Ally and I recently watched Bill Maher's new Documentary, "Religulous." I know a lot of people won't watch it for fear that God will strike them down where they stand or something like that, but it was really funny. Now before you judge me, pray for me and label me as satan's minion, remember, Bill Maher is a comedian. It was supposed to be funny. Even if you are a firm believer in your faith, if you loosen up and remember that he is a comedian, you too can enjoy the film. Because Maher's goal was to entertain more than to make the perfect sound arguement, I think it fell short as a debate on religion. However, it did what it was meant to do entertain AND it did make some damn good points along the way.
Maher seemed to discredit himself by saying at the beginning of the film that he "didn't know" what was true but then bashing relgion as a whole and taking more of an atheist stance rather than an agnostic stance. However, after thinking some more about it, I think the point he was making is that NONE of us can be certain that our religious beliefs are true and therefore, he reasons, religion is a waste of time and possibly detremental to our progress as a civilization. I can see his point here. Also, I don't think he ever said any particular religion wasn't true (maybe I need to watch it again to be sure of this), he just challenged believers as to HOW they knew. What was interesting about the film is that not one of the people he talked to from ANY religious faith could give him a single answer that didn't either avoid the question or completely miss his point.
I'll grant that since this film was made to challenge established religions, they probably would have cut out any interviews that did have good answers, however, I kinda doubt there were any good answers. While I still lean towards the existance of God and Jesus as his son (notice I didn't say Christianity) I have to admit that if I was asked a question about why I believe it, I couldn't give an answer that would make one bit of sense, nor do I think anyone can.
So my point is, I don't think Bill Maher ever meant to directly say that religion is not true, he meant to say he doesn't know and anyone who says they do, isn't being honest with themselves. He may be right.
I don't think religion is detremental to us as individuals. It can definitely be a huge help through hard times and a good guide to us on how we ought to live (however, as Bill said, I didn't need the 10 commandments to tell me I shouldn't kill my neighbor; I just kinda know that isn't a good idea). I do not, however, think religion has any place in the political spectrum which it has infested in this country (and especially this state) and many other countries around the world. The human race at its worst results to killing each other in war, holocaust and genocide on small and large scale. Almost without exception, this killing always has at least a hint of religious undertone. In looking at that fact, it is hard to deny that the world would be a better place not neccessary if religion was dead, but if it remaining in the hearts of men and not on the campaign trail, over the airwaves or behind the trigger.
Chris Noland
