Bill Maher “The View” Video (September 30)

September 30th, 2008 by Castina

Tagged as: Bill Maher, TV, TV News, The View

Real Time host Bill Maher promoted his new film Religulous on The View Tuesday. The always outspoken pundit managed to ruffle the hens’ feathers after he and hostess Sherri Shepherd got into a heated debate over her religious beliefs.

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18 Responses to “Bill Maher “The View” Video (September 30)”

On September 30th 2008, Ellie wrote:

My god, that poor woman is a retard.

:o(
On October 1st 2008, maherburn wrote:

A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.

– C. S. Lewis
On October 1st 2008, David McCaine wrote:

Bill Maher personifies what is wrong with America. The media consists of about 87% of reporters with a liberal perspective, ie: the book of “Media on Media” where the majority don’t attend church or rarely go. Maher believes anyone with religious beliefs is basically stupid or have mental issues. What does Maher believe? He spends the entire time filling the airways with ridicule or attacking others beliefs.
On October 1st 2008, Tony wrote:

What’s wrong with this country is you religious morons who hold back mankind’s progress with your delusional beliefs and your historical ignorance. Bill Maher’s a hero. Richard Dawkins is a hero. Yeshua Bin Yosef was a cool guy who has been horribly distorted and slandered by the things you’ve done and believe in.
On October 1st 2008, Intelligent Christian wrote:

I “believe” that Maher has the right to question religion just as anyone is allowed to make the choice to serve God or not. However, it seems he is misguided in the assumption that religion in all forms is destructive. The teachings of Christ are for peace and humanity; as are many other religions. What man has done with religion to suit his own greed and desires is what leads to destruction. To lump all religions into a pile and say they are stupid for believing in, what Maher calls an “imaginary friend” is to write off the majority of human beings as unintelligent. Maher considers himself one of the elite because he refutes the divine. I plan to watch the movie, but there is one thing that I would like to know. Is Mr. Maher objective in his criticism? I suppose that his hunger for controversy will only allow him to include those clips which are “humorous” or “ridiculous” and not those which might persuade a nonreligious person to question… Is it possible that there really could be a God? If he is not objective, the documentary could only be considered just another form of Hollywood fiction. Best of luck with your movie Mr. Maher! May each and every person who watches it be reminded that his/her God does in fact exist.
On October 1st 2008, Intelligent Christian wrote:

Question for Tony: If the “delusional beliefs” that you refer to are indeed created by human culture (as depicted by history) and not divine influence, how can that which holds back mankind’s progress be blamed on anyone but man himself? Forgive my ignorance… I am after all a “moron.”
On October 1st 2008, Athiest Opinion wrote:

Quote:Question for Tony: If the “delusional beliefs” that you refer to are indeed created by human culture (as depicted by history) and not divine influence, how can that which holds back mankind’s progress be blamed on anyone but man himself? Forgive my ignorance… I am after all a “moron.”

I’ll explain it to you so hopefully you’ll understand.

You have the entirety of humankind. Okay. So it’s easier, we’ll equate it to a school yard.
Now, humanity (the school yard) has to move forward, and go inside and learn about the world and how it works in order to be properly prepared to live in it So some of the playground are more then happy to go inside and continue learning but there’s this backwards group comprising somewhere between 60-70% of the yard that’s preventing everyone from going inside because they believe the boogie monsters in there. The percent that want to go in have tried for a long time to patiently explain rationality, that there is no boogey man, and if there is we’ll face it together, (as a way of placating them) and now we’re at a point that patiently and rationally explaining things is getting us sick and tired. I’m really tired of ignorant people voting with their bible and their guns ruining this country. Look at what these morons have done in office for 8 years? Cause, and this is a direct quote from someone who lives in new york amazingly,) obama likes to kill babies. And she was being serious. Because of her religion she’s against abortion and for that fact alone she’s going to vote for mccain. Fail. This is what we’re talking about.
On October 1st 2008, busy lizzie wrote:

Tony, Ellie,mayerburn et al
making ad hominem attacks (i.e.calling religious people morons) is not helpful in promoting a rational point of view. You will not make any sensible headway with religious people by calling them names: “delusional” “ignorant” “retard”etc…and quoting C.S. Lewis the Christian apologist (who had much to apologize for) is not going to convince anyone – just as the old biblical injunction from the other side: “The fool has said in his heart there is no God ” doesn’t do any good either – it’s just rude !
Bill Maher is a comedian – that’s his stock in trade so he is presenting in his movie the incredible silliness of so much in the three big monotheist religions for us to laugh at.
As for religious belief being dangerous (as well as silly) just remember 9/11 and what drove the nineteen hijackers to do such a dreadful thing. 72 virgins was it ?
Rational unbeliever.
On October 1st 2008, Praise Science wrote:

I first have to say that it is equally ignorant to claim that there is absolutely no god. An atheist is essentially on the opposite side of someone who is religious. Both are equally certain in their assumptions. I just feel like the premise behind religion, in it’s entirety, is a ridiculous fairy tale made to control the population and to strike fear and sometime provide comfort to those close to death. There is too much wrong with religion to be addressed in this post. I only comment because I feel that you must have something wrong with you if you have enough faith to believe in a story like that which is in the bible. Let’s look to science for answers and move forward. Some zombie-resurrected-bearded-son-of-god-guy is going to save the world.
On October 1st 2008, Intelligent Christian wrote:

Is it true that over 30% of atheist voted for Bush? (I don’t remember where I read that.)

