Feb 09 2009
That’s Religulous
By: L Jones
I am far from an atheist and even farther from a saint. I believe in God and I believe in an existence bigger than here, but that’s about as far as I can go. I do not think that our individual relationship with God is as personal as we may think. I debated about writing this post, because this is one of those touchy subjects. When you discuss religion, everyone is ready to stand up and defend their beliefs. Well, let me just say it up front, this is not a fight. I am not choosing sides or saying what God said or any of that, I am merely writing what Lee is thinking…
What I want to talk about is the movie Religulous. It’s interesting and a bit entertaining. The movie brought up lots of questions that I am I am sure lots of you think about from time to time. Why is religion so powerful? If there was one religion or even two, I could understand better the need for adherence, but there are hundreds of religions; most of them boasting incredible events in history associated with their particular practice.
My problem with religion is it’s man driven. Look at our economy; man driven. Look at our justice system; man driven. Look at our foreign relations; man driven. So, why would I put my beliefs in something as serious as my eternal life to something that is man driven? That’s an interesting question isn’t it? I am a man, so how can I connect with God any better than any other man? It’s simple, I pursue God with my best interest at heart, not in the interest of the preacher who took up a career in ministry to get a paycheck, not the interest of an extremist’s who has turned a personal tragedy into a vengeful cause for God; not for the sick in the head priest that pleasures himself with young boys, but for my best interest.
I don’t need a book that has fantastical, unbelievable stories to persuade me that there is a God. I can feel God through me. That’s all that matters to me. I honestly do not believe that our lives are according to some divine plan. I believe in life’s randomness. I’m not trying to sell you, this is just what Lee is thinking…
For those of you who can tolerate some questioning of your faith, I would say check out Religulous. It was entertaining. I was a bit annoyed at some scenes. If you have children, it is a bit graphic for them. Thanks for reading.
Synopsis: Bill Maher interviews some of religion’s oddest adherents. Muslims, Jews and Christians of many kinds pass before his jaundiced eye. Maher goes to a Creationist Museum in Kentucky, which shows that dinosaurs and people lived at the same time 5000 years ago. He talks to truckers at a Truckers’ Chapel. (Sign outside: “Jesus love you.”) He goes to a theme park called Holy Land in Florida. He speaks to a rabbi in league with Holocaust deniers. He talks to a Muslim musician who preaches hatred of Jews. Maher finds the unlikeliest of believers and, in a certain Vatican priest, he even finds an unlikely skeptic. Written by J. Spurlin
