Comedian Bill Maher will headline Colonials Weekend this October. The funnyman has made a name for himself by taking jabs at religion, politics and anything he finds ridiculous. Photo used under Creative Commons license
Four campus organizations are voicing their anger at University’s decision to host Bill Maher at Colonial’s Weekend, claiming GW ignored religious students when choosing this year’s entertainment.
The groups, including the Young America Foundation, College Republicans, Knights of Columbus and the Newman Center, co-signed a letter to University President Steven Knapp Wednesday criticizing the University for bringing in someone who lambastes religion in his sketches.
The political commentator and television host is widely known for his attacks on religion, which he compares to “a neurological disorder.”
In recent years, he has portrayed the pope as a Nazi, called the Quran a “hate filled holy book” and said the Bible was written in a game of Mad Libs. Shortly after Sept. 11, Maher called the United States “cowards” in the fight against terrorism and his show, “Politically Incorrect” was cancelled. In 2003, he launched a new show on HBO called “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
The letter reads, “Bill Maher is not a comedian, he is a political commentator who seeks to spread his atheist beliefs.”
It cites specific examples of Maher’s offensive remarks and calls for greater commitment to religious tolerance on campus.
“We feel that Bill Maher and his intolerance towards religious people is a poor representation of our student body, and portrays our university as an institution that harbors an intolerance for diversity,” the letter continues.
Carlos Vazquez, a junior and president of the Young America Foundation handed the letter to Knapp’s secretary Wednesday.
Vazquez said he was outraged when he first heard Maher would be part of Colonials Weekend in June. He said he demands a public apology from Knapp for disregarding religious students and parents when planning the event.
“At the end of the day, [President Knapp] has the final say on what happens here. He should have been the one to object to him coming,” Vazquez said.
He does not expect the University to cancel the event based on their lobbying efforts, but said he hopes to change the way Colonials Weekend entertainers are selected in the future.
Sophomore Chris Wassman, public relations chair for both Young America Foundation and the College Republicans, said Maher does not align with the University’s public commitment to diversity.
“He’s been disparaging not only to different religions, but people of color,” Wassman said. “We won’t stand for that.”
Senior Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Peter Konwerski said the University “did not have concerns about bringing Bill Maher to campus.”
“With regard to Bill Maher, he was one of the many names suggested by members of our community last year and when we conducted our parent survey last fall,” Konwerski said. “Given the broad range of issues and topics, we know that many comedians address issues during their performances which may be deemed ‘edgy’ or controversial to some, particularly around a broad range of social or political subjects, but we have a mature audience and as a University we are open to the free exchange of ideas and lively debate.”
This is GW…go away College Republicans and especially young America Fascists.
Isn’t this just the same thing as you guys bringing Anne Coulter to campus….Give me a break!
You guys are a bunch of babies. Welcome to the world. Not everyone is gonna love your lifestyle. Deal with it.
I hope Bill Maher makes a joke about this in his act!
So who would have been acceptable? You can’t bring in a Christian comedian because that might be offensive to Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Atheists, and Zoroastrians. You can’t bring in a Jewish comedian because he might offend Christians, Atheists, etc. So who can be brought in? I guarantee 100% if Glenn Beck was brought in you guys wouldn’t even contemplate objecting.
Religious people have this idea in their head that their beliefs are untouchable. You can bring in people who “lambast” conservative ideas. Or who “lambast” liberal ideas. Or any person with strong criticism of a multitude of other ideas and concepts. However, once that person calls out religion, suddenly shit hits the fan. Maybe if you spent more time focusing on Bill Maher’s points instead of how much your feelings got hurt you’d understand what he’s trying to say.
Your religious beliefs aren’t above debate. Or criticism. Just like any other idea in the world. Get over it.
Isn’t it a proof of religious tolerance to allow people who don’t believe in religion come to GW?
I thought only grown up Republicans and Christians suck. Now I know they suck also in college.
Young American Fascists, College Republicans, Knights of Columbus, & the Newman Center filed this ridiculous drama queen complaint. I say next year we get a prominent openly gay comedian just to piss them off. Perez Hilton, perhaps?
87- very accepting. Awesome!
00- I think this is not about individual orgs bringing speakers, but rather the university. Example.. if GW Atheists wanted to bring Maher to speak for their event, that would be fine.
Anon- What about bringing a speaker who does not comment on religions or politics? Also, why would we make Colonials Weekend a time for “debate” and “criticism”?
