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I can't wait to see this. I hope religious people DO protest it and make a big deal about it. That's always the best sort of free advertising a film can get.

@ andy... he's a dumbass? and ignorant?!!! he's more successful, renowned, educated, controlled, and humorous than you are. he's an incredibly intelligent international celebrity, whereas you are... ...a blogger. watch out for your close-minded, egotistical character as you walk in to the theater showing this movie and as you watch him become even more successful. he's challenging the populous of this very inept and ideologically retarded country and making a very admirable effort in creating discussion and asking questions that you are too afraid or incapable of asking. andy, by making such judgment before even seeing the movie you are only highlighting your ignorance. i'm not sure if you actually are able to extract some sort of cock-eyed validation by saying such things about maher, but understand that no one cares about what you think. you're not in a movie, you didn't make a movie, you have nothing to say but negative things about someone with whom you disagree because he has the balls to ask questions and voice his skepticism. no, you're an assistant blogger on a site you didn't make. shoot for the stars, andy!

The zeitgeist is changing. Prepare for more of this theists. This conversation has been taboo for too long and I'm glad there are people who are bringing the argument mainstream.

Squiggly_P...very well spoken and I totally agree with everything you so eloquently described about neo-cons vs conservatives. I wish there were more like you in Washington.

Jeez louise guys. First off, do you guys who respect Bill Maher actually believe he's NOT an ass? He can be extremely rude and insensitive sometimes. Sure, what he says about the flaws of America may be true, but there's no need to say these flaws as rudely as he does. Absolutely no need. He's definitely not ignorant, I agree with that. He's a very in intelligent guy. But being intelligent just means he has a great aptitude for learning. Doesn't mean he's learned anything. The problem with movies like Maher's is that he goes into it with a preconceived notion that isn't going to change. Great documentaries, like American Teen, simply ask questions and look for answers. Maher already found HIS answer and is looking for evidence to support that answer. That's my take on the movie aspect of the documentary, or at least what I've seen of it from the trailer. Bill Maher is an intelligent guy so I hope he DIDN'T take that route and the trailer was just mad poorly you know? hahaha As for the message, it's just as ignorant and hate-riddled as any terrorist message or evangelical preaching (again, just looking from the trailer). As a religious guy myself, I take offense to him not interviewing people like myself who actually do dress up normally (jeans and a t-shirt kinda people I mean), who don't hate on others in their face, and who keep their religion to themselves. My faith is between me and the Big Guy, and it's not in anyone's face. From the trailers (I know that may not be a very good place to start, but it's really all we've got) it looks like Maher's only interviewed the crazies and just made fun of them. That isn't rude or ignorant? Sure they're crazy, but if Maher really is trying to preach the idea that his path of no religion means peace for the world and zero intolerance, why is he being so intolerant to these people? I REALLY REALLY hope he interviewed normal people, everyday people, and not just crazy folk running around spreading the faith in everyone's faces. That's my two cents, hopefully I get a reply this time, unlike the Superman board! LOL

Reza, I appreciate your post! That is my point. I am not arguing that he isn't way more popular and wealthy than I will ever be, #16, I am saying that he is an ignorant ass. If me saying that about me makes me an ignorant ass so be it! What #22 say was right, he has ZERO respect for anyone with an opinion other than his own. ZERO. Take Lewis Black for example. I actually just got done watching his act in my town. He made fun of EVERYBODY, not just those he didn't like. He attacked republicans and democrats, he attacked Christians and atheists, everyone. He gave each person their fair shake. I like that, and I appreciate that. That is not what Maher does. And for the defenders of Maher, here is his quote of post 9/11: ""We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away. That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly." While he makes an interesting point about our warfare, wouldn't you think that someone who "love's America" would feel something towards his fellow countrymen? This is the controversial statement that he made, which in turn pulled the advertisers off his show and ultimately ended his television career. And #13, the President didn't cancel his show.

And when I refer to Bill Maher's ignorance, its in reference to the way he looks at and treats other people. I know he is an intelligent person, but that should suggest some smarter ways of portraying the ideas that he has and better ways of showing his dislike of religion.

