Religulous
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Movie Reviews of Religulous
Movie Review: A Review to Span Viewers of All Types
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movie during a very key time of growing out of my Christian upbringing. I needed this movie to be able to laugh at not only how ridiculous religious dogma is, but to laugh at MYSELF for having once believed something that brought so much grief to my life. This movie was a breath of fresh air and a great stepping stone from a Bible-based upbringing here in the, "Bible belt." For this alone, I give the movie 5 stars. If you're teetering on the edge of belief and non-belief, this movie should pretty well give you the confidence to finally lean to one side or the other. Laughter and Bill Maher's predisposition aside, these people make their very own beliefs look ridiculous.
Highlights for me include parts like this one guy who claims he knows God because of the many, many miracles he has experienced; yet, when Bill asks him to give examples, the guy is unable to intially give any. In response, Bill questions how significant these miracles could've really been if the man is unable to recall even ONE when asked! When the man finally does come up with an example, it's incredibly laughable and you're left thinking, "wow, this guy should've kept his example to himself!" Granted, the man may have very well come up with his example just seconds after saying, "I don't know," but here again, the example he did give is preposterous.
Touching back on something I said in the first paragraph, this film also gave me permission to laugh at myself. Like many who lose their faith when they broaden their world view, this film was a resounding, "ahhhhh," when I realized issues like injustice and suffering don't fit in the equation of faith in the Judeo-Christian God for a reason.
Without going into a diatribe about how selflessly selfish I find many religions to be, suffice it to say, I have finally broken the divisive chains of ignorant and ill-founded faith. The ties that binded me were typical of many religious moderates; fear of death, desire to see loved ones beyond life, personal divine guidance and support through hard times, et al. I lived my life in a superstitious and indoctrinated fashion that narrowly shaped my world view and when I dared to step out of this narrow world view, the questions I asked were usually satisfied with cliche ignorance such as, "God has a plan for everything" or, "my feeble human mind cannot possibly comprehend God's plans!" Rubbish! Now I see this world for exactly what it is and I have been humbled 10-times beyond that of what religion ever did. But I digress...
Back to the movie, Religulous isn't for those of you who are intellectuals well-versed in the thoughts and works of people like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. You may get a number of chuckles but the underlying message (the one in which Bill ends the film with) is exactly that of religion being a detriment to humanity. You will more than likely wish Bill had taken the message a bit deeper, but because I saw this movie at the point I did in my shedding of religiosity, I stand as an example of person who found this to be exactly what I needed to solidify the ground beneath me during my leap from faith to rationale.
With that being said, if you identify at all with how I have portrayed a part of myself to have been, I *HIGHLY* recommend this film! If you've seen this film and you're looking for a much more in-depth explanation or rationale of the message Bill ends the movie with, I recommend the following things to you:
1 - "Root of All Evil?" Documentary by Richard Dawkins: http://richarddawkins.net/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=7 (One of the most engaging and definitive documentaries on the ill-founded grounds of religiosity and spirituality as defined by the superstitious and dogmatic today)
2 - Sam Harris' Lecture on Religion: http://rapidshare.com/files/175676905/Sam_Harris_-_The_View_From_The_End_Of_The_World.mp3 (This is a VERY informative and engaging lecture. Sam's calm, cool and collected disposition - with his effective use of the English language - really drives his point home)
3 - "Jesus Camp": http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Camp-Becky-Fischer/dp/B000KLQUV2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1233848044&sr=8-1 (If you want to see just how messed up it can get with the Christian fundamentalists raising children, watch this documentary)
4 - "Who Wrote the Bible?": http://atheistmovies.blogspot.com/2009/01/who-wrote-bible.html (An excellent documentary regarding the creation of the Bible)
And with that, I will end this review. Apologies for weaving in and out between reviewing this movie and divaricating off into other topics, but I wanted to write something relevant to the whole topic and give people who want to dig further, a place to start. Thanks for reading.
-Stephen
http://eradicatereligion.blogspot.com
PS - I forgot to mention the obvious: If you're religious, you will get from this movie exactly what you expect to get out of it: Being offended. If you're religious and you're watching this movie merely to see a bully supposedly picking on poor little innocent religious people, then prepare to walk out of the theater pissed off and having completely missed even the most obvious of notable points made in this movie.
Movie Review: Truly a "must see!"