LOL
The fact that he is an atheist is NOT why the groups are objecting to his appearance, it is because he constantly attacks religion and insults people that are religious. This is no different then bringing a self-proclaimed racist to speak to GW.
Gw is full of hippies. Republicans>Demoncrats
I’m pretty sure you guys are missing the point. From what it seems the letter criticizes the university for bringing a comedian that alienates a large population of the university on the weekend when our parents come into town. I don’t think this letter would have come about otherwise. Like it or not, but there is a difference between funny and blatantly offensive
Bill Maher is a comedian of the court jester variety. His humor is provocative and thought provoking. I don’t agree with some of his positions, but I think he is an appropriate choice for a university – not for graduation – but for a voluntary entertainment – fine. He will give students and families a lot to talk about after the performance. And to “12″: a comedian today “who does not comment on religions or politics?” Are you serious? At GW? Boring.
have we forgotten already that Maher called the terrorists who flew the planes into the world trade center “Heroes?” I am guessing that most of the students of GW today will not remember that but it happened
I guess most of you were too young to remember that this guy, Maher, stated on his tv show immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks that, “the brave pilots who flew those planes into the towers were HEROES.” He wasn’t laughing when he said it. Look it up on the internet.
hahahahahahahahahaha. I actually recall getting some literature from YAF’s gay bashing cake extravaganza two years ago that calls my sexuality a “disorder”. and now they want tolerance? cute!
No one has the right to not be offended. Bill Maher speaks his mind and tries to be funny. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to laugh. If your faith is that weak that you can’t handle a few jokes (that lets face it, are pretty true) then you maybe have a bigger issue.
I’m sorry, but it was announced in JUNE that Maher was performing. If these groups felt so strongly about this, it should have come up sooner.
The letter reads, “Bill Maher is not a comedian, he is a political commentator who seeks to spread his atheist beliefs.”
So what would you prefer someone who spreads conservative religious beliefs?
Please. Get over yourselves and go watch fox news like you normally do.
durka durka
Are these people this wavering and uncomfortable with their own faith and beliefs? I am religious and am perfectly comfortable in my faith that I do not feel threatened by what comedian says. I actually find him very funny. If you don’t like him, fine don’t see him, but this is a huge stretch.
Hold on. How long has Maher been coming? Wasn’t this announced like five months ago? They delivered a letter three days before .. that’s a publicity stunt not an actual concern
Shit was funny. I’d give the dude a bid.
No one likes to be insulted. My family and I walked out.
“It is amazing (and sad) how liberals get so outraged whenever a speaker appears on campus who dares argues a viewpoint that is different from their own. ”
YAF, speaking of Ann Coulter’s visit to GWU.
http://www.yaf.org/liberals-wants-to-ban-Coulter.aspx
Misha- Events held by YAF cater to conservative students. Events held by the university are supposed to cater to ALL students. You can’t compare these two events. YAF is the first org to agree that all orgs should be able to bring whoever they want.
I absolutely will compare these events:
Ultimately, it has nothing to do with who the speaker is supposed to be appealing to. YAF accused the “liberals” of becoming outraged *whenever* a speaker appears on campus that has viewpoints differing from their own… That is EXACTLY what YAF is doing. End of story.
Having attended the 7 pm show on Saturday, it didn’t look like the school had any trouble selling tickets….
Why is OK for people to say Fuck religion and Fuck republicans, etc etc. And when Republicans say that we need to be tougher on terrorism its racism/fascism. Also, Coulter and Horowitz were invited by the organizations to represent their beliefs just like the Dem’s pick liberal senators, commentators, etc. Maher was invited by the university and they should have been a little more careful in choosing someone that doesn’t offend. Even though Jon Stewart is definitely a liberal, at least he doesn’t offend in a way that Maher does.
For all the tolerance they preach, its kind of sad that nobody on the left can offer any acceptance of religious organizations in this case.
I flipped her off, I hate Ann Coulter as much as the next person, but I wouldn’t agree with banning her. However, she was invited by a student organisation, not the university, which is the fundamental difference.
However, it’s ridiculous that YAF thinks that they should be exempt because they’re pissed off. I’d prefer if they didn’t have a presence on campus because I think that their views are bigoted and idiotic, but I respect that they have opinions as well and therefore have the same ability to exist as any other group. If they can’t think logically, then they deserve every last ounce of ridicule they can get.