Three cheers for Bill Maher

mca47 wrote:

Exactly!

I like how Bill O'Reilly came out saying "Bill got a free pass because he came out and criticized catholics and if it was Jews or Muslims he would have been ostracized by the media and would have been kicked off of the show..."

Well, that's not true because he has brought up similar points about Jews and Muslims in the past. Just because it hit home for some people (practicing catholics) they can make that completely erroneous claim.
Oh well!

Keep it up Bill! Can't wait for the next show!

Plus Catholicism is just one church of many under the Christian religion..

I don't think he needed to call the Pope a "nazi" as it only distracts from his other opinions and commentary, which are accurate.

I was Catholic for the first 18 years of my life and I also think that it is unfortunate that the vast majority of congregations are innocent of wrongdoing but have to suffer because of a few dozen evil fuck ups.

The same could be said of any religion with its problems. Mormons are looked down upon for many reasons, but most often because of polygamy. Most Mormons aren't polygamists.

Muslims = terrorists. Most Muslims are not terrorists.

I won't even get into Judaism.

I praise Bill Maher because he is a free thinker and calls it the way he sees it. I generally agree with him in regards to organized religion, how it tends to create closed minded followers, and is innappropriately used as moral law. However I do think that a lot can be learned from all organized religion and while I think none are absolutely correct, none of them have it completely wrong either, with the exception of worshiping the devil. For instance I think it was Matthew who said, "Judge not lest ye be judged."

But then again, I guess it's his job to judge!

mca47 wrote:

Nicely said.


But, the Pope (as a child) was a Hitler Youth Member. Sure it was mandatory at the time but I don't think anyone (including Bill Maher) is actually calling him a "Nazi". His comment was tongue-in-cheek which he actually made reference to on this last Friday's show.

What's lacking in many people's comments is that Bill in no way goes after any one group...he pretty much goes after them all. Where were the catholics when he was making fun of mormons, muslims, jews, and non-specific christians?

Yes he was a Hitler Youth (against his own will) but calling him a "nazi" is an inflammatory statement that Bill Maher usually avoids. Its a "Rush Limbaugh" type statement that turns a lot of people away. Just because my wife grew up in a Pentecostal Church, against her better judgement even when she was 6 years old, doesn't make her a speaker of tongues.

I don't know if there is any basis to this... but I just realized he seems awfully "scientological." I remember him speaking out against ALL prescriptions drugs and how people just need to have better diets, not pollute their bodies, etc etc. He is absolutely right about nutrition, but he was saying that even things like antibiotics are unnecessary. So is he a quasi-scientologist? Sounds a lot like Tom Cruise.

btw MCA... I think you're the only other PHX area person on this board. I guess everyone else is listening to Rob Thomas and Avril Lavigne (the only two big acts that I've seen promoted).

pjl44 wrote:

Finally someone has the stones to say it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkPNX68cjIY

Fuck Bill Maher. Scumbag. I hate this fucking guy. He reminds me of a little wise ass who would get his butt kicked in school for running his mouth.
A young boy in Germany during that era would not have a choice but to be in the Hitler Youth. It is not something you can opt not to do.

Drew263 wrote:

If it had been a comedian or someone else on tv/radio going off on gays, blacks, etc...you all would want his head.

See the ridiculous reaction to Don Imus as an example.

The only difference is that Maher is a comedian on Cable. Whereas Imus is not a comedian and on Public Radio.

Drew263 wrote:

Come on....you're rationalizing.

But ok..Michael Richards's rant...how'd everyone respond to that? That was in a comedy club. Not a public park.

I just think the hypocrisy of this place can be ridiculous sometimes. Check out the AMT..they blasted Bush for the last 8 years about his friends in the oil business (W is a terrible president, no way am I defending him) but yet Obama's "friends" are not relevant. Even if they are terrorists or racists. It's a fucking joke. And anyone with any amount of intellectual honesty would admit it.

That being said, I hope you have a nice day.

you too

Except Richards called out the studio audience If Maher said it when the Pope was there, he'd be done.

mookie9999 wrote:

Gays,blacks, etc.are who they are through birth whereas Organized Religion is through choice. Big difference as to why someone would want his head or not.

And Michael Richards talked about N****rs hanging from trees. Derogatory comments about a race (where you have no choice in) vs. calling the Pope a "Nazi" tongue-in-cheek (later saying that no, he doesn't think he is in fact a Nazi) and telling the truth about the hypocracy of the catholic church isn't quite the same.

Michael Richards - Thought he was making a joke, while showing complete disrespect for another person's race.

Bill Maher - Thought he was making a joke, while showing complete disrespect for another person's beliefs.

I'd defend anyone's religious beliefs no matter what they are. Bill Maher is a douchbag just like Michael Richards.

Collin wrote:

You'd defend anyone's religious beliefs no matter what they are? I somehow doubt that.

Actually I do. I think freedom of religion in this country is one of the best aspects of this country.

Calling someone a Nazi and calling someone the N-word are kinda in the same ballpark of horrible insults IMO.

More importantly it is the context, for instance Michael Richards and Bill Maher clearly had hatred for the people they were discussing. However, say Howard Stern, South Park, Dave Chappelle or Chris Rock makes a racial joke or religious joke, and you know there is no hatred, mearly saying a comical observation. I believe that is what makes it more wrong to society IMO.

We should celebrate diversity in this country, not hate on it.

NickyNooch wrote:

Actually I do. I think freedom of religion in this country is one of the best aspects of this country.

No, you'd defend reasonable religious beliefs. Or are you telling me you actually defend what jihadists are doing?

Calling someone a Nazi and calling someone the N-word are kinda in the same ballpark of horrible insults IMO.

Fair enough.

Like you said, more importantly it is the context. Maher's nazi comment was followed by 'and he wears funny hats.' (Then a picture of the Pope was shown with a ridiculous hat.) Obviously, this is meant to be funny or he wouldn't have mentioned it or he would have shown a picture of the pope with his normal funky hat.

Michael Richards' rant was, imo, very different. He lost his temper and uttered out racials slurs. It wasn't part of his performance. He just got mad.

More importantly it is the context, for instance Michael Richards and Bill Maher clearly had hatred for the people they were discussing. However, say Howard Stern, South Park, Dave Chappelle or Chris Rock makes a racial joke or religious joke, and you know there is no hatred, mearly saying a comical observation. I believe that is what makes it more wrong to society IMO.

I completely disagree. I don't think Maher shows hatred, but severe criticism.

I think he makes a very good point, first he mentions this:

"he wrote a letter instructing every Catholic bishop to keep the sex abuse of minors secret until the statute of limitations ran out."

How can anyone agree with that?

And then he makes this comparison:

"f the Pope was, instead of a religious figure, merely the CEO of a nationwide chain of daycare centers where thousands of employees had been caught molesting kids and then covering it up, he'd be arrested faster than you can say, "Who wants to touch Mister Wiggle?"

, which I believe is accurate.