed to the teachings of God, from whatever method, rejected Him and will simply cease to exist or suffer in hell for eternity. Even looking at this from a completely rational position (which is obviously hard for us delusional Christians) taking the chance that God doesn't exist is a huge risk.

Quite honestly these comments about society being better without God are completely wrong. If there was no God I would be living a totally differnet lifestyle, with complete disregard for anyone else and only my personal self-interest at heart. I wouldn't hesitate to steal, or kill as long as I wouldn't get caught and it was in my self-interest.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

We can agrue about politics, sports and things of that nature all day long and I won't get bent out of shape. I've steered clear of religious discussions here because they can get quite divisive. We lost skinsguy because of the religion bashing so I'm stepping up and saying my piece. By posting this video I am assuming you agree with the message. The video is pretty damn offensive and I absolutely disagree with the video's message.

Everyone has a right to their beliefs and not to be ridiculed for them. Whether they believe in God through whatever religion or don't believe at all. I haven't seen any folks who believe in religion throwing up bible study info or pushing their messages on anyone on this site.

Many of the "facts" and "scientific studies" this guy throws out are flat out wrong and have no back-up documentation. I would love to see the "scientific studies" he mentions. There are actually scientific studies that strongly suggest there is a healing power of prayer. Since we're calling people who believe in God delusional, I would suggest the makers of this video are self-righteous idiots. Their opinion is the opposite of a vast majority of the world. The majority of the world believes in God, whether through the Jewish, Christian (Mormons are Christians), or Muslim faiths. The people who created this have only a "bird's-eye" view of each religion. Many books have been written on the differences between the religions. But all three religions have the same basic belief that God exists. Mormons believe in Jesus the same way other Christians do and Jews and Muslims believe Jesus existed. There is historical evidence that many events in the bible did occur. Isn't it possible that God reaches out to people in different ways? Because evil people throughout history have perverted religion for power or personal gain does that make the message of religion wrong? Throughout the bible it speaks of false prophets who would lead many away from the teachings of God.

Look at it this way, one side or the other is correct, either God exists or he doesn't. If the video is correct and religious people are delusional then what have I lost by believing in God? I have gone through life in a state of happy delusion, tried to live as best I can, and tried to help others (good for society). When I die, it's over, I'm gone, because I'm just a mass of organic matter and chemical/electrical impulses, no after-life to worry about. But what if God exists? The religious people who lived good lives will join Him in heaven. The people that were exposed to the teachings of God, from whatever method, rejected Him and will simply cease to exist or suffer in hell for eternity. Even looking at this from a completely rational position (which is obviously hard for us delusional Christians) taking the chance that God doesn't exist is a huge risk.

Quite honestly these comments about society being better without God are completely wrong. If there was no God I would be living a totally differnet lifestyle, with complete disregard for anyone else and only my personal self-interest at heart. I wouldn't hesitate to steal, or kill as long as I wouldn't get caught and it was in my self-interest.

This is what always irks me.

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.

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.

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".

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.

[Lady Brave]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

We can agrue about politics, sports and things of that nature all day long and I won't get bent out of shape. I've steered clear of religious discussions here because they can get quite divisive. We lost skinsguy because of the religion bashing so I'm stepping up and saying my piece. By posting this video I am assuming you agree with the message. The video is pretty damn offensive and I absolutely disagree with the video's message.

Everyone has a right to their beliefs and not to be ridiculed for them. Whether they believe in God through whatever religion or don't believe at all. I haven't seen any folks who believe in religion throwing up bible study info or pushing their messages on anyone on this site...

This is the biggest problem I have with the anti-religion folks on this site. We hardly have any religious discussions at all and those we do, are all geared towards mocking it. That, of course, is totally acceptable and even encouraged. The christians here don't inundate the board with pro-religious threads and we're mostly quiet on issues where we should be offering a christian perspective.

You know, I think I'll just start an "Atheists Suck" or "You're all going to hell" thread. Perhaps I should start responding to every debate by quoting nothing but scripture. Because that's what we do right?

Let's see how many people get their panties in a bunch then.

[SmootSmack]

I agree with FRPLG's post. Although two people can have different opinions when evaluating a play and both be wrong or both be right, in their own way. But look, I grew up in a two-religion home and while I "officially" classify myself one way, I respect and practice both. I believe there are more similarities than differences when it comes to religion. And I don't think I should be mocked for instilling some faith in my everyday life, just like I don't mock those that choose not to.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

skinsguy I understand how you feel. I'm a Catholic Republican and often disagree with many views here, sometimes I respond, sometimes I just "consider the source" and move on. How others, particularly in the media and Hollywood, feel about Christianity may be condescending and sometimes downright anti-religious, but IMO most of the folks here don't hold the extreme views of Bill Maher. They may be non-religious and find a movie like this funny because it will focus on the extremes that you mentioned, but I don't perceive the intent from the majority of the members on this site to be offensive towards Christians.

I'm not good at quoting scripture, but Christ brought the Good News to many who didn't want to receive these gifts. I've tried to stay away from religious discussions here for the most part, because it is so personal, but maybe folks like us should speak up more when things like this are brought up.

You are a valuable contributor here, I enjoy reading your posts, and this site will be worse off if you leave. Please reconsider.

Would you believe I thought you were Hindu or Muslim? Who knows why. All this time I thought you were a Hindu or Muslim who happened to have served in the US Army as well. I don't know why I thought that. I think there was some post once that had me thinking that. Not that it even matters in the slightest, just kind of curious.