Excellent take and you bring up many good points where the whole atheist fundamentalist approach goes.

Like you say religion is capable of A LOT of good. I personally just have one beef with it (having come out of a traditional religion myself) and that is, I do not find religions empowering for people to start thinking for themselves. I feel and definitely felt trapped by limited thinking IF I was going to be true to that religion. Now yes, some people need others to think for them, but I think that if they were taught otherwise, this would not be the case.

I personally did not want to use the label of a religion just for society’s sake so I decided to abandon the label. Now I can feel free to act out of the highest version of myself with compassion, unity and love always at the core and no limiting stories to go along with that.

As a spiritual person, I could have picked on the fact that Maher does not elude to people who are spiritual and not religious and how this could work for humanity, but I chose not to as I did not think that was necessary for me.

Bottom line I do not necessarily think all religion should go and be done away with, as again it can lead to a community of good, BUT I think all of the religions could use some revamping. A bit of change here and there to really look at humanity in a new and more enlightened way. The problem is that they are so set on staying the same for fear of losing credibility that that is not likely to happen. (but due to this they are losing credibility anyway just based on how times and people have changed and continue to evolve, that people see right through this)

So yes the movie is definitely more one-sided and does not look at the whole picture, but I had and still have a positive outlook on it because I think in today’s times some (okay perhaps many) need a bit of a shaking wake up call. I know the best way to live is in balance, but we are so far away from that balance today, that I was hoping that bringing in the other extreme would give people a jolt to look at things where religion is concerned a little deeper.

Anyway – thank you again for providing another outlook that focused on the parts of the movie that Maher indeed missed.

I like Bill Maher, generally… the problem is when he starts talking about religion he’s incredibly ignorant.

Yes, there area a LOT of crazies out there. Too many. And yes, a lot of people work very hard to remain ignorant using religion. Religion is responsible for a lot of evil in the world.

But here’s what Maher ignores – he spends about, what, 3 minutes speaking to a few Catholic priests who aren’t absolute lunatics? If Bill was really “searching” he’d tap into that vast population of religious people who aren’t like this. People who worry and consider their religions, and the truths they offer, people who understand science and evolution, who don’t view the Bible as literal, and…. btw… religious organizations have also done more good than just about anything else in this world.

Bill, along with these other new atheists making so much noise, make the mistake of assuming people are reasonable and that if we just removed religion everyone would suddenly become enlightened. That’s now how people behave. We have examples of cultures that have said “no, religion is irrational and oppressive… we shall rid ourselves of it.” China and the USSR killed more people than religion ever did. EVER. Why? Because people fill their lives with something absolutely… and if it isn’t religion, it’s politics, and if not politics, something else… and all these things can cause evil.

Thoughtful people will be thoughtful people. Sheep will be sheep. And it’s unfortunate, but that’s why we avoid making category claims. Religion makes a good scapegoat because of all the idiocy that happens in its name. But you know who gets more pissed than anyone when that happens?

Other religious people.

Ultimately, the move is disingenuous. As a comedy it’d be good, except that Bill is busy preaching – and he’s not being fair nor thoughtful in his assertions. He’s acting like a fundamentalist Baptist. No good happens by saying “you’re all lunatics and useless and evil” when clearly many are not. Good happens by going working to elevate those among you who hold abhorrent beliefs, educating them and turning that force that gives them meaning into something positive.

I know some damn fine atheists, and have absolutely no problem with someone being an atheist – I don’t think it matters much compared to how someone behaves. But a fundamentalist is also a fundamentalist – and they come in every stripe.

Cheers and keep up the good work!

I don’t think about religion much at all – it just isn’t relevant to me. I don’t think I’ve ever looked to religion for understanding or comfort – church has always given me the creeps.

Cheers! – Robin

From your post and your comment answers, I am delighted to find that we are in agreement in terms of seeking for answers ourselves, rather than just rely on religious text or the interpretations of others alone. Like you, I respect the teachings of all the spiritual masters like Buddha, Jesus, etc. But what I find most important is experiential learning. My intention is to investigate what there is to validate what the teachings. What arises is a deeper sense of inner knowing. In that knowing, I am also humbled that there is so little that I am consciously aware of.

You’re amazing, Evita!

Wow,I am so blessed and amazed at the wonderful answers here, first Titania, than Lance and now you added such a wonderful message!!!!

Julie you said it so well, and I believe that indeed some people not only need but perhaps may even want a religion. It is as you say with anything else in life. Some of us like others’ schedules and some are on our own schedules.

The difference is, it would be great if people attended and did the rituals or the celebrations because they were passionate about them and actually wanted to, but what I found with many people and religions is that they do these things out of obligation and that is where religion stopped making sense to me – as God has no obligations of us – that in my opinion would be way too petty for a magnificent force.

But ultimately like you, I love, love, love, love how my spirit has been soaring, opening up and reaching heights that I was never aware of nor ones I ever thought I could reach, once I separated it from a formal religion and started doing things that really made sense to me, and I was passionate about spiritually.

And like you say, for those whom it suits the option should always be there to be faithful, spiritual or religious in any way they want – the issue is of course when a person or group starts to choose for us and tell us what is right or wrong for us to choose or be.

Anyway – thank you again for the valuable addition!