Everyone loves bad ideas in the history of bad ideas. You put those bad ideas on film and that's a whole different story. There is something incredibly intriguing about hearing what "the other side" has to say about those on this side. When I heard that Bill Maher was making a movie about religion, something about it was incredibly intriguing. Considering it wouldn't cost anything more than normal for me to watch it, I figured, what the heck?! No harm no foul right?

In Religilous, Bill Maher takes a look at religion, its history and those who practice. As with all documentaries of the sort, he found the least educated and craziest. The man playing Jesus at The Holy Land Experience (Christian theme park) and the visitors to the park, Christian truckers at a truck stop chapel (who's quote of the night was "You mess with my God and you have a problem...can we pray for you?) and the man convinced he is the second coming of Christ (Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda). With this lot of characters involved, as a rational Christian person you have to think that Bill is giving us a good shake here. Though there are those of note, Christianity doesn't ever seem to have a person in it who actually knows what there talking about and can respond rationally, not simply speaking because a camcorder and a microphone is close to them (one TV anchor called a camcorder and microphone an idiot magnet because you turn the two of those on and the idiots come running).

As I watched this movie, my friend Chris Smith, his wife Jamie, and Rachel and I all agreed, if Bill Maher had spoken to any Christian apologists, this would have been a different movie. It would have been pointless, but it would have been a different movie. Those who have a sound biblical knowledge and are able to relate that to skeptics are not represented in this film. Instead, it's normal church people. Which raises an interesting thought. As we (the above mentioned group) shared, if the cameras had gone to any church in America, you would have gotten the same answers and the same bad PR from the most faithful people in your church. This reveals a fatal flaw in church discipleship (though the aim is proselytizing) and the means by which a film like Religilous can take ground.

You have to give it to Bill Maher though, he knows his stuff. He is highly educated and knows all the pre-conditioned responses and how to unwit the pre-conditioned responders. He also has a pretty solid Biblical knowledge that is disheartening to many of his opponents. He is also an equal opportunity offender, taking on Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Mormans. What you don't have to give to Bill is how rude he is and how he shows no respect to any person. Regardless of who you are, most people deserve more respect than what you gave.

All in all, this movie caused me to think of new ways to the discipleship the church becuase Bill asks good questions. It caused me to work through my own pre-conditioned responses and how to get rid of my own Christian jargon. There are some dicey bits during the movie that will make it not worth watching with anyone young or light-hearted (this is expected for a mockumentary though). To the skeptic, this is probably a rallying cry. To the rational, critical thinking Christian, this is a poor show by the followers of Christ (though the responses would be the norm). If you are looking to be unsettled, check this out. Made for an interesting sabbath during the Media Fast.

Religilous : C+

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