Hello, all! I'm actually a Christian and I'm not close minded. I'm interested in seeing this film because I feel that people have the right to voice their opinions. It seems interesting to watch for the sake of perspective.(Bill Maher's) I know that in the past and present alot of Christians or religious persons can come off as bigots or jerks, but I was not taught that way. I realize that anyone who doesn't decide to use their brain and think, whether Christian or not is subject to stupidity. That being said, I don't claim to be the most educated person, but I continue to grow and listen. Sometimes people have a hard time listening. Having Christ in my life does not automatically make me smart. He's given me a brain. It's my job to excercise it. If an overweight Christian doesn't work out, then he'll be an overweight Christian. Just like if a dumb Christian decides not to use his brain, then he is dumb. I don not profess to be anything more than human. I just profess to have help. Ignorance is everywhere. But we all have a choice in the matter. God Bless you aLL!!!

I love politcal humor and I am big enough to laugh at even controversial comics like Lewis Black. Bill Maher and comics (?) like him just make me question their intellect. Here is why - he is constantly berating the intolerance of religious 'crazies'. Isn't that the biggest intolerance of all? Look, I am all for challenging amd questioning. This is what we as human beings should be doing. But Bill Maher acts as if he has the answers instead of promoting dialougue that would be thought provoking. I feel like Bill tells me what to think in his tone and absolute confidence that he is right. He may have points that are challenging but they are not all correct. "The country has become much more conservative, partly because it's been taken over by the religious right." Assuming facts not in evidence - who are these 'religious right'? Are they the people that are donating to charities and building houses for the poor? Is it so bad that the country is conservative? And Bill, what does that even mean - is conservative a state of mind or a political party? The majority of people across the WORLD worship some Higher Power in some religion. To say religion is the root of all our problems pretty much saying everyone is the problem for everything. I think Bill needs to examine what is missing in his own - like maybe God or a female companion. He needs to relax, take a deep breath and maybe talk to people who have different opinions as his to get a broader perspective. Yes, he is popular - but certainly and most importantly not always right.

@ 30 you are not right either.

I didn't know anybody took Bill Maher seriously. He is an idiot. I thought everybody knew that. I don't think he's smart at all. AT ALL.

I AGREE WITH ANDY. Bill Maher is nothing more than a bitter liberal who gets payed, by left Hollywood, to bash on anything right. That is all he has done, and will continue to do, until the day he dies or changes his worldview. I must also point out that Bill Maher thinks we are all Idiots. I have acually seen a great amount of his shows. When he gets on this topic he likes to always say "religion" as if he means all religions, but refers back to Christianity. So with his movie titled "Religulous" I wont hold my breath and count on him bashing on all religions. This is what he has done in the past, and there is nothing really to suggest that he would change his format. The truth is, Bill Maher really only has a problem with CHRISTIANITY. For those of you who don't have a problem with this, and love Bill Maher, I'll explain to you why I think you should seek help for your Mental Disorder. #1: Those who usually bash on Christianity, are the same ones who always pearch about having an open mind. Now, I'm not one to usually explain a joke or punchline, but the majority of you I will. In comment #16, right... says, "watch out for your close-minded, egotistical character as you walk in to the theater showing this movie and as you watch him become even more successful." This is the definition of IRONY and HYPROCROCY. #2: I must for a moment, bring to everyone's attention the stupidy brought to us in comment #17, "wait. goddamnit! you did. you blogged about it. christians always start fights and wars and love them some anger and bloodshed and get mad at anyone else that does it (perfect example: georgia pesters russia, russia retaliates and invades. US gets mad at russia….russia didn't get mad at the US when the US invaded iraq)" Whoever, said this please don't ever speak again without having the full and proper knowlegde regrading the bible, church history, and the Georgian/Russian conflict (which cannot be compared to with the war in Iraq and are actions there.) #3: There are two kinds of people who like to watch Bill Maher, those who don't agree with his opinions, but watch for entertainment value; then there are those who watch because they agree. If you happen to be the latter, you are, in no uncertain terms, retarded. Bill Maher is liberal. Liberals are retarded. Therefore, Bill Maher is retarded. That is basic logic 101. I'll explain why liberalism doesn't make sense. Let's talk about war and peace first. Everyone wants peace, but liberals think you can get it through appeasement and dialog, especially with hostle nations and dictators. Pre WWII will show you that is not the case, I.E. Hitler and Europe. We have an Idoit right now named Obama, whom Bill Maher supports, who thinks he can sit down with Iran and work something out. When in reality, which some of you don't live in, Iran is run by an insane Islamic extremist, who wants nuclear weapons in order to destroy Israel and, or the West, I.E. all of you commenting on this very website. Now tell me why isn't Bill Maher making a documentary strickly attacking those nut jobs extremeist, but instead insists on attacking mainstream Christianity in the majority of the work he does. For the sake of wrapping this comment up, I'll stop explaining liberalism, if you like to debate further please contact me. #4: There are those of you who claim that Bill Maher is intelligent. I agree. However, intelligence does not guaruntee enlightment nor character. Some of the most intelligent people in the world, committed the most horrific crimes against the jews in WWII. Some of the most intelligent people today will tery there best to bring about Jihad and kill you. Bill Maher is not terrorist, and I'm not suggesting that he is or ever will be, but doesn't like this country and hates the founding principles of this country. (He also likes to pick and choose which founding principles serves his purpose, rather than respecting them as a whole I.E. freedom of speech.) #5: And as for Alex, you can't seperate the message from the film. You can't do that with any film, no matter how hard you try. I know you want to be PC, but with films like this, you love or hate them based in part (if not all) by it's message.

