1. Comment #35249 by MIND_REBEL on April 26, 2007 at 5:35 pm

He's a sellout. I've seen him deny being an atheist on several conditions. Now that it's trendy to be rationial and logical, here he is, ready to get even richer and party at the playboy mansion. I

Other Comments by MIND_REBEL

2. Comment #35251 by Bonzai on April 26, 2007 at 5:41 pm

The guy is just some talk show host who has the delusion that he is funny and witty. In the U.S. you can become a celebrity talk show host by just taking cheap shots and sounding like a smart ass. I am apathetic to his opinions on any subject under the sun.

I also can't help thinking that Maher kind of looks like a eunuch.

Other Comments by Bonzai

3. Comment #35253 by ChippySwans on April 26, 2007 at 6:04 pm

Maher is a complete loser....grrr I can't stand him. He bring no credibility to us.

Other Comments by ChippySwans

4. Comment #35257 by William on April 26, 2007 at 6:13 pm

I can't stand Maher either. I find him to be irritating, ill-informed, and smart-alecky, even when I agree with him. And he must be the worst stand-up comedian in history. Have you ever watched one of his opening monologues? It's torture! He invariably goes for the cheap laugh, and usually fails to get it.

Just another ignorant blowhard masquerading as a political commentator.

And he's only rational on occasion. In 1999, the James Randi Educational Foundation gave him a Pigasus Award for endorsing psychics.

Plus, he's dated Ann Coulter (as has Dinesh D'Souza, BTW). I direct you to this Wikipedia entry to learn about the results of that ill-fated romance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucubus

Suffice it to say, Maher almost certainly no longer has a soul.

Other Comments by William

5. Comment #35260 by Spinoza on April 26, 2007 at 6:20 pm

I like Maher's affect. I don't know him as a person so I can't judge his personality beyond what I've seen...

Who the hell knows what these people are like off camera?

He didn't say he was an atheist... he's CLEARLY an agnostic... he just said he doesn't CARE... lol

Other Comments by Spinoza

6. Comment #35263 by mr harry on April 26, 2007 at 6:30 pm

Whoa... Scarborough makes O'Reilley look intelligent. He misunderstood (or misrepresented) every single one of Maher's statements.

Other Comments by mr harry

7. Comment #35264 by _Ej_ on April 26, 2007 at 6:32 pm

Yeah I agree with spinoza and this seems a little bit mean:

"He brings no credibility to us."

It makes me happy whenever I hear of another athiest. I don't want to have 'sides' like we are in some kinda schoolyard picking teams.

Other Comments by _Ej_

8. Comment #35267 by SwordOfDiplomacy on April 26, 2007 at 6:34 pm

first of all, don't trust wikipedia, especially not about stuff like that because any idiot can write whatever they want...regardless of whether the ann coulter thing is true or not. and ok, he's a pretty bad stand up comdedian but he's hilarious when he has to make quick responses, he was pretty poorly spoken on this occasion, but i still like him because he'll say some things that are completely over the top and totally taboo, yet are probably completely right. read his book New Rules and you'll understand his good humor.

Other Comments by SwordOfDiplomacy

9. Comment #35268 by cassdenata on April 26, 2007 at 6:36 pm

Alright, you guys are a bunch of snobby bastards, aren't you. Bill Maher is great and his show is a must watch. I am a big fan. Not everybody has to toe the line of being a no-holds barred atheist, like Dawkins et al. He bashes religion almost on a daily basis on his show. The fact that his show is even on the air in this day and age is amazing.

Other Comments by cassdenata

10. Comment #35269 by Joe_OD on April 26, 2007 at 6:36 pm

Bill Maher isn't an atheist, he has stated that clearly before, but he does think that all religions are bullshit, and harmful.

I look forward to this movie, and would suggest people support him. We don't have the clout not to. We should bring all our guns to bear on religion.

Other Comments by Joe_OD

11. Comment #35270 by William on April 26, 2007 at 6:38 pm

Re: Comment #35267 by SwordOfDiplomacy

first of all, don't trust wikipedia, especially not about stuff like that because any idiot can write whatever they want

The Wikipedia link was intended to be a joke. Ann Coulter - Succubus. Get it?

I know that Maher dated Coulter because he said so on his show.

Other Comments by William

12. Comment #35271 by Bonzai on April 26, 2007 at 6:42 pm

Actually I couldn't care less whether Maher is an atheist or not. I just find him shallow, smug, annoying and very unfunny. There are no doubt other atheists who are shallow, smug and annoying too.It is not that I dislike him because of his stance on religion, I am completely apathetic to his opinions.

