I've never really known what other people have thought about this movie, so I'm just posting this to see what you guys think about it. I'm not by any means a Bill Maher fan, but I applauded him for doing this movie and some of his standup is funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jETVUulGwc#t=198
One "argument" that stood out was his claim that if one were to be part of a political party that was as "homophobic, misogynist, racist, etc. as religion", that person (presumably a rational person) would leave the party.
ReplyDeleteThat's a horrid comparison. It's taking a specific example (member of a political party) and comparing it to a VERY generalized group (religion...all of it), as though the two are comparable. "If you were part of a family that raped, killed, tortured, stole, and pillaged, you'd leave. So why don't you leave the human race?"
That's basically the argument, right there.
I believe in this he is comparing parties to different religions not religion in general or in general if you've gone through the list of religions and cant find anything you like just as in searching for a political party to join.
DeleteIf he is claiming that, he doesn't nearly make it clear enough.
DeleteAs well, it's a logical fallacy to claim that, since the actions of people in a group are wrong, therefore the group in principal is fundamentally wrong.
Examples: pretty much every possible group you can think of.
"Faith means making a virtue out of not thinking" - is probably one of my favourite quotes from that whole movie. I just feel (i can only speak for myself so i will only speak for myself) that when i was a christian i thought about a lot of things and issues that most of my congregation would just have faith on. for me it was always "well if god doesn't do it what the hell am i supposed to do since its my problem." I feel as if Bill Maher can come across as harsh in this film with his "this is where you are wrong" style of making religion almost a laughing stock,but i believe that his whole message is that we shouldn't take something as uncertain so seriously and not make decisions based on faith.
ReplyDeleteMaiya, I sincerely applaud your desire to question your religious upbringing when you were still a Christian. Far too many have a blind faith, a "well, this is what I was taught growing up, therefore it must be true" mentality that is woefully ignorant. Intellectual honesty, especially with oneself, is of utmost importance in this life.
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