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Customer Reviews:- Sad commentary
While I agree with much of the agnostic sentiment in the piece, it adds nothing the discussion by taking advantage of those unable to defend themselves. Unfortunately Bill Maher takes up the same tactics that are employed by right wing gas-bags like Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. They repeatedly take on 'adversaries' who are neither well-spoken nor well-informed. Although I delighted in his making a fool of one Southern Senator, I was embarrassed to watch most of other interviewees. I'm afraid Maher has fallen into the hands of the religious right who refuse to agree that "freedom of religion" also means "freedom FROM religion." They could use this film as proof of the "God-less Left" who are attacking American values. Giving them such a tool is truly is the devil's work. Skip this one....more info - Loved it! Religious should be forced to watch this
I just got done watching this a day before Easter. I loved it! Bill logically shows how hypocritical and just outright insane religion is. The only problem I had with the film is how he used mankind to reference both genders even when he wasn't just referring to men. I know its poignant to show how man, literally, wrote the Bible (or is represented as writing it) for purposes of showing how misogynistic it is that women are forced to follow undermining laws that dictate their lives and inferiorize women. However, as religion significantly affects women in a negative light there was no reason for him to exclusively use verbage that referenced only men when it wasn't needed. Statements like, "because of its power to divert man, to distructive courses the world actually could come to an end," "religion must die for mankind to live," and "are intellectual slaveholder keeping mankind in a bondage to fanatasy and non-sense." These apply to women, and the last one especially if not majoritively applies to women. Humankind would've been better. Misogyny was also barely touched upon within the documentary. I only counted one time when he pointed out how there seems to be a significant disparity between how women are treated within Islamic society in comparison to men. I would've liked more focus on it since it is so obviously impacts womens lives the world over in barbaric and negative manner. Religion is scary.Happy I'm not one of them.I'm also relieved Europe seems to be headed in an unprecedented direction in abandoning religion for rationality. Maybe they'll lead the way for the U.S.?
Fingers crossed!...more info - Skeptified
I actually enjoyed this "documentary" more than I thought I would...but that's not necessarily saying much. First, some context: I am a Christian who is serious about his faith and graduated after 5 years of graduate school (seminary). I also went to UC Berkeley as a Christian when so many of my friends went to conservative Christian colleges. In other words I welcome the challenges of those who even mock/disdain my religion...which Maher falls into the camp of. On to the movie.
Now I have a soft spot for documentaries, for religious discussion/debate, i.e. Christopher Hitchens and atheists, and I am very, very supportive of comedy in general, but I do have my limits and Maher surpassed them (which he probably doesn't care about since he's a "comedian"... whenever he really hurts/offends he brings out that "card"...not too brave) but that's what gets me about Maher in this movie: he makes fun of Christians at the truck stop church, then says he's "only asking questions", then he interviews "certain" religious people that are "colorful" or on the fringe WITHOUT going to very sound, serious believers of faith (BELIEVE ME: I studied under very bright, honest, humble professors at my seminary...THEY ARE OUT THERE!!) Plus, I found myself answering some of his questions differently than my fellow believers OR I was actually agreeing with Maher. But, c'mon, when Maher brings up the ghastly story of Lot offering over his daughters for rape in the Old Testament and Maher simply infers that this is yet again a kooky religion that would kinda support that. What??!! I have never come across ANY Christian whatsoever that somehow agreed with that as a part of God's ways (or of Christianity/Judaism)...conversely, in my experience it has been affirmed as being impressive that the Bible as an ancient work would INCLUDE such a horrible occurrence rather than conveniently omit such a negative story! ( In other words even our heroes can be oh, so fallible )
So is Maher just the Court Jester poking fun at everything, hence being a comedian, OR does he want to be taken seriously for his being "rational" but failed to think deeply in some ways....hmmmmmmmmmm.
He brings up valid questions like the concept of "original sin" not being mentioned in the gospels, but he is way too rigid at the same time....it's like saying since he doesn't bring up the word "joke" in a monologue then we can conclude that there is no such thing as a joke in his comedy bit....well, that's not a stretch for many people who don't find him funny.....sorry, just a "joke".
