Religulous: Review By TXCANY

Religion. It controls most of America and according to our dear President, is a part of his Foreign Policy decision making. Sarah Palin has said that she strongly believes she will she the return of Christ in her lifetime. What?! Do we really want religious fanatics like these who believe so strongly in the rapture, access to the strongest seat of power in the world?

Bill Maher takes a look at not just Christianity but equally examines Jews, Muslims, Mormoms, etc. The film will not convert anyone to become a non-believer; however, it should spark a debate. Many of the supporters recently at the McCain rally that were shouting out with regards to Obama, "KILL HIM!" and "HE'S A TERRORIST!" claim to be Christians. Now, not all "Christians" are this fanatical but it's dangerous that anyone claiming to be a disciple of God would take such a radical position.

One of the highlights in the film for me was Bill's visit to a Biblical amusement park in Orlando. Here, you can meet Jesus and then watch him be beaten and crucified while visitors snap pictures and video tape for their family vacation video while jet planes fly over.

Bill brings up not only one historic cultural story that is similar to that of what Christians believe but SEVERAL that are identical to the story of Christianity (the birth of Jesus, his "miracles" and his death). He also points out, which is a point I've always wondered, that the Bible talks about Jesus' birth and then skips ahead almost 30 years to his adult life ignoring his entire development from child into man. Since the New Testament was written well after the Old Testament, "man" had a lot to do with what ended up on the final page, not "God."

This is one of those films the religious right will hate and label blasphemy; however, everyone should view this with an open mind. Bill doesn't hate religion, he just hates what people have turned it into.