Bill Maher's New Movie "Religulous"

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Daseal

From the preview, it seems like he does, BleedBurgundy. Religion is interesting to me. I'm not sure how everyone can think they're 100% right and everyone else is wrong with absolutely no proof. I can understand believing that there's a god, etc. But saying your god is supreme and right basing it off some book, written by humans, with at best, 3rd to 4th hand information baffles me.

We'll see. If i were doing a film of this nature, I'd be hardpressed not to take it easy on the extremist Muslims. You don't want a Fatwah on your ass.

I was listening to Colbert's "I am America and So Can You" the other day in my truck. He has a chapter on Religion where he basically mocks all religions besides Catholicism. Once he gets to Islam, his only comment is something to the effect of "Islam is the one and true religion, etc... Moving on." I thought that was pretty damn funny.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

We are of almost the exact same mind on this. The only difference is that I don't necessarily think that a God would be forgiving and loving. I think supreme indifference is also a possibility.

[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.

[firstdown]

I was going into a bar one night when some guy approached me and ask "Do you want to go to Heaven" I replied "Yes, I'm going in here and looking for her".

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

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.

I may have mentioned being stationed in the Far East while in the USAF or an old friend who was Buddhist. It's pretty funny how we visualize or perceive folks through posts.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I was going into a bar one night when some guy approached me and ask "Do you want to go to Heaven" I replied "Yes, I'm going in here and looking for her".

That wasn't JB's was it....LOL

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I was going into a bar one night when some guy approached me and ask "Do you want to go to Heaven" I replied "Yes, I'm going in here and looking for her".

What kind of bar was that? Might not have been a "her" in there... lol...

[redsk1]

Bill Maher is maybe the most annoying TV host on the air now. Unless, you believe exactly as he does, your an idiot and have no intellegence.

I'll try to watch him occassionally to see if he has anything intellegent to say, but I usually can only make it several minutes before his self grandure annoys the sh** out of me.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

That wasn't JB's was it....LOL

I know where your talking about but no it was a place in Daytona Beach!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by redsk1

Bill Maher is maybe the most annoying TV host on the air now. Unless, you believe exactly as he does, your an idiot and have no intellegence.

I'll try to watch him occassionally to see if he has anything intellegent to say, but I usually can only make it several minutes before his self grandure annoys the sh** out of me.

He does lean pretty far to the left, probably even further than my views go, but I do appreciate the healthy debates on his show and he always has some interesting guests that make the show worth watching.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by 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.

I honestly wonder why that is. Where is the right's answer to Colbert, Stewart, or Maher? Maybe the right just doesn't have a sense of humor.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

He does lean pretty far to the left, probably even further than my views go, but I do appreciate the healthy debates on his show and he always has some interesting guests that make the show worth watching.

Yeah, i can't get on the bandwagon or watch shows that lean to the left to far or lean to the right to far. I feel like you don't get the "real" facts b/c they are tinted in one direction or another. So, for me, Bill Maher, ORielly, and other shows are just difficult to watch.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

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.

The modern day Catholic Church (as well as some other protestant denominations) teaches this message. Essentially, questioning your faith is not only reasonable, but expected, and only through questioning ones faith can they develop a strong enough faith to reach "the promised land".

Other denominations don't leave it to chance. They expect faith to be 100% unconditional. And I'm guessing these are the people who Bill Maher is mocking in his film.

But who are we (and more directly, what credentials does Maher have) to say that one of these is a totally irrational? What's to say the latter message isn't the one that is 100% correct?! I mean, there was sort of a whole reformation over this issue, so obviously people on both sides will think they are right.

For what it's worth, I'm Catholic, and believe the former.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I honestly wonder why that is. Where is the right's answer to Colbert, Stewart, or Maher? Maybe the right just doesn't have a sense of humor.

I think it's a two part answer.

1) The number of Colbert's, Stewart's and Maher's greatly outnumber those comedians on the other side of the political spectrum, if for no other reason because people who lean right (with a sense of humor) tend not to seriously pursue comedy as a career.

2) No outlet would give these people a medium to express their views. You think CNN/NBC/ABC/CBS/Comedy Central would be caught dead giving air time to a conservative who was funny and could convey a point? You think Fox News gains anything financially by giving a hour long nightly show to say, Dennis Miller? They already corner the market on cable news for people frustrated with a left-leaning media.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

We are of almost the exact same mind on this. The only difference is that I don't necessarily think that a God would be forgiving and loving. I think supreme indifference is also a possibility.

That's the thing about religion, it's all opinion. How come some Muslims can take the Koran and stay peaceful and others end up extremists? Just like some people believe God and Christianity as all hellfire and brimstone and others think God is a stern yet merciful God.

But for real, are there any Jewish people on this site? I'm Black and I feel pulled more towards Judaism than anything else. I've learned some about Buddhism this year and I quite enjoy the philosophy of that. The fact that it's so peaceful and individually faith-based instead of collective is pretty intriguing for me.

The thing about Christians (SOME. NOT ALL) is that people get all caught up and want to impose what they think is right on others, when the Bible can be taken so many different ways. Some people wanna pick and choose what to follow and then point their finger at the people that don't follow it. "The Bible condemns sodomy". Yeah well. It also says you shouldn't mix fibers, so you better get naked real fast.

Everyone has the right to believe what they want and hold steadfastly to them. For someone to be a Christian and still accept people for who they are not what they do, who they sleep with at night, what the other person's religious beliefs are and to follow their God and not bat an eye to someone who may be the 180 to their beliefs, to me that's a good true Christian.

Anyone who automatically needs to throw Christianity in someones face (out of nowhere) and tell them their wrong because of xyz, is what my problem is with it and lately (especially in older generations.. 35-40+) is a huge problem for me.

Aristotle said the path to happiness is to be virtuous and if Christianity gives you that virtuosity, props to you. And if going binge drinking on Saturday nights with my college friends makes me virtuous at this point in my life, props to me.

Pretty much, I feel for each their own Aristotle also said that there is a middle that each one has to achieve to never be too extreme which I guess in the case of religion (though this wasn't addressed by then) the left extreme would be a religious extremist and right would be a full-blown atheist. Once you find that happy medium (which I feel is a individual spirituality) then one can continue to be truly virtuous in other spectrums of life. Unfortunately I don't think there are very many people to find that medium and again, that medium is all relative to the person. Someone might think they've found it when another person might think that they are way too extreme.

I guess what I'm trying to say is to each his own. Absolutely nothing wrong with religion. I'm down for organized religion. But there's no telling what is right or wrong or if there even is a right or wrong.. But I think it's all about respect. I can respect church going, God-fearing Christians but then when I see some Evangelists I can't help but cringe, but I guess that's cause they contradict my own beliefs and I assume they do the same thing when they come across someone like me. (or they just tell me I'm going straight to hell).

I just wish everyone could just respect everyone else.