In the end this pic is mixed up (the editing is funny at times, but also juvenile and not respecting of the interviewees...in other words exploitive)...there are moments of solid challenge, and yet he falls short, especially with the Muslim folk (was he too scared of them, but conveniently more aggressive with Christians that don't have droves of believers wanting to kill non-believers?)...but there are some moments of clarity and humor that definitely showcase his talent. His commentary at the end regarding doubt and humility, though he doesn't demonstrate the latter concept well, is something with which I completely agree.
I recommend this movie, as flawed and arrogant as it can be, as a means to be open to and engaged with another's point-of-view as well as entertaining good questions regarding one's religion and theology. I went in to it being skeptical, and came out feeling a bit satisfied and dissatisfied....hence, the title of my review (sorry...that's the best I could come up with right now). Thanks for reading....more info - Laughable... Should work with Michael Moore
"Facts", "Truths", and contrived scenes make this worthy of a modern day Three Stooges comedy... Skip this one and save your self the time wasted in this "investigative" piece....more info - Coulnd't be better
Product was received as promised, DVD was like brand new and total satisfaction with product and seller. ...more info - Immaculate Reception
While over the top and a bit extreme in making some of his points, Maher makes perfectly valid arguments in this film. It is sad in many cases to see how many people don't know or don't want to be educated on the fundamentals of their own religions, however it is no big surprise either. The depth to which people embarrass themselves in their lack of knowledge is well-documented without being disrespectful, for the most part. He covers his bases well in that he scrutinizes all the major religions presented in the west. ...more info - Religulous Movie/Documentary
Great work by Maher as usual. For the individuals who aren't yet enslaved by their crutches, this movie is a comedic journey through the equally comedic world of religion in our country and abroad. ...more info - Scary
This documentary is scary. It makes one realize how many mentally unbalanced people there are running around in the world today. Maher asks the people questions and he lets them do the explaining which really shows up religion, beliefs in gods etc... and how ridiculous these believers really sound. Maher hits the major religions of Christianity and Islam. He does include all the religions of the world by mentioning and deeming them all illogical as each other. I did find it interesting how Maher compared the story of the bible with the other stories that predated the bible, Jesus and Christianity. It is interesting how there are very distinct similarities to the stories of these half dozen religions that predated Christianity and Christianity. The story of Jesus etc... was apparently lifted from other myths and stories predating Jesus and used in the bible. Interesting documentary. ...more info - the real side of religion
this is very an insightful religious documentary from a point of view. i enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone exiting organized religion and broadening their horizons.
the only problem i had was this dvd is too complicated for my old dvd player and i had to use someone else's to watch the movie. highly recommended and well put together. ...more info - Disappointing
I have to say I was disappointed with this video and I am writing the review purely on the movie rather than the theme or from any religious viewpoint. I thought Bill would have thought a little more about it and used his wit and sense to really take off on a theme that was given to him on a platter for exploitation.
The movie was slow in parts, not properly welded together and did not appear to have a good development plan based on the topic. In fact, it seemed to even have lacked any solid thesis up front that would have helped to guide his efforts. Had he sat down and used the services of a proper documentary crew and planned the video the result would have been far different. It just seems like a concoction of events that he thought of as he got up each day. I would have given it one star but added another solely because the idiots he interviewed provided some comic relief, albeit few and far between. ...more info - Prevalence of Insanity
Brought up Catholic, I eventually excomunicated myself and thought of myself as more an Agnostic. After reading different books, even that looked shakey. Religulous pushed me over the edge into nonbelief whatsoever. Scarey? No! BeLIEving in something that doesn't exist and being MANipulated by poeple who say you should is scary....more info - Amazingly Funny!
I saw this movie in a theater roaring with laughter. Many movie goers were in attendance and NO ONE seemed disappointed! It was incredibly funny, and mostly light hearted. Even the ppl being interviewed end up laughing at some point. Bill Maher does a great job of letting other ppl make idiots of themselves rather than being hostile toward them or telling them just how silly they are. He makes a lot of great points too. I couldn't wait to buy the movie. Includes a directors cut!!! ...more info - funny movie bad sad what he says is true
This is what I more or less expected the movie to be. If you wanted a dry and boring straight to the scientific facts documentary you could read Richard Dawkins, not that what he says isn't the truth, but a movie like this is needed. Religions are so silly and primitive that they should be thought as as an ongoing comedy show, vegas style. I liked it though it could have been better....more info - Arrogance + ignorace + Wikipedia research = today's entertainment ?
