Bill Maher interviews some of the dimmer, weirder practitioners of religion--and some charlatans, too. Is it meant to prove something "deep" or just be funny? In favor of the former view, Maher interviews Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the Human Genome Project, a believer and quote-source for journalists trying to round out a story on the everlastingly vexing case of Science v Religion. In his brief segment, Dr. Collins sounds plaintive; also, uninformed about the gospel narratives. I think we're supposed to conclude that, since the "big thinkers" of American Christianity sound a lot like the rubes, only with better diction, it all must be a lot of hooey.
Of course it is Maher making the movie, so maybe it is not that surprising that he looks cleverer than his interviewees. I'd be surprised if his best moments landed on the editing room floor.
As for being funny: yes, occasionally, but it's a guilty pleasure. The God-obsessed, Christ-twisted ones are prone to forming bizarre fantasies and Maher, by gently pursuing his cross examinations, does not have much trouble showing they are, you know, "religulous." We are supposed to laugh at the crazy things they think and say, and sometimes I did, but maybe I'd feel better about myself if I'd felt only pity.
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