Iffy for 16+
Provocative comedy/documentary examines faith.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this provocative documentary about religion in the modern world is meant for adults. Star Bill Maher makes no claims to impartiality; he's unwavering in his belief that humans can't possibly know if there's a god and that religions are man-made power structures designed to absolve or encourage anti-social or immoral behavior. Maher looks at all faiths -- Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Scientology, and more -- and proceeds to articulate and analyze what he sees as their historical and logical failings. There's lots of strong language, some nudity (in film clips), and extensive discussion of hot-button issues involving sex, power, violence, and more.
- Families can talk about the film's take on religion. Do you agree with Maher? Why or why not? Do you think the media is the appropriate place to discuss issues related to religion? What do you think Maher's intent was in making this movie? Does he succeed? Families can also discuss the film's uneasy mix of sociology and slapstick -- does the film gain an audience by being funny, at the risk of failing to make a real point?
The good stuff
-
Messages: The entire film is a discussion of religion in the modern world, with Bill Maher travelling the globe to talk with religious leaders of all faiths. Maher says he believes that "religion is detrimental to the progress of humanity." Maher examines religiously motivated violence, prejudice, and sexism, as well as abuses of power by religious authorities. The film also states Maher's belief (shared by authors like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris) that, in an age of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, the conflicts and commands driven by religious extremism are no longer something that "rational" people can allow to go unchallenged. Jokes are made about Catholic, Islamic, Mormon, Scientologist, and Jewish stereotypes and cultural ideas.
What to watch for
-
Violence: Violent images of suicide bombings, warfare, the 9-11 attacks, the explosion of the Hindenburg, and more; discussion of murders committed in the name of religion; armed marchers brandish guns and grenades; violent imagery (including extensive blood) as part of a theme park performance depicting the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Discussion of rape, weapons of mass destruction, torture, the Holocaust, Armageddon, and holy war. News images of a murder victim's body.
-
Sex: Discussion of Catholic Church sex scandals; discussion of prostitution; three brief clips from adult-themed films with implied sexuality and nude female breasts. Discussion of masturbation, birth control, sexual acts, marital and pre-marital sex, and homosexuality. An English landmark -- a cliff carving depicting a naked man -- is shown.
-
Language: Very strong language throughout, including "s--t," "bulls--t," "blow job," "pissed," "f--k," "hell," "damn," "balls," "p---y," " vagina," "ass," "a--hole," and more.
-
Consumerism: Lots of clips from other films and TV shows are used for comedic or artistic effect or discussed for their cultural significance; the list includes Superbad, Scarface, Oprah, Planet of the Apes, Lawrence of Arabia, The Tonight Show, CNN, Fox News, The Flintstones, Hell Town, Star Wars: Episode I, Saturday Night Live, The Ten Commandments, Jason and the Argonauts, and many more. Brands mentioned include Starbucks, Craigslist, and more.
-
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drug abuse is discussed, with "diet pills," "ludes," "speed," "crank," and others mentioned; Maher interviews a believer in "Cantheism," which involves using marijuana as a religious sacrament; marijuana is smoked on screen, with clear demonstrations of how it blunts mental acuity and memory.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Hilarious and not at all condescending by Epik151
Bill Maher can be mean at times on his show Real Time with Bill Maher but in this movie he simply asks questions and let's the ridiculous answers provide the humor. The movie is very funny and worth watching regardless of who your imaginary friend is.
4
Religulous by joeyb1130
God is man made and not vice verse.
I can only agree with all of the movie.
One could have done more of this topic.
Its OK for "beginners".
5
A funny movie - why are so many overreacting by Dirtier Harry
Congratulations Bill Maher. A thoroughly enjoyable insight into the illogical and irrational world of religion. For those campaigning against this film (how sad that so many people feel the need to logon and register an Oh No rating just to drag the overall rating down), have you made any attempt to listen? I suspect that deep down you are in total agreement but that you have been poisoned from birth to simply not accept anyone challenging some of the more ridiculous aspects of religion.
Why should it be that the rest of the world simply has to roll over and listen to whatever dogma pours out from the main religious groups? You don't see crowds of atheists burning flags outside churches, mosques or synagogues shouting 'death to religion'. All this film is trying to do is ask some very pertinent questions and challenge that which we have simply been told to accept on 'blind faith'. If you can accept this, you may just find this movie funny...
5
Wake up to the Reality by freshvite
its about time.
5
Religulous by vedderx
Everyone should see this movie, but unfortunately those who should won't ever see it.
5
This is a thinking film. by xMichix
There was a free screening offered at one of the theaters in Indianapolis and my mom got tickets, so I saw it on Tuesday. It was amazing. I highly recommend that everyone see it, no matter what religion. I personally am a atheist and this film stated every question I've ever had to basically every religion. And I found it funny that most of the people in this film could not answer even the simplest questions. A great documentary and I'm going to see it again while its in theaters since I enjoyed it so much.
More than anything I have to say this documentary will make you think, kudos to everyone who worked on this.
5
Wake up! by hp9529
Gotta' love Bill Maher, George Carlin and the like. It's time for people to wake up, give up ridiculous religious belief and live like you have a brain. Back when we smashed rocks together for fire it was ok to be a religious person. It's not ok now it just means you're denying the obvious and being...that easy to understand word...STUPID!
5
Fantastic!! by cbungaro
This movie really makes you think. . .whether you are religious or not. You just need to be open-minded and ready to laugh--a lot!
5
'God' Almost Killed Me by filmgeek2000
About thirty-five minutes into this movie I began to choke on my popcorn, and for an instant thought it might be divine retribution for enjoying Bill Mahr and Larry Charles' film so much. Then I felt a little guilty for indulging, even momentarily, in the very illogical superstition so well exhibited in this little gem. I hope a lot of people, believers and non-believers alike see this movie, as it really underlines the human-infused hypocrisy that interpretations of religion spawns that irks agnostics and athiests so much. The film itself is not really anti-religion so much as it is anti-manipulation, as when faith is peverted for economic and social engineering. Mahr doesn't seem to be questioning spirituality; it's human tampering and the distortion that occurs when translating outdated, ancient documents he laments. The denial if the scientific method turns off those who believe in the gospel of reason.
5
RELIGULOUS DEVINE COMEDY by JJ AT THE MOVIES
Being a fan of Bill Maher, and seeing the trailer for this film numerous times i was pretty sure there would be some funny, if obvious, swipes at organized religion. Truthfully, and to my surprise, it was much funnier than i had imagined, superbly executed, and seemingly enjoyed equally by the audience around me. See it, you will laugh a lot and at very least, think a little about the good, the bad, and the ugly role of religion in our lives.