Bill Maher: Glenn Beck Is Like Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard (VIDEO)

BIll Maher compared Glenn Beck to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard during his appearance on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS" on Sunday.

Zakaria had asked Maher about the Tea Party's relationship to religion. "When you watched Glenn Beck's rally, what's fascinating is that it was mostly about religion," he said.

"I think he's doing what some people before him have done like L. Ron Hubbard, who's a novelist and decided, you know what, it's a much easier gig to be a religious leader," Maher responded, adding, "I think Glenn Beck is [segueing] from what he was, mostly a political preacher, to a preacher preacher. It is an easier gig and you make more money, you know, Jim Baker kind of money."

WATCH:

During the interview, Maher also expressed disappointment with President Obama, calling him "wimpy."

Comments

[Ashish Srivastava]

05:14 PM on 12/26/2010

This is absolutely brilliant and true! Glenn Beck has really hit the goldmine because he talks to his base not based on facts but based on beliefs. he is above everyone else who require substantial evidence to back what they say.. a few days ago , Glenn Beck said that 10% of muslims are terrorists.. now in a normal world you would require to back this by some evidence or source.. but not Glenn

[Jennifer Crisman]

03:54 AM on 12/16/2010

The "What's Your Reaction to this article" on the top of this page, need an option of CORRECT. Bill Maher is spot on as usual!

[ttaz4dqm]

11:34 AM on 12/11/2010

Yesterday, Glenn was freaking about "Chaotic Good" Marxist Anarchists!" *GASP*! Glenn Beck is afraid, apparently, of me and my old D&D buddies. *chuckle*

[diamondjack62]

02:03 AM on 01/19/2011

Does that make Glenn Beck and his followers "Lawful Evil"?

[rbrain]

06:04 PM on 12/10/2010

I think Maher's right in more ways than one. The money part may be true, but I see greater parallels with Beck's misinformation and inability to withstand dialogue and dissent. Scientolgy's greatest hallmarks are control of information and to always be on attack when confronted with new information or dissenting views. Yeah, I could see Beck shouting "what are your crimes?" like a faithful scientologist

[Mydaisydew]

02:04 PM on 12/10/2010

Bill I'm upset with you attacking President Obama. It's not healthy. Maybe you should explain the workings of govenment and the passage of bills instead. Bills are a package deal (more like a box of chocolates) which is the way govenment works (not that I agree with it). The President does not have 'the power' like everyone thinks but instead does have his hands tied by lots of little minds and interest groups we allow into the political system. How can people see clearly what is happening if you are not championing the President? Damn he isn't the evil one here!

[awckid3]

03:09 AM on 12/09/2010

L.Ron Hubbard's material is in the non-fiction section of my local library.

[bob dobbs]

05:59 AM on 12/09/2010

Scientologists have been known to sneak them onto library shelves, even if a librarian has removed them from the shelves in any section. Space can be at a premium in a public library and there are a ton of better science-fiction writers than Hubbard so sometimes there's simply no room.
It'll probably keep a gerbil at the Humane Society entertained when the librarian notices.

[PMJ79]

06:57 PM on 12/22/2010

There's nothing fictional about Scientology, unfortunately.

[skepticreally]

08:11 PM on 12/26/2010

The authenticity of all forms of religious text are challenged regardless of their popularity, yet as scriptures they range from: followed literally as god's written words, to the documented rants of a mad man. Ultimately the followers of each decides which is which and belief is more important than facts or proof. Where they reside in a library is determined more by your society's norms than their standing in a genre.

[Mark Germain]

12:37 AM on 12/09/2010

I agree Bill, it is embarrassing that this country has these fundamental mental cases in our government; the sheer lack of intelligence, logical thought and practical wisdom is frightening, and they do not understand the very important distinction of separation of church and state - they're not smart enough to see it, nor do they want to, because it does not support their limited narrative. Whether fundamentalism is here or abroad is a dangerous thing, because if you don't see it their way, they would like you to not see at all.

[Fucue]

07:09 PM on 12/08/2010

I still hope and pray that L Ron had something in his will to be released years after his death. One word: "Psych!"

[Schmice]

02:24 PM on 12/08/2010

Teapartiers want there to be a Cultural Revolution like they had in Red China. The intellectuals, teachers, and "elites" were either put to death or else forced to go to the countryside for political re-education. It was mob rule that Mao wasn't able to stop after he fomented it. Sarah Palin, Glen Beck and their minions are doing the same thing.

[saut]

07:46 AM on 12/17/2010

I had never thought of that, but now that you mention it, it does sound like a realistic scenario. Between "second amendment remedies", Arizona's "show me your papers" law, Glenn Beck urging his followers to "turn in your pastor" if s/he preaches social justice, the minority party ruling the nation, mobs of ill-informed foul-mouthed teapartiers taking over town hall meetings, and fact-free opinions passing as news--yeah, it could happen. I guess they'd start by rounding up everyone who posts to huffingtonpost.

[Ojodelgato]

04:27 PM on 12/22/2010

My sister lives in South Carolina so she thinks the tea party is too liberal and Glen Beck is inspirational. I expect she'd turn me in without too many pangs of conscience, so I'd better put another dead-bolt on the front door.

[tinaterrific]

01:19 PM on 12/08/2010

what a spot on comparison. Beck is frightening. Scientology is equally as frightening, if not more so. And it just seems like Beck is way more consumed with money than politics and religion combined. Hello LRH.

[claudiam]

01:13 PM on 12/08/2010

Luv ya, Bill claudiatucsonaz

[London Diplomat]

01:11 PM on 12/08/2010

Agree entirely - we are laughing in England. Also a little scared, but I'm putting those feelings in a dark place for a minute while I laugh :)

[Tox of Oz]

05:24 AM on 01/22/2011

Same in Australia, shaking our heads in wonder, yet also scared the the most powerful nation on earth is lead/ruled by such fools.

[musezeek]

08:23 AM on 12/08/2010

Bill is giving Glen too much credit. L. Ron Hubbard wrote terrific science fiction and sold it as science fiction, while Glen beck writes ridiculous fantasy and passes it off as facts. Now, for many, scientology may look like the latter, and perhaps that's what Bill is focusing on for simplicity, but my first two statements stand as a counter point. Glen beck is not logical, and makes up his facts, to arrive at his desired (and obviously delusional) conclusion; Mr. Hubbard was logcial, and used facts to arrive at his (possibly dubious) conclusions. Too much credit is given to Mr. Beck with this comparison... now I will see what he really said :-)

[saynotocults]

10:50 PM on 12/22/2010

LRH thought cigarettes cured cancer and $cientology removed space aliens from it's followers. That's logical?

[BJHenton]

07:40 AM on 12/08/2010

Yep. I predict Rev. Beck will have a mega-church and the rethugs, baggers and lifers will make him even richer!

[Adam616]

04:02 AM on 12/08/2010

That's an insult to moonbat-crazy science fiction writers everywhere.