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[[File:Bill Maher.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Bill Maher ]]

[[File:Bill Maher.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Bill Maher]]

'''Bill Maher''' (1956- ) is a [[left-wing]] talk show host. He is also a [[Socialism|socialist]], [[atheist]] and [[liberal]] comedian, actor, writer, producer, and [[Democratic Party]] activist. Maher supports the legalization of [[marijuana]], [[gay marriage]], [[gambling]] and [[prostitution]]. He is most notable as the host of ''[[Real Time|Real Time with Bill Maher]]'', which airs on the [[HBO]] television network. Maher formerly hosted ''Politically Incorrect'' on [[ABC]].

'''Bill Maher''' (born 1956) is a [[left-wing]] talk show host. He is also a [[Socialism|socialist]], [[atheist]] and [[liberal]] comedian, actor, writer, producer, and [[Democratic Party]] activist. Maher supports the legalization of [[marijuana]], [[gay marriage]], [[gambling]] and [[prostitution]]. He is most notable as the host of ''[[Real Time|Real Time with Bill Maher]]'', which airs on the [[HBO]] television network. Maher formerly hosted ''Politically Incorrect'' on [[ABC]].

==Biography==

==Biography==

Despite claims of being a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]], his views are more line with socialism. In fact, most of his views are in direct opposition to libertarian ideology, such as his support of government regulation of corporations, foreign aid, public schooling, a ban on homeschooling, campaign finance restrictions, restricting carbon emissions and creating other radical "environmental protection" laws, affirmative action, minimum wage laws, absolute gun control, support for the [[United Nations]], income redistribution through higher taxation, and socialized medicine. He endorsed Bob Dole in 1996.<ref name=salon>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2001/08/01/maher_4/|title=Is Bill Maher a libertarian?|first=Dan|last=Halem|date=Aug 1, 2001|accessdate=Aug 13, 2012|work=Salon.com}}</ref> He supported [[Ralph Nader]] in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, but not in 2004. He has even praised [[Janet Reno]] and the ATF for its action in the massacre in Waco, Texas. He supports personal choice on moral issues, including abortion, the use of drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Salon.com characterizes him as a "A flaming liberal"><ref name=salon/>

Despite claims of being a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]], his views are more line with socialism. In fact, most of his views are in direct opposition to libertarian ideology, such as his support of government regulation of corporations, foreign aid, public schooling, a ban on homeschooling, campaign finance restrictions, restricting carbon emissions and creating other radical "environmental protection" laws, affirmative action, minimum wage laws, absolute gun control, support for the [[United Nations]], income redistribution through higher taxation, and socialized medicine. He endorsed Bob Dole in 1996.<ref name=salon>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2001/08/01/maher_4/|title=Is Bill Maher a libertarian?|first=Dan|last=Halem|date=Aug 1, 2001|accessdate=Aug 13, 2012|work=Salon.com}}</ref> He supported [[Ralph Nader]] in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, but not in 2004. He has even praised [[Janet Reno]] and the ATF for its action in the massacre in Waco, Texas. He supports personal choice on moral issues, including abortion, the use of drugs, gambling, and prostitution. Salon.com characterizes him as a "A flaming liberal"><ref name=salon/>

Maher was formerly involved in a relationship with model Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen". However, Ms. Johnson ended it and in November of 2004 sued Maher for palimony amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1111041coco1.html]</ref> Maher said that he never promised to marry her and that the claims of abuse were a money making scam.<ref>[http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2004-62384.asp]</ref>

Maher was formerly involved in a relationship with model Nancy Johnson a.k.a. "Coco Johnsen". However, Ms. Johnson ended it and in November 2004 sued Maher for palimony amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1111041coco1.html]</ref> Maher said that he never promised to marry her and that the claims of abuse were a money making scam.<ref>[http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-1-2004-62384.asp]</ref>

Somewhat anachronistically, he voted for [[Bob Dole]] in the 1996 Presidential election, calling him an "old-fashioned" Republican. He is also a personal friend of fellow Cornell student [[Ann Coulter]], despite (or perhaps because of) their widely divergent views. She was a frequent guest on ''Politically Incorrect.''

