Bill Maher Strikes Again

[thereseozi]

catholicleague.com/release.php?id=1517

From the Catholic League:

BILL MAHER STRIKES AGAIN

November 17, 2008

On the November 14 episode of the HBO show, “Real Time with Bill Maher,” the comedian said the following:

“A Catholic priest in South Carolina has told his congregation: If you voted for Obama you can’t receive Communion. That’s right. The cracker won’t let you get the cracker. He said supporting Obama constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil. Then he proceeds to pass around the plate so everyone could chip in to payoff the child f------ lawsuits.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue spoke to this issue today:

“Maher has a long and ugly history of bashing Catholicism, and he typically goes for the jugular. In his season finale, he managed to mock the Eucharist, paint priests as molesters, call a priest he knows nothing about a racist and seriously misrepresent what this South Carolina priest said about voting for Obama (note: Father Jay Scott Newman did not say what Maher attributed to him).

“HBO would never allow a comedian to continually disparage any one of a series of highly protected classes of persons (persons protected by the politically correct police, that is). But when it comes to Catholics, it’s a different story—they’re fair game. Ironically, on the exact day Maher struck again, a survey was released showing that 61 percent of Americans believe that ‘Religious values are under attack in this country.’ It could also be said that no religious values are under more attack than those espoused by Roman Catholicism. And for that we can thank bigots like Bill Maher, and his executive friends at HBO.”

Contact Bill Nelson, HBO’s CEO: Bill.nelson@hbo.com

Contact Sue Naegle, HBO’s President: Sue.naegle@hbo.com
Copyright © 1997-2008 by Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
*Material from this website may be reprinted and disseminated with accompanying attribution.

 

[Genesis315]

My signature expresses my opinion on this–I think Maher is both an obscure journalist and an ignorant charlatan.

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

Now that I have picked up my lower jaw from my chest, I must admit that my heart is genuinely hurt by this man’s ignorant, malicious attack against my Jesus.

Even as I understand it, I will never understand how or why they are so malicious against my Jesus Who loves them so much. Do you think it hurts Jesus when they attack Him, even if they do so in ignorance?

 

[Cattitude]

My signature expresses my opinion on this–I think Maher is both an obscure journalist and an ignorant charlatan.

Unfortunately, with his “movie” I fear he’s being the next Pied Piper of the faithless…

 

[jfhh]

Maher used to have a show called Politically Incorrect. It was a comedy show and like the name suggests not for the easily offended. Chesterton wrote that angels are able to fly because they take themselves lightly.

I haven’t seen his new show on HBO, but I would assume it is geared to be even more Politically Incorrect than his original network show. Full of sharp satire etc. You have to take his comments in that context. They aren’t comments; they are a gig. You have to see a video of it to do him justice. Everyone deserves a fair shake.

Bill Donohue has zero credibility. I won’t say he is an anti-Semite, but if he was one, it is ironic that he campaigns against another perceived form of bigotry; instead, I’ll let his words speak for themselves:

: I spoke to Mel a couple of weeks ago about this. And I don‘t think it really matters a whole lot to him. It certainly doesn‘t matter to me. We‘ve already won.

Who really cares what Hollywood thinks? All these hacks come out there. Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It‘s not a secret, OK? And I‘m not afraid to say it. That‘s why they hate this movie. It‘s about Jesus Christ, and it‘s about truth. It‘s about the messiah.

Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions. I believe in traditional values and restraint. They believe in libertinism. We have nothing in common. But you know what? The culture war has been ongoing for a long time. Their side has lost.

You have got secular Jews. You have got embittered ex-Catholics, including a lot of ex-Catholic priests who hate the Catholic Church, wacko Protestants in the same group, and these people are in the margins. Frankly, Michael Moore represents a cult movie. Mel Gibson represents the mainstream of America.

When a Rabbi calls him on his anti-semitism, Donohue doesn’t recant. He digs deeper.

Rabbi BOTEACH: I‘m amazed that we‘ve made this a discussion about secular Jews. I have got to tell you that Bill Donahue, who I otherwise love and so respect, ought to be ashamed of himself, the way he‘s spoken about secular Jews hating Christians. That is a bunch of ****, OK?

DONAHUE: Who‘s making the movies? Who‘s making the movies?

BOTEACH: That is a bunch of ****.

BOTEACH: Stop the anti-Semitic garbage, OK?

DONAHUE: Who‘s making the movies? The Irishmen?

BOTEACH: Michael Moore is certainly not a Jew. Let me speak here,

OK?

BUCHANAN: Go ahead, Rabbi.

BOTEACH: The fact is that Jewish people are incredibly charitable, good, decent family people.

DONAHUE: I didn‘t question that.

BOTEACH: Hollywood has become a cesspit because it‘s secular, period.

Don‘t this us—don‘t tell us that it‘s secular Jews.

DONAHUE: So the Catholics are running Hollywood, huh?

BOTEACH: Soon, you‘re going to start telling us that the NBA is violent because it‘s black people, all right, Bill? No, no, no.

