Religulous -Bill Mahr's new religion shredding documentary

[quote name='trq']Surely you could pick someone better to quote than Aleister Crowley?[/quote]

You're welcome to try. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.
 
[quote name='camoor']You're welcome to try. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.[/QUOTE]

Well, I think that the Dalai Lama himself doesn't have many quotes like Crowley's probably says something, and he may be a bit more of an authority on the subject.
 
[quote name='trq']Well, I think that the Dalai Lama himself doesn't have many quotes like Crowley's probably says something, and he may be a bit more of an authority on the subject.[/quote]

I've never been big on authority for authority's sake. Incidentally, neither was Gautama Buddha.

I completely admit I'm out of it when it comes to organized religion. I don't know whose orders you have to follow, and how much money you have to give every week and how many veils the women have to wear etc etc. AFAIK Buddhists seem pretty laid back on this stuff though (comparitively speaking)
 
[quote name='camoor']I've never been big on authority for authority's sake. Incidentally, neither was Gautama Buddha.

I completely admit I'm out of it when it comes to organized religion. I don't know whose orders you have to follow, and how much money you have to give every week and how many veils the women have to wear etc etc. AFAIK Buddhists seem pretty laid back on this stuff though (comparitively speaking)[/QUOTE]

Depends on the Buddhist, the sect, and the era, but we've been over that. My point was just that the quote from Crowley is awfully judgmental and axiomatic ("the other guys obviously don't get it"), which, considering he's talking about a supposedly NON-judgmental and NON-axiomatic religion, tells me he's managed to miss the whole point. That you'd never find someone like the Dalai Lama saying something like that makes the point far better than Crowley actually saying it.
 
[quote name='trq']Depends on the Buddhist, the sect, and the era, but we've been over that. My point was just that the quote from Crowley is awfully judgmental and axiomatic ("the other guys obviously don't get it"), which, considering he's talking about a supposedly NON-judgmental and NON-axiomatic religion, tells me he's managed to miss the whole point. That you'd never find someone like the Dalai Lama saying something like that makes the point far better than Crowley actually saying it.[/quote]

Oh yeah. It's just part of his opinion on mainstream religions. It's not a Buddhist opinion or anything.
 
Great film, a must see.

Practice whatever religion you like, I don't care. All I want is a separation of Church from state/politics (which also includes, people voting on the religious views of a president) and the crazy damnation/violence most religion practices. There... that's it! If ya guys can abide by those rules, than you can sit in your corners all day blabbing about flying fish headed monkies and holy ghosts or whatever you guys think is real.
 
[quote name='DarkNessBear']
(which also includes, people voting on the religious views of a president)[/quote]
How would you propose we stop that?

and the crazy damnation/violence most religion practices.
Click to expand...
Damnation? Maybe, depending on how you define damnation.
Most religions practice violence? Do you really want to stand by that statement?


I have not seen this film yet, but from what I am told, it's amusing yet inconsequential, since it was clearly edited/directed to only have interviews and discussions with the most crazy and embarrassing. It was clearly not intent on having a real religious discussion with anyone that most would consider intellectuals on religious thought.

Some would call such a thing: "Hatchet job".
 
[quote name='FloodsAreUponUS']Only Atheists and Agnostics can vote.[/quote]

Haha, that would run into problems.

I propose that everyone just stop voting with religious views. :) Just send an email to every religious person and say, "Hey, stop voting based on religion. K thx bai"

It should work...
 
[quote name='DarkNessBear']Haha, that would run into problems.

I propose that everyone just stop voting with religious views. :) Just send an email to every religious person and say, "Hey, stop voting based on religion. K thx bai"

It should work...[/QUOTE]

So are you going to set the example by promising to ignore all candidates religious views or degree of religious activity when voting from now on?
 
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[quote name='The Crotch']First issue: proper mothafucking capitalization.[/QUOTE]
Crotch, would you be all right if I typed atheist as an acroymn? Such as:
"As an A.T.H.E.I.S.T., I am still open for others to have and express their religious views."

Would you be all right with me referring to myself as A.T.H.E.I.S.T?
 
saw it over the weekend, fun movie.

though I'm biased for the movie, It is filmed rather unfairly with less chance for the religious people to provide a good rebuttal.
 
The reality is that this movie is about Bill Maher being a dick to a few religious nut jobs. That's it. If you don't like religion, then you'll probably enjoy the interviews he has. If you are a religious person and not a TOTAL fuck moron, you'll probably be upset at said interviews being hilariously handpicked for crazy people.

Either way, you'll get at least a few laughs. I know I did (holocaust denying jew FTW).
 
