Last year, Bill Maher made a documentary on religion, with the expected results. Of Religulous, Prisco wrote:
Bill Maher just doesn’t know. And that’s why Religulous is less of a documentary and more of an interactive concert film where he goes around belittling religious zealots in the effort of spreading the gospel of purported truth. He spends the entire movie berating his interviewees with a smug sense of superiority without once listening to them. Essentially, his message is that religions are dangerous and stupid because people use them not as a crutch, but as a cannon, even though most of their arguments for doing so are nothing more than smoke and bullshit.
Now, a man named Peter Rodger has put together a documentary exploring God the way it should be explored: Without insults, belittlement, or mockery. We tend to mock Christian fundamentalism ourselves, but I don’t think any of us — even the many atheists among us — are anti-religion. We respect religious beliefs as long as they aren’t used to kill or divide.
Oh My God!, at least judging from the trailer, examines religion from the perspective of those who believe, including a few celebrities (Hugh Jackman, Ringo Starr, David Copperfield). Naturally, because Rodger is only asking a question — “What is God to you?” — Oh My God certainly won’t do the business that Maher’s doc did. But at least it’s honest, it aims to provoke thought, and it doesn’t seem to have an agenda.
Check out the trailer. It’ll tug at your heart. It may not do any business in theaters, but it does look like the sort of movie that will do well through Netflix’s Instant Watch.
Jesus is alright by me, hell, I may be one of the few posters who goes regularly. What matters most is the people involved in the church, it can mean the difference between ending up like Mother Theresa, or Fred Phelps.
wow. 2 trailers in one day that don't blow chunks?
what's happening around here? me likey.
Posted by: gem at October 19, 2009 10:41 AM
Wow. That thing looks amazing. If they didn't just lift all the best visual parts for the trailer, it will at least be stunning to look at.
Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at October 19, 2009 10:42 AM
In Maher's defense, he wasn't looking at God, but religion and those are two entirely different animals.
Posted by: Tracer Bullet at October 19, 2009 10:45 AM
I believe in pretty men.
But seriously, I do have a problem with most organized religion. God, people believing what they like - no problems at all. Organized religions twisting up words to make rules that cause people to hate or kill each other - problems.
Posted by: Cindy at October 19, 2009 10:55 AM
Your subtitle is mean, Dustin. And it made me smirk, so we're both probably going to Hell.
Didn't see Maher's movie but based on his HBO show I can guess what sort of tone he takes. He's an intriguing guy. Intelligent, funny, generally well informed, but basically a raging asshole. And that's coming from someone who more often agrees with the asshole than not.
Posted by: ed newman at October 19, 2009 11:07 AM
Ah, look at my beautiful, beautiful husband. Who loves you, Hugh Jackman? That's right! I do! Yes, I do! Yes, I do!
I'm sorry, what were we talking about?
Posted by: vercordio at October 19, 2009 11:07 AM
That is easily the tranniest picture of the month. His goddamned hair is feathered. FEATHERED!!!
Big respect to Hugh for having the range to go from looking like a bored model exploring her masculine side with a painted-on beard to walking on set and playing the manliest, meastiest comic book character of all time.
Oh, and believing in God is understandable. Doesn't make sense to me, but I see where it can be invaluable in people's lives.
Posted by: Kballs at October 19, 2009 11:09 AM
See: "Life Of Brian". There's certainly a lot of heresy that gets called "blasphemy", and I'd think one's divinity oughta be able to take it and not feel deprived or embattled, and one should follow said divinity's example and just get on with life. Or, as Bono said, "well, the god I believe in isn't short of cash".
I do believe in morality and beneficence, as do other animals who don't have abstract thought capabilities. Like Eddie Izzard, I believe that there are philosophies, "with some good ideas, and some fucking weird ones" and I suppose I'm in the more Doctor Who side of the spectrum, where everything is natural and scientific in some way, even if you can't comprehend it from your vantage point, like when Percival thought the knights were angels and God himself cause he didn't know any better. And I don't think there's anything wrong or misguided with just being fascinated by and in love with the universe, even if "the watchmaker" didn't build it. People like to figure out what's going on and feel supported, and religion's done that now for a few thousand years. Every now and then people change their minds on what it's all about. I can't knock that instinctive urge, I just personally don't mind not having the solution. I'd rather be like Carl Sagan and just say "Holy shit, that's amazing! I have no idea what that is! Maybe we'll eventually get a better handle on it, but for now...Wow! Look at that!"
