I don't know anything about group psychology, but I go to my brother-in-law's church with my wife and for some strange reason some people stick a hand in the air while singing. Some use two arms, is this some sort of Jesus antenna. Do you they get stronger spiritual reception? Or is it merely a PDA for Jesus so you can look good to your fellow followers?

Every time I see that it makes me laugh. Who started that business?

thumbs up to bill maher. He's got quite a point and argues that point effectively. I like his description of religion at the end as an invisible product, that cannot be complained about because that is of course blasphemy, and can't be tested. Great way to put it.

So does Bill seek to expose Islam in this movie too? Why is it always "vs. Jesus" when there are supposedly more Muslims on the planet? I haven't seen it, I'm just asking.

It just seems like Christianity and/or Judaism are always the religions attacked because they have belief systems based partly or entirely on the Bible.

Disproving religion is like beating a Wookie in chess, the loser may rip your arm out of its socket.

If we put each religion in a courtroom, what evidence would prove they were true beyond a doubt?

Craig Hazen, an evangelical comparative religion professor at Biola University reviews "religulous."

"Maher is pitching this film as mavericky—telling the truth about religion that everyone else is afraid to address. But Religulous is nothing more than filthy, nudie, druggie, and obtusey. There is little to laugh at and nothing to learn (except maybe that if you quit being religulous you get to act like Caligulous)."

http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/2008/081007_hazen.cfm

"You can't test it [religion] out until after you die. So no one's there to complain after you drive this thing off the lot and it breaks down — because you're dead" (Maher). Religion and philosophy can be tested by logic. If a belief-system is "ridiculous" in the sense that it is illocial and contradictory, then it should be rendered absurd. No teacher would allow a student to say A equals B and therefore I was write when I spelled bpple. It doesn't and therefore it would be dismissed. It wouldn't be right for the teacher to say, "Well, if you really believe A equals B then it's okay and who am I to object and try to help you; it is right in your own world." Surely, the teacher needs to be kind and patient but he/she does need to try to help the child.
As for complaining but no body is there to complain to, we need to realize that ultimately, each one is responsible for his own choices, beliefs, and actions. That's not to say enviromental factors don't influence us, but even still, ultimately I'm at fault if I get my own belief-system wrong. The only complaint is against myself. For instance, a below-average school is responsible for the education of its students. However, each family and student is ultimately responsible for the student's education. The student can't sit idle and blame the school. Employers aren't going to excuse a would-be worker for incompetence that is blamed on the schooling system. No, the would-be worker must assume responsiblity and "get it right." We are responsible for our own beleifs, especially to test them the best we can, and it's not mostly your fault if I don't test them and/or get them wrong.

The definition of atheism is "the doctrine or belief that there is no God". I don't think that is what Bill is trying to show. He isn't saying there isn't a God. He's saying that he doesn't know and that anyone who claims to know without a doubt about the existance of God is wrong. These people with absolute knowledge of God are the same ones that create self serving institutions that preach stories and testaments that were made up in an effort to take advantage of the human desire to believe that there is something more to life then what we have on this earth. It is fear of our mortality and horrible life experiences that allow otherwise reasonable and smart people to turn to these institutions. Take a step back and look at the creative and fantastic stories that come from organized religion and the only reasonable conclusion is that it is fictitious and detrimental.

Finally a movie that speaks out, too many people get offended when you show them facts showing religion is false. Religion is just a different type of corporation, that isn't viewed as one because it's from a "higher power" notice no one could give him any reason/facts to support any religion. I mean hell the christian religion is a rewritten version of the egyptian religion from (approx) 1320 bc. In which the son of GOD osiris is born on dec 25 from a virgin mother, has 12 diciples, is crucified, ressurected 3 days later, etc. Did you know the Roman Catholic Church is the largest property owner in the world? I think the biggest thing is fear. People fear that they have to believe in GOD in case there is one. And with all these religions going door to door selling their product. I understand why alot of people are blind. I mean if any company advertises a product and shows people using it enough, people will accept it as a good product. It's commercial propaganda. Let me tell you about my best friend... jesus christ... hahahahaha i love hearing that.

I feel so sad for Mr.Maher and so many who have commented on this movie.

3 scriptures come to mind ;

1. Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
2.Psa 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
3. Rom 1:22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

We love you all and will be praying for you !

Eric,
Religious, mentally ill, and people who are developmentally disabled are the same?
Are you insentive or what.
People who are metally ill or have special needs are not the same as people who are religious.
What an insult. People with mental illness and special needs can not help who they are.
I sure hope you or your family do not develop a mental illness or have a child with special needs because then you will know what it is like to have ignorant people like yourself and Bill ridicule you at every turn.
I don't bash astheists but I certain don't think that line of thinking is provides any type of hope at all.
You live , you die. Oh well and do the best you can in between.
That just doesn't cut it for most of the world. I don't think wanting to believe in something higher than our selves, makes people, stupid or moronic or that it is a crutch. Most people of faith live peacefully in society and desire and do wonderful acts of compassion and grace. Certainly, many non believers do the same however do not focus on the small percentage of extermists who ruin it for the rest of us. That goes for extermists in all areas.
Bill Maher makes his living mocking others as do many comedians, I just think people need to be careful of holding too much weight on his put downs and opinions.
Have a wonderful day everyone and God Bless.

I hope Maher's next movie "lampoons" the Muslim Prophet.

There are to many times when we can look at something and say that is impossible, how? Then, there are so many times that some guy went out into the wilderness, during troubled times for their people, and came back with a lot of self serving "words from God."
To say with absolute conviction that "God" did not alter man physically with Adam and Eve and mentally with Jesus is not really possible. Look at the progress of man in the last 2,000 years as apposed to that prior. Whether, God is a being from another planet or a god is debatable, however, man was altered 4,000 years ago and again 2,000 years ago.
Though, the Bible has been altered from it's original, which is a man made product (like marriage), the intelligence and the absolute fantastic stories, parables and metaphors make it hard to believe man did not have a friend, teacher, visitor or someone more evolved involved.