Review Essay

I kinda stopped midsentence.. oh well! :)

 

The Importance of Doubt

 

 

Upon first glance, many of us can hardly pronounce the title upon the first try, rel-ih-gyooh-lus? But even ten or fifteen minutes into the movie, we can see that the possibly amusing title doesn’t fail to disappoint the viewer, with a humorous take on a more serious topic. Combine the words “religion” and “ridiculous”, and what do you get? 101 full minutes of Bill Maher’s sarcastic, often crude and entertaining questioning of individuals of all different religions, often apt to provoke and promote controversy but nonetheless incredibly thought-provoking. Any man can come out and declare his doubt over religion, but it takes a different kind to be able to publicly shove his criticisms and disbelief in religion in the faces of those so highly involved and dedicated to the very subject.

 

Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Mormons, Maher not only interviewed but questioned them all on their faith. Each interview was a battle, but Maher came fully prepared for them, sometimes leaving the opponent in shock, sometimes almost hinting at their defeat. A believer or not, in any to every type of faith, this movie raises the importance of doubt, of questioning ourselves, of remembering to do those “reality checks” every once in a while, to make sure our feet are firm on the ground we may not consciously be aware of. Religion is a dangerous and controversial topic to discuss, with almost anyone, but Maher tackles the subject head on.

 

Religulous creates a spotlight for itself in a sea of both pro and anti Religion books, but Maher not so much as bashes on religion as questions it. For example, what’s the contrast between this and say, Bertrand Russell’s “Why I Am Not A Christian” or Christopher Hitchens’ (in)famous “God is Not Great”? Besides the obvious, of Religuous being a movie, and the two other being literary works, Religulous integrates the concept of the reactions of Maher’s statements, questions and accusations. When we are only given one side to a story, we can often find ourselves to be biased in a way to agree with the given side, but when we are able to see the reaction from the other side, only then are we able to form a truly unbiased and independent opinion.

 

Aside the seriousness of the movie, even for anyone who will whole-heartedly disagree with it, the film generates much laughter. One of the most striking and amusing moments was an interview with U.S. Senator Mark Pryror, who was quarreling with Maher, and at one point (almost mistakenly) admits “You don’t have to pass an IQ test to be in the Senate”, a failed attempt at defending his religious decisions and choices. (Comparable to Nixon’s, “I’m saying that when the President does it, it’s not illegal!). Paired with humorous little snippets of various sessions with different people, the movie’s satiric touch turns it into less of a lecture but more of a conversation between the viewer and the host, a debate between the two.

 

No one will defend Maher and say he gives the ultimate answer to whether there’s a God or not, whether to believe in religion or to not believe in religion. What Mayer does do, however, is take a stand himself, present what he has to say and everything he has to offer, and leaves it up to the viewer to take their stand dependent upon everything they’ve just seen and heard. Maher doesn’t come into this movie as a “newbie”, he’s hosted “Politically Incorrect” on ABC, and “Real Time” on HBO. He’s also written numerous bestselling pieces that cover politics and government. Giving you his credibility, ultimately he hopes to sway you over but he seems like he’d be satisfied even if he just opened your eyes a little more, to being more informed and questioning of not just religion, but everything in general.

 

Nonetheless, for $14.99 at Best Buy, you watch Maher attempt to disprove and dispute some of theology’s oldest and founding concepts. You can watch Maher make fools out of