Re: Bill Maher's "Religulous" Review ZERO STARS

[sybo59]

Evil can and should be mocked. Also, the feeling of being mocked has spurred MANY people into questioning the root of their beliefs, and deciding better of them. If you feel mocked, there is a good chance you don't know why you believe what you do; if someone condescends to me, I never feel insecure and sad, but either confident that I can defeat them in debate, or interested in their points, which I then carefully consider.

The "POOOOOOOOOOOR CHRISTIANS!!!!!!" Give me a fucking break, dude.

[corc7614]

You bring up an interesting point at 3:12; religious adherents may not have the capacity to analyze what they believe. I'd like to ask you then, do you consider yourself absolutely tolerant? Do you unconditionally befriend all that you meet without question? All conditions of personality are dispositions of neurology, and ultimately, the ideological pathology Bill finds in theism and its proponents is of the same sort as you see in Maher's approach to them.

[unchartedjdz9]

I thought he wasn't a christian anymore????!!!!!

Maher doesn't mock anyone, it's not his fault people believe in some crazyass shit

BILL MAHER IS A GENIUS !!!!!!

[TheDemocraticEmpire]

I enjoyed Religulous. It made me laugh.

Religion is just an archaic and applicable means of explanation of how things are. Bill Maher did a great job mocking all major religions. Besides, I'd choose religulous over The Passion of the Christ.

People in this world are mean spirited and many are. :)

I enjoy your videos Aaron. I enjoy hearing all people's opinions.

[Flake777]

Devout Cradle Catholic Here…As Maher Is Proud To Say, He Is An Atheist Who Enjoys Religious Satire…So What? Why Judge The Guy? Some Of His Stuff Might Be Of Bad Taste; Nonetheless, Some Of What He Says Bares Truth…Can’t We Laugh At Ourselves Sometimes? Why Are So Many Taking What He Says At Face Value When We Are Adult Enough To Make A Choice…In These Hard Times For Many, Just Have A Good Laugh!

[cecinid]

aaron0883...Yes, it certainly is a nuisance when people like to think for themselves and not just accept whatever drivel is handed to them...but I don't have to tell YOU that, do I?

It must suck being so absolutely stupid.

[dorianstark]

RELIGULOUS WAS WELL PLAYED. AWESOME DOCUMENTARY.

[logic187x]

you have to understand Bill Maher, in order to understand Bill Maher?, you have to watch his shows, politically incorrect,real time, and his stand up. this movie comes along in the middle of Bill Maher. what i mean is, this is not something he just decided to do. He's been already asking the questions you say he should have, and getting dumb or no answers, he has debated with fanatics and sensible people alike. this may be why you think its not viable but that just makes you late to this game

[dsrtflwr]

Bill Maher is a mean-spirited, ugly person. I'm not surprised his "documentary" is bad.

[dorianstark]

@dsrtflwr OMG- YOU DIDNT LIKE RELIGULOUS? I LOVED IT. REALLY SHOWS THE BLIND FAITH OF IDIOTS.

[HighesTvideoS007]

I haven't seen the movie. Does he also make fun of muslims because if he didn't he's a coward.

[dutytocareforothers]

I disagree. Religulous was well prepared and well documented. Bill held fair discussions with religious leaders of many different religions and denominations. He also questioned ex-gays and other forms of hypocrisy. Bill has a great sense of humor but he doesn't use it too much in the film. It is a great documentary that everybody should watch and take seriously.

[rocker341dan]

So let me ask a serious question.

When you were 21 and younger and still a believer, how would you have preferred people to approach you and discuss your irrationality? I've tried engaging in debates with many theists and I know being condescending is completely counter-intuitive in many cases. What would you recommend?

[Dudeamis]

these people believe a donkey talked... they deserve the ridicule

[kronk15]

lol who cares if its insulting!he jst showing them how stupid it is to believe in god...

[SilencioSoledad]

I don't think the movie had the intent to convert anyone into atheism. It's comedy, it's intent was to make you laugh and not to make sense and be politically correct. There is almost always a dumb/ugly/unfortunate person in almost every joke. Jokes are meant to make fun of someone, something or situation. If Bill would had confronted people with facts, it would had been interesting but not funny.

