Religulous

[Zeradul]

I saw this move in the theatres shortly after it came out.  I was expecting the typical Bill Maher aggression and offensiveness (both of which are never helpful in sensitive debates like theology) but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.  He was shocking tactful and gentle, and while any religious person who believes in "heresy" will still find it offensive (and sinful) by definition, I found it a really gentle and pleasant approach to the discussion of religion.  And at the same time, he doesn't dance around or avoid sensitive issues, he just takes them on directly in a gentle way.

Although I think Bill Maher has probably lost any audience from anyone who is religious thanks to his reputation as a generally offensive and sometimes mean host/commentator/talking head.

So take that for what it's worth.  This is a review I've been meaning to write for a while, and I think it's important because there haven't been many mainstream pro-science, anti-mysticism movies, and I'm very proud that Bill Maher had the wisdom to approach this topic in the way he did for this movie.

I'm curious to hear others' thoughts for anyone who saw it.

By no means am I saying it was perfect, or that the case couldn't be made better, but it's by far the best I've seen Bill Maher.  Certainly Dawkins, or Randi, or Shermer or Dennett could all done a FAR FAR better job, but for what it's worth, Bill Maher exceeded all my expectations by a mile.

[Stinger]

I thought it was pretty good for what it was. As you said, far from the definitive documentary on the subject, but I'm a fan of Bill, and I thought he did well. I was hoping for more of a punchy ending, but meh.

[Ruckus]

Billy is a hero    his show is awesome

we used to chat on irc about his shows

[Ruckus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-not-everything-i_b_244050.html

here's a little Billy frsh from the headlines

Bump !

[Merc248]

it was a good movie (i thought it was pretty funny and somewhat on point), yet i think i came into it hoping for a somewhat academic treatment of the whole issue.

i thought the conclusion was great.

[Ruckus]

I got HBO again just for his show. So F ckin awesome... !!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-maher/new-rule-a-hole-in-one-sh_b_259281.html

"So that's why I'm so worried when I see my president playing golf, because golf is a slippery slope. First comes the golf attire, then the golf stories and pretty soon you're telling black jokes."   BAHAHAHAHA


"But when it comes to bad for the environment, nothing -- literally -- compares with eating meat. The business of raising animals for food causes about 40 percent more global warming than all cars, trucks, and planes combined. If you care about the planet, it's actually better to eat a salad in a Hummer than a cheeseburger in a Prius."  hahaaa