As a Kerry supporter in the previous election and one of those who chose to enter the classroom, I find your analogy quite unhelpful. In fact, the more science that I learn, the more I believe in God. As far as my choice of religion, that is irrelevant. The fact is… this country was founded on the idea of freedom of religion. That means we are all free to choose our own beliefs…. religious or not. The point of my inquiry is to establish that the things that humans value, whether due to religion or not, cross the boundaries of religion or anti-religion. The value for human life (when that begins depends on who you talk to), security for our families, freedom of choice, etc. are important. We have the right to speak our minds regarding things that we cherish. That is what is so great about our country. That is why Bill Maher is able to produce his movie and not worry about the government intervening. I agree that religion should not be part of the political process. It is just a side show to distract people from what is really important. Throughout history MAN has used religion to dominate, to torment, etc. by playing on the things that people value. However, these political and many times religious leaders give a bad name to the same religion that seeks to help those in need. The real culprit is not the religion or God. It is greed and power and the people that will do anything they can to attain it.

I enjoyed reading all of your posts… on both sides of the argument, and I look forward to seeing the film.
On October 1st 2008, Joseph Crawford wrote:

Yesterday morning, I found myself in a Goodyear Tire store waiting for a flat repair to be completed. In the waiting room the “The View-Hot Topics” show will Bill Mahar was being broadcast. I was appalled by Bill Mahar comments and the longer I listen the more enraged I became!!! Let me just say, that I’ am proud to have strong belief in God, The “Bible” and yes I believe that Noah lived some nine hundred and that he built an ark which transported two of every kind of animal across the great flood waters to safety!
I consider Bill Mahar comments extremely disrespectful. Everyone has the right to his/her own opinion, but no-one has the right to desecrate anyone else’s beliefs especially on national television in a country where the majority of the population holds such things sacred and holy.
On October 2nd 2008, Kristopher Dylan Andrews wrote:

The claim of athiesm is not that there is no god, but that there is no reason to worship deities.

And even if card carrying athiests like myself went around saying “there is no god” it would at most be ignorance of the “have no knowledge of God” kind, where as most religious endeavors are predicated on dishonest manipulations and abject fabrications.

C.S. Lewis did a lot of drugs.
On October 2nd 2008, Nate wrote:

Maher just goes for easy targets. If he took on a J.P. Moreland or a Craig Hazen he’d get shredded. It just wouldn’t be amusing.

He’s preaching to the choir. His fans feel good about themselves and their superiority to the “morons”, and meanwhile the people who actually know something about textual criticism and ANE linguistics and philosophy feel sorry for them. Oh, and Kristopher your claim regarding atheism is self-contradictory.
On October 5th 2008, velocipede wrote:

Bill Maher is a voice of sanity and reason in an unreasonable and insane world. Religulous is an outstanding movie.
On October 5th 2008, velocipede wrote:

Joseph I am sick and tired of that attitude. I can’t criticize religion because it hurts your feelings? Tough.
I don’t have the right to ‘desecrate ‘ your beliefs? Yah, yah I do. This is a free country . Get used to it or find somewhere else to live.
On October 10th 2008, JF wrote:

Craig Hazen Reviews Maher’s Religulous:

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

Hazen is a professor of comparative religion
On October 19th 2008, Intelligent Christian wrote:

Hazen’s review was spot on. The movie was a disappointment. It seems as though Maher was afraid to interview those who might reveal to him that there is truth in Christianity.

Velocipede… You do indeed have the right to speak your mind, but respect for others is a trait not often seen in those with a self-centered attitude. So… speak away, but Joseph also has the right to speak his opinion.
On December 14th 2008, jim wrote:

Religions need faith like a motor needs oil – if you choose to deny reality, you had better bring a strong sense of conviction to the fray, because reason can trump the arguments of faith every single time. Fortunately for the faithful, reason also leads to the revelation of many very unpleasant truths, while faith usually leads to highly pleasant sensations of superiority & comfort.

Religion held total dominance for thousands of years – & mankind stagnated amid constant war, disease & ignorance. As soon as science began to gain acceptance, & religion ceased to be the dominant force in society, our progress accelerated rapidly up to our present level of knowledge.

Unfortunately, the defenders of ignorance over reason are legion … & entropy is on their side.

I fear we will soon return to the same barbarism we came from, as our selfish society implodes from choking on its own material & ethical detritus. Reason will be rejected more & more passionately, even while the need for it grows strongest, & superstitious atavism will become dominant once again … the faithful will praise their all-knowing idols for finally defeating the demonic conspiracy of science once & for all, all the way back to the caves.