I got the chance to see Bill Maher's "Religulous" yesterday and I must admit that it was pretty much the same stuff or junk that we debate on this forum. From that aspect, there was nothing new here... In fact, half the time I was yawning... Sorry.
For the most part I thought that Maher brought up some good points about the "hypocrisy" in Christendom. As an example, ministers (the Jim Baker types) ripping off their partisans and buying new suits, jewelery, cars, etc.. At one point, he had to correct one minister who thought that being a follower of Christ brings you great wealth (well maybe only for him). However, what I object to about this flick was the notion that "all religions leads to war," which I strongly disagree with... Not once would he admit any benefits of any of the religions. Instead he simply focused on the doubts and conflicts of the major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam only).. Another problem I saw was lumping Christianity, Judaism with cults like Mormonism, Scientology, the worship of crop figures in Southern England, and the self-proclaimed second incarnation of Christ, Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda.
As far as Christianity goes, here are some of the things he focused on:
1. Christianity simply "borrowed" their beliefs from Egyptian mythology such as Horus and Osiris (or others). Addressed here.
2. Only one passage in the Bible gives an account of the virgin birth of Christ. Why wouldn't there be more? Isn't it made up? Addressed here.
3. Who would be crazy enough to believe that a man could be swallowed up by a fish? Debated here.
4. Christians and Jews are simply silly to think that there could ever be a talking snake in the Garden of Eden. My rebuttal is here.
5. All the "rules" in the OT. Why so many and why is the consequence only death? Answered here.
6. The Bible teaches that man and dinosaurs once lived together? Not so here.
7. People are born gay and have no choice. Answered here.
8. Christianity leads to war just like the other religions. It is not tolerant toward other religions. Addressed here or here.
9. Why doesn't God just kill the devil now and eliminate all evil? Here.
10. God is a jealous God? Addressed here.
11. God wiped out Sodom and Gomorrah for their evil? Why? Addressed here.
12. The U.S. Constitution was based on secular laws not Biblical ones. Addressed here.
13. What if Christianity was wrong or not true? To which I say, even if it isn't all true, it still is a great way to live where loving your neighbor comes first....
On one hand I have to commend Maher for addressing doubts in the Bible. We all have them, and if we are honest with ourselves we all struggle with it... Where he fails, however, is thinking that his questions are original and cannot be answered to which I say "google it". Also, how does one define what makes a religion? Perhaps he should ask himself where is own religion or belief system leads him... Let's face it... We are all "religulous" in some respect.
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