Religulous - DVD

Bill Maher roams the world making fun of the delusions and lengths people go to protect their ingrained irrational. On the way we meet a whacky mix of characters in which Bill frequently gets a laugh out of most by there own doing. The film consists of a mix of interviews with people from a variety of backgrounds interspersed with little snippets of religious television and movies to comical effect. At times I fear for Bill as he asks the tough questions but most of the time the subjects don't realise their having the piss taken out of them. The looks on there faces and pauses when they realise what they've just said are priceless. My favourite characters include: Jeremiah Cummings- Bill stirs him up about his wealth which he is rather proud of despite Jesus's views, conveniently believes it is easy for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle. The former missionary who tells of all Gods great miracles except can't remember any, except that it rained once. Doesn't believe in Santa Clause at least. The "ex-gay" pastor trying to convert others. Quote "Gays aren't happy" haha, even looks gay to Bills amusement. Mark Pryor Arkansas senator - proving you don't need a high IQ to get into senate, even says so - priceless. The constantly interrupting Rabbi - Holocaust denier and David Copperfield fan The jewish inventor devoted to creating devices to be used on the sabbath, "Gods loopholes" and his state of the art wheelchair Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda - reincarnation or is that relative (same thing?)of Jesus, or maybe Carmen Miranda - told in private by God of course. The whole of the Dutch Muslim gay community - "hope you like each other" Muslim cleric with his Led Zeppelin ringtone going off at inconvenient time. and of course Jesus himself - with his ice/water/steam analogy Though ultimately amusing it is distressing to see the hatred and denial of facts hidden behind the veil of religious beliefs that we are somehow led to respect. Not any more. I also found Religulous to provide some valuable history lessons for example the obvious similarities to Horus, Mithras and other gods written in texts thousands of years before Jesus. This and a broad array of useful quips, comebacks to be used in reply to any rubbish that is thrown your way - Atheists have a right to speak up too. There is a moral to the story and Bill outlines how disturbing andhow open these people are to the end of the world and the risks of self-fulfilling prophecies. To most of the reviewers who criticise Maher for attacking the "straw men". To them I say the fact is these people are well and truly out there, visible to the public and often profiting rather well ultimately at their expense. To the more moderate believers it could be argued that if anythings these people are true to their religion there is ample room for literal and ultimatley evil interpretations. For those who are arrogant enough to think they know how we were created,why we're all here and what happens after we die - well you don't, I don't and neither does Bill. Read more

I can see why many fundamentalist Christians (if they watch this movie) would be wetting themselves. This is a great movie to make anyone think about why they believe what they believe. If you are on the religious fence, watch this movie! It is very humorous, though I warn more sensitive viewers there are flashes of nudity and frequent use of vulgar language. By the end of the movie, there are some sobering moments in pondering how horrifying that there are so many religious fanatics about who would take an opportunity to see that the End Times of the Bible come to pass. The movie is mostly focused on the Christian religion, but does barely touch on some of the others. To Bill Maher: If you read this, I wanted to point out answers to two of the questions you asked in the movie. I follow a path of Paganism (I won't call it a religion, because I do not believe in deity nor do I worship one), but Paganism is one of the least harmful religions I can think of. You mentioned how most religions have no respect for nature. Well, Paganism fits that bill. You also stated that religions were made by men to put women down. Here is another instance where Paganism not only accepts women as equal to men, but in many instances, women are actually elevated above men. Another note, Bill--The reason for keeping up the Cerne Abbas giant / Rude Man of England has nothing to do with religion. (It was once a place for yearly "fertility gatherings.") But the main reason for keeping it is the same reason we try to preserve the Sistine Chapel or the Great Pyramids; it is part of a past culture that found meaning in this symbol. There is one other area I disagree with you on. In one of the monologues in the Special Features section, you basically say that marriage is a bad thing. Now, I have never been married, but I can see the logical and less logical benefits in doing so, which have nothing to do with religion. The main reason to marry is for companionship, but it also has tax benefits and divided chores and income, which are the more practical reasons. There is also an intimacy, a secure feeling, and a passion that cannot be found except between two people who are dedicated to each other, whether through legal marriage or through some kind of understanding between the pair. Thanks for making the movie, Bill. Read more

A lot of people probably won't be willing to see Bill Maher's very entertaining, often funny, and informative film, which makes the case for doubt, or "I don't know", rather than making leaps of faith which defy every law of physics and nature in religious dogmas. As an agnostic, I naturally agreed whole-heartedly with his premise, but I suspect that for believers, there is just too much cognitive dissonance when people are taught from infancy that what they believe is absolute truth. This is not meant to be an attack on a particular religion, as Maher is an equal opportunity critic, not of the people, but of the blind acceptance of any dogma. The movie covers a lot of ground, and does not really build up toward a climax, but rather goes from one subject to the next in no particular sequence. Most of those he interviews remain friendly, though some become annoyed when they realize he is asking questions they can't answer logically, and he is making them look foolish. I think all religious people should see this, especially the similarity of Jesus Christ to Horus in 1250 BC. If your faith is firm, then you should not be afraid or resistant to seeing this. But I suspect that most who bother to watch this will find that Maher is preaching to the choir. It should have been spelled Religiulous. Read more