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Chibi_Neko
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06 Oct 2008, 12:11 pm

I have seen this documentary this weekend and I must say..... wow. I have always questioned religion and I always new of the problems it caused, but I learned more from this film, plus it's so damn funny.

Bill Maher travels around the world asking people questions about religion, that's it, just questions. The reactons and hypocrisy of these people are pure gold.

Learn more about the film here

Has anyone else seen this? What are your thoughts on this film?


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Prof_Pretorius
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06 Oct 2008, 12:37 pm

Maher is a make-believe intellectual. He doesn't have the guts to confront people who are truly intellectual regarding their beliefs.


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Ishmael
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06 Oct 2008, 1:24 pm

Prof_Pretorius wrote:
Maher is a make-believe intellectual. He doesn't have the guts to confront people who are truly intellectual regarding their beliefs.


That's a royal contradiction worthy of gales of laughter.
Scientologists, for instance, believe that people are manipulated by alien souls.
Hardly what an intellectual might say. Same goes for parting seas, genocide, creating water, coming back from the dead, and other such nonsense. How much intelligence does it take to interpret poorly translated primitive text as a general guide for life, even if not taken literally?
Followers have never required much intelligence; and it's fascinating how many religions regard themselves as followers of a particular faith.


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AnonymousAnonymous
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06 Oct 2008, 1:25 pm

Bill Maher also is an egomanical prick! :evil:


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Ishmael
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06 Oct 2008, 1:32 pm

AnonymousAnonymous wrote:
Bill Maher also is an egomanical prick! :evil:


So am I, but I already know who I am.
I've never even heard of Bill Maher before this thread - who is he?


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JohnHopkins
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06 Oct 2008, 1:36 pm

Ishmael wrote:
Prof_Pretorius wrote:
Maher is a make-believe intellectual. He doesn't have the guts to confront people who are truly intellectual regarding their beliefs.


That's a royal contradiction worthy of gales of laughter.
Scientologists, for instance, believe that people are manipulated by alien souls.
Hardly what an intellectual might say. Same goes for parting seas, genocide, creating water, coming back from the dead, and other such nonsense. How much intelligence does it take to interpret poorly translated primitive text as a general guide for life, even if not taken literally?
Followers have never required much intelligence; and it's fascinating how many religions regard themselves as followers of a particular faith.


My parents and sister for an example, who are all fiercely intelligent and have degrees. Along with most of the people at their church.



Ishmael
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06 Oct 2008, 1:44 pm

Ah; but that would be intelligence turned to worldly events - how much of that capacity is contemplating the religion?

The two big differences between religion (incl. neo atheism) and scientific approach;
A high intelligence is not necessary to understand religion, so both extremes can easily be within.
A high intelligence is necessary to explore possibilities in reality - neo atheists simply follow the flow, but don't endeavour the work.
Over simplified, but I couldn't care to elaborate in text.


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Chibi_Neko
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06 Oct 2008, 2:04 pm

AnonymousAnonymous wrote:
Bill Maher also is an egomanical prick! :evil:


Why? For asking questions? Or do you think he is evil for asking the questions that you don't like to hear, because if that is what it is, your statement is very hypocrital


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Fnord
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06 Oct 2008, 2:05 pm

Buddhism is for Atheists who can not let go of Religion.


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carturo222
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06 Oct 2008, 4:04 pm

I beg to object. There are varieties of Buddhism (especially the Theravada school) that require no metaphysical assumptions or supernatural entities, and focus only on the practical, ethical matters. It's perfectly possible to be 100% atheist and follow the Buddhist method.

If only I had enough discipline...



anna-banana
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06 Oct 2008, 4:09 pm

Fnord wrote:
Buddhism is for Atheists who can not let go of Religion.


this is the most ridiculous statement I've encountered of this whole forum (this *is* an insult).


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Tim_Tex
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06 Oct 2008, 4:13 pm

I think I want to see this movie.


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Phagocyte
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06 Oct 2008, 4:38 pm

This movie looks great, I definitely want to see it.


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JohnHopkins
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07 Oct 2008, 9:49 am

Ishmael wrote:
Ah; but that would be intelligence turned to worldly events - how much of that capacity is contemplating the religion?


A lot of it. They study. My sister's degree was in religious theology and philosophy. Christians don't just go through life being happy-clappy and sticking their fingers in their ears over criticism, at least not all of them. They analyse, they consider, they discuss, they debate. It's not just blind faith. They question their beliefs. They question the Bible.



Chibi_Neko
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07 Oct 2008, 10:21 am

JohnHopkins wrote:
A lot of it. They study. My sister's degree was in religious theology and philosophy. Christians don't just go through life being happy-clappy and sticking their fingers in their ears over criticism, at least not all of them. They analyse, they consider, they discuss, they debate. It's not just blind faith. They question their beliefs. They question the Bible.


I am sad to say that I don't think I have met a single christian that does this.
Back at home everyone just follows christianity blindly, they don't question, you ask them one and they won't have a clue.


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Ishmael
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07 Oct 2008, 12:02 pm

Ahhh!! !! Mother f**ker!! ! I just spent a while typing a lengthy, eloquent (mind my ego) response to JohnHopkins, and bloody optus cancelled my session, saying my "pre-paid credit expired" as*holes! This is the second time it happened!!
I'm not on bloody pre-paid, you optus bastards!! ! F**k you, and f**k this pathetic excuse for service!! Shoulda gone with Telstra...


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