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been eager to see Bill Maher's Religulous and was not disappointed at all. Maher's scathing indictment of religion is exactly the kind of tool that should be used to educate the masses about how insidious and dangerous religion often is. If it fails on that note, at least it may give them some laughs. Since most adults are beyond hope of a serious change towards rational thought and away from their fairy tale beliefs, perhaps this movie should be standard viewing in all high schools or even middle schools just to serve as one attempt to free the minds of the next generation. As Helen Lovejoy once said, "Won't someone PLEASE think of the children???"
That said; let's address some faults others have noted. First, one reviewer argued that religion is not the reason for the deep-seated hatred in people; it is merely the vehicle for its deliverance. Maher is attacking religion without dealing with the deeper issue. Fair enough, but that alone does not mean that education in pointless. To start with religion and its ridiculous concepts is the first step in getting people to let go of their fear, embrace their uncertainty, and eradicate their ignorance. Religion is precisely a problem because it enables those weaknesses and thus fertilizes the soil for the growth of hatred and intolerance. Religion is a problem because of the blanket of arrogance and elitism it creates among its followers, which thus fosters hatred for those who don't subscribe to their beliefs. Religion often teaches that not only are the believers right, but that the non-believers are so wrong that they have to be converted or killed. Maybe hatred is the real problem, but religion is one helluva gas can.
Secondly, Maher is often criticized for his snarky and self-amused delivery. As I watched I saw more often than not how Maher's lame jokes fell flat and were often embarrassing. This wasn't a guy who was trying to pat himself on the back for his quick wit and clever methods of making others look stupid. In fact, he was quite willing to look like a boob with his lame jokes while simultaneously letting the zealots hang themselves with their own inconsistencies, lack of knowledge, and blatant lies. Furthermore, I didn't witness him cutting off people that much, save those who were making complete idiots of themselves, and in those instances, it was as much an act of mercy as anything else. Certainly we didn't need to listen to too much more of the babbling anti-Zion rabbi, the stoner in Amsterdam, the bling-sporting reverend, or the sexually confused preacher.
Which brings me to the final complaint; this movie wasn't very informative and not a quality expose of religion. This is surprising to you? It's a freaking movie! It was never intended to be a scholarly examination of religion, but fully intended to be a comedic look at the already hellaciously comical concept of religion. Matter of fact, it's a shame that this movie was located in the documentary section of the rental shop. There's the real joke...
People can't stomach someone poking fun at their religion. They take it frighteningly personal. Possibly because they are full of doubt and unsure of the path they are on. They surround themselves with like-minded people and close their eyes and ears to contradictory opinions. Like the trucker who stormed out of the one segment, some people's faith hangs by a thread. Movies like Religulous are the scissors that cut such threads. And then where do those people find themselves? Lost in their own minds, unsure of the world around them, uncertain about what happens in life or death. Welcome to the club, people. It's not so bad once you stop worrying about choosing the right side and decide to simply lead a good life, full of good deeds, and try to be the best person you can be for society, for your fellow man, and for yourself. But sadly, far too many frightened people have to have an incentive and/or a consequence to do the right thing, and that's your problem. It was mind-blowing to listen to Senator Pryor quibble about whether or not murder would take place outside of the Ten Commandments making it number five with a bullet. People voted that guy into public office. Scared yet?
Final note - Maher does not address all religions, and in fact, steers clear of Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism, and several others. Probably because I can't remember the last time a Buddhist strapped bombs to himself and got on a bus or shot a doctor in a church. Just sayin' is all....
Movie Review: Wake-up those NEURONS!
Summary: 5 Stars
Challenging deep-seeded, religious doctrines is not only courageous, but dangerous. Kudos to Bill for taking the walk, where others have feared to tread. For me, although I'm sure it wasn't his intention, he simply confirmed that God gave us neurons, a quest for knowledge and free-will and that we're supposed to USE them---that blind faith may work for some, but seriously challenge others. And, hey...that's okay.
