Religulous
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Movie Reviews of Religulous
Movie Review: Bill Maher Takes on Fundamentalists
Summary: 5 Stars
Religulous is Bill Maher's attempt to make some kind of sense out of fundamentalist Christians, and he fails. Traveling around the USA, Rome and Israel, he interviews quite a few different people, more gently and caringly than one would expect given his very acerbic humor. However, he asks the tough questions, points out the lack of factual backing for most beliefs, and repeatedly asks - Why?
His interviews with the Vatican scientists were very interesting, showing that even in a very medieval and authoritarian belief system, some freedom of inquiry can be tolerated as long as it doesn't directly challenge the system. The interview with the man who "heals gays" was not so pleasant, though, as Maher directly challenged his absurd and intolerant views, and his hypocrisy.
Maher is very knowledgeable about religion, and indeed a recent survey widely reported in the news showed that most atheists and agnostics know more about religion than most theists. He did make one big factual mistake, though, when he firmly claimed there was no historical evidence for Jesus' existence. In fact, Jesus is mentioned in the writings of the 1st Century Jewish historian, Josephus, as a notable teacher/rebel who was among those executed by the Romans.
I know that it's unfair to expect Maher to cover the whole range of spirituality in one 90 minute movie, and he did cover what he wanted to cover very well. He showed that there is no rational basis for being a Biblical literalist. The big failing is that the film leaves viewers with the idea that there are only two choices - fundamentalism or atheism - when in fact there are a lot of spiritual paths that are science-friendly and make rational sense.
Movie Review: What's a little fundamentalism between friends?
Summary: 5 Stars
Actually, I didn't find "Religulous" all that funny. There were segments that had me in stitches, but the message put forth becomes very serious when the mention of social change is made.
Many reviewers (who have obvious religious ties) don't give Maher enough credit. Most of what I saw were not attacks- quite the opposite. These folk made themselves look silly. No one was cajoled or coerced in any way to say what was heard.
One segment I found extremely entertaining was his discourse with the old Priest in front of the Vatican (after he was summarily booted from same). This priest is absolutely the Salt of the Earth! What he says will surprise you.
Maher calls into question the whole idea how a tome filled with things the average person would find incredible or impossible to believe if they were not associated with The Bible, yet folk show unwaivering belief because they ARE.
The Creationist viewpoint is examined briefly, as well as the Gay (or Ex-Gay?) viewpoint. The whole rightness of certitude thing gets tiring after a while, because these people won't (or can't) discuss why they are SOOOO certain that what they are espousing is the Truth.
Maher ends with a warning to all Non-Believers: Speak up. Don't let Dogma dictate how humanity should progress. In fact, by Maher's account, the ONLY way we can is to shrug off religion's stranglehold on intellectual progress. After all, these folk believe a guy named Jonah got swallowed by a fish!
Maher's stance is well defended (if you happen to live in reality), and religion's own hippocracy is exposed by it's own adherents. Priceless.
Movie Review: brave
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this documentary to be a wonderful thing for our times right now. As an Atheist myself, I have been fascinated by the blanket-like hatred and intolerance shown towards Atheist in this country. I feel that most members of main-stream religions are allowed to show bigotry and severe judgment towards members of other religions, the homosexual community and atheist simply because their faith doesn't allow or agree with the opposition. The moment an Atheist smirks and starts asking questions or blatantly disagreeing with these religions they are immediately branded as ignorant or hateful and told to just "be quiet!"
Bill Maher presents an interesting, funny and sometimes frustrating (in the attitude of the people being interviewed) program where the members of a handful of religions are simply asked basic questions about the history/mythology of their faith. The documentary seems fair minded and balanced. I really like the group of Christian truckers at the beginning of the show who didn't really have an answer to Bill Maher's questions but did not act hateful or dismissive of him. In fact, Mr. Maher thanked them for being Christ-like. Mr. Maher's unapologetic questioning about the Christian church's homophobia is an extremely brave action considering how powerful the Christian Right's anti-gay agenda is in this country (read Prop 8). That being said, I'm an Atheist living in a VERY religious country so, of course I like it. As to how many Christians, Mormons, Jews, etc who watch this and will like it? I doubt many. And that is their right. Just as it is my right to say that I thought this was great!
Movie Review: Inspired and inspiring truth and humor; Wake up, sheeple!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Kudos to Bill Maher for his enlightening work. If nothing else, this documentary should get an Oscar for editing. The cut-aways and Bill's conversational punchlines provide many uproarious laughs. You'll enjoy this DVD many times over.
On top of this, all sane and rational people should relate to the statements this film makes on behalf of reason and intelligence.
I did some research and probably 60-70% of US adults do NOT attend a regular weekly religious service. The non-practitioners of religion are the majority. We are just as... if not more...moral than the religious minorities who have fanned the flames of guilt and fear for centuries.
Save your time and money on Sundays. Forget the tithing and putting any cash in when they pass the baskets.
Go out and buy as many copies of RELIGULOUS as you can afford...go forth and multiply...the world has been waiting for the visions and wisdom of Bill Maher.
May the universal forces bless Bill Maher, George Carlin...and Joe Pesci!!
Show on every religious holiday. Praise the wisdom of our founding fathers re: religion...Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Adams, Washington, etc...they all saw the dangers of mixing religion in our politics.
Wake up, America ... wake up, world!! Revel in your mortality and doubt. Enjoy life and all living creatures. You can live a good and fulfilling life without mythology. There are a lot of good lessons and wisdom in Aesop's Fables. But you don't have to drink the kool-aid. Isn't that right, Rev. Jimmy Jones?
Movie Review: Time to come out of the closet
Summary: 5 Stars
For people who share Bill Maher's view, this film is entertaining and insightful. Not suprisingly, for those don't share that view, the film is disturbing because it challenges their core beliefs. People get very uncomfortable when you do that. There's a scene in the film where a guy says to Maher (paraphrasing) "hold on, if you're raising doubts about my god, you've got a problem with me". To which Maher responds, "I'm just asking questions here". For me that exchange illustrates one of the biggest problems with religion - the unwillingness to ask (or even tolerate the asking of) questions.
Science is built on the very idea of asking questions. Any time you discover a new result in science, you are expected to question it. The more surprising the result, the more it needs to be tested. Religion is just the opposite - you are expected to accept miraculous claims on faith.
I think many of the world's big problems (war, discrimination, intolerance) are rooted in this idea that it's ok to blindly accept easy answers to hard questions. This willingness to suspend critical thinking is at the heart of all organized religions.
Religulous explores this and other aspects of religion in a way that is revealing, thought provoking and entertaining. It's also a courageous film. It takes guts to challenge the religious establishment. Another message of the film is that people who share Maher's view that religion is actually damaging our society should stand up and be counted - it's time for atheists to come out of the closet. I couldn't agree more.