Religulous

Bill Maher

Icon Films Blu Ray

R4 DVD

The word Religulous was coined by Maher as a blend of the two words “religion" and "ridiculous”. As a work of cinema Religulous is hard to classify – it is a documentary, a comedy, a commentary and a tour of religious insanity worldview. Bill Maher is a highly successful stand-up comedian and after some years of reflection on religion realized the breathtaking stupidity of believing such superstition and became an atheist. Religulous is his exploration of religious beliefs and certainly packs in the laughs, while at the same time reflecting deeply on why people can believe such incredible things.

There are many ways to try and stimulate people to use critical thinking about religion. Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and others tend to use science and education, Maher realizes the value of humour and uses ridicule to great effect.

The director of Religulous is Larry Charles who also directed Borat. He has a knack of choosing the right people to interview, he realizes that with certain people if you “give them enough rope they will hang themselves” and they certainly do that. It is frightening to hear what these people really think when only a little pressure is applied. From the US congressman who admits “there is no IQ test to get into congress” to Moslems who demand free speech to advocate Jihad but justify the Fatwa issued against Salman Rusdie to a ex-Jew for Jesus who would welcome a nuclear attack as it is a sign of the end times and brings him closer to his Lord.

It would be fair to say Religulous is “preaching to the converted”, the pure venom of the commentary, the slanted humour of the questions and the presentation of the program is clearly based on an atheist worldview. I certainly couldn’t see any religious person sitting through it. However, it may prove of value to those who are “nominally” religious or “Sunday Christians” who need a jolt to reconsider the superstitions they hold so dearly and the cost to not only their rationality but the mankind of holding such outmoded beliefs.

There are some moments of sheer theatre such as the bizarre Creation Museum or the Holy Land theme park, one could also add Maher being thrown out of the Vatican and off Mormon property. I especially loved when he told an “ex-gay” preacher that he still looked gay and when he hugged him goodbye asked if he got a hard on !

While the film was well received and was surprisingly successful at the box office there were mixed reviews. The primary criticism was that Maher did not treat religious figures with respect. Personally I find such criticism misguided, Maher (as do most atheists) sees preachers, pastors and other related kin as flim-flam salesman. They are selling a product which nobody can see never mind prove. Products such as life after death in heaven and love from an invisible friend for life are such winners as they make the buyer feel good but cost nothing to produce. The downside is the loss of rationality and self-respect buying such a product causes. Any other salesman selling such a product would be charged with fraud so why give respect to those who prey on the weak, sick and emotionally challenged.

While Religulous is funny, nasty, venomous and incisive, the ending is reflective and powerful. As Maher so rightly notes, religious beliefs have brought man to the edge of an abyss. The End times may be near not because Jesus is about to return, but because religious extremists want to use any means they can to enforce their values on the world and we need to wake up and smell the bullshit before it is too late.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 3 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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