And after all, "you cannot go against Nature, because when you do go against Nature, it's part of Nature too". Do what ye will but harm none, right? Or, from the theological point of view, as Bill Hicks said, "NOTHING can go against God's will". So, relax and just try to be nice and respectful. You feel good and so do others. The apes know this.
wait a second-that's hugh jackman up top in that picture?
i figured it was the peter rodger guy who made the film-yikes.
Posted by: gem at October 19, 2009 12:06 PM
I was about to say that I, in fact, was anti-religion, but then you pointed out that it's alright as long as it's not used to kill or divide. I agree, but that's the key point; is there any religion that doesn't kill or divide?
Posted by: Christian H. at October 19, 2009 12:27 PM
Somehow I don't believe Peter Rodger when he says that all he's doing is asking the question. I would happily be proved wrong, but it seems like he is leading toward some sort of unifying conclusion along the lines of "can't we all get along" and "all religions are basically the same."
Posted by: dg at October 19, 2009 12:40 PM
I found Religulous quite entertaining. My favorite part of the movie was the fact that the entire time he was denouncing religion, yet when the Church Of Weed guy's head caught on fire the first thing out of Mahers mouth was "JESUS, your head's on fire."
Posted by: DeistBrawler at October 19, 2009 12:50 PM
who is the guy in the top pix? a too much photoshopped Jackman
Posted by: carrie at October 19, 2009 12:54 PM
Damn Jay, (people like to hear their names) I'll need a calculator for all the references.
Posted by: Cindy at October 19, 2009 1:13 PM
I thought that was Zac Efron with facial hair photoshopped in.
I think it's time to introduce my fellow Pajibans to Bernaism.
After 9/11, I decided that all organized religion was bullshit, and only made people hate each other.
I invented Bernaism, and named it after myself. (The B in BWeaves stands for Berna.)
There are no dues, fees, building funds, or tithes.
There are no symbols (hence no jewelry to identify yourself).
There are no services to attend.
There are no books to read.
And there's only one commandment, so it's easy to remember. "Be nice to each other."
Also, nothing happens to you if you break the commandment.
You can believe in God or not. It's up to you.
My co-irkers named me the Popetart of Bernaism, and decided I should write a book.
I told them that the whole point of Bernaism is that there's no book to read. If there's no book, then you can't read between the lines or misconstrue the meaning.
Spread the word if you'd like. I have no blog, no tweet, and no pulpit.
Posted by: BWeaves at October 19, 2009 1:35 PM
I actually loved Religulous and I absolutely love Bill Maher, smug sense of superiority included! He doesn't pretend to care about the lunatics. He doesn't sugarcoat his opinions. He's pretty fucking intelligent AND entertaining. And, as a pretty extreme liberal, he was one of the first pundits to call BS on some of Obama's policies.
Fair warning: I'm a total tree-hugging, anti war, anti religion, socialism for everyone! gal. Bill is my dose of Kool-Aid.
Posted by: Agent Scully at October 19, 2009 1:41 PM
Well you already did it, but please call my name.
Posted by: Cindy at October 19, 2009 1:46 PM
There is only one commandment: Be excellent to each other.
Posted by: Danny Smooth at October 19, 2009 1:52 PM
BWeaves,
then I guess I've been following 'Bernaism' for years! Though when I first saw it proposed as a philosophy of life, it was phrased more like, 'Be excellent to each other - and party on, dudes!' So maybe I've been following BillTedism. Is that a recognized offshoot? I think Danny Smooth is also a follower...
Posted by: Tarn at October 19, 2009 3:41 PM
I appreciate that Rodger is approaching the doc from this angle. Dustin wrote that "[Pajibans] respect religious beliefs as long as they aren’t used to kill or divide" and, in my opinion, a film like Bill Maher's sets out to divide.
I can understand why some might think that Rodger is copping out and trying to find unity where there is none, but I appreciate that he seems to be trying to learn instead of trying to teach. But I've gotta agree with dg that, at the end of the day, everybody's got an opinion and it's impossible for Rodger keep his completely out of it.
By the way, I somehow missed Prisco's brilliant review of Religulous, and I give him madd propz for acknowledging that the film is hee-larious, but also a little hypocritical.
(Please don't shun me for writing "madd propz" in the comments. Old habits die hard, and I was a wannabe gangsta teen in another lifetime -- high school. Would you believe me if I said that I use the phrase ironically?)
Posted by: Jelinas at October 19, 2009 4:15 PM
Well said, Jay!