#36 reading your post was like watching a FOX afternoon special report.

#39 Fantastic point. Its like everyone on here wants to prove eveyrone wrong and no one gets it. Its like religion you can choose, You have choice and thats what its all about. So stop whining and just relax your eyes wont burn from watching someones opinion, shit thats why theres so many different religions cause some fool had a opinion about the way things were going and didnt like it so in return changed the way things were written and now your methodist or Muslim cristian. All these people making comments you probably got the King james edition of the bible at your house dont you?

Wow it looks like some church told all it's members to spam this blog about religion. Maybe it was Phelps. Remember people just as you are entitled to believe what you believe in Bill Maher is allowed to believe in what he does and make a movie about it if he wants to. Don't past judgement on something you havent seen. Is there a Starbucks in Heaven? I want a Frapp

Whoever's making uninformed comments about Russia/Georgian Conflict please stop. It's amazing how many people will just side with the left, because for some reason they think everything the right does is wrong. Which is not the case when reversed, because the majority of what the left thinks is wrong.

Man oh man! I really and truly, find the words hard to explain all the HATE on here. And I use the word HATE on the most serious level possible. I can tell many on here get a sick enjoying out of spitting on people. I've never really seen so much people completely and PROUDLY degrade and basically lump EVERY single person of one group as being the same. And believe me, as a BLACK MAN, I know something about being lumped together based on the actions of others! To all the atheist on here, do you not find it kind of foolish to yell and scream, calling people stupid, close minded, idiots and all this. Because they don't share what YOU believe to be the truth? You complain that the Christians and any other kind of "God believer" does this...but so do YOU. I mean come on guys. I've known many Christians and people of other faiths and none of them are how you decribe them. These are people who have thought long and hard, some left their faith for years and came back. They don't hate gay people, and HAVEN'T killed anyone because anyone doesn't share their beliefs. Not everyone who believes the Bible or has a religion, believes it in the same way. And none of them (the people I know and I'm sure many others) would ever claim to known "EVERYTHING." If you ask them a question they'd give you what THEY FEEL is the answer. Once again that's just a horrid-cheaping stereotype. Since your suppose to be so much smarter shouldn't you know better then that? And I'd say the same to any "God Believer" who preach's hellfire and brim stone trying to convert people. Souldn't you known better? Now I myself don't believe Darwin to be the be-all-end-all explanation to our existence. I do believe in something a little bit more. Sue me! And I do consider myself a thinking person. Bill Maher seems to be a guy trying to tell people what to think. That's what I get from EVERY documentary like this. Why I don't like em'. But seriously, is throwing insaults and degrading people really the best form a conversation we have? You might as well spit in someones face. . .come on. Excuse all the grammer and spelling mistakes.

@38 That made me laugh.

"Condescension" really???? wasn't my intent man. I wasn't trying to lump all atheist the same. I was just talking to the ones on here in particular who have made comments. I mean come on, I thought I was clear. . . . Man, these kinds of conversations really are useless aren't they? wow. . . .

To Cindy, That's gonna start FIREWORKS. . . .