Bill has always pushed limits and thought outside-the-box, but this was really putting himself out there for severe ridicule and denouncement---even for him. I don't feel he did this documentary solely to be controversial. I sense that Bill has struggled with his spirituality, since becoming a non-practicing Catholic, and that part of his obsession with religion, is his own continued search for any evidence beyond the 'faith,' he no longer has. He is also a bright and studied man, who abhors hypocrisy and the inexcusable deeds done in the name of religion, as we all should. NO, he is NOT an 'atheist,' heretic, for sharing his thoughts and asking the basic questions many of us have feared to ask. Where is ANY concrete evidence? How do we know perceived 'miracles' aren't just a coincidence? If your belief is fear-based, is it true belief, or self protection?
At no time did Bill state he does not believe in God. He made it clear that he is more 'agnostic'---that he doesn't know. He does point out that he does NOT believe that biblical stories, e.g., Jonah and the Whale, or
'the talking snake' are more than myths and metaphors. He is not alone in this mindset. Many studied theologians, and devout believers, are now stating the same thing...that these stories are to challenge and motivate us, not to be taken literally. So, yes...Bill does take jabs at folks who cling to the 'magical realism' of the Bible as absolute truth.
My favorite part of the documentary, is when Bill and his camera crew are kicked off the grounds of the Vatican. With the opulence of the Vatican in the background, he begins chatting with a lovely, jovial, sans collar, Priest. When asked what Jesus would think of the splendor of the Vatican, he laughed and made it clear that Jesus would not approve...that he would probably be happier out on a hilltop sharing fellowship with the locals. He also implied that a lot of the pomp and circumstance is "just rubbish." Now this is a Priest that could convince me to go to Mass. A logical, open mind.
I didn't find the 'hilarity' that some found in this film, although I chuckled a few times. I think the subject matter is just too serious and sensitive of an issue and I have too much respect for people choosing their own spiritual path, whatever it may be, as long as it doesn't harm others. What I found, was a film that was more thought provoking, than humorous. I actually thought Bill reined himself in, because I was expecting him to be very confrontational, with more of his stand-up-comic, attitude. He was fairly subdued, for him.
Bill had very brief dialogue with a Neurologist, discussing the altered brain imaging of those in prayer/meditation. I wish this had been developed a little more---because this is where some proof DOES exist--- that our brains appear to be hardwired to seek spiritual comfort. This would certainly go a long way toward explaining man's drive to believe, and poses an interesting question---why do we have this physiological phenomenon, if we're not meant to use it?
I do NOT agree with some reviewers that feel you will only enjoy this film if you are an 'atheist.' This film should not pose any threat to a true believer. Just food for thought, and a few laughs. After all, I think most of us have heard 'Christians,' and members of other faiths, laughing and criticising the 'crazy' religions of others. Haven't we? Here we're given the opportunity to poke fun at others and, maybe even a little at ourselves, without guilt. And, if we DO laugh a little, remember, it's good medicine for all...believers and non-believers, alike.
Movie Review: Satire is probably the only way...
Summary: 5 Stars
Satire is probably the only way....
Religulous (a humorous merging of the words `religion' and `ridiculous') does exactly what you'd expect. It's a very funny (in a very depressing sort of way) account through the eyes of comedian Bill Maher and crew of the boundless ludicrousness that is organised religion, mainly focusing on Christianity and Islam. Another reviewer was disappointed that it didn't delve into other religions / spiritual traditions but it didn't need to - you could view it really as a general critique on irrationality through ignorance (usually wilful) and an unmovable adherence to wholly unfounded belief systems - and therefore automatically criticises other religions by default.
There isn't really much in the way of sophistication here, the big questions are not delved into; instead the approach here was simply to ask questions to an assortment of religious folk - some lay people, some higher up the chain such as the US senator and then rebut them with a quip, an expression of dismay or a sardonic smile or to highlight their misinterpretations and flawed thinking. And kudos to the film's team for bringing forth such an eclectic assortment of `believers'.
Bill obviously knows his stuff and was always able to come back with an instant rebuttal (from what's on screen anyway), however, what seems to be the film's biggest criticism is that it only goes for the easy targets and doesn't take on the more learned theologians. Well apart from the fact the whole pertinent point of the film was to show just how worryingly ingrained religion and irrationality is in the Western World - from tacky religious theme parks to fraud to politics and fundamentalism and so by extension to ultimately bearing a threat to our very existence - this is where I would have to say that there really wouldn't be any point in doing that.
