J/K! I think
everyone should see it. You'll either love it or love to hate it. I'm talking about
Religulous, Bill Maher's attempt to turn everyone into agnostics. But don't worry: it won't work. If you know that you know that you know, then you have nothing to fear. Watch it several times!
The mocking of those other, ridiculous religions will amuse you. The mocking of what he
thinks is Christianity might also amuse you. Far as I know, his victims are all Trinnies, so they're not really Christians, anyway!
Oh, wait. You guys are sooo past that, aren'tcha? (Most of you, anyway?)
OK, enough cynicism. (Or is it?
) On with the review.
Talk about a love-it-or-hate-it movie! But actually,
everyone should love
parts of it, at least. Maher spends a fair amount of time on Scientology, Mormonism, and Islam, so you guys should get a kick out of those segments.
There are clips of a couple of tongue-talkers, in the context of a chat with a researcher
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Newberg in neurotheology (I think that's the term they used). One clip is of Robert Tilton (of farting preaching fame, but no funny noises in the clip -- well, not
those funny noises!), and the other I didn't recognize -- a lady doing a deliverance or something. You guys should see the film if for no other reason than I'd like you to discern for me if these tongues are the real thing! (Ahem. I said enough cynicism! Sorry.
)
The modus operandi throughout the film is interviews with (mostly) religious folks, some well known, some not, punctuated with clips of various films (The Ten Commandments, Mormon instructional films, e.g.) and news footage to illustrate some point. Or to make the interviewee look ridiculous. (Or more ridiculous!)
If you see it, don't miss the chat with Ken Ham and the visit to his Creation Museum in Orlando!
And don't miss the interview with the "ex"-gay minister, and
especially the good-byes! My, oh my. I don't think he knew the camera was still rolling.
OK, this movie isn't journalism, and it isn't fair and balanced. There are a number of critiques on the web, pointing out some factual errors and such. These critics may have a point, but they don't detract much from the big picture, IMO. The main idea, as Maher unabashedly proclaims, is
doubt. He comes right out and says it. He's "preaching" doubt! He's fed up with
certainty where there can
be no certainty. Perhaps he overstates it a bit (or a lot), but he's right, IMO. And perhaps his prescription ("religion must die so we can live") is over the top. Or perhaps not. Regardless, if you want a thought-provoker, or you just want to be informed about what garbage the "enemy" is spewing forth, or you just want a good laugh (he's a stand-up comic in real life, after all), this film is for you.
But only if you are prayed up.
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
But Phelps was hardly the primary rep. Some clips of protests. No interview, if I recall. (And I think I'd recall a Phelps interview!)
Hybrid Mode
