Religulous

[NoStateofMind]

Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

I am looking forward to seeing this. Bill Maher is one of my favorite comedians and has a level head. His political show 'Real Time with Bill Maher' is also excellent. Anyone else going to see this in theaters come October 3rd?

 

[Excelsior]

I am very much looking forward to this. I don't agree entirely with Bill, but I still watch his show and one could call me a fan.

 

[bamacre]

The very problem with religion has resulted in us having religious topics in a politics and news forum.

When politics gets into the religion business, and when religion gets into the business of politics, the reasoning and the results are almost always negative. It is always meant to impose on the freedoms and lives of others. People are ignorantly led to believe that because their beliefs are moral, this imposing on others is moral as well, no matter the cost. And unfortunately so many see religion only through this narrow-minded and corrupted view brought to us throughout history by those in power and also those who seek power. Often they fail to see the capabilities and positives of religion when it is not tied to government or organization. Ironically, they fail to see it simply because it is not imposed upon them.

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

I am looking forward to seeing this. Bill Maher is one of my favorite comedians and has a level head. His political show 'Real Time with Bill Maher' is also excellent. Anyone else going to see this in theaters come October 3rd?

After the fall of Rome religion is about the only thing that kept mankind together. It also was also a major source of literacy back then.

Not to mention the term Judeo-Christian law which, if I?m not mistaken, is the origin of the rights of people.

 

[DealMonkey]

Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Everybody has belief structures. How do you propose we turn ourselves into emotionless drones?

Is there really a difference between ideology and religion in politics?

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

:laugh: :thumbsup:

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Everybody has belief structures. How do you propose we turn ourselves into emotionless drones?

Is there really a difference between ideology and religion in politics?

On that note - it is very easy to misplace your "faith" into government as hold that as a replacement religion. Those who wish to continually expand it clearly see it as doing no wrong ? and that is a very dangerous faith to have.

 

[sportage]

Something to look forward to...
And just before the election!

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Nice try but major fail. Again. Atheists and agnostics (myself) don't go around with crap all over the back of their cars to flaunt/advertise their lack of faith. I don't care about your faith until you try to apply your beliefs to me.

Church <<<<<< | >>>>>> State

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Nice try but major fail. Again. Atheists and agnostics (myself) don't go around with crap all over the back of their cars to flaunt/advertise their lack of faith. I don't care about your faith until you try to apply your beliefs to me.

Church <<<<<< | >>>>>> State

Yeah, I can't recall seeing many atheist or agnostic bumper stickers, but I see many Ichthys bumper stickers. Then again, I live in the bible belt. To not believe in Jesus is madness down here.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

That would be much easier if our country wasn't under assault from a small group of radicals who believe that we should teach their creation story as science.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

I'm not an atheist. See sig

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

I agree, atheism is akin to yet another religion. I'm not atheist, I'm agnostic. Nice try tho.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

But thats like saying drugs+musicians has done good and bad. On one hand it has possibly helped to inspire/create some of the best music of our time and on the other hand it has ended the lives of many artists, at a young age.

Would it not have been better for the artists to not shoot heroine in the first place? Chances are their music would have still been good and they'd be making it decades longer.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

One can have hope in their life as well as a reason to live without religion. It's a pathetic crutch, if that's why you believe.

 

[CycloWizard]

It is my duty as a citizen to vote as I see fit. What determines my worldview, whether it's Christianity, Islam, Judaism, atheism, or what have you, will always play a role in how I vote. The argument that religion should stay out of politics is ridiculous at its core because it is akin to asking people to remove a substantial portion of their worldview from consideration when voting. It's like telling someone not to vote based on social security issues even though they're 61.5 years of age (or whatever the age is now) and SS is about to become increasingly relevant for them. People will always vote for whatever is most important to them. The more vehemently to tell them not to, the more stalwart they will be in doing it.

