In this Funny or Die Exclusive video, Bill Maher dropped a bombshell (or two) on all of us who’ve known him as an outspoken atheist and critic of organized religion. Actress Annabelle Gurwitch walked in on Bill in his dressing room, to find him kneeling before a makeshift altar, while praying the rosary. A stunned Gurwitch questioned Maher, “Uh, what are you doing?” Bill mildly replied, “I’m praying.” Gurwitch prodded, “Bill, you’re an atheist, everyone knows you’re an atheist. ” An oddly calm Bill went on to explain that everyone in the business knows that his atheism is all a sham, much as Stephen Colbert is not truly a conservative and Rock Hudson was not a lady killer. “This is an act, this is what we do.” said Maher.
What will we learn next – that Santa Claus truly a greedy capitalist swine, Liberace was a macho man who felled trees and watched football on weekends or – maybe, that expensive American Apple products are made in Chinese sweatshops? Okay the last one might not be a good example. Anything is possible, if – as he explained, Bill was visited by Jesus when he was fourteen years old. Bill who rails against invisible flying creatures, claimed that Jesus gave him his blessing, and told him to ‘Just have fun with it.”
That is why Bill tours the country making money off of ‘stupid atheists’ and giving it to local churches. And, he hastened to add, “Not to charity stuff, they have that poop covered.” Bill continued, “This is strictly for enforcing religious dogma.” Bill sounds so much like a conservative Christian, and dare I say it – a Republican! Bill, we hardly knew ye.
Is nothing genuine with Maher? Perhaps Gurwitch wondered that same thing, asking Bill, if he was lying about being a pothead too. “No,” said Maher, “I’m crazy, but not stupid.”
For me, the biggest reveal of the clip was yet to come! Far from the night-life one believes Bill enjoys, he prefers to spend quiet time with Christian friends.It seems that I am not the only one who has wondered about one particular guest whom Bill brings on his show despite intense fear and loathing from the audience. Bill admitted that people often ask what he could possibly have in common with Ann Coulter. “We pray,” he replied – with a perfectly straight face.