I'm A Conservative

[Five Solas]

For those hoping for a Democrat vs. Republican showdown thread, my apology for any ensuing disappointment.

 

But for the second time in as many months—I’m compelled to bring Stephen Colbert & the CBS “Late Show” to the attention of the forum. Specifically his interview Monday with one of our most outspoken atheists, Bill Maher, host of HBO’s “Real Time.”

 

I submit if you want to see a real fault line in our culture today—this is where it’s at.  Two men, each at the top of his game, with *radically* opposing world-views.  And despite all the humor (sometimes just thin pretense of humor) neither conceding an inch to the other.  Bill O’Reilly vs. Jon Stewart?—Poppycock alongside these two.

 

And I hate to say it, but Maher owned Colbert (first time I've ever seen this happen).  Despite several flurries thereafter (including one where Colbert invited Maher to return to the Catholic Church) Maher took control early-on with his mirthless, “You probably voted for Nixon.”  While Colbert is relentless in his mockery of contemporary Republicans, former President George Bush & the “neo-conservatives”—at root Colbert is a deeply conservative man.  And Maher was under no illusions to the contrary (and he pulled no punches).

 

Anyone else see it and have an opinion, theological, ideological or otherwise?  The LA Times had a brief write-up, here: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-stephen-colbert-and-bill-maher-debate-religion-on-the-late-show-20151117-story.html

 

--Erik

[Damien the Leper]

"Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position." -Bill Maher

[filovirus]

In my opinion, it's best to just ignore political extremists whether they are extreme conservative or liberal. I just listened today to a recent BYU devotional by Jim Matheson, Utah congressman. His take on political extremism is something I've thought for years. https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jim-matheson_improving-our-political-system/

Maher has been on my ignore list for a while now. Glad to hear Colbert stuck up for God.

Edited November 20, 2015 by filovirus

[saemo]

For those hoping for a Democrat vs. Republican showdown thread, my apology for any ensuing disappointment.

But for the second time in as many months—I’m compelled to bring Stephen Colbert & the CBS “Late Show” to the attention of the forum. Specifically his interview Monday with one of our most outspoken atheists, Bill Maher, host of HBO’s “Real Time.”

I submit if you want to see a real fault line in our culture today—this is where it’s at. Two men, each at the top of his game, with *radically* opposing world-views. And despite all the humor (sometimes just thin pretense of humor) neither conceding an inch to the other. Bill O’Reilly vs. Jon Stewart?—Poppycock alongside these two.

And I hate to say it, but Maher owned Colbert (first time I've ever seen this happen). Despite several flurries thereafter (including one where Colbert invited Maher to return to the Catholic Church) Maher took control early-on with his mirthless, “You probably voted for Nixon.” While Colbert is relentless in his mockery of contemporary Republicans, former President George Bush & the “neo-conservatives”—at root Colbert is a deeply conservative man. And Maher was under no illusions to the contrary (and he pulled no punches).

Anyone else see it and have an opinion, theological, ideological or otherwise? The LA Times had a brief write-up, here: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-stephen-colbert-and-bill-maher-debate-religion-on-the-late-show-20151117-story.html

--Erik

Colbert looked like a fool towards the end of the clip at the LA Times. But Maher always takes himself way too seriously, and is at heart, an anti-religious bigot. I don't find people who want to irradicate freedom of religion for "the common good" as humorous. I haven't laughed at any of Maher's jokes for years, because I figured out he is not joking, about anything he says. Once you get that, it is impossible,to see him as anything but a nihilistic extremist.

If being owned means not putting on a public sociopathic display on air, then yeah, Colbert was owned alright.

Edited November 20, 2015 by saemo

[Storm Rider]

For the life of me I don't know why I would spend time watching or listening to Bill Maher.  I am confident that we may find areas of agreement, but I would have to wade through so much pompous lecturing on my intellectual deficits it is not worth the effort.

 

Colbert is an entirely different thing.  I always enjoy him. 

[KevinG]

Maher and Colbert are both social critics and entertainers.

 

Critics are like people who hide in the woods during a battle, and after rush out to shoot the wounded.

[oremites]

I don't think Colbert is a conservative at all.  He's an entertainer playing a conservative (often to make fun of them, imo).  That's his shtick.

 

Edited to add:

I haven't watched the exchange, but it doesn't surprise if Maher owned Colbert.  At least Maher genuinely believes in the point-of-view he's espousing.

Edited November 20, 2015 by oremites

[halconero]

"Atheism is a religion like abstinence is a sex position." -Bill Maher

And that's where I disagree with Maher...but that's because I don't fit atheism into a monolithic box, as well as the fact that I subscribe the functionalist definition of religion. From an essentialist's point of views he's mostly correct.

[halconero]

I don't think Colbert is a conservative at all. He's an entertainer playing a conservative (often to make fun of them, imo). That's his shtick.

Edited to add:

I haven't watched the exchange, but it doesn't surprise if Maher owned Colbert. At least Maher genuinely believes in the point-of-view he's espousing.

He's dropped the neo-com schtick from his new show.

Religiously I wouldn't call him conservative, but he is a practicicing and devout Catholic. He's also been more open with regards to his religiosity in his new show, and not in a satirical manner.

[SmileyMcGee]

Maher and Colbert are both social critics and entertainers.

Critics are like people who hide in the woods during a battle, and after rush out to shoot the wounded.

I find Colbert's satirical approach to be much more palatable than Maher's brute-force a-hole approach. if I was wounded and dying on the battlefield, I don't think I'd mind Colbert coming out of the woods to give me chance to laugh at myself before I passed on.