Wow, you guys need to chill the fuck out! All I've read on this post is line above line of hatred! It's pissing me off! And it is obvious that the majority here is nonbelievers. You spend your time bashing those who have faith or choose to believe in a higher power. Wearing your atheistic/agnostic badge like it's one of honor. In doing so you've turned into exactly what you hate about Christians. Judgmental, close minded, preachy. I really can't believe some of you talk to each other the way you do. It is certainly possible to speak your mind and get your point of view across without degrading one another. And the mediators here are partly to blame. We follow by example. Just not a good one in this case. Evolve, grow, learn, listen. Speak less!

Religion is the opiate of the masses. don't remember who said that one, but i concur. ((:: PS --Religion is the inexpensive substitute for a Liberal Education --Neo

@56 - Carl Marx, he also said lots of other things too. Some of them smart. Some of them not so... He also was firm believer in communism.

@ 45, there's no way to prove God exists, and there is no way to prove he doesn't exist. The scientific method does not allow for the disproving of a deity. Religious people just believe, that's all. Don't rag on them for believing in something that they define their lives by. That just isn't cool man. I'm not defending any proselytizers, but just because they're intolerant, you gotta be intolerant? That's also not cool, and it undercuts your point that you know better you know? And about religious people knowing everything, doesn't it seem to you as if Bill Maher also acts like he knows everything? Look at his line in the trailer man, "I must be wrong about everything". It's sarcastic, sardonic and it definitely isn't an open-minded statement you know? Maybe he is wrong about everything? Maybe he's RIGHT??? Who really knows? I'm not sure if I've abated your fire, but hopefully you'll treat me with the same respect I've tried treating you with. lol And hey! Thanks Andy for the response! lol, I really do appreciate it and glad I could be of help. If neone else wants to reply, (man I sound like an attention whore) look at #22! I welcome all comments!

Oh man that fart smells!! (shit that was me)

Yep I imagine all this movie will do is expose Bill as a lying hypocrite, just like everyone else in the Utopia we live in.

@ O man Yep I imagine all this movie will do is expose Bill as a lying hypocrite, just like everyone else in the Utopia we live in. man o man on Aug 23, 2008 Good point; but there's always the "freaks"; Hope the pure in heart, will b able to discern them... esp on-line.

you are all afraid of a hell that doesn't exist. Christians are scared into submission. (that's just my opinion)

@ DinoChow: You said: "I wouldn't be an ass to Bill Maher because he lacks religion." That's a very telling statement. You insinuate that Bill Maher is deficient in religion, as though religion is a vitamin or essential fatty acid. It's not. I think that statement right there nullifies any further argument you make because, to me, it shows that you have a mental block, likely installed during childhood, that doesn't allow you to think of religion as a human choice but rather as a naturally occuring part of the human mind. Bill Maher (and I) disagree, we believe religion is learned; Hence the entire debate. Maybe he is being a bit of an asshole when he makes his points but I for one think he probably needs to be in order to be heard above the din of thought-terminating religious cliches that have been circulating for thousand's of years. Aside from that, is the only counter-point you have to his argument that he's mean? Stop whining and man-up. Do you really believe that Christ, when faced with a debate, would have whined about the tactics and gone to sulk in the corner? "Faith is all some people have." I couldn't agree more. Ignorance breeds religion, desperation breeds faith.

To # 70, You make a lot of assumptions there on Dino. How do you know Dino believes religion is only a naturally installed thing and not just taught by mommy and daddy, blah, blah, blah you know the soap box I'm sure. "I wouldn't be an ass hole to Bill Maher because he lacks a relgion." You make a lot outta that statement I think isn't there. I think he or she was just trying say Maher was jerk. Besides, isn't everything taught from somewhere?

"If you ask me my perfect world is one in which nobody cares what anyone believes in, atheist: who cares, christian: who cares, muslim: who cares. Sadly I know this won't happen." Except intrinsic to many religions is evangelism - the converting of non-believers or those who believe in a different god. So many religious people can't stop trying to convert. It's no surprise that missionaries are all over the place. In particular, religion works by indoctrinating young people before they have critical thinking skills. Not to mention penalties for apostasy. I doubt religious people would be willing to give all this up.