It simply seems like the author has understanding about Christianity of the level when he left church, because it was boring.
Without wasting your time on reading about this film, consider this:
1.) Author pretends to know the NT and OT better than everybody interviewed, and somehow manages to associate passion for God with terrorism. Here, he was not interviewing a Muslim. Ok, I wonder with all his immense, profound knowledge how did he tie Christian doctrine to terrorism?
2.) "Homosexuality is something that occurs in nature". How about this profound statement? In other words, hmmm, what does NOT occur in nature?
Does cannibalism occur in nature? Does rape occur in nature? Does killing of a homosexuals occur in nature? Did Ted Bundy occurred in nature? Does torture occur in nature? yes, yes, and yes [Pretty much everything that can come to your mind that is]... So much for author playing smarty, you've got the idea... Not only he has a understanding of Christianity of 13 year old, but also ability to connect what 'occurs in nature' with what is morally normative too.
Assuming if there were a 'gay gene' [which is nonexistent], what it's present would prove is simply - duh - genetic anomaly, a genetic disorder if you will. Nothing normative in any moral sense that's for sure. When people have genetic disorders, they need treatment. Isn't that obvious?
3.) "All of the prescriptions against homosexuality come from Old Testament". The accuracy of this statement makes this film worth being thrown into trash can right away. If author would really know at least little what the Bible really contains he would know better. But, alas, his self-selling purpose is entertaining not reading the Bible. So, if you really interested, of course you must have heard about passages like Rom 1. For throughout study, take a look at The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics.
"Jesus never said a word about homosexuality". Hmm, first of all we do not know what he said. We know what is recorded. And from what is recorded is sufficient to conclude that homosexuality was considered a perversion back then no less than it is right now (again look at Gagnon's work for more). But hey, take comfort in beastiality, necrophilia, pedophilia, and incest ...because Jesus never said a word about it. And by the way beastiality, necrophilia, pedophilia genes are going to be discovered soon too.
4.) "... you make up imaginary friend". This is age old fantasy elaborated by Freud, recycled by the author, with no substantive evidence. It is ironic, that he demanded evidence about Jesus' existence from a scientist, while himself make unsubstantiated, unproven, unreliable assertions about God being a 'imaginary friend'...
5.) "one of my favorite nonsense stories - Jonah living inside of a whale". Why can't God sustain a person in a fish, if he can raise Jesus from the dead? According to author God can't do miracles?
6.) "basically a murder is against the law in every country in the world. [author replies] - But, wouldn't we have come to that even without religion?" Oh, really? Why don't we look at the 20th century alone to answer this question? How many millions atheist states slaughtered? Why not read some history? Because author knows it all!! Simply believe him. But hey, unborn babies can be killed [thousands per day], and elderly too [duty to die coming soon]. I see very high value of human life with secularization of a culture.
7.) "there has been more killing in the name of 'my god' " Oh, really, what are the sources for this fantasy? Again, look up 20th century alone and calculate millions and millions of people killed, and millions of unborn slaughtered. To substantiate his claims, authors lacks on little thing - proof.
8.) "you need God to decide not to kill each other?" Good question, again why not read some history and ask questions those atheists who were slaughtering people?
9.) "it couldn't possibly have been Adam and Eve 5000 years ago with a talking snake in a garden, could it?" Ok, the life emerging from dull chemical compounds is seems more attractive/intelligent? hmm...
10.) "Christ was not about judging people". Where did he get this idea from? Nothing can be further from truth. Funny stuff.
11.) Author claims that stories of Krishna an Mithra presumably correspond to the story of Jesus. Then there's Osiris, Horus, etc, etc... This analogy has been refuted long time ago and there is nothing besides 'Wikipedia type research' that would lead a person to find this analogy intelligible. For instance look here - The Gospel and the Greeks: Did the New Testament Borrow from Pagan Thought? (The Student Library)
12.) "[speaking to other person] So, you're saying that if a million people believe something, it still can be ridiculous?" Well, isn't it what evolution of living organism from non-living chemical compound is?
Isn't that what 'gay gene' type science is? etc, etc, why is this statement has to serve author, not vice versa?
Furthermore, isn't it question begging that brains scan has everything to do with religious experience? I mean isn't that rests upon materialist assumption? So, how is that a proof, then?