Posted by: malechai at October 19, 2009 4:21 PM
Seconding the "that picture is not Hugh Jackman, it's Zac Efron with painted-on stubble." Yikers!!
I'm fairly anti-religion, but I usually don't mind if you have a religion, as long as you keep it to your damn self.
Posted by: MM at October 19, 2009 5:01 PM
Respect for religion and its craziness is just a by product of religious indoctrination. If someone tells you they have a friend who is an invisible pink unicorn you'd be right to laugh at them. That doesn't suddenly change when a few million others say the same thing.
The only correct way to respond to religion is absolutely ridicule, because there's no way to argue something which defies logic (and if you spend enough time arguing with a religious person eventually they will admit that it defies logic, I know this from long persoal experience).
I am your anti-religious person.
Posted by: Chugga at October 19, 2009 5:52 PM
This trailer looks amazing!! With all the crap that's released every year and with the indie divisions of the studios folding, thank you Peter Rodger for making this film. At least there is going to be 2 hours well spent.
Posted by: Chad Attie at October 19, 2009 7:50 PM
@Chugga: Please do us all a favor and read a book on religion that tackles it on a more complex level than The God Delusion. Part of living in the modern world is rubbing shoulders with people with worldviews entirely unlike your own. You could choose to be a dick about it, or you could choose to move on with your life.
Posted by: Royalewithcheese at October 19, 2009 8:01 PM
Why is Wolverine staring so longingly and tenderly into my eyes?
Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 19, 2009 8:05 PM
Actually, the director does have an agenda. In the four-minute trailer, he says, "I'd like some crazy, hate-filled fanatic to see this film, and change his attitude, make him cease his agenda."
Hey, not a bad agenda for a director to have, although a bit of a tall order.
Posted by: Patty O'Green at October 19, 2009 8:21 PM
I watch Bill Maher’s show, but he shits me. Credibly skeptical when it comes to politics and religion (although self servingly grandstanding on both counts) but an utter whackjob on the subject of modern medicine. His anti vaccination rant on the last Real Time ep had me shouting “NO NO NO!!!!” at my tv. How can you dismiss magical, anti-science beliefs in two spheres of thinking, then completely deny it in a third? Especially against a subject like vaccination, which has a massive bank of data proving it’s efficacy (Eradication of smallpox? Polio? Etc etc etc). I’m all for calling bullshit, but provide reasonable grounds first- especially if what you advocate potentially puts people at risk of preventable disease. (More here: http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2009/10/the_2009_recipient_of_the_richard_dawkin_1.php)
As for God: religions make me more nervous than the concept of a god, especially when the nutcakes in charge direct their flock in ways that look more like discrimination than acceptance. Not all churches are evil- as George said, it depends who is in charge. But plenty exploit the basic human need to belong to something in order to meet their own ends. The Sarah Silverman bit on Real Time a few weeks back about selling the Vatican to pay for food programs in starving countries said it all. Don’t get me started on the Catholic church.
I belong to the Temple of Me, congregation: one. Three commandments:
1: Live by what you believe (A), judge based on what you know (B).
2. (A) does not equal (B)
3. (B) should guide (A)
It all flows from there.
Posted by: Squirrelgripper at October 19, 2009 8:25 PM
This looks really interesting.
And I'm a religion major. But I ain't just saying that.
You are mistaken, Daniel Hall, he is looking directly at me, obviously.
I agree with Chugga, at least in spirit. I have to live in this world, and in the Bible Belt, no less. I can't tell people that I am convinced their beliefs are ludicrous and expect to have much peace. I bite my tongue every day. I'm mired in it and I feel like I come under fire if I simply admit that I am an atheist. The Christians here are some of the most intolerant people I've ever run into in my travels. I wish I could say otherwise. Love thy neighbor, my ass.
Posted by: Viking at October 19, 2009 11:05 PM
And there's only one commandment, so it's easy to remember. "Be nice to each other."
Also, nothing happens to you if you break the commandment.
So...what is the point of the commandment? I mean, it isn't really one if there is no impetus for following it, good or bad. Sure, being nice may be okay in the grand scheme of things, but if somehow doesn't really give a shit, then it is kinda moot. I mean, being nice to someone might make me feel better, but the flat-screen TV I stole from their house would do so as well.
The two statements, while not outright contradictory, kinda conflict with each other, at least with closer examination.
In other words, it will make a fine Bible.
I have to live in this world, and in the Bible Belt, no less....The Christians here are some of the most intolerant people I've ever run into in my travels.
