Bill Maher: Not All Religions Are Created Equal

[cinepro]

Just heard a clip of Bill Maher arguing that not all religions are equal when it comes to the things they do, saying Islam is worse than most others. His guest (Brian Levin - the director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino) disagreed.

Maher then mentioned "The Book of Mormon: The Musical" on Broadway, and asked his guest if there could ever be a "Book of Islam" (implying a musical that mocks Islam in the way The Book of Mormon mocks Mormonism), to which his guest responded "Possibly".

Maher then asks "Tell me what color the sky is in your world."

No link, since there's a little language in the clip, but it seems to be pretty easy to find.

Edited April 22, 2013 by cinepro

[wenglund]

While I don't disagree with Maher's general point, I take exception to the bigoted way he stereotypically paints the whole religion of Islam with the broad brush of radical Muslims.

Not all comedians are equal.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[thesometimesaint]

While I don't disagree with Maher's general point, I take exception to the bigoted way he stereotypically paints the whole religion of Islam with the broad brush of radical Muslims.

Not all comedians are equal.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

He'd pretty much the same with all religions, except his own.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

While I don't disagree with Maher's general point, I take exception to the bigoted way he stereotypically paints the whole religion of Islam with the broad brush of radical Muslims.

Not all comedians are equal.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

It should be noted that he did qualify his comments. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/04/20/liberal-bull-bill-maher-calls-out-prof-claiming-all-religions-are-equally-violent/

"Maher concluded by noting that of course, “most Muslim people are not terrorists.”

[cinepro]

While I don't disagree with Maher's general point, I take exception to the bigoted way he stereotypically paints the whole religion of Islam with the broad brush of radical Muslims.

Not all comedians are equal.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

He did acknowledge that this doesn't describe each and every Muslim, but it also isn't limited to just a few zealous nutcases. He contended that the penalties for disrespecting Mohammad or the Koran, or for leaving the religion, are well accepted by many, many Muslims.

[Rivers]

I find it odd that Maher used the term "liberal B.S." I thought Bill Maher is a liberal.

[thesometimesaint]

Being a moderately conservative liberal doesn't mean I have to agree with his opinions.

[Nathair/|\]

I don't think it's particularly deniable that the worship of Tezcatlipoca is slightly more violent than Jainism.

[Marmonboy]

The instrument has yet to be invented that can measure my indifference to anything Bill Maher says, does, or thinks. He is pretty much anti-all religions, and isn't even nice about it. His ego surpasseth all understanding, and he isn't even funny.

[danielwoods]

For once Bill was right about something. Don't criticize the religion of peace or attempt to convert to Christianity if you are muslim.

[Robert F. Smith]

It should be noted that he did qualify his comments. Here is a link to the story.

http://www.theblaze....qually-violent/

Quote

"Maher concluded by noting that of course, “most Muslim people are not terrorists.”

Yeh, and some of his best friends are Muslims.

[Robert F. Smith]

I find it odd that Maher used the term "liberal B.S." I thought Bill Maher is a liberal.

Are anarchists liberal?

[Stargazer]

For once Bill was right about something. Don't criticize the religion of peace or attempt to convert to Christianity if you are muslim.

Our own EllenMaksoud (sp?) is evidence that the latter is not true, at least in this country. And we have others, as well.

[Storm Rider]

It is true that there are some things that are not tolerated in Islam or by Muslims. Disrespecting the prophet Mohammed is an invitation for extreme prejudice. It simply is not acceptable. Does that mean that Muslims are violent hatemongers? I reject completely the allegation. In our day we have bent over backwards in allowing any one to say almost anything by making freedom of expression sacrosanct while also allowing individuals to be complete boors, purveyors of atrociously bad behavior and demanding that we respect their right of expression. Frankly, I sort of enjoy the idea of telling some twit that their behavior is bad and they are not entitled to our further forbearance as a society and community. On the other hand, it is certainly an acceptable conversation regarding Islam to discuss in a respectful manner criticisms, shortcomings, and weaknesses within Islam's wider community. Muslims are humans with all of the exact same foibles that each of us exhibit. Just as it would be difficult to tell the world that Christianity is a fount of peace and love while speaking from the grounds of St. George's Church in Belfast, it is difficult to deny that some Muslims, errant in their understanding of Islam, do terrible things. Neither subset should be used as the lens through which the world defines either religion.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Storm Rider

[bcuzbcuz]

I find it odd that Maher used the term "liberal B.S." I thought Bill Maher is a liberal.

What? You mean Liberal's aren't capable of BS or don't know BS when they hear it, even if the person spouting it is a Liberal?