By the way, the trick to classify Christians into crazies was played in Soviet to some extent, and led to pretty inhuman treatment of them [but hey, atheism does not lead to bad things, right?]. Christians are crazies after all. It is author and his crew is the comedian know-it-all, without even reading it [Bible for instance].
13.) [speaking to Jose Louis de Jesus Miranda] "I thought a second coming was the reincarnation of the Christ himself. Not a descendant of." Well, this is another screw-up. Of course, author can think anything he wants, but there is no reincarnation found in New Testament. [Acts 1:10-11 "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."]
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and on and on
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There were some worthwhile statements, [but hose have little to do with Christianity]:
- Quoting founding fathers to show that America is not a Christian nation. This has some legitimacy, because many of them were Freemasons...
- Criticism of Scientology. However, lining Christianity with Scientology is offensive and ignorant. Scientology was invented by science-fiction writer in 20th century. There is no comparison. Christianity, on the other hand, has fulfilled prophecies.
- Criticism of Mormonism.
- Criticism of 'Growing in Grace' with Jose Louis de Jesus Miranda. This guy is no crazy, he makes his money.
- some other funny groups... for instance smoking marijuana, etc..
The picture when he sits with his sister and his mother reminds me of a dysfunctional family with a kid [even though grown up] trying to be smart and impress his mommy. It is extremely ironic, funny and sad at the same time, that a kid [say author in this case] doesn't know his stuff - the very thing he is trying to impress others with - and at the same time trying too hard.
It is hard to tell what the author's problem is, but certainly it is not due to his extensive research into subject, because he apparently did not do much research beyond Wikipedia and richard dawkins dot net.
Overall impression: very silly, very shallow, and exceptionally arrogant. I would only hope he would read about the things he speak so confidently. But he is such a person, that he doesn't need to read. He is going to say ignorant statements like "All of the prescriptions against homosexuality come from Old Testament" expecting you, while making a rebuttal, teach him something. This is lazy way of learning.
So, my suggestion to the author - if you want to learn something, you read, not go around with arrogant attitude and little clue of what you're talking about and expect people teach you....more info - Immature, Unsophisticated, Self-Serving Propaganda
Maher makes it clear from the beginning of this movie that he has no real intention of doing a scholarly, thought-provoking, intelligent documentary about the beliefs and practices of world religions. Instead, like an obnoxious adolescent, he does little more than deride and lampoon what he apparently does not understand, agree with, and/or what he rebels against. Maher is not content to "live and let live" where religion is concerned; he is not willing to say, "You have your beliefs about God and the world, and I have mine." He evidently prefers to expend his time and energy in showcasing people who represent the worst possible side of religious belief, while completely ignoring how much genuine, life-giving sacrifice has been accomplished through the ages thanks to religious people (Christians in particular). I cannot believe for a moment that Maher is unaware of such efforts, so why does he choose to ignore it? It must be to promote an agenda--his agenda.
It is painfully easy--but rather immature and disingenuous--to spend one's time making a mockery of people's distorted or incomplete understanding of their own religious beliefs and practices. Make no mistake about it: religious adherents ought to understand what they believe and be able to articulate it in a relatively intelligent fashion. But where they cannot or do not, it is a reflection of the individual, not the religion. Maher is presumably smart enough to know the difference, but since he completely ignores this critical distinction, one can only conclude that his agenda is not to provide a meaningful exposition of religious belief, but rather to stir up controversy, cloud the issues, agitate people, and prey upon people's undeveloped grasp of their own faith traditions. How sad and pathetic--or perhaps insidious is a more apt description.
I readily admit that some of the people in his movie came across as simplistic, confused, and misguided, but where Maher finds this condescendingly amusing and strokes his own ego at the expense of others, I found it sad and lamentable that such people don't really understand or know their own religions. I felt sympathy, whereas Maher felt scorn.
If you are someone who is already antagonistic towards religion, you will likely find this film "entertaining." In this regard Maher is certainly preaching to the choir. If, on the other hand, you are a person who is looking for an intelligent and balanced treatment of the subject matter, don't waste your time on this movie. At the very least, I recommend that you borrow it from your library rather than buying it so that Maher is not further remunerated for such a self-serving travesty of film work....more info
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