Review of Religulous (2008) by Rood T — 25 Aug 2013

Director Larry Charles' Religulous is a tough movie to review. On one hand if I like it, the religious zealots are going to send death threats to some old couple who have been un-knowingly supplying me with my internet fees (for all you Hard Harry Hard-on fans). If I don't like Religulous, the atheist liberals are going to plan on bashing me during their daily tennis matches, and almost draft some silly petition requesting amicably for my potential removal. Alas my 3 dear readers, when I put on my reviewer's kango, all affliation for political or religious organizations, civic groups, community clubs, or even bukkake sites get tossed out like hot girls over the age of 30.

Religulous follows comedian Bill Maher in his pilgrimage to find answers about all faiths, and then make fun of them. Maher is clearly an atheist or agnostic, depending on your interpretation, but appears well versed in all the various beliefs that he questions. Its not just Christianity or Catholicism that is brought into focus, but Judaism, Islam, Church of Scientology, Mormonism, and a weird Pot Smokers religion that sadly never gets the contact information leaked.

Religulous was lambasted for its attack on religion, and there is a great deal of angst from Maher's direct questions and sarcastic humor. But it doesn't seem to desecrate beliefs, as much as it encourages thought and dialogue on their creation. He argues that we should promote self awareness and furthering education for our youth, and veer away from creating a sense of guilt because we don't understand the answer. But it's Maher's wit, which only equal his balls, that maintains the humor throughout the film, along with the creatively placed video/song clips and carefully edited interviews a'la Comedy Central's The Daily Show. The only complaint I had was the militaristic call-to-arms at the end, as it felt hypocritical of the point that Maher was trying to invoke, and insults an educated viewer who should easily get the film's point.

I enjoyed this documentary, and found it to be thought-provoking and hilarious. If you're highly strong in your faith, then this might not be your cup of bullshit, and you should just re-rent Carmen: The Champion or Fiddler on the Roof and be happy with not looking too deep through the looking glass. In the end, I would like for my three dear readers to think on that, and include better bar jokes in your letters of complaints this month.

For instance, a priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar. The bartender looks up and says, "Is this a fucking joke?" If you found that joke hilarious, watch Religulous.