[bcuzbcuz]

It is true that there are some things that are not tolerated in Islam or by Muslims. Disrespecting the prophet Mohammed is an invitation for extreme prejudice. It simply is not acceptable. Does that mean that Muslims are violent hatemongers? I reject completely the allegation. In our day we have bent over backwards in allowing any one to say almost anything by making freedom of expression sacrosanct while also allowing individuals to be complete boors, purveyors of atrociously bad behavior and demanding that we respect their right of expression. Frankly, I sort of enjoy the idea of telling some twit that their behavior is bad and they are not entitled to our further forbearance as a society and community. On the other hand, it is certainly an acceptable conversation regarding Islam to discuss in a respectful manner criticisms, shortcomings, and weaknesses within Islam's wider community. Muslims are humans with all of the exact same foibles that each of us exhibit. Just as it would be difficult to tell the world that Christianity is a fount of peace and love while speaking from the grounds of St. George's Church in Belfast, it is difficult to deny that some Muslims, errant in their understanding of Islam, do terrible things. Neither group should be allowed to be the lens through which the world defines either religion.

Excellent points.

[danielwoods]

Our own EllenMaksoud (sp?) is evidence that the latter is not true, at least in this country. And we have others, as well.

Yes, in Egypt, last august there was an edict to put to death anyone who will not return to the truth of Islam, who has converted to Christianity. People who convert leave that area for good reason. And yet even still there are some honor killings in this country as well.

The difference between Islam and Christianity is huge. One leader advocated using violence, the other didn't.

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Being a moderately conservative liberal doesn't mean I have to agree with his opinions.

Huh? This looks like an oxymoron. A "Moderately conservative liberal"? You mean a liberal? As I have read your posts and come to know you over the years I dare say there is not more than one or two things politically that we probably agree on and I am not even sure if we really do agree on those things. I am trying to be open minded here about it. BUt I do see a smiley so maybe you are just being sarcastic??

[Mola Ram Suda Ram]

Are anarchists liberal?

They shouldn't be. They would be what you would call on the "far right" of the spectrum. However you seem to have some people on the left, as weird as that is, that seem to be communist anarchists. How does that work? I dunno.

[thesometimesaint]

Danielwoods:

Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.), The Crusades, The Inquisition, The Protestant Reformation, Salem; Mass., etc., etc., etc.. Please take a few minutes to review the atrocities committed by Christians before commenting on Islam.

Edited April 23, 2013 by thesometimesaint

[cursor]

Here is a YouTube link to the full (8:11 min) Bill Maher interview of Brian Levin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p7WJef8tGs

[thesometimesaint]

Huh? This looks like an oxymoron. A "Moderately conservative liberal"? You mean a liberal? As I have read your posts and come to know you over the years I dare say there is not more than one or two things politically that we probably agree on and I am not even sure if we really do agree on those things. I am trying to be open minded here about it. BUt I do see a smiley so maybe you are just being sarcastic??

I'm not a fanatic in any cause, except for the right for all to believe as they choose. We've had many test surveys on this MB that explores political tendencies. On all of them I'm slightly left of dead center moderate. I'm a big believer in personal responsibility, and at the same time believe that governments are formed to do things the individual can not do on their own. I also allow and encourage others that don't hold my personal values, and idea's to present their best arguments. Who knows they just might have a better idea that I can adopt.

Ps; As I've said many times before. I'm not a member of any political party, because I don't agree totally with any of them. I tend to agree more with the Green's, but even there I can not in good conscience agree with everything they represent.

Edited April 23, 2013 by thesometimesaint

[Calm]

The difference between Islam and Christianity is huge. One leader advocated using violence, the other didn't.

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

ad-on: I see tss had the same thought... Edited April 23, 2013 by calmoriah

[danielwoods]

Danielwoods:

Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.), The Crusades, The Inquisition, The Protestant Reformation, Salem; Mass., etc., etc., etc.. Please take a few minutes to review the atrocities committed by Christians before commenting on Islam.

Maybe you could quote for me where Jesus told his followers to kill people, as Muhammad did? Until then every atrocity you mentioned doesn't come from Christ, but misguided followers.

[Questing Beast]

Of course all religions are equal. First off they are all created by human beings trying to codify beliefs into doctrine they assert comes from God, i.e. is binding on all who believe. I know of no exceptions, only degrees of insistence. Next all religions exist because they have believers. Think of the infinitely more vast array of religions that exist without believers, or better said, one believer only. I believe at last "count" (estimate really) there were c. seven billion of them on this planet alone. Each is as valid and real as the rest, so equal.

Size of a religion's believer base might be seen as an inequality. But not really. For instance, Jews are c. 15 million worldwide. Yet Jews throughout history have maintained a presence far beyond their numbers. Their influence in the world today is enormous, at least equal to that of Muslims and Christians put together.

To point to differences in doctrine and the way those differences are taught and practiced, and then try to quantify said-differences into some scale of equality or inequality, is impossible and will only result in the debating of differing paradigms. No resolution has been or ever will be achieved by such debates. So the world's religions continue and multiply without anyone's comprehension. If later Islam simmers down and reflexive radical Christianity goes on "crusade" again, how will Islam then be seen as anything less than a religion of peace?

Christianity has always possessed the "church militant" aspect which can be dusted off and polished and armed and launched. It is not dead, merely put away. Islam could galvanize it into life again. Then we would see total equality and any quips comparing inequality would not even make sense....