Via CNN:

Glenn Beck like L. Ron Hubbard – Bill Maher’s appearance on Sunday’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS” is getting a lot of attention online today. The host of “Real Time with Bill Maher” was asked how much he thinks the Tea Party is about religion. Maher focused on FOX News’ Glenn Beck, saying, “I think he’s doing what some people before him have done, like L. Ron Hubbard, who is a novelist, and decided, ‘You know what? It’s a much easier gig to be a religious leader.’ ”

I can see it now. Beck, making millions off of gullible people, wearing gold coins and crosses shining directly into your pupils! Glenn Beck will:

• Blind you with his awesomeness (it’s actually the glint from the cheap gold).
• Set you free (you are “free” to follow him into the gates of a metaphorical hell).
• Lead you (to an early death? More anger and stress? More bigotry?).
• Watch over you (to make sure you’re still sending money to the right people).

Is Glenn Beck like L. Ron Hubbard? I can see where Bill Maher would get that from. There are striking similarities, mainly stemming from their mental health struggles. The paranoia, distrust of doctors. The aversion to positive change, dwelling on what could have or should have been, in a world that’s just an offshoot of reality. These are signs of mentally instable individuals who choose to stay unhealthy. This behavior is not only damaging to others, but themselves. Beck’s rants and made-up tangents may remain the non-sequitur of the abstract world or may become something greater, a larger force to reckon with.

I just hope Bill Maher didn’t give Glenn Beck an idea.

On the show: Former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean; comic/writer Dana Gould; journalist Bethany McLean; writer Randy Cohen; author Robert Baer.

He also taped a few elephant PSAs regarding dying elephants in the LA Zoo and mistreatment in the circus.

Well there you go, another Jewmanist professing her disbelief. :)

I know it’s a touchy subject, but someday we will all have to confront the notion that our silly gods cost the world too greatly.

Too bad I don’t care for award shows or I would have seen it live. Eh… that’s what videos are for!

In response to PZ Meyer’s post post today on Bill Maher’s ‘moaning’ at the Oscar’s, I have to say I agree with him:

There’s a reason Maher wasn’t nominated for an Oscar, and I think it’s because his documentary took no risks, and didn’t probe very deeply.

Yet I still enjoyed Religulous a lot.

For most comedies these days, as I sit before the large or small screen, I come to a disheartening realization that I had already seen the funniest moments in the previews and trailers. That was not the case with Religulous. I found myself laughing (almost non-stop) throughout the movie. In addition to the documentary’s hilarity, I’ve come across the review that it’s “preaching to the choir”, which I’ll agree with on some points but not in totality.

There was definitely a sense that if one is religious, he/she may not feel a home. Bill Maher may have uttered a few Really‘s and Come on‘s that could possibly upset the deep believer. With that said, the movie is potentially for those in between. The agnostics and even the irreligious deists and theists; which I would explain as those who realize religion is harmful but still may believe something. Moreover, I would love for this movie to reach a larger audience, to encompass the ones who still check the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc box but either don’t really believe or just don’t really think about it. It’s time they do.

After all the comedic interviews, Bill Maher gives an epilogue that is truly amazing. A serious call to all, encouraging the audience to understand the harm the worldwide religions are causing.

Hopefully, it will explain our irreligious standpoint. That no one knows and doubt is a good thing. It’s what keeps us humble. It’s not about believing in a supreme being or an ever-glowing energy ball (or not); it’s about growing up and away from religion’s stranglehold for the good of humankind. He ends with a notion I couldn’t agree with more: for us to expect our world civilization to continue to aspire and advance, we must leave religion behind.

I can’t wait!!

I completely agree with Bill when he equates this procedure with the traditional ideals of marriage. Men have traditionally been the ones to give away their daughters to the new man, for she couldn’t possibly be happy on her own…in the big scary world…(rolls eyes). This is exemplified by the modern & traditional wedding ceremony (white dress, father walks you down the aisle). As a side note, I abhor that wedding ceremony and think its horribly misogynous.

Why must a daughter promise to her father, but not her mother (who she tends to have a much tighter bond with)?

I do agree that the bond between a father and his daughter/son can (or should) be something special. But would regular chats about daily happenings be much more effective (and not creepy)? The religious right keeps trying to initiate these flawed programs and ideas rather than getting to the real issue underneath. If a parent talks to their child or adolescent about sex on a mature responsible level, then they shouldn’t have problems with them slutting it up. But to say you won’t have sex until marriage; how do you know if your sexual chemistries will match? Oh, yeah, that’s the thing about religion: You’re not supposed to enjoy any kind of sex in any way, shape, or form.