Other Comments by Bonzai

13. Comment #35272 by Cineaste on April 26, 2007 at 6:43 pm

I'm more of a Jon Stewart fan but I did agree with Maher's points in this interview. The word "apatheist" was unfortunate because it connotes apathy with atheism.

Other Comments by Cineaste

14. Comment #35275 by William on April 26, 2007 at 6:46 pm

I look forward to this movie, and would suggest people support him. We don't have the clout not to.

So just because somebody's an atheist, he automatically deserves our support? I disagree with that. An army doesn't go into battle with defective or ineffective weaponry. Not if they can help it.

Other Comments by William

15. Comment #35276 by Bonzai on April 26, 2007 at 6:49 pm

I think it is kind of silly to think of atheists as an "army". Atheism just means an absence of religious belief, it is not a belief in and of itself. Atheists can be miles away on many issues. Atheism is not the only criterion to pick one's allies. I would pick Desmond Tutu over Stalin any time. I don't believe just because I find no reason and need to. I didn't sign up for some "movement" or secular church.

Other Comments by Bonzai

16. Comment #35277 by William on April 26, 2007 at 6:49 pm

Alright, you guys are a bunch of snobby bastards, aren't you.

Dashed annoying that one can't criticize the more lowbrow varieties of entertainment these days without suffering the accusation of snobbery.

Other Comments by William

17. Comment #35278 by William on April 26, 2007 at 6:51 pm

Re: Comment #35276 by Bonzai

I think it is kind of silly to think of atheists as an "army"

I was continuing Joe OD's metaphor. He wrote:

We should bring all our guns to bear on religion.

Other Comments by William

18. Comment #35279 by Mango on April 26, 2007 at 6:52 pm

He's not as eloquent as Dawkins or necessarily as deep a thinker as Harris, but he DOES bring attention to some pertinent issues, such as the stacking of the US Justice Dept. with theists loyal to Bush. And he comes out and says that if you believe Jesus rose bodily to heaven, you are deluded. So I have no beef with the message or the messenger himself.

And remember to vote for Dawkins at Time.com

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1612457,00.html

Other Comments by Mango

19. Comment #35280 by Zaphod on April 26, 2007 at 6:57 pm

I think Maher is funny and he attacks religion. More celebrities should.

Other Comments by Zaphod

20. Comment #35281 by denoir on April 26, 2007 at 7:03 pm

I've always liked Maher. He can on occasion flirt with pseudoscience (primarily on health and environment), but for the most part I think he is on the level.

For this interview he was apparently not very well prepared, but I wouldn't call it a bad performance.

Other Comments by denoir

21. Comment #35282 by savroD on April 26, 2007 at 7:08 pm

You guys clearly don't appreciate BM or his style. His monologue and style are almost classic Johnny Carson. He speaks out. He's a bit of a twit; however, he's never afraid to speak truth to power.

Other Comments by savroD

22. Comment #35283 by eyz1005 on April 26, 2007 at 7:13 pm

Bill Maher is popular in California so a lot of people will listen to him, I don't think he sounds like a retard so it is probably a good thing. If he has changed his mind on religion does it really matter. As long as he makes sense and has changed his mind for a good reason it is a good thing. He's good for PR.

Other Comments by eyz1005

23. Comment #35284 by William on April 26, 2007 at 7:15 pm

And remember to vote for Dawkins at Time.com

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1612457,00.html

According to the latest numbers at Time.com, Dawkins is behind Sanjaya Malakar, Perez Hilton, Angelina Jolie, Howard Stern, and Bono.

The good news is that he's beating out Dane Cook, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Oprah Winfrey, and Simon Cowell.

Neil Degrasse Tyson is getting absolutely crushed. He's got fewer votes than Mary J. Blige.

Why should we even participate in this inane popularity contest? Who cares anyway? Does anybody still see Time as a bastion of respectable journalism? Did anybody ever? It's always been piffle.

Other Comments by William

24. Comment #35285 by William on April 26, 2007 at 7:16 pm

His monologue and style are almost classic Johnny Carson.

Oh, puh-leaze! He shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Carson.

Other Comments by William

25. Comment #35288 by cassdenata on April 26, 2007 at 7:25 pm

Bonzai, what do you disagree with him about. I honestly find myself agreeing with him most of the time although I disagree with him on his animal rights stance.

