This is a scary film. When you see the fervor of religious fundamentalism of all faiths, one fears for the future. I quote from an earlier reviewer above, "You may have chills running down your back as you listen to Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Arkansas), sitting in his Capitol office, speaking about his belief in Creationism and the literal interpretation of the Bible. You don't need to be a Christian to be offended (and amused) by the commercial Jesus impersonators Maher interviews, and you may feel a bit sorry for the Pentecostals speaking in tongues. (Gov. Palin and John Ashcroft, neither featured in "Religulous," are members of that church.)" A candidate for VP of the United States (not seen in this film) wants to teach creationism in the schools, wants to personally censor books in her town library, God help us. (Oh yes, forgot, I don't believe there is a God.) Bill Maher did not have to mock religion. The people seen in this film did a fine job of mocking themselves. A husky Latino impeccably dressed in a $4,000 suit with accompanying bling leads a large congregation who appear to believe him when he tells them "I am Jesus Christ returned!" He seems to believe it himself when asked directly by Bill Maher.
And "Holy Land" in Florida? An audience watches in awe as the Crucifixion of Jesus is re-enacted. People are shedding tears, hands clasped reaching to the heavens, praying, (Oh yes, and rushing up to take close-up pictures as Jesus is led to the cross.) But wait, we are not finished. Believe it or not, there are dancing girls! Mel Gibson must have missed a bet when he made his film "The Passion of the Christ" when he did not make it into a musical. Never a believer, I always thought many hymns and all Christmas carols were beautiful, but I think this wonderful music is degraded when actually linked to scenes of Jesus being put up on the cross.
Yes, true believers will be offended by Bill Maher's movie. Those who need to question their beliefs the most, will not. Atheists and agnostics can only shudder at the religionists seen in this film.
Bill Maher deserves maximum credit, when at the end of the movie, he says only, "I am just left with doubt."
And "Holy Land" in Florida? An audience watches in awe as the Crucifixion of Jesus is re-enacted. People are shedding tears, hands clasped reaching to the heavens, praying, (Oh yes, and rushing up to take close-up pictures as Jesus is led to the cross.) But wait, we are not finished. Believe it or not, there are dancing girls! Mel Gibson must have missed a bet when he made his film "The Passion of the Christ" when he did not make it into a musical. Never a believer, I always thought many hymns and all Christmas carols were beautiful, but I think this wonderful music is degraded when actually linked to scenes of Jesus being put up on the cross.
Yes, true believers will be offended by Bill Maher's movie. Those who need to question their beliefs the most, will not. Atheists and agnostics can only shudder at the religionists seen in this film.
Bill Maher deserves maximum credit, when at the end of the movie, he says only, "I am just left with doubt."