Thread: Thank-you Bill Maher

Anything that mocks religious conventions is fine by me.

It's really good, it questions peoples irrational beliefs in religion, even though the majority are very rational in the rest of their life. It's not mean spirited, but it is funny. Do go see it, it worth it.

Originally Posted by Hutch

It's really good, it questions peoples irrational beliefs in religion, even though the majority are very rational in the rest of their life. It's not mean spirited, but it is funny. Do go see it, it worth it.

why are you trying to stir up a heated conversation? Do you really like throwing rocks at a wasps' nest?

Matt

I've seen the previews....looks funny. From what I've seen of the previews, he lets people of all kinds of religions explain their views, without making any judgements....he gives them the rope and they do the rest to themselves.

As for the people who may get upset, I was taught as a kid that if you allow criticism of your beliefs (any beliefs - religious, political, ethical) to upset you or you cannot defend your beliefs in debate, then you should take sometime to reflect on those beliefs and how you have incorporated them into your life.

My brother and his family joined a fundamentalist Protestant church. In a discussion about it, I asked him why he joined: because he found his faith strengthened and the Christ's presence became greater in his life or because his friends had joined or so he could tell everyone he belonged or some other reason unrelated to the communion between the mundane and the Divine? A long silence followed.

My Grandmother was a Southern Baptist and nothing could shake her faith - death, illness, financial problems, whatever. In the face of any criticism, she would simply say that it was their belief and she would pray for them. There was no right or wrong.

I think that people who follow a religion simply to "go along" with family, community, region, etc. but do not have a detailed understanding of the origins of the faith are missing out on so much of the wonder, mystery, historic significance, art, music, literature, and - in many cases - a large portion of their cultural identity.

Originally Posted by mhailey

why are you trying to stir up a heated conversation? Do you really like throwing rocks at a wasps' nest?

Matt

Are we talking nests where the black and yellow flying insects live or the white anglo saxon protestants?

So now we shouldn't discuss movies?

It's a simple discussion of a main stream film. If you have a problem with that I suggest you don't bother with the thread.

If you don't like Bill Maher, two simple things, don't go to the movie and stay out of the thread regarding Bill Maher, then you won't be offended.

Originally Posted by mhailey

why are you trying to stir up a heated conversation? Do you really like throwing rocks at a wasps' nest?

Matt

Apparently the movie is about religion. This discussion is about the movie. Hence people will explain why they like it or don't, or why they want to see it or don't.
Please don't use this thread to start a discussion on religion.

If you feel like debating other peoples views on religion, do it in the recen religion thread, or perhaps start a new thread.

Let the discussion go back to the movie and why peopl like it or not.
But don't take over this thread which is about the movie and what people think of it.

Added to "the list of possibles". Wonder if its going to hit the streets of Denmark, prefer to pay people for their work when I can.

Originally Posted by Hutch

It's really good, it questions peoples irrational beliefs in religion, even though the majority are very rational in the rest of their life. It's not mean spirited, but it is funny. Do go see it, it worth it.

Originally Posted by Hutch

Are we talking nests where the black and yellow flying insects live or the white anglo saxon protestants?

So now we shouldn't discuss movies?

It's a simple discussion of a main stream film. If you have a problem with that I suggest you don't bother with the thread.

If you don't like Bill Maher, two simple things, don't go to the movie and stay out of the thread regarding Bill Maher, then you won't be offended.

Did you not notice that no comment was made to your original post, which was entirely about the movie. However, when you assert, and assume, that every person's belief in religion is "irrational" then you areattempting to incite a riot, and you know it. DO not try and hide behind some innocent attempt that your second comment was to forward a simple discussion about a movie. You are trying to inflame this thread with your second post, when no one took the bait on your first.

Matt

Have you seen the movie? That is what its about. My post says "people's", not "all peoples'", which of course you have read that into my post. That is the opinion that the movie makes and one which I agree with.

Have you been "audited" for "thetans"? That is one of the things discussed in the movie. As well as Jonah wasn't swallowed by a whale but a big fish, that makes the story much more plausible. Are you wearing your magic underwear?

So if you haven't seen it you don't have a clue what I'm talking about.

If you choose to get upset about something that you know nothing about, that is your prerogative.

The only person stirring up trouble is you.

Originally Posted by Hutch

Have you seen the movie? That is what its about. My post says "people's", not "all peoples'", which of course you have read that into my post. That is the opinion that the movie makes and one which I agree with.

Have you been "audited" for "thetans"? That is one of the things discussed in the movie. As well as Jonah wasn't swallowed by a whale but a big fish, that makes the story much more plausible. Are you wearing your magic underwear?

So if you haven't seen it you don't have a clue what I'm talking about.

If you choose to get upset about something that you know nothing about, that is your prerogative.

The only person stirring up trouble is you.

Hutch,

If you wanted to describe the movie, without trying to cause a confrontation, you would have stated that the movie challenges a person's belief in their religion, and left it at that. You should have done without the offensive adjective describing such belief. Instead, you assert that all religious beliefs are irrational, and thereby insulted every person who believes in any religion.

Whether you state "people" or all people, it means the same thing. A dictionary is your friend. Peoples is defined as ": a body of persons that are united by a common culture, tradition, or sense of kinship, that typically have common language, institutions, and beliefs, and that often constitute a politically organized group" Merriam-Webster. You separated out religious people, and stated that their beliefs are irrational. Whether you say "all religious people" or simply "religious people" it means the same thing.

I will not discuss religion with you. However I will call you out when you insult people.

Matt