“RELIGULOUS”
Starring Bill Maher
Released: Oct. 3, 2008
Opened in C-U: Oct. 10, 2008

WATCH THE TRAILER

I would recommend 'Religulous' to those who think they can put up with a bit of skepticism … and bring friends! It's an excellent conversation starter.

SO WHEN I realized the majority of the high school students in Champaign-Urbana would be occupying themselves with entertainment at the last local homecoming football game (at Centennial), I was determined to make something of my night and go see a movie.

Actually going to a theater and paying money for a ticket is a big deal for me; I'm the type of person who makes my own popcorn and frequently visits Blockbuster, not the type to sit quiet in a room at the charge of $3 per hour.

But tonight was a special occasion: the documentary "Religulous" (written by and starring Bill Maher and directed by Larry Charles) was out.

I was initially rather uninterested in the movie, but an interview that Jon Stewart (from "The Daily Show") did with Maher intrigued me. At first I thought Maher's documentary would be an informative piece focusing on the specifics of religion: What do people worship, how do they worship, etc. I quickly came to realize, however, that I should've known better.

Instead the documentary is a humorous piece questioning the practice of organized religion, Maher firmly stating throughout the film how ridiculous he finds it all to be. Ridiculous + Religious = Religulous (in case you hadn't figured that one out already).

Maher doesn't attempt to be unbiased. He is, in fact, many times blatantly rude to some of the people he interviews, but to the audience, all the while, he is overwhelmingly amusing. I would not want to be any of the people he interviewed, but I was enjoying myself in the air-conditioned theater.

He interviews priests, ex-worshippers, current worshippers, scientists, etc., and he looks at such religions as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Scientology, and some practice I hadn't heard of where the people just smoke pot (but I think you're only legally allowed to worship in Amsterdam).

Nonetheless, pulling from all these different sources, with Americans as his largest audience, Maher focuses mainly on Christianity. He denounces the literal translation of the Bible, the association between Jesus and American nationalism, and man's translation of God's word into "doctrine" (e.g., that God believes those who use birth control are sinners).

It's very interesting to note as well that Maher himself came from a Catholic upbringing and has "converted" to agnosticism.

Although he claims that he is trying to simply question the idea of organized "I-know-what-I-believe-is-right" religion, he comes off as rather condescending and provokes argument. I have to give a lot of credit to the people who allowed Maher to interview them. Note to self: Never, by any means, give Bill Maher an interview until I've achieved ultimate serenity — otherwise it will, by no doubt, end in violence.

Even as a viewer you have to be open-minded and able to take criticism; this film is definitely not for those who easily take offense.

For people like me it will constantly make you laugh out loud, but others may feel inclined to leave the theater.

Despite whether you consider yourself religious or not, I would recommend "Religulous" to those who think they can put up with a bit of skepticism … and bring friends! It's an excellent conversation starter and was the topic of discussion even an hour after we had left.

"Religulous" is currently playing at Boardman's Art Theatre, 126 W. Church St., Champaign.

"Religulous" AT A GLANCE

• Starring: Bill Maher
• Directed by: Larry Charles
• Written by: Bill Maher
• Genre: Documentary
• Rated: R
• Runtime: 101 min.
• Release date: Oct. 3, 2008 (opened in Champaign on Oct. 10)
• Summary (from IMDb): "Religulous" is a 2008 American documentary film directed by Larry Charles and starring political comedian Bill Maher. According to Maher, the title of the film is a portmanteau derived from the words "religion" and "ridiculous," implying the satirical nature of the documentary as he travels around the world interviewing people about God and religion.