When somebody asks me about my religious views, I usually respond with a verbal shrug, i.e. “I’m agnostic.” Sometimes, when I’m feeling especially philosophical (or drunk), I’ll don my hypothetical powdered wig and talk about deism. I’m not much fun at parties. Bill Maher’s extended and riotous attack on all things holy and hypocritical, Religulous, is probably intended for folks like myself. The title, in case it’s not obvious, is a portmanteau of “religious” and “ridiculous,” which offers a refreshingly candid advertisement of its point of view, considering the sometimes vague titles the opposing side attaches to their work (like Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed“).

Maher isn’t really preaching atheism here, just doubt. I’m sure there are some who don’t understand the distinction, but they’ll likely be avoiding this film like the plague anyway. Pretty much everything he says in this film comes in the form of  a question, which lets him get away with a lot. He interviews ministers, a Senator (who makes a priceless gaffe, maybe worth the rental by itself), Vatican astronomers, Muslim rappers and “reformed” gay Christians. He visits a creepy Christian theme park in Orlando and talks to the guy that plays Jesus there. The only major religions left largely unmocked are Buddhism and Hinduism. In his concluding monologue, he goes a little too far in my opinion, essentially calling for the abolition of religion in general for the sake of our survival as a species. While I may agree that certain forms of religion do pose a severe threat to humanity, he might come across a tad extreme in his final rant.

Documentary

Rated R

DVD Release Date: 2/17/09

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