Other Comments by cassdenata

26. Comment #35289 by cassdenata on April 26, 2007 at 7:26 pm

Oh and his monologues are usually awful. New Rules is perpetually awesome though.

Other Comments by cassdenata

27. Comment #35290 by Bonzai on April 26, 2007 at 7:27 pm

cassdenata,

I didn't say I disagree with him. I don't care enough about what he says to worry about whether I agree with him or not. I just can't stand him. He has no depth, he's plain annoying and in short, he sucks.

Other Comments by Bonzai

28. Comment #35292 by cassdenata on April 26, 2007 at 7:34 pm

Fair enough Bonzai. He is definitely nowhere near as brilliant or funny as John Stewart. I just appreciate another show that a left-leaning, intelligent?, atheist can laugh at and get his politics fix. There are too many inane, idiotic shows on.

Other Comments by cassdenata

29. Comment #35294 by John Pritzlaff on April 26, 2007 at 7:40 pm

I know a lot of people dislike him, but he isn't really that bad. I think he's an asset. Remember, divided we fall.

Other Comments by John Pritzlaff

30. Comment #35297 by maton100 on April 26, 2007 at 7:52 pm

Apatheist go up, apatheist go down...O'Reilly

Other Comments by maton100

31. Comment #35300 by masterchief on April 26, 2007 at 7:58 pm

Mr. Scarborough incorrectly identified President Lincoln as a Chhristian. Yes, anyone who has learned the mainstream history of Lincoln would think that he was a Christian, but historians classify him as a deist.

In fact when Lincoln was younger, he started critisms of Christianity in a journal and his frineds stole it a burned it for his own sake.

I want people, especially my dear friends on this site, to help break the notion that this nation was founded on christian philosophy. Any sound minded person knows that the first four presidents of the united states were deists and strict criticizers of christian thought.

Other Comments by masterchief

32. Comment #35301 by amazeen on April 26, 2007 at 8:01 pm

His thoughts on religion in itself were rather shallow, and he probably should have given his objections to religion more thought before going on television with them. However his views on how religion poisons politics were far more intelligent. He is a really good political analyst and we are fortunate to have him as an ally, if he concentrates on that analysis.

Other Comments by amazeen

33. Comment #35302 by tuibguy on April 26, 2007 at 8:01 pm

You know, Maher didn't coin the word "apatheist." And not knowing and not caring about the existence of God is precisely where most of us would be were it not for the forces of theism trying to make us believe. I truthfully couldn't care if there were gods or not, but since I constantly face absurd comments of believers, then I have to name my position as atheist so that they don't mistake me for a fence sitter open to evangelism.

http://www.wunderland.com/WTS/Ginohn/cetera/apatheism.html

Other Comments by tuibguy

34. Comment #35304 by Liveliest Crib on April 26, 2007 at 8:03 pm

Oh, I am so sick of people deeming post hoc that history's great figures must have been Christians. Usually it's the Founding Fathers in America -- the most famous and influential of whom (Jefferson, Madison, Paine, for instance) rejected Christianity. Let it be known as well: Abraham Lincoln was NOT a Christian, and he said so!

See the following link:
http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/lincoln.htm

And by the way, Mr. Scarborough, Christianity was largely responsible for PERPETUATING slavery. It was as typical in the 19th Century to respond to abolitionists that slavery is sanctioned in the Bible as it is today to respond to civil rights activists that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible.

Now, if you'll all excuse me, I have to go bang my head against a wall.

Other Comments by Liveliest Crib

35. Comment #35306 by eggplantbren on April 26, 2007 at 8:10 pm

Suicide mission? PMSL. I'm gonna use that one.

Other Comments by eggplantbren

36. Comment #35310 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 8:40 pm

I am another Bill Maher fan. I am starting to get a little concerned that this sight attracts and inordinate amount of whiners...BM is ridiculing religious beliefs. And most of the time its no holds barred. I mean he can be downright belittling. Someone already said it- we can't afford to be too choosy. He puts his career on the line all the time. He's brave. I am grateful to have him.

Other Comments by CDG

37. Comment #35311 by harryh28 on April 26, 2007 at 8:41 pm

As has been said he's not as smart as those who have proceeded him in recent times by speaking out. He missed a perfect opportunity to rebut the argument that Christians aren't as violent as Moslems by reminding the interviewer that Western Europe was gripped by exactly the same type of violence in the 30 Year War from 1615 to 1645.

But he does have an ability to be heard and is another voice that I think will help more than hinder.

