I wonder what Maher's obsession with Mormonism is about. He was never a member. Does he bash other religions also, besides in that stupid movie he did?
Far be it from me to defend the LDS Church. I just think Maher is a asswipe. Why doesn't he bash Scientology? They are seriously worse than the LDS Church. What's the deal?
Probably because almost everyone who isn't a Scientologist knows it is a cult. Most people don't realize so is TSCC with some very scary beliefs and practices. Since a Mormon came relatively close to becoming the president, perhaps he feels the public should have their eyes opened about TSCC.
Plus Maher is an entertainer/comedian and there is just so much to mock in TSCC. Every time I think about guys riding tapirs I have such a good chuckle. Seriously thinking of getting a tapir bumper sticker.
He's made at least one documentary I'm aware of about religion in general - "Religulous", and I think an HBO special as well. Didn't focus on mormonism per se that I'm aware of.
Bill Maher is an intelligent, pot smoking, clear thinking, hilariously irreverent athiest comedian. He takes shots at all religions, especially those that are way whacked out. That makes Mormonism a very easy target. I never miss his show.
"I wonder what Maher's obsession with Mormonism is about. He was never a member."
I'd opine that Maher bashes Mormonism a lot because the church puts itself out there with its PR machine, tens of thousands of missionaries, etc. Considering the church's dubious origins and issues like polygamy, Mormonism is easy pickins' for comedians.
"Does he bash other religions also, besides in that stupid movie he did?"
FYI, two valued members of this Ex-Mormon community, Bill Gardiner and Tal Bachman, appeared in Maher's movie to talk about Mormonism. Also, a lot of that movie poked fun at Maher's own religion, Judaism. Comedians do bits about current news events, and the polygamy essays are current news.
"Far be it from me to defend the LDS Church. I just think Maher is a asswipe."
I agree that Maher says a lot of stupid, indefensible things on various subjects. But he says a lot of intelligent and rational things too. He's a comedian/political commentator. It's part of his schtick to say outrageous, inflammatory things.
"Why doesn't he bash Scientology? They are seriously worse than the LDS Church. What's the deal?"
Probably because Scientology isn't nearly as big as Mormonism, and they are secretive and cloistered, as opposed to Mormonism, which is billing itself as mainstream, and is all about PR and winning converts. Maher may very well have done bits on Scientology, but you'd have to research it. This BB is about Mormonism.
Just a clean-up here. Maher's not Jewish. He was raised Catholic. He even did a small bit last week or the week before on how folks automatically think he's Jewish.
he bashes all religions. If you regularly watched his show you would see it. But, mormons have been in their "moment" and are a topic of interest the past few years.
He mocks every religion. He's an atheist, who is most famous recently for arguing with Ben Afleck and making Afleck go off on a major rant calling him and well respected, multi best selling author Sam Harris, bigots, for criticizing Islam, not Muslims, but the religion, Islam. He makes fun of EVERY religion and superstition. He's a comedian. Grow a sense of humor.
Ha-ha-ha-ha! Now I know what the Mormon cult is good for: it is a religion that other religions can look down on!
Wondering2, my serious issue with the Mormon cult is that it supports and excuses JS's polygamy, polyandry, child rape, hoaxes, frauds, and even murders. They support all this today, in the present. Mormons believe they have a present-day Prophet of God, that is revealing that the Mormon church is the true church of God--the same church it was founded to be, my JS. Polygamy still exists in the Mormon celestial kingdom. The old sexist doctrines have not changed. All this garbage has been outed in the news, and not one APOLOGY, not one regret, not one admission that JS's actions were WRONG has come from any Mormon.
At least the Catholic church has owned up to its crimes, expressed regret, and apologized, and prosecuted the most recent pedophiles.
The LDS invite such criticism because of their intrusive evangelism, their covert funding and management of Question 8 in California, their ongoing opposition to civil rights for LGBT, their history of institutional racism, and the faith's public relations tone, which can best be described as "triumphant bellicosity." Add to that the campaign of Governor Romney.
As the LDS sought acceptance in mainstream Christianity they invited a deep examination of their faith, and more importantly their spotted history and their history of racism.
Their continued opposition to full civil rights for the LGBT puts them right in the crosshairs of many powerful interests and personalities. Had the faith focused on christian service, no one would give them much attention, but instead they entered the public square and have attempted to impose their will on others.
The LDS have a "glass jaw" when it comes to these matters. I have no sympathy for their perceived "persecution." They invite it. And for some odd reason, some of them only seem happy if they feel persecuted.
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2014 09:34AM by unabashed.
No other corporate religion such as Scientology or the televangelists have had one of their own come so close to becoming President of the United States.
There is also a chance that the same Mormon candidate may be running again.
Of course they deserve scrutiny, and more so than other religions that do not meddle so openly in politics.
DeAnn Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Bill Maher bashes all religions. > > He makes fun of Catholicism, Scientology, and > Mormonism to name just three.
And Islam far more than others. In the case of Islam, they certainly deserve it.
This one's even better, where he (about 2.5 minutes in) un-baptizes by proxy Mitt Romney's dead father in law, who refused to be a mormon when he was alive:
All respectable individuals are a**wipes. With the exceptions of those who have lost arms, the demetia-afflicted elderly and infants under age 3 years of age. Until I read your post the third time, I didn't realize I was one, too.
Bill Maher's assault on religion is like medicine to me. It's about time.
My three favorite media pundits are, Bill Maher, John Stewart and Steven Colbert.
Bane to me: Megyn Kelly, Glenn Beck and Dennis Miller, who used to be funny.
Sometimes I agree with Bill O'Reilly's opinions, but his education is so spotty, I would call it a sham. At his best he sounds like an armchair philosopher. Sean Hannity is just sad; he buddied up with a criminal Mormon in Nevada, and then he tried to hang with the Duck Dynasty clowns.
The men I like for news and opinions are funny, erudite and wicked with the satire. More power to Bill Maher, I say.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2014 03:53PM by donbagley.
I want to make a plug here for John Oliver and his recent weekly HBO show "Last Week Tonight". The man is as funny as Stewart and Colbert and because his show is on HBO it truly pulls no punches, ever. It is both informative and comedy gold.
What he says might be harsh, but his observations hopefully make people think. I haven't noticed he says anything inaccurate and seems to be informative. I watched Religulous. I did not really feel he was being offensive by giving his observations.
My opinion is that he does not think a Mitt Romney should be President of the United States.