George Carlin put it best:

"So there you have it, the abridged version of the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not be dishonest and thou shall, um, try really, really hard not to kill people. And here's one that needs to be added: Thou shall not force thy beliefs on anyone else."
 
I don't think this movie is meant to provoke thought, or even really provide a fair battleground for religion. We get to see some crazies, we laugh, the end. Although, I do wish he put in some crazy atheists... you know, because he claims to sell doubt, not strict atheism. It would make sense to want to show both ends of the crazy straw. But he didn't do that, which was disappointing.
 
[quote name='Friend of Sonic']I don't think this movie is meant to provoke thought, or even really provide a fair battleground for religion. We get to see some crazies, we laugh, the end. Although, I do wish he put in some crazy atheists... you know, because he claims to sell doubt, not strict atheism. It would make sense to want to show both ends of the crazy straw. But he didn't do that, which was disappointing.[/quote]So in other words, it's like paying money to see youtube and fstdt?
 
[quote name='The Crotch']So in other words, it's like paying money to see youtube and fstdt?[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately. It does seem like the best gags come from the archive footage that's randomly played. But some of the interviews are funny. The guy in Amsterdam was hillarious.
 
[quote name='Zoglog']saw it over the weekend, fun movie.

though I'm biased for the movie, It is filmed rather unfairly with less chance for the religious people to provide a good rebuttal.[/quote]

Thats because when pressed they really have no rebuttal...

Saw it 2 weeks ago...just hope that the DVD has a shit ton of extra footage
 
Thread resurrection as I just watched this finally. Had DVRed it off one of the movie channels the other day.

Pretty entertaining. Some of the little pop ins were pretty damn funny.

On the other hand it was annoying at times as Maher interrupted people way to often. And when you boil it down it's just a movie of making fun of other's beliefs, which even as an atheist I don't really care for.
 
Oh I knew what to expect--which is why it took me so long to getting around to watching it as these things aren't really my cup of tea as I'm not much into mocking others.
 
i thought it was funny, he definitely picked easy targets, and even harder ones will eventually be shunned out because there is no way to sound "correct" on the religious side -- they just have to maintain a positive attitude and not get flustered.

as for reactions to the movie, i dont know which is worse -- atheists blatantly insulting people or theists trying to make up evidence for their arguments.

which is why i hate religious/science discussion. it always ends up with the smarties from both sides writing pages and pages of debate, all of which can be summarized to "these two subjects are no where near compatible, and we'll never compromise."
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']i dont know which is worse -- atheists blatantly insulting people or theists trying to make up evidence for their arguments.

which is why i hate religious/science discussion. it always ends up with the smarties from both sides writing pages and pages of debate, all of which can be summarized to "these two subjects are no where near compatible, and we'll never compromise."[/QUOTE]

Exxxxxxactly.

I found it pretty entertaining, mmnonetheless.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']i thought it was funny, he definitely picked easy targets, and even harder ones will eventually be shunned out because there is no way to sound "correct" on the religious side -- they just have to maintain a positive attitude and not get flustered.

as for reactions to the movie, i dont know which is worse -- atheists blatantly insulting people or theists trying to make up evidence for their arguments.

which is why i hate religious/science discussion. it always ends up with the smarties from both sides writing pages and pages of debate, all of which can be summarized to "these two subjects are no where near compatible, and we'll never compromise."[/QUOTE]

Religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes. Honestly, Religious people will never concede that they have NO evidence that supports that beliefs and in fact its easy to rip apart their holy books as inaccurate and pretty much flat out wrong. Meanwhile on the other side of the fence Atheists will refuse to admit that just because the religions we have on hand currently are jokes it does not mean the theory of God in and of itself is a joke.
 
[quote name='panzerfaust']i dont know which is worse -- atheists blatantly insulting people or theists trying to make up evidence for their arguments.

which is why i hate religious/science discussion. it always ends up with the smarties from both sides writing pages and pages of debate, all of which can be summarized to "these two subjects are no where near compatible, and we'll never compromise."[/QUOTE]

Should probably focus more on the politics of it. Because that's what it comes down to isn't it.

Does America celebrate freedom of religion, or is it a Christian nation? I'd say the modern record is divided on this topic.
 
[quote name='MSI Magus']Religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes. Honestly, Religious people will never concede that they have NO evidence that supports that beliefs and in fact its easy to rip apart their holy books as inaccurate and pretty much flat out wrong. Meanwhile on the other side of the fence Atheists will refuse to admit that just because the religions we have on hand currently are jokes it does not mean the theory of God in and of itself is a joke.[/QUOTE]

Love it when you say religion and you're really talking about the handful of religions that you are familiar with.

