Religulous: Bill Maher's Mockumentary About Religion

Bill Maher presents his agnostic views concerning religion in this comedy/documentary. His premise and conclusion to the film is that religion is not only detrimental to the progress of humanity, but it must be eliminated in order for humanity to survive.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Religulous
• Bill Maher
• Agnosticism
• Atheism
• Catholicism
• Mormonism
• Pentecostal
• Scientology
• Dawkins
• Harris
• Hitchens

[GoosebusterT5]

Let me see if I an get that straight: Maher uses the word "religion", you explain that your faith is no religion by using 2.000 year old definitions and therefore you have invalidated all his arguments? You don't look drunk or stupid, so what's your excuse for this video? ;-)

[thearmoury]

Goosebustert5 - Clarity in language is crucial if we hope to communicate at all. If you watch the full video, you will notice that I actually agree with Maher (to an extent) based upon a proper understanding of the word religion - thus, it wasn't that I was seeking to "invalidate all his arguments" necessarily. The etymology that I revealed is easily researched, & is very relevant today. All that I have done here is analyze his position via his own words.

[thearmoury]

On the importance of words - (as an example) people who refer to "radical Islam" are usually referring to extremists or outliers to Islam. However, when one considers the actual meaning of the word radical we find that it refers to that which is core, fundamental, or essential. Thus, when people say "radical islam," they are actually saying "real Islam" not "extreme Islam." People often wax eloquence over such misnomers, but it is never helpful for intelligent dialogue.

[Dwvickers2003]

Your distinction between MAINSTREAM Christianity and what Jesus intended is thoughtful, well-researched (apparently--I'm no expert), and compelling. But, judging by the your dress (okay, that's neither thoughtful nor well-researched) you subscribe to an INSTITUTION of Christianity. Aren't such institutions the problem?

[thearmoury]

Dwvickers2003 -

I think that I understand the query here (maybe) - For clarification, I happen to be wearing a black Reebok turtleneck sweater - Now, I'll leave it to you say what institution I am a part of...(and no, I'm not a Reebokian)... ;-)

mjb

[dliciousgurl41]

agreed!

[YokoOnosAsbestosBand]

How is Religulous a Mockumentary? According to Wikipedia, there must be an element of fiction. What was fictitious in the movie?

[cboadicea]

"...poke fun at and satirizes organized religion and religious beliefs."

Well there's a mature way to argue against religion, more particularly Christianity.

This is just more proof that atheism is immature and makes empty arguments by making condescending remarks to get their point across.

But I know what you're gonna say, so how you respond will be no surprise to me.

[irendelle]

Agree with that. Not that I have something personal against religions, except to ppol who give up rationality and common-sense when religion commans them to. To quote Martin Luthger: "Reason (the enemy of faith) MUST be destroyed in ALL Christians" ... and let all Lutherans and Christians ESPECIALLY those DELUDED cyanide-drinking followers of JIM JONES say" Amen and Amen!

[Sshelly34213]

No.

He includes atheists in the word agnostics. Bill Maher pretty much is an atheist.

All atheist means is a lack of belief in gods..which he's stated he has.

He thinks atheist is the wrong word to use, so he uses rationalist.

[philip0460]

Religulous was a great movie, and agnostics are the true rationalists.

[PaintedBlack9]

In all honesty, I think Bill has more of a problem with the establishments of all religion. From what I understand, he doesn't mind if you believe in God (Though clearly he is agnostic) but he hates the dogma of when people get together and as a group become more idiotic.

[funkytv77]

Well said.You're very intelligent.I believe in your intelligence you were defending your faith with it.God can just be Mother Nature,like The Indians believe.We can not live for a trillion years in heaven.That's impossible.

[MadMacISmad]

You are correct. Religulous is comedy presented in a documentary style to poke fun at and satirizes organized religion and religious beliefs. Something usually not done due to the personal, private and sacred nature of religion. But . . . One man's theology is another man's belly laugh. It seems it may be true that all forms of theism amount to a single genre of foolishness. Especially when human beings fight over which religion is the true one.