Somewhat anachronistically, he voted for [[Bob Dole]] in the 1996 Presidential election, calling him an "old-fashioned" Republican. He is also a personal friend of fellow Cornell student [[Ann Coulter]], despite (or perhaps because of) their widely divergent views. She was a frequent guest on ''Politically Incorrect.''

==Victory: Begins at Home==

==Victory: Begins at Home==

Not surprisingly, the [[New York Times]] raved about his 2003 overtly anti-Catholic, one-man broadway show "Victory: Begins at Home".<ref> [http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/295903/Bill-Maher-Victory-Begins-at-Home/overview NYTIMES review]</ref><ref> http://www.catholicleague.org/annualreport.php?year=2003&id=80</ref>

Not surprisingly, the [[New York Times]] raved about his 2003 overtly anti-Catholic, one-man broadway show "Victory: Begins at Home".<ref>[http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/295903/Bill-Maher-Victory-Begins-at-Home/overview NYTIMES review]</ref><ref>http://www.catholicleague.org/annualreport.php?year=2003&id=80</ref>

==Religulous==

==Religulous==

In 2008, Maher starred in a spoof [[documentary]] movie called ''[[Religulous]]''. It was directed by [[Larry Charles]] (who also directed ''[[Borat]]'').  The film derives its name from a combination of the words "religion" and "ridiculous"<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0708/14/lkl.01.html CNN LARRY KING LIVE, Interview With Bill Maher, aired August 14, 2007 - 21:00ET]</ref>. Originally destined for an [[Easter]] 2008 release, the film had a limited theater-release in [[October]] 2008 after being first shown at the [[Toronto]] International Film Festival in early [[September]] 2008<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0815241/releaseinfo IMDb: Release dates for ''Religulous'']</ref>.  

In 2008, Maher starred in a spoof [[documentary]] movie called ''[[Religulous]]''. It was directed by [[Larry Charles]] (who also directed ''[[Borat]]'').  The film derives its name from a combination of the words "religion" and "ridiculous".<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0708/14/lkl.01.html CNN LARRY KING LIVE, Interview With Bill Maher, aired August 14, 2007 - 21:00ET]</ref>  Originally destined for an [[Easter]] 2008 release, the film had a limited theater-release in [[October]] 2008 after being first shown at the [[Toronto]] International Film Festival in early [[September]] 2008.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0815241/releaseinfo IMDb: Release dates for ''Religulous'']</ref>   

The film criticizes [[religion]], particularly Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism and Islam.  To Maher, radical Islam and its hate-filled terrorism has no difference from regular religious worship, as he blends pictures of the attack on the World Trade center with a benediction by the Pope and Jews praying at the Wailing Wall at the very end of the movie.

The film criticizes [[religion]], particularly Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism and Islam.  To Maher, radical Islam and its hate-filled terrorism has no difference from regular religious worship, as he blends pictures of the attack on the World Trade center with a benediction by the Pope and Jews praying at the Wailing Wall at the very end of the movie.

*[[Judaism|Hasidic]] scholars

*[[Judaism|Hasidic]] scholars

*[[Jesus]] impersonators

*[[Jesus]] impersonators

*[[Messianic_Judaism|Messianic Jews]]

*[[Messianic Judaism|Messianic Jews]]

*[[Islam|Muslims]]

*[[Islam|Muslims]]

*[[Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#Polygamy|Polygamists]]

*[[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints#Polygamy|Polygamists]]

*[[Satanism|Satanists]]

*[[Satanism|Satanists]]

*[[Young Earth Creationism|Creationists]]

*[[Young Earth Creationism|Creationists]]

===Controversy===

===Controversy===

The already controversial film gained increased notoriety on the morning of 30th September 2008 when Bill Maher made an appearance on the View to promote ''Religulous''. Maher frivolously suggested during the interview that anyone who hears the "voice" of God should check themselves in to a psychiatric hospital.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/sherri-shepherd-bill-mahe_n_130581.html</ref>

The already controversial film gained increased notoriety on the morning of 30 September 2008 when Bill Maher made an appearance on the View to promote ''Religulous''. Maher frivolously suggested during the interview that anyone who hears the "voice" of God should check themselves in to a psychiatric hospital.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/sherri-shepherd-bill-mahe_n_130581.html</ref>

== External links ==

== External links ==