The bottom line that all the people above posting about how wrong bill is obviously have no idea what the word "fact" means, and no, he isn't apologetic about what he says or does, and he shouldn't be, its the only way to get through to people. None of the religious crazies here are apologetic for what they say, even though their beliefs are a growing epidemic ruining this country by infecting policy with their ideals. The bottom line is that religion and politics should have nothing to do with one another, and far too often Christian faith is legislated, which is bullshit. Also, as far as his alleged "Partisan" attitude he ridicules both parties, but when the right makes so damn many mistakes in policy of course its going to seem like he is a partisan, if Democrats were fucking everything up he'd be all over them, but you cannot justify what the right has done to this country recently; I can't think of a single positive effect not only this administration but anyone involved in politics from the right has had on this country in a long time. That said, it's only half their fault, we the citizens are the idiots who not only voted for them, but continue to allow this kind of thing to go on.

talking snake, human riding dinosaur, world created in 7 days... and what's with this old lady getting kicked in the face for enlightenment craziness?! http://www.alternet.org/story/96945/theocratic_sect_prays_for_real_armageddon/?page=entire damn some of you people really are nuts! oh yah, I love real time with bill maher and I can't wait to see this movie!!!

If you're truly a believer of a higher power, then a little documentary by a comedian should not bother you a bit. It's the smear tactic their put off by, like any other group would b; esp blacks.

"...How do you explain faith to someone who wants proof..?" Brent @ #21 More importantly, how do we explain proof - the Baconian scientific and rational approach to knowing that allowed us to, for example, abandon the "earth is the center of the universe and the sun and everything else goes 'round us" guesswork, and embrace the knowable, replicable ascertained through study truth that we actually go 'round the sun - to those committed to faith (definitively belief WITHOUT proof)? Believe what you want; keep the unprovables OUT of the world-building process, particularly when 1840's-created BS rapture-takes on such belief sentence the world to pain and death in the name of your belief. If Christians would be about what they've been COMMANDED, we'd all be alot better off. Matthew 22: 34-40. Know your own book; nothing trumps the Greatest Commands from your godhead, right?

Man, the back and forth banter has made me weary. I have to say that those who cry that the religious right is "attacking" schools by forcing their agenda into public domain couldn't be more wrong. There's clearly been a shift to a more liberal agenda - everywhere. And now they want more. This conflict will continue, in perpetuity. It will drive some away from their beliefs, some to change their beliefs and others to grow stronger in theirs. To counter with comments that Christ "isn't real" and "heaven is a fable", well, is offensive. That's the great divide here - some people cannot or will not believe in something they cannot see...and berate (sp?) those who can. To me, those who suggest I have a closed mind and am a follower...well having faith requires a certain amount of openness, trust and free thinking -very contrary to one who acts with a closed mind, no? My faith brings me peace, joy and happiness. It also brings me an understanding of who I am and where I'm going. If something brings you these feelings, wouldn't you want to share it with others? But when we do, we get attacked as being heretics, nutjobs, followers, sheep, etc... Ancient religions were responsible for a lot of bloodshed, however, modern, "Reformed" churches were borne out of this horrible period. I would venture to guess that there is now more bloodshed brought about by hate, greed and addiction than anything else out there. I know of no church that condones these practices. Look at the largest metropolitan cities in Amercia. Look at the crime and murder rates - don't blame religion on that, please. On the contrary, these are lost individuals with no foundation of love, right and wrong. Wars? Typically wars are fought over geo-political matters - not religion. If Maher brings you peace, joy and happiness, well that's fine. Go pay him your tithe by seeing his movie or watching HBO.