Full transcript
msnbc.msn.com/id/6685898

Rabbi’s response on Beliefnet
beliefnet.com/News/2004/12/Bill-Jews-Are-Not-The-Enemy.aspx

If you want to fight against prejudice against Catholics, I would suggest a better spokesman. Pastor Huckabee likes Maher a lot even though Maher says things other Christians may take offense too. Good for Huckabee; he is true to Chesterton.

 

[MarcoPolo]

I think Maher is an insignificant insect to be ignored.

 

[edwest2]

My signature expresses my opinion on this–I think Maher is both an obscure journalist and an ignorant charlatan.

Obscure? He has a movie out that mocks Christianity: “You’re a grown man and you believe in a talking snake?”

Journalist? He’s a mouthpiece for the atheist Ministry of Propaganda. What’s more disturbing is that people associated with the US government appear on his show. That tells me that whoever produces this program wants Mr. Mahers’ rants sold as mainstream commentary. Today, not much journalism on TV passes for good journalism, especially the News.

If you want an Axis of Anti-Christian Evil, it’s the LA Times, the New York Times and Bill Maher.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Dale_M]

If you want an Axis of Anti-Christian Evil, it’s the LA Times, the New York Times and Bill Maher.

While I have no doubt that Bill Maher is anti-Christian, what makes the LA Times and NY Times worthy of being called “anti-Christian Evil”?

 

[Timothysis]

Bill Maher simply preaches to his own choir. He is an idiot and a non-intellectual. Noone but his own fans (and himself) take him seriously.

I , too, agree that William Donahue has zero credibility. He has a big mouth and a style that simply disgusts. Most of the anti Catholic “crisis” that he harps about would just wither and die if he would only keep his big mouth shut. I would never support the Catholic League as long as he is the spokesman.

 

[Kat876]

I know what he said may not seem fair to you all or may have hurt you, but

1. Bill Maher may believe what he believes. Bashing the other side may seem a little harsh, which brings me to my next point that,
2. This is how he makes a living.

I know there will be argument to this. I am a fan of his show and find him very funny, but for those who find him offensive, just ignore him.

 

[edwest2]

I know what he said may not seem fair to you all or may have hurt you, but

1. Bill Maher may believe what he believes. Bashing the other side may seem a little harsh, which brings me to my next point that,
2. This is how he makes a living.

I know there will be argument to this. I am a fan of his show and find him very funny, but for those who find him offensive, just ignore him.

'This is how he makes a living? Combining profanity with the issues of the day? This is not entertainment. This is mainstreaming profanity. This is another example of desensitizing the culture to sin. And an example of trampling on civil conversation. He is a bad example to the world.

Just ignore him? When he insults Catholics? I don’t think so. In a country that needs its mass media to convey something a bit more uplifting, Mr. Maher is joining other so-called comedians in dragging it down. To what end? To promote atheism.

Mr. Maher is not just a performer. His “act” is designed to spread falsehoods and misconceptions.

Wnenever someone thinks, “What is wrong with the world?” Remember that Bill Maher is not helping but actually hurting. By having the priviledge of access to a mass audience, he should take the words coming out of his mouth a little more seriously.

For those who think bashing others is “just a joke,” just substitute your group for Catholics any time he makes a “joke” about them.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Swan]

I know what he said may not seem fair to you all or may have hurt you, but

1. Bill Maher may believe what he believes. Bashing the other side may seem a little harsh, which brings me to my next point that,
2. This is how he makes a living.

I know there will be argument to this. I am a fan of his show and find him very funny, but for those who find him offensive, just ignore him.

Good point. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. I find a lot of things offensive, so I don’t watch/listen/read/whatever them. I may not like them, but I am really fond of freedom of speech. I ignore them, but I don’t think they should be banned.

 

[thomasf]

I think Maher is an insignificant insect to be ignored.

Bingo. Ignore this *** and he’ll go away.

IMO, Maher and Donohue exist to get each other press. Let those two go play ping pong in obscurity.

 

[Kat876]

'This is how he makes a living? Combining profanity with the issues of the day? This is not entertainment. This is mainstreaming profanity. This is another example of desensitizing the culture to sin. And an example of trampling on civil conversation. He is a bad example to the world.

Just ignore him? When he insults Catholics? I don’t think so. In a country that needs its mass media to convey something a bit more uplifting, Mr. Maher is joining other so-called comedians in dragging it down. To what end? To promote atheism.

Mr. Maher is not just a performer. His “act” is designed to spread falsehoods and misconceptions.

Wnenever someone thinks, “What is wrong with the world?” Remember that Bill Maher is not helping but actually hurting. By having the priviledge of access to a mass audience, he should take the words coming out of his mouth a little more seriously.

For those who think bashing others is “just a joke,” just substitute your group for Catholics any time he makes a “joke” about them.

Peace,
Ed

Ok, he does not promote atheism. I watch his show every week and I have never seem him actually PROMOTE atheism.
It’s freedom of the press, freedom of speech, whichever first amendment right he wants to use, it’s his right.
You can ignore him. My would you bother listening to him? If you don’t like what he says, you know listening to him is just going to make you angry. So why bother?
Bill Maher may be bashing Catholics, but everybody is just bashing him back. Why stoop to his level?