There are religions that do not propose to know everything, religous leaders who admit the limitations of their knowledge, and philosophies that can live in perfect harmony with scientific and social progress. Despite what happens in modern America, religions don't have to be constantly warring with progress whether it be the American legal system, scientific theory or medical advances.
 
[quote name='camoor']Love it when you say religion and you're really talking about the handful of religions that you are familiar with.

There are religions that do not propose to know everything, religous leaders who admit the limitations of their knowledge, and philosophies that can live in perfect harmony with scientific and social progress. Despite what happens in modern America, religions don't have to be constantly warring with progress whether it be the American legal system, scientific theory or medical advances.[/QUOTE]

Yes I know. My wife grew up in a very Christian home and while she downright dislikes Christians now she still misses the church atmosphere(singing, community and events)so we go to a Unitarian Universalist church off and on. This means we are constantly hearing sermons from religions we may have never heard of. I realize religion is a huge wide world with many different beliefs and not all claim to know the answer to life and everything else that ever has or ever will exist. My last message was a blanket statment, but it was meant to cover the modern and major religions of the world. What your doing is essentially telling me I cant say "dont drink that water its toxic" and then pointing out that 1-5% of its still good.....
 
[quote name='camoor']Love it when you say religion and you're really talking about the handful of religions that you are familiar with.

There are religions that do not propose to know everything, religous leaders who admit the limitations of their knowledge, and philosophies that can live in perfect harmony with scientific and social progress. Despite what happens in modern America, religions don't have to be constantly warring with progress whether it be the American legal system, scientific theory or medical advances.[/QUOTE]

Thank you.

Most anti-religious folk just focus on the people that are absolutely certain dinosaurs roamed 7,000, and their ilk. Then they try to make it look like all religions and all the religions are like that.
 
Well he is a comedian, it's kind of his thing to make fun of people. Besides that, some fo the stuff in the movie is just too far out there not to laugh at. The Christian theme park especially.
 
[quote name='Clak']Well he is a comedian, it's kind of his thing to make fun of people. Besides that, some fo the stuff in the movie is just too far out there not to laugh at. The Christian theme park especially.[/QUOTE]

Thing is Bill Maher when it comes to religion does not present himself as a comedian that often...he acts like a crusader and can often come off as an idiot. Much of what he says is true about religion.....but some is false and all of it comes off in a dickish manor.
 
He just has no respect for religion, he (and many others) see it as being ridiculous and hypocritical. He points these things out, and since most people take religion very seriously, they get offended. Granted, terms like "jesus freaks" are sure to offend, it's not like equally mean spirited things aren't said about atheists.

Both sides have their more militant members, but neither side is willing to tone things down.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']I figure it's only a matter of time before we have a thread for this movie, especially considering how many people frequenting this forum that despise religion.

http://www.lionsgate.com/religulous/

Watch the trailer. Discuss. And if you see the movie, discuss some more.[/QUOTE]

[quote name='MSI Magus']Unless there is a new Xmen or Saw coming out I dont go to the movies.....but this one has me tempted. Religion is the most disgusting thing man has ever come up with(I would have said weapons are but at least they have some uses) and most(no not all but most)religious people are fucking morons that believe at least a handful of contradictorily things and disregard certain parts of their religion for their own convenience.

Mahers also a pretty smart guy, he does lean quite a bit to the left but you know what he gives everyone shit equally and doesnt just pull stuff from his ass to back his beliefs. Iv also seen him admit he was wrong numerous times. So before people like thrust and broly go off on him again stop and think do O Riley or Hanity do either of these?[/QUOTE]

...and the bait has been taken.
 
[quote name='cindersphere']New age quakers aren't really that bad. The sound pretty much on par with new age spiritualists, except they tend to have less crap crystals crap.[/QUOTE]

Fixed.
 
[quote name='thrustbucket']
Most anti-religious folk just focus on the people that are absolutely certain dinosaurs roamed 7,000, and their ilk. Then they try to make it look like all religions and all the religions are like that.[/QUOTE]

I don't think that's true. As an atheist every religion is as "wrong" as the others as being an atheist means not believing in any type of supreme being, any time of afterlife or re-incarnation, or any type of spirituality or anything to do with souls etc. in general.

The major religions get discussed more for sure, but that's because they are the major religions that are in everyone's face etc. Not because anyone thinks those are the only religions etc. i.e. I've never had a Buddhist or Taoist or Hindu or much less the even smaller religions knock on my door pushing their views. So ire gets directed at branches of Christianity and other major religions more often as those are the ones we run into in our daily lives. But that doesn't mean I think the smaller religions are any less absurd.
 
