Bill Maher Hangs It On The Mormons

Bill Maher is funny.  Give him a subject, or a situation, and he'll give you commentary delivered with a wry smile that will have you somewhere between "amused" and "rolling on the floor."  My problem with Maher is that  he's always unloading on the right.  Since he's from the left, that's an okay thing for him to do.  After my initial chuckles, however, I find myself getting bored.  And, frankly, that's my fault.  When I hear someone say something -- Bill's running commentary, for example -- I find myself thinking thoughts that clash with the speaker's, or , in this case, with the comedian's.

Maher did a shtick on Mormonism that had him end his piece by asking how anyone could vote for someone intimately associated with this religion and its ridiculous theology?  To tell the truth, I was caught up with Maher's commentary until . . . . . .   Until, I asked myself whether I knew any Mormons.

Personally, I know no Mormons.  However, I do know of Mormons who were, or are, political leaders.  One was George Romney, Mitt Romney's father.  He was involved with the auto industry and also was Governor of Michigan.  He did pardon Nixon and there are those who will never forgive him for that.  But, all in all, he was a stable and dependable political leader, a man as qualified as any to have been president.

Then there's Harry Reid, the leader of the Senate, and a staunch Democrat.  He's not someone for whom I have a great deal of affection.  But, he's been on the political battlefield and he's served his party loyally.

And, by the way, did you know Nixon was a Quaker?

I came to realize, as I thought about the other Mormons, that a man's religion is, no doubt, a factor in his makeup.  But, all religions, if you go to their origins, will posit beliefs that can seem a bit strange - - - all religions. It's how you deal with your religion that counts.  The only reason Bill Maher took off on Mormonism was to beat up on Mitt Romney.  Had Harry Reid been the candidate, it is unlikely that it would have been a subject that Bill Maher would have raised.  Is Bill Maher funny?  Sure, but you can't take what he says too seriously.  Keep in mind, he's a comedian.