[kronk15]

lol didnt you see the ending? there's nothing funny in the ending anymore! he clearly states grow up(leave religon) or die

[D3ffl0ser]

He asks questions to religious figures and their answers are so flawed that it's funny. Is that mocking? This is the problem with the world. Religious nuts will walk out on the streets killing people and holding up signs claiming hatred on others, but the second anybody HINTS at making fun of religion, people have a hissy fit.

[DevilWomanCake]

I think Bill Maher's only goal with that film was to make money off of it. He knows what the public wants, and the public wants to see other people make fools out of themselves so that they'll feel intellectually superior. Drama sells.

[Gilmaris]

I agree with all your points, aaron. "By shaming a person, how do you expect to make him a better man?"

[MXSLICK]

lol...BS bull crap ideas? That pretty much sums up religion.

[marksasuke64]

yes......they are very mockable.....stop being politically correct....you believe shit.....were gonna say shit.....and it was not insulting to the people...bill just ask them to question themselfs

[Gilmaris]

"and it was not insulting to the people...bill just ask them to question themselfs"

So if I were to ask you why you are being such an idiot, that would NOT be insulting? That would be just asking a question, right?

[Zaint]

I respect your opinion but I would have to disagree. These people aren't children and don't need defending as they are the majority. The movie is classified as a comedy and people have different views on what is funny. The movie was also filmed as a hands on Documentary style which I guess you didn't enjoy. To rap this up religion is a big boy like any company they do not need defending. I recommend everyone seeing this movie and coming up with their own opinions.

[Sean2046]

i remember liking the movie and enjoying it, and laughing. and you are hands down one of my favorite youtubers. i did see it quite a while ago though, but yeah, i'll agree with you that the arguments were shit. but i enjoyed it more for the comedy and mocking aspect which i guess i've changed since or i'm trying to change. i'm quite the antitheist but i think i can agree with you that mocking people doesn't do anything and is just a horrible thing to do. it's counterproductive and just mean.

[Samael241]

Religion has to die, for the survival of mankind!

[Oraenxienael]

Humanity's belief in their own ideas they come up with regarding the truth is what has to die, in order to understand what real religion is.

[SmokiSounds]

That's what was said in Soviet Russia as well. Want a death toll? Pathetic idiot, watch your mouth before making dumb claims.

[stealthswimmer]

yeah, he's a comedian. Like you said, he didn't really put in real arguments many times. Personally though I thought it was a hilarious movie....but I'm a Christian, lol.

Anyways, i think Maher's strategy wasn't to actually deny religion on merit but just to show the absurdity of religion in general and allow religion's own absurdity be used to refute itself.

[StopSpamming1]

Believers should cringe and have to explain themselves, not the other way around.

[Insideout667]

So you think religion is vile yet deserving of respect.. duuuurrrr.

But I will agree somewhat, I'd much rather Bill put some more effort into making a point rather than just being incendiary all the time.

[aaron0883]

Religion is not respectable. However, the religious aren't innately mean spirited or dishonest. They are indoctrinated and confused. Some of them are horrible people, but plenty are cool people who haven't had the resources to reason out of religion's BS.

[stanleycup2008]

@aaron0883 OMG Dude!! You are a friggin moron. You have a pretty high opinion of yourself. WOW! Lots of your "Subsrcibers" rate your videos at 4.5 or 5 stars. WOW! Congrats dude! hahahaha....Who gives a shit?? Man, this video that you just made sucks ass!!!! hahahaha.....and I will never subscribe to you and your stupid thoughts. Bill Maher rules!!

[breadfan9]

What more points do YOU NEED>? He ASKS is this your belief or part of it and you say yes or no. He might sound like hes mocking you because it sounds RIDICULOUS to a rational person! Those who dont like this for the most part are pissed because Bill is dissection a religions silly beliefs and bringing them into the spotlight!

[bluedragonoz]

Religion got as much attention and respect as it deserved in this movie,  Get over it.

Check your rating lawl.

[Prophyyt]

It was really a documentary the point is important. and those people he mocked was to open the worlds eyes. Its a documentary about religion Bill's against it this is an eye opener for the world, and yes lets be condicending to religious people if you get called athiest you are being condecending, the whole point of condicending in his movie was to also prove what religious people do.

