Spring Break
'Religulous': Jesus vs. The Atheist
Jesus Butler and Derek Simons
Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: Culture
Once the world's major religions have been played for enough laughs, Maher ends the film with his own altar call of sorts, urging audiences to abandon religion in the name of human progress, thereby leaving behind all the destruction and bloodshed it has caused.
This earnest, somber monologue doesn't fit with the comedic tone of the rest of the film, and may actually take away more than it adds.
What's more, it's completely one-sided - what of Mother Teresa, or any of the millions throughout history who devoted their lives to healing the sick and feeding the hungry in the name of God?
In the end, Maher's work here seems reminiscent of a political campaign: he spends more time entertaining than informing and, knowing he won't convert hardcore believers and is only preaching to the choir with established atheists, he aims for the unsure, the swing-voters of the spiritual realm.
If you are looking to be entertained or offended (depending on your pre-existing beliefs), this may do the trick; if you're looking for an intelligent discourse on religion, take a class.
jbutler@unews.com
It's easy to understand why comedian Bill Maher's highly irreverent "Religulous" is shown at the Tivoli Cinema.
In a country where mainstream faith is a prerequisite for higher public office (notwithstanding a supposed separation of church and state), this is definitely not a film for the masses.
But for those of us who, like Maher, have difficulty believing in talking snakes or people living inside of whales (sorry, large fish,) this is a film with many exceptionally funny sequences. It's a delight for the 16 percent in this country who identify themselves as "unaffiliated."
Maher's weekly HBO program, "Real Time with Bill Maher," often blessed with high-caliber guests in no-holds-barred discussions of politics, can suffer from his somewhat heavy-handed anti-religious diatribes.
Maher backs off here, relying on his interviewing skills to let others unintentionally provide the humor.
This earnest, somber monologue doesn't fit with the comedic tone of the rest of the film, and may actually take away more than it adds.
What's more, it's completely one-sided - what of Mother Teresa, or any of the millions throughout history who devoted their lives to healing the sick and feeding the hungry in the name of God?
In the end, Maher's work here seems reminiscent of a political campaign: he spends more time entertaining than informing and, knowing he won't convert hardcore believers and is only preaching to the choir with established atheists, he aims for the unsure, the swing-voters of the spiritual realm.
If you are looking to be entertained or offended (depending on your pre-existing beliefs), this may do the trick; if you're looking for an intelligent discourse on religion, take a class.
jbutler@unews.com
It's easy to understand why comedian Bill Maher's highly irreverent "Religulous" is shown at the Tivoli Cinema.
In a country where mainstream faith is a prerequisite for higher public office (notwithstanding a supposed separation of church and state), this is definitely not a film for the masses.
But for those of us who, like Maher, have difficulty believing in talking snakes or people living inside of whales (sorry, large fish,) this is a film with many exceptionally funny sequences. It's a delight for the 16 percent in this country who identify themselves as "unaffiliated."
Maher's weekly HBO program, "Real Time with Bill Maher," often blessed with high-caliber guests in no-holds-barred discussions of politics, can suffer from his somewhat heavy-handed anti-religious diatribes.
Maher backs off here, relying on his interviewing skills to let others unintentionally provide the humor.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Tired but Patient
posted 10/13/08 @ 7:07 PM CST
Lets end this ridiculous debate right here: If any religious organization had to prove that their religion was true in a court of law, BEYOND A DOUBT, how would they do it???
Answers not considered in a court of law:
1) "Just believe it"
2) "God told me"
3) "Just have faith in it"
4) "Someone from 4000 years ago told me to do it"
Small minded and happy
posted 10/14/08 @ 11:39 AM CST
Tired but Patient:
Your argument, while cute, is not compelling. How many innocents have been convicted in courts of law?
Tired of Small-Minded People
posted 10/14/08 @ 2:18 PM CST
Small minded and happy:
YOUR argument is not compelling. It completely avoids the point Tired but Patient is making.
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