Hmmmm...that is like saying that, as a non-smoker, living in an airtight house with cancer stick suckers really bites. Of course it is horrible: you are stuck in the middle of a place where you are antithetical to everything else there.
It seems like the only folks who seem more than eager to denigrate another person's beliefs are always the onces who got it themselves. Just like the French Revolution, the oppressed become the worst oppressors. The victims become the most horrible victimizers.
And it is always justified by saying "well, they did it too, and did it FIRST!" Well, that is bullshit. You don't get a pass for being intolerant because nobody wanted to play nice with you.
You want to prove you are better than they are? Then do the stuff they obviously cannot. They can't bring themselves to accept you? Fine, just go "that is cool," and walk away. Ironically, that would make you better Christians than they could ever be.
Posted by: Vermillion at October 20, 2009 12:15 AM
Why is it the nonbelievers are always so keen to point to what religious people do wrong and so willing to ignore what religious people do right -- running soup kitchens for the homeless, day cares and food pantries, staging relief-supply drives for natural disasters in parts of the world few people have ever heard of, that sort of thing?
Maybe you should explain to the Christians and Falun Gong and Tibetan Buddhists who are imprisoned in just for one instance China for their beliefs that they're just delusional fools and deserving of your contempt.
Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at October 20, 2009 1:24 AM
... Also, you should tell the Revs. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King Jr. and Fred Rogers to just shut the fuck up, right?
Hey, I like Bad Religion as much as anybody, but come on, let's be consistent.
Posted by: , (TCFKAB) at October 20, 2009 1:57 AM
I can't tell people that I am convinced their beliefs are ludicrous and expect to have much peace. I bite my tongue every day. I'm mired in it and I feel like I come under fire if I simply admit that I am an atheist.
That's kinda like being a Christian who frequents Pajiba.
Relax, relax, I'm kidding!! I wouldn't keep coming back if I didn't like it here!
I've said it before and I'll say it again -- I'm a guest here in the house of Pajiba, and I try to be a good guest. I don't go to someone's house and crap in the appetizers because I don't like the way they've decorated the place.
Posted by: Livience at October 20, 2009 2:35 AM
It's not intolerance if they're choosing to be wrong. Beliefs aren't something that are sacred and shouldn't be questioned, that's just something the religious people came up with over the past few thousand years because they knew that it wouldn't survive if it was open to question. It's all just a part of a meme.
If religious beliefs could be backed up in a non insane way then I would respect them as not insane, but until that day comes I'm not going to treat it with any more respect than I do homeopathy or that guy I spoke to on the street who thinks that psychologists are trying to destroy us all.
I'm generally not a dick to christians I meet or whatever, I'll always give them the opportunity to defend their beliefs before I write them off, I've just never heard an argument which stood up outside of their conditioned thinking (for instance faith, which many seem to think is a legitimate source of knowledge but is really just a part of that conditioning).
I'll respect religious people the day they give me something to respect. Incidently, for a while a few of my friends thought I was a scientologist because I defended them whenever they came up; seriously, if you're god is some magical omnipotent zombie you have no right to make fun of people who believe in aliens.
Posted by: Chugga at October 20, 2009 6:39 AM
"It seems like the only folks who seem more than eager to denigrate another person's beliefs are always the onces who got it themselves. Just like the French Revolution, the oppressed become the worst oppressors. The victims become the most horrible victimizers.
And it is always justified by saying "well, they did it too, and did it FIRST!" Well, that is bullshit. You don't get a pass for being intolerant because nobody wanted to play nice with you.
In what way is keeping my mouth shut about my opinions actively "being intolerant" or a "victimizer"? I can think religion is ridiculous if I damn well please. I don't shove it down anyone's throat at work, unlike two of my Bible-thumping co-workers. If I could report them to HR without causing an absolute shit-storm I would. I may before I leave, but it is too complicated a social dynamic to explain here, and I, like many in the world, need my job.
I don't tell people how dumb I think their religion (all religions, not just any one) is anywhere else in my life either. It doesn't give me pleasure to be condescending, but I can not help my opinion that religious beliefs are foolish at best and violently hateful at worst. I bring my opinion up here because it is germane to this discussion.
"You want to prove you are better than they are? Then do the stuff they obviously cannot. They can't bring themselves to accept you? Fine, just go "that is cool," and walk away. Ironically, that would make you better Christians than they could ever be."
