Great Documentary.

[OcR Lateralus]

So as a newbie to the world of filmmaking it is impossible to get the money, time, or support to film a full length feature film. That leaves:
A) Short films
and
B) Documentaries.
Anyways, I saw this film in theaters when it first came out but rented it last night just to see if I could draw any pointers or inspiration from it. I gave up on my mission halfway through because I couldn't concentrate, it was just too good. The Documentary is called Religulous. It's by one of my favourite political analysts Bill Maher and it's absolutely fantastic! It revolves around how Religion is detrimental to society and how for the world to move on it must be eradicated. I was just wondering if anyone else had seen it and what they thought of it.

NOTE: I don't want this thread to turn into a bash on religion. I'd just like to hear your opinions on the film and the topic. If it gets too religious and heated it will obviously be closed. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything. Also, try and keep any remarks directly related to the movie.

[OcR Bobcat]

I loved the film. A lot of the information I already had found in different research I had done previously but there was still a lot of interesting facts I have never heard anymore. Best part of the film is when they are shooting in Amsterdam with the Cannatheologist and he catches his hair on fire and he doesn't seem to care, so Bill just takes another J he saw next to his burning hair and lights it up. Very valid points made by Bill Maher in this doc. The Jesus land theme park in florida is scary and I thought the anti-gay pastor was going to jump Maher's bones. Looked like he had a huge gay crush on him.

[OcR Horror]

I remember reading about it and wanting to see it, but I haven't been to the video store in an age. I love documentaries, and religion is a fascinating subject. We have a guy over here called Louis Theroux who makes great documentaries. He visited America to meet those folks who picket soldiers funerals and stuff. Scary.

What kind of guy is this Bill Maher? Is he a bulldog or does he go in all innocence?

[OcR Lateralus]

Bill Maher is just plain awesome. He says everything how it is but at the same time he's not an asshole about it. When he interviews people he's not pushing his ideas on them, he just insults them AFTER the interview:P I have seen more than one instance where he has been annoyed enough to just drill an opposing idea into the ground though.

[i AwoN i]

I heard about it but have been to lazy to go get a copy plus it's not hard to find shit credible sociologists have written about the same subject. How does he manage to say religion is detrimental to society without giving opponents ammo? A topic like that seems like it could go back and forth forever depending on the persons communicative and expressional boundaries...lol is that a direct quote from him, that his goal is eradicating religion?

[Aaecus]

I do think that some forms of religious activity are detrimental, but not that all should be eradicated. Let's not forget that this country was also founded on religious principals, so they can't be all bad. I'm not overly religious, but my parents are and I was raised that way, and I don't see a problem with it at all. I haven't really worked out my beliefs on my own, apart from the influence of my family, but I definitely don't want to break all my ties to religion.

[OcR ROCKETR]

I do think that some forms of religious activity are detrimental, but not that all should be eradicated. Let's not forget that this country was also founded on religious principals, so they can't be all bad. I'm not overly religious, but my parents are and I was raised that way, and I don't see a problem with it at all. I haven't really worked out my beliefs on my own, apart from the influence of my family, but I definitely don't want to break all my ties to religion.

Well said, Ronin.

I haven't seen this documentary and doubt I will. Mainly too lazy :P

[OcR Lateralus]

He doesn't say that ALL religion should be eliminated so no it is not a direct quote. It is hard to explain. He touches on several points including the separation of Religion and Government, The evolution of Religion into something far more violent than it is meant to be and finally the hate that some/most religions spawn. It's too hard to explain, if the subject interests I suggest you watch it.

[char2000]

i agreed with everything he said

[OcR Valorius]

Sorry but this is a really old argument started mainly by two men: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Karl Marx. One of the biggest problems with the argument is how do you define "religion?" If he credits religion as any belief that has a "higher being" attached to it, in my book he has just discredited himself. By the way, who were the "religious" figures he talked to? Anyone can easily tear down someones belief when you go after those who don't truly understand.

[OcR Lateralus]

I didn't explain this thoroughly enough. Bill Maher has an extensive knowledge of all the religions that he talks about in the film [Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Muslim)]. This film isn't him just going around to different parts of the world specifically attacking the existence of a religion he knows nothing about. Yes, he clearly states that he does not believe in a higher power so in a way the film is Bias. However. most documentaries are what are called "opinion pieces" so this is expected. The main point of the movie is that human beings have made too much of religion and that one day it will end in our demise. Not that god doesn't exist. At points he openly questions the existence of a higher power and questions why people are willing to do such absurd things for this "god." And as for your comment about Karl Marx, he doesn't believe in the destruction of religion to promote equality and to destroy any form of higher power. The religious figures that he talk to range from Catholic Priests to Muslim leaders and Hebrew Leaders (excuse me for not knowing the titles of both Muslim and Hebrew leaders). He also interviews promoters of some of the lesser known religions. Lastly he interviews Scientists and political figures. I believe in no way did he make this movie too one sided. He interviews a wide range of professionals on both sides of the topic.

Thats really the best I can explain it, if you have any more questions about what the movie is about you can message me or you can watch it:P.

[i AwoN i]

http://s12.alluc.org/movies.html?mode=catdetails&id=103163&lang=en&navpath=search|religulous|1
Link to movie.