 

[jfhh]

Maher does not promote atheism. I don’t think he’s atheist himself. He doesn’t believe God exists but he said on Huckabee that he doesn’t know that he doesn’t.

Maher does want to prevent irrationality, including of the religious kind and religious fundamentalism. That is an agenda he has.

But to paint his entertainment (based on Politically Incorrect; I haven’t seen his new show) as focused on that is wrong. Politically Incorrect was just like the Fox News show Red Eye. In fact, Red Eye is sometimes more “offensive” than Politically Incorrect. Only difference is that Red Eye which is surprising sexually explicit, is hosted by a conservative.

 

[thomasf]

Maher does want to prevent irrationality, including of the religious kind and religious fundamentalism. That is an agenda he has.

Yet at the same time he promotes non-religious aetheistic irrationality. Crazy.

 

[Eucharisted]

Most Comedians make fun of religion because it’s very easy to do and you get away with it. Some even use religion as an excuse to bash religion (like Lewis Black saying he’s Jewish).

A true believer would not make fun of his faith. Only those who don’t really believe what their faith teaches them mock their own religion. It’s disgusting.

 

[edwest2]

Maher does not promote atheism. I don’t think he’s atheist himself. He doesn’t believe God exists but he said on Huckabee that he doesn’t know that he doesn’t.

Maher does want to prevent irrationality, including of the religious kind and religious fundamentalism. That is an agenda he has.

But to paint his entertainment (based on Politically Incorrect; I haven’t seen his new show) as focused on that is wrong. Politically Incorrect was just like the Fox News show Red Eye. In fact, Red Eye is sometimes more “offensive” than Politically Incorrect. Only difference is that Red Eye which is surprising sexually explicit, is hosted by a conservative.

Irrationality? You mean like Wall Street handing out sub-prime mortgages and bankrupting the world? Give me a break. I don’t care if he, like Richard Dawkins, still claims “I don’t know” status about God, they are propagandizing the same thing: atheism. “Religion is silly and dangerous.” - Bill Maher. Translation: Religion leads to killing people.

Bill Maher is not rational when he accuses priests and nuns or any religious people of having a neurological disorder. Do you find that funny?

I will complain and continue to complain as long as Mr. Maher drags the level of civil discourse in this country into the toilet. It is counterproductive to have him spouting profanity in the midst of his pseudo-intellectual analysis of this or that issue.

Just ignore him? Nope.

Peace,
Ed

 

[jfhh]

Irrationality? You mean like Wall Street handing out sub-prime mortgages and bankrupting the world? Give me a break. I don’t care if he, like Richard Dawkins, still claims “I don’t know” status about God, they are propagandizing the same thing: atheism. “Religion is silly and dangerous.” - Bill Maher. Translation: Religion leads to killing people.

Bill Maher is not rational when he accuses priests and nuns or any religious people of having a neurological disorder. Do you find that funny?

I will complain and continue to complain as long as Mr. Maher drags the level of civil discourse in this country into the toilet. It is counterproductive to have him spouting profanity in the midst of his pseudo-intellectual analysis of this or that issue.

Just ignore him? Nope.

Peace,
Ed

Ed, in case I wasn’t clear, when he did Politically Incorrect, IIRC, many of his shows had nothing to do with religion. It’s like David Letterman or Stephen Colbert. Sometimes they make religious jokes; other times they make non-religious jokes.

Now SEPARATE from their comedy acts and usually outside of their shows, they may do some commentary. It’s rare for Letterman and Colbert to do that (Leno does a little more), but Maher does it occasionally for instance on his appearance on Huckabee – that was serious talk, not a comedy gig.

Maher is actually a stand up comedian.

It’s unfair to him to take something from a comedy routine and present it as serious commentary.

There’s plenty of things he has said outside of comedy which you can attack him on. Do that. On Huckabee for example, he did say religious people in his opinion suffer from a neurological disorder. Huckabee wanted him to clarify if he thought religious people were crazy or insane and that was his response (i.e. not insane, just neurologically disordered). That was a very civil and polite discussion. It’s the same as if you were discussing with a homosexual and you told him that homosexual desires were intrinsically disordered and he was suffering from a intrinsic psychic disorder (which is the church teaching). On Huckabee’s show Pastor Huckabee – fundamentalist pastor – told Maher how much he liked him even though he disagreed with his views. That’s what we need. Respectful disagreement and Maher and Huckabee are both good examples to follow.

Maher only seems disrespectful if you present a comedy routine as a serious commentary. Quote something from his appearance on Huckabee, not from a comedy show.

I mean this would be like trying to show that Stephen Colbert was a jerk or racist based on his show where he made fun of Rosa Parks on a day celebrating her memory.

 

[Myqyl]

Scripture is quite clear on how we should all be reacting to this…I would humbly refer us to :

Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:28

While it may not be easy, we must practise what we preach.

May God Bless and keep (and guide) Bill Maher.

Mike