Perspective: I'm a Catholic bishop who's aligned myself with Bill Maher.
Frequently, during Bill Maher's HBO show, "Real Time with Bill Maher," he showcased the most extreme, basic version of Christianity, and his viewers would mockingly laugh alongside him at those loyal followers still clinging to such naivety. His conclusions were exemplified in his 2008 documentary, "Religulous," which depicted interview after interview with deeply pious individuals left utterly defenseless against Maher's repetitive and lackluster atheist complaints. (HBO and CNN are owned by the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)
Though I was annoyed by him, I still tuned in to catch a glimpse of the other side's views. In truth, I can determine why Maher's grasp of religion was so lacking. We're about the same age, and we both attended Catholic educational institutions (his mother was Jewish, but his father was Irish Catholic).
Let's be honest: the period in which we were learning formed a suboptimal era for the Catholic intellectual tradition. In my memory, the religious education we received was filled with banners, balloons, and a tepid devotion to societal justice. Lots of Catholics from our Baby Boom generation abandoned the church as the simplistic faith they were taught proved utterly deficient when they reached adulthood.
In the past five years, Maher seems to have significantly curtailed his preoccupation with religion and has concentrated on expressing his opposition to the so-called "woke" mentality that has successfully seeped into countless U.S. institutions: universities, corporations, the military, and the government.
As he has shifted his focus, I have repeatedly found myself nodding my head in concert. To my astonishment, my former antagonist had transformed into an ally.
Maher and I share the sentiment that one of the most repulsive aspects of our modern society is the censorious polarization that characterizes wokeism and the ruthless cancel culture that ensues. The woke insistence is that those we disagree with are not simply for correction or dismissal; they must be silenced and isolated.
Perhaps the most repulsive aspect of the recent controversy surrounding Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College was a social media post by a Kansas City city employee, advocating for Butker's suburban residence. (The post was swiftly removed, and the mayor mentioned that the staffer, whose identity has not been disclosed, no longer works for them.) One may definitely debate Butker's perspectives on sexuality, gender, and marriage, but to expose him and his family to potential harassment or risks is sheer insanity. In his critique of this dangerous escalation, Maher is valuably standing up for individuals who might face backlash for expressing comparable opinions.
In a Sunday interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria, Maher lamented the transition from when political adversaries in the '80s differed primarily in their opinions to now perceiving each other as an existential menace. He noted that he couldn't envisage President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Democrat and Florida Republican, sharing a post-work beverage like President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Tip O'Neill, a Massachusetts Democrat, used to.
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Bill Maher is all about bridging the gap between ideologies. Recently, he was on Greg Gutfeld's show on Fox, a channel known for its conservative perspective. Gutfeld hosts the most-watched late-night TV show, and Maher listened attentively to his monologue, even chuckling quite a few times. Then, Maher engaged in a spirited discussion with the host and other conservative guests.
Their conversation centered around former President Donald Trump's suitability for high office. Both Maher and Gutfeld were firm in their beliefs, but they never insulted each other or engaged in smear tactics. Instead, they exchanged arguments. Things ended on a light note, with both of them laughing.
Amid all this, Maher was affirming that intellectual opponents don't have to turn on each other. He showed that it's possible to engage in discussions without resorting to violence or personal attacks. In this way, Maher was indirectly criticizing the "woke" culture - a win for everyone. It was a truly patriotic display of his belief in the democratic process. So, setting aside his history and lack of religious understanding, I say, "Hip-hip-hooray for Bill Maher!"
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Despite our contrasting perspectives, I find myself agreeing with Maher's critique of the excessive polarization and censorship in today's societal discourse. His stance against silencing individuals with opposing views aligns well with my own beliefs about the importance of free expression and respectful dialogue.
In light of recent incidents involving public figures expressing their opinions, I believe that Maher is advocating for a more balanced approach in our society, where diverse opinions can coexist without fear of backlash or harassment.
Source: edition.cnn.com
