Review of Religulous (2008) by Wayne K — 24 Jul 2017

Tackling the potential dangers of religious belief is a minefield, but that doesn't mean many haven't attempted it. Bill Maher, best known for his show Real Time, a famous opponent of organised faith, tackles the subject with gusto and his trademark sarcastic, biting humour.

I'm a big Maher fan, not just because I think he's hilarious, but because he isn't afraid to speak his mind, regardless of how against the grain his opinions may be. It's true that Religulous is a film more for people who already have an axe to grind with religion, and will likely not be too warmly received by those who believe in a God, but it's undeniable that his discourse with priests, rabbis, evangelicals and even alleged descendants of Christ, is infinitely illuminating as well as darkly funny.

Maher pokes and prods at the questions of faith which have been asked for centuries, and is unfortunately unable to obtain many definitive answers, but the fact that this is so really says something about those who frequently purport to being in possession of them.

Some might find the film cheap and insulting, but I don't think Maher set out to make people happy, he set out to make them think. His natural instinct is comedy, but the laughs bring out a certain tragic realisation; that those who claim to have the answers are none too pleased when someone dares to ask the questions.

Religulous is a having a dig at religion, no doubt, but it certainly is entertaining in the way it does so.