[quote name='MSI Magus']And? Everything I said stands.[/QUOTE]

No, I just meant inevitably someone was going to end up being the asshole of the thread. I just didn't think it would've happened so fast. It's great you mean everything you said. My guess is that others did too.

And?
 
[quote name='berzirk']No, I just meant inevitably someone was going to end up being the asshole of the thread. I just didn't think it would've happened so fast. It's great you mean everything you said. My guess is that others did too.

And?[/QUOTE]

So you insult anyone that does not believe what you believe and I am the asshole? Got it...no point trying to come up with intelligent response to someone who will not even try and have an intelligent debate.
 
[quote name='MSI Magus']So you insult anyone that does not believe what you believe and I am the asshole? Got it...no point trying to come up with intelligent response to someone who will not even try and have an intelligent debate.[/QUOTE]

Haa haa. You're thin-skinned about insults considering you've issued such "conducive to rational conversation statements" as:

-Religion is the most disgusting thing man has ever come up with(I would have said weapons are but at least they have some uses) and most(no not all but most)religious people are fucking morons that believe at least a handful of contradictorily things and disregard certain parts of their religion for their own convenience.

-Its just bull shit. Final thing ill say in this long post which at this point is more of a rant is that I also cannot be tolerant of Religion because Religion in and of itself cannot be tolerant of me. Religious people at their core have a belief that they have found an answer to the meaning of life and death and that if you dont share it your wrong. Even when religious people are fucking nice about it their still condescending and believe so whole heartedly that they have the answer that I must be fucking wrong.

-It isnt just my opinion but a damn fact just looking around at both history and the world we live in that religin is poison.

-A belief in a God is not logical or illogical, but a belief in the current big 3 religions is a joke.

-Religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes.

I'll let your words speak for you.
 
[quote name='berzirk']Haa haa. You're thin-skinned about insults considering you've issued such "conducive to rational conversation statements" as:

-Religion is the most disgusting thing man has ever come up with(I would have said weapons are but at least they have some uses) and most(no not all but most)religious people are fucking morons that believe at least a handful of contradictorily things and disregard certain parts of their religion for their own convenience.

-Its just bull shit. Final thing ill say in this long post which at this point is more of a rant is that I also cannot be tolerant of Religion because Religion in and of itself cannot be tolerant of me. Religious people at their core have a belief that they have found an answer to the meaning of life and death and that if you dont share it your wrong. Even when religious people are fucking nice about it their still condescending and believe so whole heartedly that they have the answer that I must be fucking wrong.

-It isnt just my opinion but a damn fact just looking around at both history and the world we live in that religin is poison.

-A belief in a God is not logical or illogical, but a belief in the current big 3 religions is a joke.

-Religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes.

I'll let your words speak for you.[/QUOTE]

Well lets see. Going over the statements

- Religion is one of the most disgusting things man has ever come up with - *looks at the numerous wars, hate crimes and other acts committed in the name of Religion* Yep that one stands. Even Religions that claim peacefulness and pacifism such as Buddhism have fought wars in the name of their religion.

- People believe contradictory things or look the other way on things their religion teaches but they do not want to believe in. This one is simple and I cant believe anyone would dispute it. There are too many people that are religious yet also believe in things like evolution. Mormons now disregard largly the things said about blacks and other dark skinned people. And I dont think I even need to get into the way Muslims in the middle east are twisting verses to fit their needs. As for looking the other way and disregarding things besides whats already been named there are tons of both simple and large things such as the way woman are treated in the bible/supposed to be treated or tithing(something I have only known a few ever to truly do).

- A belief in the big 3 religions are a joke. Hmmmm lets see again its easy to point out the numerous contradictions of the bible. Its easy to point out numerous historical inaccuracies. And finally its easy for science to wreck havoc on the old testament and history as told by the bible. So basically if you follow one of the big 3 religions it means following books that by and large have been proven as horribly inaccurate and contradictory. It is a joke.


- Religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes....again this stands. You can try and say I am ignorant or trying to circle jerk but facts are facts and so far all you have done is insult me. If you want to believe in religion then how about doing what so far the religious have never been able to do....defend it and do so logically. Sigh, see this is exactly why I stated these things. You can not hack a debate...just insults! Meanwhile most of the time those that are against religion can not accept others belief in God. You do not even seem to recognize the fact that what I am attacking is religion as a concept not the simple belief in God. A belief in God is all fine and good, problem is that any time someone takes their belief system and makes it a religion with multiple people following it...bad shit starts to happen. You may not accept this, but that just means you are choosing to ignore history and facts.

