Bill Maher, Christains have neurological disorder

reply to post by Buddyweiser


I just watched Religulous yesterday. I loved it.
It's funny that when asked serious questions, all of the people interviewed just went into complete silence and had a blank idiotic stare.

Actually, probably the only one that made more sense to me was the Catholic priest that he interviewed outside of the Vatican. He was much more down to earth and cynical.

Originally posted by haika
reply to post by Buddyweiser

 

I just watched Religulous yesterday. I loved it.
It's funny that when asked serious questions, all of the people interviewed just went into complete silence and had a blank idiotic stare.

Actually, probably the only one that made more sense to me was the Catholic priest that he interviewed outside of the Vatican. He was much more down to earth and cynical.

I saw Religolous at the time it was in theaters. It's one of the best documentary about religious belief. I think i'm gonna watch it again tonight. You're right, that british (I think) priest outside the Vatican was by far the most sensible (I found that pretty strange).

IMHO, there can be no reasonable argument between atheist (like me) and religious people simply because we base our arguments on opposite way of thinking. Religious people have a belief and the atheist tries to base their thinking with proven fact.

As for religion being a neurological disorder, I don't know but since religion have always been a way of controling the population, I side with Richard Dawkins on this issue, god is a delusion.

Recent comment from the pope about condoms and AIDS, and the excommunication of that little girl in Brazil only reinforce the notion that organized religion is keeping the masses from thinking clearly. I've said this before, and I'll say it again, the pope should be tried for crime against the human race.

reply to post by grandnic


I agree with you about the Catholic religion's control on the population.
I was raised as a Catholic, decided not to practice it anymore in my early teens, and now I'm probably an atheist. I say "probably" because there are some moments that you wonder if there's something or someone out there. It has happened to me mostly when I see something amazingly beautiful in Nature....

Anyway, I respect the need of people to try to make sense or find an explanation to unknown events or to circumstances that are beyond their control. Some of us seek it through logical, tangible, maybe even scientific explanation (which is my case) and others through doting unseen beings with extraordinary powers.

What I don't understand is where is the line crossed from attributing gods, saints, etc. with powers to suddenly giving almost the same power/control to a human being (meaning a religious leader of some sort) ?

Originally posted by haika

What I don't understand is where is the line crossed from attributing gods, saints, etc. with powers to suddenly giving almost the same power/control to a human being (meaning a religious leader of some sort) ?

IMHO, it is in the human nature to try to exploit other for power and financial gains. Civilization from the past are surely the same in that aspect. I'm sure people understood the fear that was involved with a religious belief, and, consciously or not, they used that fear to control the masses. And in a way it is still used like that, african are very superstitious are the pope use that fear to promote is agenda, even in the states, religious movement still use that fear of god and his wrath.

In a way, it is no different today, some idividual are selfish and only concerned by their own gain.

[edit on 24-3-2009 by grandnic]

It shouldn't really strike anyone as strange that a catholic priest made sense, especially if he had some jesuit training.

Some of the best conversations I've had about religion have been with priests or vicars, and some of the worst have been with what I would term zealots.

Perhaps the most fascinating discussion concerned jungian dogma - but arguing with a jesuit is like trying to juggle water

Some religious beliefs can be caused by epilepsy and brain tumors in certain areas of the brain...

Not saying all Christians have that, haha, probably not a large percentage but some may. That's why they screen nuns and some religious persons in the church for tumors and neurological disorders.

atheistcamel.blogspot.com...

Clearly this belief is still active in regards to some of the actions of members of the church, here is a blog post from 2008.

I guess it's just an explanation? Not saying that is a biased source, or correct, or that Christianity is linked to rape. There are different kinds of neurological disorders and I profess to know nothing.

[edit on 3/24/2009 by ravenshadow13]

Just a note folks. This thread is over 4 years old. As you can see ATS' standards have improved drastically since then.

I think bitter, sex-crazed, middle aged (still trying to be sexy) people may have a neurological problem.
People like Bill Maher.
Also people who idolize Vladimir Lenin.
There are dumb people in every city.

Originally posted by haika
I just watched Religulous yesterday. I loved it.
It's funny that when asked serious questions, all of the people interviewed just went into complete silence and had a blank idiotic stare.

Good post-Religulous was a great film and addressed some very important points.

(its not as good as 'Evangelical weather forecasting' though)
www.belowtopsecret.com...

reply to post by karl 12


I also liked Religulous. And in it, for the record, Bill Maher didn't seem to think Christians were psychotic... just... maybe, desperate? He seemed to feel sorry for them. It was a much more acceptable explanation that he put forward in that movie.

I saw it twice in theaters, haha.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


Did he feel sorry for Jews, too? Or find stupid ones to interview?
Since he is Jewish.

Also, didn't he just get this from Sam Harris in "The End of Faith".



[edit on 24-3-2009 by Clearskies]

reply to post by Clearskies


I'm pretty sure he grouped all the monotheistic religions together, including Jews.

Like I don't think he is religiously Jewish, just culturally, and he said his... dad was Christian, I guess. Mom was Jewish. And basically he is anti-all religion, based on how I interpreted it. Because it causes conflict and is kind of not worth it.

I think he's agnostic but doesn't support following any religion that impacts other beliefs?

But yes I'm pretty sure he's not a creationist of any sort, and doesn't support any.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


You saw the movie twice and don't know?
Were there ANYONE, but Christians made fun of in the movie?
I'm really curious, because I won't pay to see it.

reply to post by Clearskies


Yes, Muslims and Jews for Jesus and all creationists and all people who let religion impact their daily lives.

The movie is, like everything, open to interpretation.

I know you wouldn't pay to see it. It's fine. I don't pay to see lots of things. You would probably hate it and rant about it for weeks.

Personally, I liked it. *shrug*
Even you would see some of the things there and go "Oh, that's weird."
Or maybe not. I don't know.

Whats Bill Maher's opinion on Islam?

I haven't seen the movie or watched any of his videos at all.

Tsom87

Religulous was an amazing movie and posed some very good qestions to people who should know atleast the generic christian copout respose, but didnt. It was awsome to see the looks on those ignorant peoples faces.

reply to post by TSOM87


He wasn't a fan because it promoted religious violence...

The film was good. I liked the creationism museum. And the people who didn't understand the Bible.

And the guy at the Vatican. He was soooo funny, my favorite

reply to post by ravenshadow13


Jews For Jesus are CHRISTIANS. Not Judaic except racially.
BTW, I don't rant about anything for weeks.

Originally posted by grandnic

IMHO, it is in the human nature to try to exploit other for power and financial gains. Civilization from the past are surely the same in that aspect. I'm sure people understood the fear that was involved with a religious belief, and, consciously or not, they used that fear to control the masses. And in a way it is still used like that, african are very superstitious are the pope use that fear to promote is agenda, even in the states, religious movement still use that fear of god and his wrath.

In a way, it is no different today, some idividual are selfish and only concerned by their own gain.

[edit on 24-3-2009 by grandnic]

Yes, that, I understand. What I meant was: the followers, giving a human being supernatural powers and following him/her as the leader in a belief.

reply to post by budski

I agree. Jesuit priests are the best ones among Catholic orders.

2nd ____