I like these sites. I like hearing whats really on people's minds. In public, people will not say some of these things. The net is like a window into people's minds and is great for arguing. If some of these things were said person to person, someone would end up losing their life. On the movie, I don't think it will enlighten many. Many, not all, christians have this ability to supress truth to keep their faith alive. I've met people who deny things like dinosaurs and evolution just to hold off the doubt of their god. They make up things like, the days were longer when the earth was first formed and that's how god did everything in 7 days. Of course, they will never be able to prove this to you. Now, most christians just feel like athiests should just keep their opinions to themselves and quit trying to "convert" people. However, there are so many religous orientated laws that religion effects even the non-religous. Adultry, tax breaks for gay marriages, monogomous marriages, tax exempt status for churches, ect.... a few years ago, my neighborhood was pounded with aggressive soul savers trying to convert me. I guess it's ok for religous people to spread their views, but atheism isn't a religion so they don't have as many rights. Alot of what's bugging me about the whole "god in school" or "in god we trust on the money", is that christians are saying, "we are kicking god out of our country". However, when i drive around, there are about 5 times the amount of churches, and they keep building bigger buildings. You don't have to get rid of god, just be aware of the other religions besides christianity, as well as non-religions. Some of us don't want our kids to be raised thinking supernatural people run around watching us all the time. Some of us see the obsurd things we here in religion and don't want our kids exposed to it at school. Some of us are Jews and don't want our kids hearing about jesus and it's blastphemy. The most common thing i hear when i ask christians what god should people have to learn about in school, they all say whatever god we all believe in. The thing is, we all don't want to believe in the same thing, but christians push and push. So, we push back. Another rediculous line christians use is " it doesn't matter what you call yourself, if you believe in christ, then you will go to heaven". Now, maybe i'm wrong, but i thought a christian was a believer in christ. So, only catholics, babtists, penticostal, and all the rest of the branches of christianity will go to heaven. For the other 70% of the world, you are not good enough to go to heaven and will go to hell. And when you are in hell, we won't give you any water while we are staring down at you from our streets of transparent gold. Scared into believing yet? If i get rich enough, i'm going to start renting commercials when kids are watching cartoons, and preaching athiesm to them. Get them while they are young, before the brainwashing sets in.

No, Agnostic means you do not know wether god exists or not. An atheist is someone who doesn't believe in a God at all. A satanist is someone who believes in satan. Bill maher was on the daily show and made a pretty logical comment. Atheists are just as bad as religous people, because they act so certain. When it comes down to it, we can't prove either way no matter how much we argue. So, conluding you don't know, like an agnostic, is really the only way you can be guaranteed to be right. What we can argue over, is wether a majority of american congressmen should be able to write laws and pass legislation based on religous morals. Now i don't mean that i think crimes like murder, theft, or sexual assault should be legalized, but I believe the law needs to stay out of what people do if it does not harming others within reason. Like, banning fat girls from wearing spandex. I don't like to see it, but it's something that seems rediculous. My issue is, the government thinks they should be allowed to pick and choose our poisons. They can tell us who can marry who. I will never get married because i don't see a reason for it other than tax breaks, but I think a man should be able to marry 10 women as well as people wanting to marry in the same sex. I think being gay is disgusting, but I don't want to tell a group of people they can't do something that does not harm me. I will live life under the set of values I've developed and don't want someone to turn on me and say I can't do something because it's immoral to them. An example is that I love to smoke pot. I wouldn't want the law to come and tell me I can drink a very toxic drink, but not be able to smoke pot. Oh wait, that is the case. Sarah palin eats babies!

Having just seen the movie, I'd say that Maher's not trashing Christianity, he's pointing out how Christianity has trashed itself with idiotic literalism, greed, violence, hypocrisy, and plain stupidity. If you actually watch the movie you'll see that, when actually discussing Jesus (not to be confused with the Jesus impersonator he interviews, and the things he said, Maher is quite respectful and admiring.

I heartily agree with Entry 90 by YogaforCynics. In that Maher desires to carry the torch of Carlin, I much admire Bill; however, comedians have a sort of "intellectual license"--they are jesters and buffons and not serious, academic thinkers. Merely having a handle on the truth or raising key issues deserving to be brought to attention is all one should really expect from them. A case in point is the type of agnostic Maher describes himself as being: an apathetic agnostic. Maher rails against the mythology of both theism and atheism but fails to recognize the mythology inherent in apathetic agnosticism. I haven't the time or inclination to expound here, but I'll offer an educated guess that Maher never thoroughly studied the branch of theology called theodicy, else he wouldn't adopt such a position about the "apparent" disregard of God for others. The fact is, Maher is guilty of espousing a form of mythology himself. Only unadulterated agnosticism is entitled to be labeled as beingdevoid of myth. However, an\ wholly ignorant person who adopts an "I don't know" agnostic position is hardly commendable--akin to the proverbial broken clock that's nevertheless accurate twice a day. The only agnostic position worthy of the name is one that is grounded in logical argumentation that has withstood sound and rigorous examination. If you're reading this line and are baffled by what I've just put forth, I apologise; just suffice it to say that Maher--like Carlin--is primarily a comedian and it is not required to rigorously defend his positions as someone in the academic community would be so required. He may point to the path of wisdom, but precisely pinpointing where wisdom lies along the way is another matter entirely.

Horace FTW. Haha jk jk jk. Bill Maher is BRILLIANT.