While I don't feel I am 'better' than anyone, isn't that exactly what I'm doing by keeping my mouth shut about it? By taking my lunch elsewhere at work even though it is much less than convenient I'm not tempted to break my silence. By constantly trying to find ways to change the subject I do the same thing. It is just a shame that I am put in a situation where I have to do those things. But it could be so much worse. As was mentioned previously some people are killed, imprisoned in China, or tortured for their religious differences. Those examples are reasons enough for me to feel complete disdain for religion.
Atheists work in soup kitchens too TCFKAB. They've also been known to volunteer at animal rescue organizations, women's shelters and donate to charities. At least this one does.
"Maybe you should explain to the Christians and Falun Gong and Tibetan Buddhists who are imprisoned in just for one instance China for their beliefs that they're just delusional fools and deserving of your contempt."
Why don't YOU go and explain to the wardens and executioners that what they are doing in the name of their belief is worthy of everyone's contempt?
Posted by: Viking at October 20, 2009 7:18 AM
I'll respect religious people the day they give me something to respect.
I see. So regardless of what certain people do with lives, good or bad, as long as they don't say a religion had anything to do with it, you are cool with that.
Do you really consider yourself being fair to them? Considering that by everything you have stated, you have generally written them off the second the open their mouths.
While I don't feel I am 'better' than anyone, isn't that exactly what I'm doing by keeping my mouth shut about it?
But you aren't. If it was just you complaining about your neighbors, there wouldn't be a problem. But you are using them as an excuse to slam all religious people. And, once again, saying someone is 'insane' implies you think you are sane, and sanity is usually considered better than insanity.
You really don't see how being all tight-lipped in public, only to get on a computer and rant about how you hate not just them, but all religions may seem a bit...off? You know there are folks who do the same thing, only about race, or gender, or sexuality, right?
Hmmm...outwardly faking tolerance to keep a job while being secretly judgmental in the safety of their house. Maybe you learned something from them after all.
It doesn't give me pleasure to be condescending, but I can not help my opinion that religious beliefs are foolish at best and violently hateful at worst.
Wow, that must be a first: an inviolate, unchangeable opinion. One so ingrained, the person cannot help but have it, despite everything in their power to do so. Even when you want to change it, that pesky opinion just won't shake free.
And yet, it sounds so eerily familiar....
Why don't YOU go and explain to the wardens and executioners that what they are doing in the name of their belief is worthy of everyone's contempt?
Because they wouldn't care. They get their orders and do what they are told to. So unless I am going to single-handedly take on an entire government, not much is going to come of it. Besides, aren't they displaying the hate and intolerance you are complaining about? So what makes you think nobody thinks the same of them? And according to your pal, as long as they have a logical reason for doing it (like not getting fired, arrested, or killed), it is totally worth respect.
Yeah those sucky Christians you live among that keep heaving Bibles at you? Yes, they do suck. They do. But that is them. THEM. They are raised like that. They believe in their twisted views. They are not every religious person on the planet.
But you assume as much. You ridicule and ostracize. From your own statements, you don't even bother to differentiate anymore. It isn't even on your scope that people have layers and variances, especially when it comes to religions. You have become convinced that it is a black-and-white matter, you vs. them. And if anyone isn't with you, then they must be against you. Regardless of the person or the religion. Because they are all the same to you.
Does that sound right at all? To write off so many good people because they were unfortunate enough to mention their beliefs? That sound remotely fair?
Maybe it is me. Maybe I just hate it when people bundle the best with the worst and say "the hell with all of you" because of a general similarity. I experienced that already, and I care not to do it again. And I definitely don't want to do it to anyone else.
I see. So regardless of what certain people do with lives, good or bad, as long as they don't say a religion had anything to do with it, you are cool with that.
I'm sorry, I wored it badly. What I meant to say is that I will respect their beliefs the moment they are worthy of respect. Being religious doesn't automatically make you unworthy of any sort of respect, but I'll be damned if I'm going to tiptoe around the craziness.
Maybe it seems like I've written them off before I talk to them, but it's only because I've heard it all before. I've spent quite a bit of time reading about it, studying it in philosophy classes and discussing with both laymen and members of the clergy. At this point they don't have any more arguments to throw at me and I've never heard a one that made much sense. So maybe I've written them off, but only after alot of time speaking with them about their beliefs, and definitely not beforehand.
Jesus is alright by me, hell, I may be one of the few posters who goes regularly. What matters most is the people involved in the church, it can mean the difference between ending up like Mother Theresa, or Fred Phelps.