[munificent7]

(continued) That's not to say that I expect everyone else to be cool if I make fun of them. Rather, I acknowledge that everyone has problems, whether they were born with them or they came about in life, by anyone's fault. If you can't have a sense of humor about that, then that's the worst problem of all. As a Christian, I wasn't disappointed that all the peope Maher talked to "lost" the argument. I was disappointed that they all took themselves seriously, or didn't talk in Maher's terms.

[munificent7]

I loved the movie up until the end. My sense of humor is often pretty dark, and I don't consider anything outside the realm of acceptable material for jokes. That means, though, that I maintain all of my beliefs and feelings (as much as I can) in such a way that I am secure in them, and if someone makes fun of them, I can take it. I often make jokes at my own expense.

[betthishasntbeen]

scientificy? tool.

[kyliecoulter85]

I haven't seen the movie but already it clearly is a pseudo documentary i.e. a comedy. Please remember that the makers of the movie also made 'Borat'.

I'm assuming they would use the same sense of humour. If you want to see a documentary with logical arguments and strong permises you might watch Richard Dawkins - but no offence to him even he at times is very dogmatic from a scientific point of view.There are tactful ways to dispute others beliefs clearly this movie isn't using them. :)

[smtmsmtm88]

nice reveiw-

Bill Maher is nothing more than an unsuccessful, frustrated non-funny psuedo comedian/intellectual who has chosen the recent outlandish Christian leaderships hypocrisy in the news along with the extreme fringe beliefs as a shock form of entertainment, much like Howard Stern did with Radio.. Bill Maher is a Sad soul. He should read the jewish Historian - Josephus - when it comes to Christianity

[belloOo]

at least points out how stupid religion is. I don't care how it's portrayed but, to me religion is so stupid that I could care less.

but, yeah ... i like your views but, I don't agree with you here. I think it's maybe because I'm wayyy more laid back.?! idk

[belloOo]

I've only watched one of your videos on education and the whole "get a job" trap thing . I've always agreed with that. I agree with you 100% . I agree with many your views there, I didn't make it to all your videos being that I just ran into them yesterday as I searched "college is bullshit". But, I loved religulous...because I'm very laid back. I don't think there is anything wrong with making fun of people...who cares? George Carlin is my hero & I think that It's important that some1

[niinja2]

mocking and insulting other people says more about the people who do the mocking then the people who receive it.

[fede2]

i haven't seen the movie but i'm getting progressively tired of maher. i still watch the show for the sake of tradition and in hopes of witnessing genuine dialogue. lately, he seems like a cheerleader, coming from a strongly ideological standpoint. not that the ideology bothers me in itself but the fact that he doesn't think independently his criticism of religion particularly is rediculously superficial.

[ljgorman]

What neither of you do not seem to understand is that the movie is not meant to be an argument against anything. The message was supposed to be to doubt. Especially something that is an irrational belief. I also find it interesting that two atheist/agnostics are making videos about how this movie is offensive yet, the movie did well, even among religious people because they didn't believe that he was being condesending.

[Snakekilla12]

if your crazy or/and stupid, I would want to be told to change my crazy/stupidity actions. Thats why even mocking, laughing at the poor, stupid, crazy people is a great way, but mean, "jerky" way yes. But it makes the people acting crazy and stupid believing in religion would maybe consider joining the smarter people as in Anti-Religious/Non-Religious people. Same thing with Fat people, you make fun of them to make them lose the weight. Its good if your only using your words, in a nonviolent act

[theoriginalSkooby]

How do you make a 'scientific argument' debating someone's imaginary friend?

[heywoodjablohme]

Religulous = obviously pronounced as a combination of religious and ridiculous. With a "J" sound. Despisable? Despicable. I could have told you that Bill Maher was out of his depth in the intellectual realm. This is a guy who calls himself a libertarian, but thought Clinton was great, and argues in favor of radical environmentalism. Haven't seen it yet though. I like Hitchens for his criticisms of religion... Biting and insightful...

[curtmastor]

Im Catholic and I dont myself as a victim. I see the teachings of Christ as second to none in terms of moral grounds. The interpretation of parables aside (I disagree with literalists and creationists here), the "vileness" in the gospels are direct by products of the customar social norms of the day. No different than ridiculing the bearers of the American revolution becuase some practiced slavery ownership. That aside Maher is a good entertainer however he, like you said has littlesubstance

[bishopb7]

the united states goverment is using religion to gain promote invasions in other countries..playing on your most basic values. funny or not you should see the movie and make your own evauation about it.

