Bill Maher's Religulous

PhiGam · #1 10-11-2008, 05:03 AM

Great movie, I recommend that everyone make an effort to see it.

SWTXBelle · #2 10-11-2008, 09:31 AM

Um, I'll pass. Thanks.

Thetagirl218 · #3 10-11-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Um, I'll pass. Thanks.

Agreed!

epchick · #4 10-11-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Um, I'll pass. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetagirl218

Agreed!

And i'll 3rd it! lol

SWTXBelle · #5 10-11-2008, 04:36 PM

All those in favor?

nittanyalum · #6 10-11-2008, 04:39 PM

Hey wait, what about a con? I'd like to see it.

Ok, now you can go for another pro...

Leslie Anne · #7 10-11-2008, 04:45 PM

How about another con instead?

I'd like to see it.

SWTXBelle · #8 10-11-2008, 05:15 PM

I just don't think that a movie which consists of baiting the gullible (who would be the only ones to take up the offer to "discuss" religion with Bill Mahr) would be very entertaining. You've got to know that even if you did make a good point, it would end up on the cutting room floor. I like my movies entertaining, not didactic. I dimly remember when Bill Mahr was funny - before he became so embittered.

But those of you who want to see it - hope it is a good evening out.

eta - Good review - .http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/6051665.html

AOII Angel · #9 10-11-2008, 05:52 PM

I enjoyed it. I think it would be a useful movie for Christians to see. It's amazing how few people really think about what and why they believe.

PhiGam · #10 10-15-2008, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

I just don't think that a movie which consists of baiting the gullible (who would be the only ones to take up the offer to "discuss" religion with Bill Mahr) would be very entertaining. You've got to know that even if you did make a good point, it would end up on the cutting room floor. I like my movies entertaining, not didactic. I dimly remember when Bill Mahr was funny - before he became so embittered.

But those of you who want to see it - hope it is a good evening out.

eta - Good review - .http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...n/6051665.html

Thats a terrible review, the entire article is just the writer bringing up completely unrelated issues (who cares about people's eating habits?) Everyone is free to draw their own conclusion from the movie but its clear that a rabbi is not going to head into the movie with an open mind.
Here's what I took from the film (with some of my own conclusions thrown in):
Jonas did not survive inside a whale
We evolved from apes
The earth is more than 6000 years old
Basically, the bible is all bullshit. This doesn't mean that religion is a bad thing, because its not. Having faith itself is religion, god exists for those who want him to exist. The feeling of a higher power, predetermination, and the existence of a sentient, omnipotent man controlling everything is comforting enough to help people get through the day and lead happier, healthier lives.

My main critique of the film is that Maher concluded with a completely unrelated plea for Americans to vote Democratic.

MysticCat · #11 10-15-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Here's what I took from the film (with some of my own conclusions thrown in):
Jonas did not survive inside a whale
We evolved from apes
The earth is more than 6000 years old
Basically, the bible is all bullshit.

What does the last statement have to do with the first three? There are lots of us out there who would disagree with the last statement but who would agree with your first three statements. (Well, 2 1/2 -- as I understand the theory of evolution, people did not evolve from apes; apes and humans evolved from a common ancestor.) Those first three statements, BTW, are hardly central or core messages of the Bible.

My problem with Bill Maher, and why I have little interest in seeing the movie, is that he's as doctronaire as those he ridicules.

SWTXBelle · #12 10-15-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhiGam

Thats a terrible review, the entire article is just the writer bringing up completely unrelated issues (who cares about people's eating habits?) Everyone is free to draw their own conclusion from the movie but its clear that a rabbi is not going to head into the movie with an open mind.
Here's what I took from the film (with some of my own conclusions thrown in):
Jonas did not survive inside a whale
We evolved from apes
The earth is more than 6000 years old
Basically, the bible is all bullshit. This doesn't mean that religion is a bad thing, because its not. Having faith itself is religion, god exists for those who want him to exist. The feeling of a higher power, predetermination, and the existence of a sentient, omnipotent man controlling everything is comforting enough to help people get through the day and lead happier, healthier lives.

My main critique of the film is that Maher concluded with a completely unrelated plea for Americans to vote Democratic.

Did you read the same review? Perhaps you just missed the point - and as for your opinion, well, it seems to be in opposition to Maher. He obviously thinks religion IS bad. If you came out of the film thinking anything else, he has failed in his stated purpose.

As for his film being anything other than a throughly subjective exercise in grandstanding - grabbing the man on the street is hardly the same thing as engaging the leading Christian apologists of the day (many of whom have engaged in debates with atheists, so don't buy any claim that Mahr couldn't get anyone to debate him - he just wouldn't engage anyone who might make him look bad).

There's no reason for anyone with any faith to go see it. I guess it might make atheists feel superior and smug . . .

AOII Angel · #13 10-15-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

There's no reason for anyone with any faith to go see it. I guess it might make atheists feel superior and smug . . .

I disagree. I think Christians should see be able to defend what it is they believe. If Christians are supposed to try to convince others to become Christians, they have to understand the thought process of a nonbeliever and be able to explain why and what they believe. There are many Christians who cannot do this!

SWTXBelle · #14 10-15-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I disagree. I think Christians should see be able to defend what it is they believe. If Christians are supposed to try to convince others to become Christians, they have to understand the thought process of a nonbeliever and be able to explain why and what they believe. There are many Christians who cannot do this!

And that's where studying Apologetics comes in. Bill Maher is hardly a man with any sort of academic or scholarly credentials. He is a comedian. St. Augustine has said that Christians should not try to convince the hard-hearted - it's a waste of time. Christians should, IMHO, know the whys and wherefores of their particular sect, and those of other major sects. Studying apologetics - the works of the great minds of Christendom - good. Trying to placate the likes of Bill Mahr - why? He didn't go in search of the truth - or on a journey for himself. From every review I've read (probably about 5 - 6) ( and from an interview with the man himself) Bill Maher had a definite agenda, and examining the rational and scholarly aspects of the great religions of the world was not a part of it. If there are those who find this entertaining, good for them. But to give your hard-earned money to a non-believer who seeks only to make sport of the beliefs of others - again, why?

epchick · #15 10-15-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I disagree. I think Christians should see be able to defend what it is they believe. If Christians are supposed to try to convince others to become Christians, they have to understand the thought process of a nonbeliever and be able to explain why and what they believe. There are many Christians who cannot do this!

I shouldn't have to watch the movie to know who and what I believe. I also don't believe that this movie shows the mentality of non-believers. Many non-believers don't go out searching to disprove anything, this movie seems (from what i've read) to have an agenda to disprove and discredit any religion or any religious doctrine. I