Religious views ("Insanity by consensus")
Maher is often critical of organized religion [20][21]. He has described religion as a neurological disorder that spreads guilt and hatred among people while offering nothing in return. In two separate appearances on Real Time, atheist comedian George Carlin and Maher alleged that organized religion is a cause of many of society's problems, and that the practices of organized religion are mired in hypocrisy. Maher credited Carlin's views as inspiration for him to speak out against organized religion.
Maher has said many times that religion works under the guise of morality, but that its tenets generally have nothing to do with morality; that religious prohibitions are being confused with moral law. In Maher's view, just because a religion prohibits abortion or decries homosexuality, that does not mean that having an abortion or being homosexual are immoral acts. Instead, Maher argues that an immoral person is one who harms others; an activity which harms another individual such as murder or rape would be an immoral act. This is also a traditional libertarian position.
Maher opposes religious monuments[22] such as The Ten Commandments being placed in or near court houses, saying that this would violate the separation of church and state. He has countered the assertion of conservative Christians who claim that American law is based on the Ten Commandments by saying that of the ten, only two (the prohibitions on murder and theft) apply to American law. The other commandments, he argues, such as honoring no god before the Judeo-Christian God, keeping the Sabbath holy, or honoring thy mother and thy father, are not American laws at all. In answer to the suggestion that a divine moral authority is necessary, he suggests "Couldn't we just get together and agree on the few basic Commandments that are laws? Like 'I won't slaughter you, and don't take my shit.'"
Maher has stated on both Politically Incorrect and Real Time, and in several appearances on Larry King Live that he does, indeed, believe in God, but that organized religion is nothing more than tradition and superstition. He asserts that organized religion provides answers to questions that "cannot possibly be answered". Questions such as "Where do I go when I die?" or "Is there a heaven?", he says, are impossible to answer. By claiming to have the answers, Maher argues, organized religion is dishonest and it "stops people from thinking".
During Maher's appearance on Larry King Live on August 11, 2005, he said he was an agnostic who nevertheless is still quite open to the idea that God exists. The following exchange also occurred on that program:
CALLER: "Hi. Well, my question is, the Lord spoke to me approximately three years ago, and if the Lord spoke to you [Maher], I was wondering if you'd become a believer."
MAHER: "No, I'd check into Bellevue, which is what you should do..."
Maher then explained that certainty in one's religious belief is absurd, using the example of Scientology: ..."You [a Scientologist], like all religious people, have a neurological disorder. And the only reason why people think it's sane is because so many other people believe the same thing. It's insanity by consensus."
Author and Christian evangelist Ray Comfort recently challenged Maher to a public debate on Intelligent Design versus evolution[23], at a venue of Maher's choosing, but this is yet to take place, [24] although an online petition exists which calls upon Maher to accept the challenge. [25]
[edit]Trivia
- He dated for a time retired porn actress Heather Hunter.
- He drove a Toyota Prius for three years before trading it in for the Lexus RX 400h hybrid. He still rides in limousines to and from his stand-up concerts, however.[26]
- Huge fan of both The Beatles and The Eagles, occasionally referring to them in his work, once saying on Real Time that comparing Saddam Hussein to Hitler is like comparing the band Oasis to the Beatles.
- He is 5'8" tall.
[edit]http://boards.billmaher.com/newthread.php?do=newthread&f=11
Or
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Maher#Religious_views_.28.22Insanity_by_consensus.22.29