In an effort to convince the nominally religious that religion is unreasonable, hypocritical and dangerous, comedian Bill Maher made the documentary Religulous which has been out in theaters since Oct. 1. Bringing in only slightly over $9 million in four weeks, Maher has not reached a broad audience. The film could, however, have some adverse effects.
Maher demonstrates the irrationality of the religious by interviewing a number of people who answer his pressing questions unintelligently. For example, Maher interrogates Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor about his fundamentalist approach to the Bible and his belief in Creationism, stating that it worries him that people who believe in talking snakes are running our nation. Pryor seems to admit his ignorance, musing, You don’t have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate.”
Attempting to show the hypocrisy of religion Maher discusses some of the Bible’s contradictions such as how to rectify the Old Testament teachings about a “jealous God” with the New Testament revelation of God as teacher and friend. He also talks to a priest in Vatican City about how the grandiose architecture seems inconsistent with the Christian message pertaining to the holiness of poverty and humility.
Maher argues that religion could destroy the world. He emphasizes the danger of killing your fellow man in the name of God exemplified by 9/11 and Muslim riots after the airing of a cartoon portraying Mohammed.
Maher makes valid arguments about religion but the tastelessness of the documentary cannot be denied.
The fact that it is directed by Larry Charles the director of “Borat says it all. Maher’s one-sided, comedic and offensive approach prevents a rational audience member from taking his somewhat valid points seriously or respecting his work.
For instance, Maher deals with Mormonism by listing their beliefs of its followers and pointing out their absurdities. He states that to be a Mormon is to believe in some crazy stuff.” According to Maher when Joseph Smith fabricated Mormonism all of the “best crazy” had been picked out so the Mormons were stuck with some of the craziest notions.
Maher interviews Steve Burg an “ex-Jew for Jesus” who unsuccessfully and unintelligently attempts to describe to Maher why he’s come to believe in Jesus. When this man says he believes heaven is a better place than Earth Maher asks him “Then why don’t you kill yourself?”
Maher interviews unattractive poorly spoken religious fanatics in order to bolster his argument. This is however an unfair representation of the religious. He does not interview one person who offers a compelling explanation to support his or her faith.
Clearly Maher did not aim to create a critical documentary. It is funnier and potentially more profitable to simply make religion look stupid.
Judging from the fact that “Religulous” lacks viewers I doubt the film will influence a significant number of people. If it has any effect it may fuel the hostility between the religious and anti-religious. So through this documentary Maher may achieve at least on a small scale the exact opposite of what he is allegedly attempting to achieve: peace and acceptance.
His simple dismissal of Islamic extremism as psychotic for example could further harden the position of Islamic extremists against America. This is of course assuming that Maher will reach Islamic extremists which is unlikely considering his film’s poor figures in the box office.
Religion is not leaving the United States or the world. Christians make up 33 percent of the world’s population and Muslims make up 21 percent. In contrast the “non-religious” only make up 16 percent. Religion is an extremely sacred aspect of many people’s lives.
Although the First Amendment permits Maher to make a documentary of this nature he could have made it more probing and convincing if he investigated the danger and hypocrisy of religion in a more serious respectful and responsible manner.
On the other hand Bill Maher is a comedian and the comedic aspect of his documentary may be its only saving grace. Just think of how few people would have gone to see it if it were tasteful.