Other Comments by harryh28

38. Comment #35312 by William on April 26, 2007 at 8:48 pm

Re: Comment #35310 by CDG.

I am another Bill Maher fan. I am starting to get a little concerned that this sight attracts and inordinate amount of whiners

Criticizing someone is not "whining."

we can't afford to be too choosy.

But there's nothing wrong with having standards.

Other Comments by William

39. Comment #35318 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:09 pm

William, unfortuately the criticizing of fellow atheist is rampant. Check out the thread from the Bill O reilly/RD interview. Right off the bat there were a few whiners criticizing Richard Dawkins for his performance. "tired of the Zeus comment" etc...RD and Bill Maher have created an opportunity to help sway minds. 99.99% of the rest of the people on this site can only have a mimimal affect including me.

We are in a war - and you and I are grunts. Sure we do our part- but we need to support the generals too.

Other Comments by CDG

40. Comment #35319 by ChippySwans on April 26, 2007 at 9:15 pm

Criticizing a mean, hateful and radically liberal "political commentator" for putting a negative face on what we are trying to accomplish is not whining or petty. I believe Maher is the type of "evangelical" athiest or whatever he calls himself that does us no good. That is the type of behavior that I can't stand in radical conservatives.

Other Comments by ChippySwans

41. Comment #35322 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:25 pm

Mean? Hateful? I just don't see him that way at all. What is mean? Was Richard mean when he equated believing in religion to sucking a dummy? Hateful? Radical?

If so, then I will take RD and BM anyd ay of the week. You should check out PZ Meyers article called "we aim to misbehave" Maybe you are not in that camp, I can respect that. But I am.

Other Comments by CDG

42. Comment #35323 by William on April 26, 2007 at 9:34 pm

William, unfortuately the criticizing of fellow atheist is rampant.

Just because someone is an atheist doesn't mean he's immune from criticism from his fellow atheists. And what's with this "fellow" business, anyway? This isn't some sort of club, you know. Just because Maher and you and I reject the same archaic, superstitious beliefs doesn't mean we have anything else in common. This isn't Communism. We're not all "comrades."

Howard Stern is an atheist, as well. Does that mean I can't criticize his puerile radio program?
How inclusive does the atheism tent get?

We are in a war - and you and I are grunts. Sure we do our part- but we need to support the generals too.

This isn't a war. There's no need for a bunker mentality. And Maher is hardly a general. At best he's a second lieutenant.

I mean, really, what need have we of Maher when we have Dawkins, Harris, Dennett, Pinker, Hitchens, Chomsky, Vidal, Schermer, Randi, Atkins, Rushdie, Singer, Wilson, and a host of other scientists, writers and thinkers, both living and dead, who are far more qualified to represent the cause than some fifth-rate TV hack?

Other Comments by William

43. Comment #35324 by paulwwww on April 26, 2007 at 9:43 pm

I agree with a few of the other comments, this Scarborough guy is much worse than O'Reilly, and you could tell it was the old duck and dodge routine. Bring up points to confuse Maher in an attempt to make him look bad. While Maher has not done such a great job for the Athiest movement in this piece, at least he got some air time...

Other Comments by paulwwww

44. Comment #35325 by justme on April 26, 2007 at 9:43 pm

I like Bill Maher -- alot. After watching the videos, I could have kissed him like an Italian cousin at a wedding.

Is he 100% perfect? No. He's pissed me off a few times in the past, but not recently. Making me angry once in a while is not a bad thing as it shows he is able to communicate effectively. Yet, after all these years, he has kept himself on the air. That alone is very hard to do.

Early on, I'm sure that he did not poke at religion while flaunting his atheist/apatheist thoughts -- that would be career suicide. Kid about the Pope or Televangelists, but don't mock Jesus if you want people to like you.

I think it is fantastic that he forcefully raises these issues now.

Maybe it is only because of folks like Dawkins, Harris, Dennet, and the results of 6 years of a failed theocracy in the US ... no matter. The good thing is not that he can do it -- it is good that he *is* doing it.

If the neocon Godbotherers can be out there and speak such drivel, Bill should be given quite a bit of latitude -- especially since he carefully chooses his words and will back them up. Something that can't be said for the Godsquad.

Other Comments by justme

45. Comment #35327 by scooternyc on April 26, 2007 at 9:50 pm

I was raised catholic, not because I wanted to but because I was indoctrinated by my parents - no choice at that time in my life.

I will say now, I have no belief in any of this bullshit. Further, that if this jesus dude died for everyone's sins, then aren't people free to do their own thing now without remorse?