My wife believes in Reincarnation, hell she believes that humans are made of energy and when we die our energy is released before being restructured into a new living being. She has changed her beliefs over time on how exactly this type of reincarnation works and all the while it keeps seeming more and more shocking that she has not played and stole her beliefs from Final Fantasy VII ;) Meanwhile though I have always respected her views, just as I have respected my hippie mothers belief in a God/Goddess and many other peoples beliefs. So like I said you can mock me all you want, you can insult me all you want. I am sorry I believe facts over what ever the hell you chose to believe in. When history and science lines up and says "this is wrong....blatantly wrong" and then gives a laundry list of why I can not help but not listen.

EDIT - BTW Do not bother to respond with another post just tossing my own words back at me or with nothing but childish insults. If you do so again I will treat you like the child you are acting like and ignore you. If you wish to have a debate then start contradicting points of the argument not general statements and start doing so without insults. Funny thing is if you knew anything at all about religion it would not be that hard to beat me in any kind of a debate since even though I am confident I am right I have not read up on the subject well enough in 10 years or so to offer a truly good debate ;)
 
[quote name='msi magus']well lets see. Going over the statements

- religion is one of the most disgusting things man has ever come up with - *looks at the numerous wars, hate crimes and other acts committed in the name of religion* yep that one stands. Even religions that claim peacefulness and pacifism such as buddhism have fought wars in the name of their religion.

- people believe contradictory things or look the other way on things their religion teaches but they do not want to believe in. This one is simple and i cant believe anyone would dispute it. There are too many people that are religious yet also believe in things like evolution. Mormons now disregard largly the things said about blacks and other dark skinned people. And i dont think i even need to get into the way muslims in the middle east are twisting verses to fit their needs. As for looking the other way and disregarding things besides whats already been named there are tons of both simple and large things such as the way woman are treated in the bible/supposed to be treated or tithing(something i have only known a few ever to truly do).

- a belief in the big 3 religions are a joke. Hmmmm lets see again its easy to point out the numerous contradictions of the bible. Its easy to point out numerous historical inaccuracies. And finally its easy for science to wreck havoc on the old testament and history as told by the bible. So basically if you follow one of the big 3 religions it means following books that by and large have been proven as horrible inaccurate and contradictory. It is a joke.


- religious arguments are just circle jerks for the ignorant and pompous assholes....again this stands. You can try and say i am ignorant or trying to circle jerk but facts are facts and so far all you have done is insult me. If you want to believe in religion then how about doing what so far the religious have been able to do....defend it and do so logically. Sigh, see this is exactly why i stated things. You can not hack a debate...just insults and meanwhile most of the time those that are against religion can not accept others belief in god. You do not even seem to recognize the fact that what i am attack is religion as a concept not a belief in god. A belief in god is all fine and good, problem is that any time someone takes their belief system and makes it a religion with multiple people following it...bad shit starts to happen. You may not accept this, but that just means you are choosing to ignore history and facts.

My wife believes in reincarnation, hell she believes that humans are made of energy and when we die our energy is released before being restructured into a new living being. She has changed her beliefs over time on how exactly this type of reincarnation works and all the while it keeps seeming more and more shocking that she has not played and stole the religion from final fantasy vii ;) meanwhile though i have always respected her views, just as i have respected my hippie mothers belief in a god/goddess and many other peoples beliefs. So like i said you can mock me all you want, you can insult me all you want. I am sorry i believe facts over what ever the hell you chose to believe in. When history and science lines up and says "this is wrong....blatantly wrong" and then gives a laundry list of why i can not help but not listen.[/quote]

ok.
 
[quote name='MSI Magus']Best "debate" you have offered all day![/QUOTE]

Well, not really sure what there is to say. Heh. You have your strongly felt views, I have mine, not sure either of us is genuinly looking for real discussion because we both have our deeply rooted beliefs, and nothing the other says is going to change that. I figured rather than keeping it going, I'd acknowledge you posted, and move on.
 
[quote name='berzirk']Well, not really sure what there is to say. Heh. You have your strongly felt views, I have mine, not sure either of us is genuinly looking for real discussion because we both have our deeply rooted beliefs, and nothing the other says is going to change that. I figured rather than keeping it going, I'd acknowledge you posted, and move on.[/QUOTE]

Mighty mature of you(no sarcasm meant by that, truly is mighty mature and impressive).
 
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