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Maher vs. Douthat
By: Kim Moreland|Published: July 12, 2012 12:24 PM
Topics: Arts & Media, Human Rights & Persecution, Religion & Society

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On his HBO show Real Time, Bill Maher, committed atheist, hosted Ross Douthat, a Christian and the author of Bad Religion. Maher maintains that religion has been the cause of all the world's suffering; Douthat reminds Maher about the Soviet Union and the millions of dead bodies. Here's the interesting part: Maher correctly identifies the belief behind those killings as secular religion.

It's a fun segment to watch. Maher and Douthat make good sparring partners.


Comments:

I finished the book and it was interesting. Most of it was roughly what might be expected though the writer was as hard on conservatives as liberals. The criticisms given to each faction are familiar though usually not unwarranted.
Posted By: jason taylor on July 17, 2012 11:07 AM
Lee, you might want to listen to John Stonestreet's "BreakPoint This Week: Ross Douthat" interview.

http://www.breakpoint.org/features-columns/discourse/entry/15/19558
Posted By: Kim Moreland on July 16, 2012 9:09 AM
I've only just started Bad Religion but I have read some of his essays and he isn't that bad.

As for Communism being a religion you have to define the word religion satisfactorily. It is hard to see how you can define it so that militant materialism(that is the correct term; animism, while often receiving a rather patronizing respect from secularists is pretty much off the table in this particular dispute) is not-religion and communism is.
Posted By: jason taylor on July 13, 2012 11:18 AM
I Knew I Could Count on You to Douthat, Lee
.
When it comes to puns, I warrant silence will never Maher YOUR reputation. Sooner heaven and earth should pass away than you, my friend, neglect the least YOD or tittle of opportunity to score for the team.

Well played! No guts, no glory, eh?

Tradi-TION!
Posted By: Rolley Haggard on July 13, 2012 8:51 AM
Ross is Maher
OK, it's mostly that anytime Rolley's not around, I'm de facto in charge of really bad puns in comment Subject lines. (As Shaggy's canine companion would say, "Rooby Rooby Roo!!") But I do wonder if these two make good sparring partners because the philosophical underpinnings of their worldviews are not so different. I'll try to keep an open mind until after I've read _Bad Religion_, but I'm suspicious.
Posted By: LeeQuod on July 12, 2012 8:07 PM

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