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

What idea? Maher, while obviously a douchebag - has a point. Religion doesn't work with politics and often conflicts with a lot of other things...

 

[Atreus21]

I wish I could make a documentary. I wish he'd interview me.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
Honestly, this would be a better country if the religious would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow worshippers. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their religion into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their faith on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Somehow I think Maher would agree with me.

Honestly, this would be a better country if the atheists would just be content to keep it to themselves, their families and fellow atheists. Instead, a great many of them insist on injecting their atheism into the public square, into politics, into scientific debate along with wearing their atheism on their sleeve (and on their car's bumper/license plate), and feeling the need to proselytize to the rest of us.

Nice try but major fail. Again. Atheists and agnostics (myself) don't go around with crap all over the back of their cars to flaunt/advertise their lack of faith. I don't care about your faith until you try to apply your beliefs to me.

Church <<<<<< | >>>>>> State

For the love country stop misquoting our founding fathers. That's so cliche.

John Adams:
"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798

The first amendment was written to avoid what was going on in England at that time with the Church running the county. Let's not forget the basic laws that our country had early on about working on Sundays, mandatory church attendance... requirement of Christian profession to hold office etc... doesn't sound like the separation of church and state that I hear from your interpretation of Jefferson.

The Founding Fathers very explicitly set up a secular state, a state with complete religious freedoms and a state free of any potential government religious coercion. That means that a Jew, Atheist, Christian or Hindu has equal rights before the law and has a right not to have any particular religion pushed on him by the government. Yet the science taught in school now days teaches science as religion, that evolution did in fact happen. Nobody was there to observe macro-evolution, nor do they have fossil samples showing the slow progression from fish to bird hence it remains a religion that the government is forcing on students.

It's much worse than forcing Christianity on students, at least that gives them a basis for morality.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: Atreus21
I wish I could make a documentary. I wish he'd interview me.

You can. What would you say?

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: CycloWizard
It is my duty as a citizen to vote as I see fit. What determines my worldview, whether it's Christianity, Islam, Judaism, atheism, or what have you, will always play a role in how I vote. The argument that religion should stay out of politics is ridiculous at its core because it is akin to asking people to remove a substantial portion of their worldview from consideration when voting. It's like telling someone not to vote based on social security issues even though they're 61.5 years of age (or whatever the age is now) and SS is about to become increasingly relevant for them. People will always vote for whatever is most important to them. The more vehemently to tell them not to, the more stalwart they will be in doing it.

Yup, unfortunately we're one nation, inflicting our beliefs on each other. How selfish is that?

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Tab

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
Religulous (In HD) a Lions Gate documentary about religion. Bill Maher goes in search of answers (or lack there of) amongst the populous. Religion has hindered man for a a couple millennia and has driven the decisions of man in politics & daily life.

It's ideas like this that give atheism a bad name. Religion has done plenty of good and plenty of bad, but those that act like we can simply rid the world of religion in one fell swoop if we just "open everyone's eyes" are ignorant. We can't "eliminate" religion and I'm not even sure that's a good idea if we could. Religion has given billions of people hope and a reason to live and, yes, it has had it's issues, but everything in the history of mankind has had it's issues and instead of trying to engage in some sort of dialogue, atheists simply reinforce the view that they're stuck-up intellectuals by saying things like "religion has hindered man."

What idea? Maher, while obviously a douchebag - has a point. Religion doesn't work with politics and often conflicts with a lot of other things...

I am curious to exactly how religion doesnt work with politics anymore than any other basis for a political stance. I think this is where documentarys like this fail. They never answer these questions but instead go out of their way to mock their opponents. They tend to turn into hit pieces.

I could just as easily demonstrate secularism and godless ideology are just as evil and destructive as religion in politics. But does that really tell us anything we dont already know? And better yet how do we keep that out of politics?

The simple answer is we dont. But I am open to hear your take on how we keep it all out of politics without turning into drones that lack emotion and are simple calculating, much like a computer.