Religulous (2008) * * *

Directed by:  Larry Charles

Starring: Bill Maher

"When it comes to believing in God, I tried.  I really tried."- George Carlin

I'm sure Bill Maher tried as well.   He was raised Catholic (although he is part Jewish) and went to mass until he was 13.    Then he stopped.    Why?  Judging from Religulous, which is a documentary of Maher punching holes in various religious beliefs, he simply couldn't rectify faith vs. logic.    People believe what they want or need to believe.    Religion provides comfort for some and a platform to espouse prejudices and bigotry for others.     It's a polarizing topic to be sure.   That doesn't stop Maher from creating an insightful, entertaining, and funny forum.    No religion is spared either, so Maher is an equal-opportunity agnostic.

Maher doesn't approach the material as someone trying to learn something new.    He "comes from the church of I don't know" as he puts it.    His questions of various believers are straight lines which allow the interviewee to provide the punch line.    One U.S. congressman, who believes in Creationism instead of Evolution, says, "Well, it doesn't take a genius to be a congressman."    Both he and Maher then sit in awkward silence while the Congressman ponders the verbal gaffe he just made.

Maher encounters a truck stop chapel, a Bible-themed amusement park, a man who believes named Jesus who believes he directly descended from Jesus, and a man who sells religious items.    These are just in the U.S.   Maher also travels to the Vatican and other parts of Europe as well.    One of the most illuminating clips is Maher discussing Catholic theology with a Vatican cardinal, who cheerfully admits that most of the Catholic beliefs are bunk.    I'm curious how long he remained a cardinal after that interview.    

Another piece shows Maher at an Amsterdam marijuana bar in which some patrons pray to weed instead of God.   Maher, who is also pro-marijuana, doesn't miss an opportunity to toke.    This was a scene the movie could've done without.     Religulous' message is simple:  Believe what you will, but be prepared for questions.     Naturally, some of Maher's subjects aren't so ready to be ridiculed, such as the truck stop chapel patrons.   

I managed to write this entire review without divulging my own religious views.   I don't think they're even necessary in this case.    Everyone has an opinion on religion.     Some have a sense of humor about them, some don't.    Bill Maher's view of religion borders on incredulous.    Just like the late, great George Carlin pointed out in many classic anti-religious rants:  If you apply logic to religious beliefs, they couldn't possibly hold up.