Replies

You got me going on watching Penn and Teller videos. They are interesting. A lot depends on whose ox is being gored. Their shows are easy to enjoy when Penn is saying “bullshit” to some group, or idea, with which you disagree. It's not so much fun when he is saying “bullshit” to something that you believe.

As creators of their video clips, they have all the power. To some degree, they abuse their power. But not so much so as does 60 minutes, 20/20, ABC news, CNN, Newsweek, CBS news, CNN, etc.

Caveat Emptor, even when it's free.

They seem to be members of the atheist right, along with Ayn Rand. I think this country was founded by the religious right. Ronald Reagan was a recent modern proponent of the religious right. By right, I mean individual rights, limited government, and free (at least relatively free) markets. In this context at least, religious means Judeo-Christian.

To me, the religious right is the branch of western civilization that works best and has the most merit. The oposing pole is the atheist left - Marxism, communism. There is also the religious left of a supreme religious state. I think this is the goal of Islam.

Penn Jilette (the one who talks) is a hardcore libertarian. He considers himself more socially liberal then any liberal, and more economic conservative then any conservative.

I'm mixed on them, but will give them credit, in that they don't push an agenda as much as they attack agendas.

Interestingly enough, Glen Beck actually confused Penn Jilette with being an example of a hollywood conservative (he's not), so it kind of shows what some of his views range to and from.

He is very hostile to all religions. I use him as an example of what a real atheist looks as opposed to people who are simply anti-christian (to put this in perspective, numerous other atheists actually find them offensive in regards to their views about and presentation of other religions....that tells you everything you need to know about secularists in the US). BTW, their view on marriage, is that the government should not be involved in it, period, not a popular view with any one, at all.

Sidenote: Penn Jilette, did mention he is not allowed to trash 2 religions, one is islam, due to fear for his own family, and also because the executives at showtime, fear reprisal against themselves and their families (he actually said this point blank, no double talk, he was pretty clear). The other is the church of scientology, due to a business arrangement showtime has with that church. I have no idea what that arrangement is, and he didn't elaborate (he also wasn't asked to).