[InFromTheVoid]

Humor can be a good tool to bring about dissonance. Simple as that.

[mittROMNEY666]

religious people SHOULD be mocked. the shame will make them become atheists - its the only way as reason obviously doesnt work. if these people were suceptible to reasonable arguments why would they be religious?????????????????????­??????????????? dont underestimate the stupidity of believers.

[Obiobodo]

I once asked my theist friend what he thought was the worst sort of wickedness that man would cook up & he said: killing babies, raping women,slavery, sacrifising the innocent & torturing even your enemies. And I asked him: I bet you havent found out in the bible that your god have done all that & even plans to torture some of us for eternity? Since religious people are so daft, seems to me mockery might go well with them. Religulous is the atheist way of laughing at morons. Obi, Nigeria

[Jahkillian]

LOL

[Cailwyn]

I'm atheist because I embrace reason. I'm anti-theist because some people want to fix that. They made it a "culture war", so why is it wrong to retaliate? Even Bill Maher has his immaginary friend, which makes him a hypocrite, but, with the cause of reason under assault, why is it wrong to ridicule faith? You say this works against atheism, but I say there might be closet atheists that are waiting for this sort of thing. Remember, in this country it is still not acceptable to be an atheist.

[barrywilliamsmb]

Thanks Aaron - great vid.

I couldn't agree with you more. Anybody can mock people and covert / overt interpersonal denigration seems to be a way of life for many folks. Why are we so diligent in our competition?

I liked Bill and his beliefs but after watching him shout down a member of his own audience, his appeal to me started to wane.

As a former christian, I too despair over the mind lost with every discovered soul but I'm mature enough not to disparage people for their beliefs.

[Babaldira]

Come on ....I agree on the issue about been mean with stupids, thats ok, but really whats the problem with showing how primitive we still even if we live in North America or UK....

[ArtyVandelay]

The purpose of Religulous is not to have believers doubt their faith. It was intended to convince those who are closet agnostics or atheists that it is OK to voice their thoughts and that they are not in the minority. Bill Maher said this himself and it was obvious from the movie. You did not consider his target audience. He talked to and mocked the most outlandish people he could find - not to convert the religious but to reinforce the non-religious.

[findingthepath]

Religion is all about controlling the masses based on fear and deception. I agree that most christians are victims.

[beejusbeejus]

So are most atheists.

[curtmastor]

I disagree. When you look at religous people. Certainly in the developed world their is great disparity in their level of congruence with Church (or their specific religions) tenents. I for example am odds with the Catholic churchs opposition on Iraq and profilacticts. Acording to your theory I would be under a blindless spell and just regurgitate their positions. Disagree and call religion bullshit but creat a fallicie based on straw man reasoning is a intellectual impedimant.

[Shezmu]

Well, I've always been a fan of "dark" humor and I have a slight interest in philosophy though I don't lose sleep over rather existence exists or not so, sup? As for your argument itself, you'll have to forgive me for not sharing your sympathy for people wwho lie and cheat sick and dying people out of their money (faith healers and the like). Let it by noted however that I have not seen the movie as of this post.

[heywood1980]

wait you felt bad for the people he mocked who are making money and taking advantage of other people through religion?  u dont make sense

[worldismorphing]

You've denigrated Bill Maher's movie because he made you acknowledge some of your weakness and mistakes...and your pride wont allow it....

-The worst lies you can tell are the ones you tell yourself...

[Coryscott5]

The point of the movie was not to mock people, but to energize like-minded people into standing up and getting organized and fighting the fundamentalism that is taking over the United States. Maher has been very clear about that in all of his interviews.

And it would be interesting to see a list of the "bogus arguments" you mention. Can you tell us why they are bogus?

Sorry, these points just seem blatantly obvious to me and I had to point it out.

[Nielsio]

Thanks, now I know I don't have to watch it.

[trumasamune]

I disagree with the point that both of you had about this movie not convincing anybody of faith. Well I mean, I agree that it probably won't do very well in that area, but it wasn't made for that.

