This is Bill Maher’s documentary on religion and basically he goes around the world talking to people of all faiths about their religion and offers them some challenges. It would be impossible to say that the film is not biased, it of course reflects the atheist point of view of the filmmakers. However, everything has a bias so why not listen to someone who is at least challenging people to defend what they have placed so much value on. Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Catholics, Christians, and more get their time with Bill to discuss why THEY are the ones with the truth and everyone ELSE is f-ing nuts. I admit that I am much more in sync with Bill Maher than I am with all the religious representatives in the movie so I fully admit that by liking this movie and literally the choir he is preaching too. But the film brings up a LOT of good points and I think it really shows how there is a large over-zealous population out there that has taken a thirst for answers in an unknown universe and used it as a means to oppress and exploit both their own people and other peoples of the world. The point to me does not seem to be that God is bad but more that organized religion is often in the hands of manipulative and destructive forces that are less about spirituality and more about man-made power and gain.
There are some classic scenes in this movie like when Bill visits the “Holy Land Experience” in Florida as fat tourists watch a re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion while sucking down a Pepsi. And when he goes to visit the Creation Museum, still under construction, that depicts man and dinosaurs hanging out together (a la Flintstones) as an accurate depiction of history according to the Bible.
Bill Maher may not be 100% right but I think his point is that no one is 100% right when it comes to “God’s plan” and to act any differently is insane. Regardless of your religious convictions, check the movie out. Anyone with a sense of humor should definitely enjoy it.