That's all we were told growing up time and again, jesus died for your sins, I thought, well shit, I might as well go out and eat, drink and be Mary since someone's already taken the fall for all my stuff to come.

It's so stupid. I'm not a Bill M. fan but he does make some interesting points; but unfortunately he shouldn't be the one debating someone like Joe, you need someone more articulate like Richard, Sam, Daniel or Christopher.

BTW - not a Rosie O. fan either, but her comment about radical christianity being just as bad as radical islam - is a very good point to throw into the debate of public opinions, it's worth talking about.

Cheers!

Other Comments by scooternyc

46. Comment #35328 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 9:51 pm

From what I can tell you definately want to be part of the "club". Thats why you are on this site, and all over it mind you (liked the bongology quote on the other thread by the way). Why are you communing with like minded individuals so often??? To feel empowered and to be a part of the group to which you subscribe. Fellow Atheist means simply just that.

Regarding the war quote. Didn't you say this "An army doesn't go into battle with defective or ineffective weaponry. Not if they can help it." I figured you would understand what I meant given your own propensity to want bring forces to bear...

And lastly, Bill Maher will be seen and heard by more people than all of the great minds you mentioned above -combined!!! And if he can sway some minds to get them to start digging deeper into the subject matter and then come across the real generals- great, then he will have done some heavy lifting.

Other Comments by CDG

47. Comment #35329 by Bonzai on April 26, 2007 at 9:52 pm

Maher is just an entertainer who would do anything shocking to get some rating. If tomorrow everyone becomes atheist I wouldn't be surprised if he comes out and says maybe stonning makes sense. He represents what is so wrong about U.S. celebrity culture: some second rate entertainer is supposed to be taken seriously simply because he has a TV show! The man has no class, no talent and no intellectual depth. His shallowness is only matched by his insufferable smugness. Political debate is reduced to smart ass remarks, cheap shots and one liners that only he himself considers witty,--well maybe some of his fans here.

Why do "we" even need such a person to be "our" spokeman? Why is he suddenly a "general" while we are just grunts? Is it just because he is a celebrity? I am saying "we" only loosely as I don't think atheism should become some kind of secular Church.

BTW, why are we even commenting on this thread? I won't anymore.

Other Comments by Bonzai

48. Comment #35330 by Lord_Satorious on April 26, 2007 at 9:56 pm

I like Bill Maher. I watch his show every week. I don't think he has to say he's an atheist. He's taking the skeptic point of view, that maybe there is a god, but even if there is it's not a personal god, so therefore he doesn't care about it's existence. He may be ignostic (not a typo). Maher may not call himself an atheist because he equates atheism to absolute assuredness that there is no god (a #7 on Dawkins' list), and he himself steps back a bit from that position. Dawkins himself isn't a #7 (he says he's a high 6 however).

It seems Maher thinks religion is arrogant and dogmatic, and atheists should find that commendable, whether or not he him goes under the banner of atheism. Anyone who is willing to admit that belief in the supernatural, even if that be god and religion, is helping to show the ridiculousness of religious claims. The more this stuff gets out there the more people will see it's OK not to believe. The fact Maher is involved in a documentary which (I imagine) will show how religion can be dangerous, is a good thing.

Other Comments by Lord_Satorious

49. Comment #35331 by CDG on April 26, 2007 at 10:05 pm

Bonzai, could your disdain of BM have more to do with you not agreeing with his political views? Do you agree with his stances in general? or do you simply think he's a hack? I sense that could be it- because the way he knocks on religion, you'd think we would all be grateful he's out there...

Other Comments by CDG

50. Comment #35332 by William on April 26, 2007 at 10:11 pm

From what I can tell you definately want to be part of the "club". Thats why you are on this site,

Posting a few comments on a website is not joining a club. I like communicating with like-minded individuals as much as the next guy, but I don't expect to agree with or even like everyone I meet here.

Regarding the war quote. Didn't you say this "An army doesn't go into battle with defective or ineffective weaponry. Not if they can help it."

As I explained earlier, I was continuing Joe OD's metaphor in order to make a point. That doesn't mean I thought it was a good metaphor.

And lastly, Bill Maher will be seen and heard by more people than all of the great minds you mentioned above -combined!!!

I don't know about that. I threw out a lot of names, and Real Time isn't exactly competing with American Idol in the ratings.

But I'll allow that Maher does convey the atheist message to a lot of people. That's irrelevant to my charge that he's shallow and unfunny.

Other Comments by William