Maher has strictly come out and said, and I think the movie made pretty clear, that the point of it was to reach out to those that know faith is for the most part, evil, immoral bullshit.

One of the main reasons that Maher comes off as abrasive as he does...

[trumasamune]

is because many people agree that agnosticism/atheism is the way to go (~15% of America, a huge amount by any standard), but are like you and ITRPIS in that they don't go out of their way to point it out to people of faith.

Yeah sure, Maher can be a mean, ignorant, and even a dick sometimes, but seriously, he's a comedian...that's why every other thing he says sounds like that, he is just trying to get people to laugh. If you didn't know that by now that I pointed it out to you...

[trumasamune]

you know what you're going to get when you watch anything with him involved from now on.

I like some of your videos and I thought the movie was hilarious. (The text message! my friends and I lost it...). The editing was ok and the ending was pretty in your face and sensational, but I think the main idea of the movie; that agnosticism and not religious certainty should be the default position, came across pretty well.

Feel free to send me a message if any of this was unclear!

[jparagons]

I haven't seen Maher's movie, but I agree with the idea that mocking people is douchey. It seems to happen any time people on the internet discuss politics: mass mocking of any opinion that isn't generic liberal-ish and no evidence or argument.

[Beethovens7th]

Good video.

[Beethovens7th]

The reason why so many people are turning to Christianity nowadays is because they think the only other alternative is to act like Bill Maher types.

In order for faith and religionism to be defeated, we must demonstrated that positive, life-affirming values are only compatible with reason and secularism. The Lefties just try and get everyone to join their big nihilist orgy.

[anarcrustie]

i agree, and i'm about as much as a leftie as possible.

[kberka]

You think like a women!

[Beethovens7th]

What the hell is your deal?

[biggregg5]

I think when one gets judged based on illogical dogma often enough, you reach a breaking point. I think Maher has reached that point. The outspoken ones that expose religion for what it is, likely feel a sense of ergency due to the religious events that caused 9/11, and our religiously based retaliation over the past 8 years. I have trouble being that way, but have a growing admiration for people who are willing to tell it like it is. I gave Religulous about 4 stars.

[biggregg5]

I appreciate your viewpoint,and generally behave as you do with religious people. So many of my good friends are religious,that often I remain "in the closet",and just nod my head in feined understanding. I have listened to way to many videos on youtube-Dawkins,Harris,Hitchen­s,Maher etc, The more I listen, the more I appreciate them being able to stay calm in dealing with arrogant, condescending, ignorant, judgemental attitudes. I think these guys reach a point, and feel like ok game on.

[ithinkronpaulissmart]

That is really funny because I was about to walk out too, but then I thought about making a youtube video and decided to tough it out.

[qtronman]

Maher is a dick. Sometimes he's funny, but mostly he's just turned atheism into a means of attacking peoples' religious values.

[legendre007]

A1. "Maher is a dick."

Agreed. I don't think his belligerent style is persuasive; he sounds less interested in emphasizing rational epistemology than in getting some sublimated revenge on his parents for his strict religious upbringing (he frequently cites his parents' authoritarianism for his hostility to religion). If he really wanted to save kids from going thru the same experience that he did, he'd champion reason & rational parenting; as opposed to just insulting religious people.

[legendre007]

A2. Maher is also a "deep ecologist" anti-capitalist. Back when I proudly called myself a "libertarian," I heard him apply that label to himself just as proudly. I objected to my libertarian friends. They replied that U're a good libertarian as long as you oppose the government; they said it's not un-libertarian to abrasively hector people for wearing fur or for synthetic pesticides. This is what 1st led me to question the seriousness of the overall libertarian movement.

[legendre007]

A3. Should've said, "They replied that U're a good libertarian as long as you oppose the government; they said it's not un-libertarian to abrasively hector people for wearing fur or for USING synthetic pesticides."

[BWF89]

Did Maher just bash Christianity or did he go after Judaism and Islam too?

[trumasamune]

He covered both those extensively as well. He spoke to an orthodox Jewish rabbi scholar person, who happened to be a Holocaust-denier. And a person that described themselves as an "Ex-Jew for Jesus".

He also visited various Islamic religious sites, as well as entered a Mosque and had an extensive conversation with a few people regarding their beliefs while there.