Richard Dawkins and other well known atheists have said that theologians are experts in a field that ultimately points to nothing (or something to that effect) and that their knowledge is at most an expertise in a realm of anthropology and history, nothing more - they simply don't have any proof of their particular deity and have no good reason for accepting that they do. A learned theologian may be able to guide / run rings around you through the different aspects of scripture, translations, quotes from other numerous biblical scholars and weave a complex tapestry of `correct' interpretation - but this is simply complicating a really rather simple issue - the small matter of evidence (or lack thereof)!
There is no shortage of in depth debate easily accessible in books, articles, videos, lectures, conferences and the internet (check out Sam Harris vs Rabbi David Wolpe on youtube, very stimulating) but time and again there is not one shred of plausible evidence offered despite how much the theologians try to blindside with their vast knowledge of scripture and pseudoscience. So to have taken that approach here in Religulous would have made it an altogether different film and would not have worked to its advantage. At the end of the day, there really isn't much difference between the faith of those daft evangelical truckers and learned theologian - one simply knows vastly more about the aspects of their faith.
And this leads me to my conclusion that perhaps only ridicule in the short term (perhaps science in the long) will have any success in causing the dissonance and the impetus to really drive someone to look deeply - and most importantly critically - into one's beliefs and by extension needs and desires. There have been the powerhouse debates, there have been the bestsellers highlighting the flawed thinking, there have been the science breakthroughs and yet still people cling to their religion in vast populations - and how many of the average joe believer will bother to read or watch them anyway? But people do respond to ridicule, to smug confrontation, to wilful offense and humiliation - perhaps satire is the only way?
Movie Review: The Thinking Person's Guide to Religion
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie asks all of the questions that I have wanted to ask. However, in our culture, you don't always get that option. Organized religion and "Jesus" in particular are protected from serious inquiry, and those who try to ask the questions are often dismissed and sometimes despised.
I grew up Catholic and believed firmly in Jesus Christ and the whole Christianity package until I was in college. It was at that time that I took a class on religions of the world. My initial reaction to some of those other religions was, "They believe what? How could they believe something so ridiculous?" And then sometime during that semester I realized that the only reason I believed so firmly in Christianity was because it was the religion into which I was born and raised. I realized that my beliefs would look just as ridiculous to someone born and raised into another religious culture, who had never heard of Jesus Christ before.
It was then that I started asking questions about the basis of Christianity like, where is the proof. That was over fifteen years ago and to this day I haven't found any proof. I have however found evidence that makes me believe that Christianity is simply a myth, like so many other myths. Some of that evidence is brought to light in this movie, such as the stories of Christ like gods, which circulated around the Mediterranean for thousands of years before the Christ story. For instance, the similarities between Jesus Christ and Horus, son of Osiris, from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, are so striking, that I am unable to understand anyone's reaction to this story other than the realization that this is where out current form of Christianity comes from. It seems to me to be pretty clear and straightforward, that early Christians adopted this story and made it their own. I am amazed that people don't seriously reconsider their faith the moment they hear these stories.
Bill Maher also points out the inconsistencies in the four gospels to some of the people he interviews. He mentions that the virgin birth is not mentioned in all four gospels. He then makes the point that such an important piece of the Christ story should have been important enough to have been documented by all of those claiming to be Christ's biographers.
What is interesting here is that many of the people he interviews don't seem to care that such inconsistencies exist. They take their beliefs on faith and they don't claim to need evidence in support of their faith.
One person actually says that he wouldn't expect to find total consistency in the stories given the time period that the gospels were written. But, when we are talking about something so important, shouldn't we expect consistency as we have never expected consistency before?
This movie is about someone bringing fundamental questions out into the public forum about the basis of current religions and asking them of people who haven't given them a thought before. Bill Maher does it in a way that isn't condescending. He simply puts the questions out there. He does add humor to the film, which works to get his message across as well as simply add some levity to a heavy subject. The people he talks to react in various ways, but what I noticed was that many were surprised by his questions, meaning that they really hadn't given them much thought before. Which says a lot in itself.
Bill Maher does give Judaism and Islam a fair amount of movie time as well he doesn't just stick to Christianity in his questioning. When focusing on Islam however, the movie becomes a bit more serious in tone than it is the rest of the time.
In my opinion his whole point is that if we are basing our most important decisions about life on this planet on these religions and what these religions teach us, shouldn't we at least question them to see if they stand up to scrutiny? If they don't perhaps we need to alter our way oof thinking before it is too late.