Religulous (2008)

Raised by his late Jewish mother (who appears with his sister among the interviews) and Catholic father in the Roman faith he gave up as a boy, Bill Maher is fairly insightful and philosophical as a standup comedian and talk-show host. He applies his trademark acerbic wit to the question “Why have faith at all?” in his latest DVD, Religulous. (The title is meant to combine the words Religious and Ridiculous -- with more than a whiff of Sacriligious for many Jewish, Christian, and Muslim believers as well as Nazi and Scientology adherents.) Maher knows how to skewer both ignorance and hypocrisy in true (overtly defensive) believers, whether mainstream or fundamentalist or sectarian. He also takes pot shots at some but an impartial observer might argue they had it coming. The inability of many believers to make even a rudimentary defense of their faith is not the point, however. Roman Catholics come off better than fundamentalists, certainly, but just barely since Maher’s central premise is not about certainty or even faith but doubt and even skepticism: Why believe incredible and unprovable claims? The integrity of televangelists is an easy mark but his sit-down session with one prosperity-gospel preacher is astonishing in how candidly (politely yet bluntly) Maher discredits this guy’s faith-to-riches mantra as contrary to Christ’s message. His targets are wide-ranging and his interviews are civil but he’s clearly any Sunday school teacher’s worst fear. Maher is a seeker of important answers in the era of the Holocaust and suicide bombers. Granted, he says something at one point or another to frustrate or anger almost any person of faith but I think carefully considering his questions could actually help strengthen the faith of those who would otherwise be only preaching to the choir. 4.5 stars.