Religulous
The half-Catholic (father) , half-Jewish (mother) comedian Bill Maher has made a film mocking religion. It is scheduled for an Easter 2008 release. “Religulous” is a combination of religion and ridiculous. It appears Maher-the-merciless doesn’t spare anyone–the Vatican, Jews, Islam, Mormons–all get slammed. Bill Maher was raised Catholic, so he has plenty of experiences to draw on. Since he is pretty liberal, evangelical Christians and the Bush administration have been a great source of material, too. 
Listen to Bill Maher’s interview with Larry King on the movie here.
“We are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder. If you look at it logically, it’s something drilled into your head when you were a small child. It certainly was drilled into mine at that age. And you really can’t be responsible when you are a kid for what adults put in your head.”
I am looking forward to this movie. I’m sure most of it will be funny with a few cheap shots. Perhaps Maher ought to thank the nuns and priests for helping him to become such a great comic and social commentator. The crucible of a Catholic education has produced an inordinate share of people passionately dedicated to change and foment–artists, writers, reformers–because it inspires the rebellion of creative thinkers.
Bill Maher is absolutely right on one point – we all need to doubt. The struggle between doubt and belief sparks faith.
God writes in straight ways through crooked lines…
