Let me start off with a disclaimer before I get into a review of “Religulous”: A) I am no fan of Bill Maher’s, as a Republican, and B) I am an atheist. So I had reasons to both like and dislike Bill Mahr’s anti-religion documentary that came out on Oct. 3.
The movie is mostly made of interviews with various people somehow connected to the topic of religion: former Mormons, gay Muslim activists, a crazed rabbi, a person from Jews for Jesus, and a theme-park Jesus impersonator, among others. All of the short segments are hilarious as Bill Maher gets them to say absolutely ridiculous things. This movie is “Borat” with meaning, or a Michael Moore doc with more humor and charm. In fact, let’s go ahead and hail Bill Maher as the next Michael Moore because “Religulous” is the best mainstream documentary in a long time.
That’s not to say that religious audiences will find it as amusing as I did. Christians might be easily offended by comments that their belief in God is illogical and possibly a result of a neurological disorder. Muslims may also be upset at the way the Koran is portrayed, and how Muslims are shown violent extremists. However, I think that religious people should see the movie so that atheists, agnostics, Jews, Muslims, and Christians can all have an open dialogue about religion and the effects it can have. No one should ever blindly accept things. Sometimes faith needs questioning.
The movie may go to the extremes when implying that religion may be dangerous and a result of a neurological disorder. However, it is refreshing to have something that finally takes up the subject and is not afraid to face against religion, which usually seen as a taboo subject. B+
See Bill Maher on “The View” here and here, and watch as the ladies get angry with him. It’s really quite humorous. If you would like to see the trailer, go here.
