Rating: O (R)

Comedian and TV host Bill Maher attacks spiritual beliefs and religion by traveling the globe interviewing officials and adherents of various faiths — Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Mormon, among them — subjecting all to ridicule. Ignoring both the good done by religious people and institutions and the millions murdered by militantly atheist regimes in the past century, he seeks out a parade of people who make all-too-easy targets, but does not grapple with the answers the great religions offer to the serious questions people face. His sneering dismissal of all religious beliefs as mere superstition makes director Larry Charles’ documentary blatantly irreverent and journalistically spurious. A consistently irreligious, sometimes blasphemous, tone; rough language; crass expressions and some profanity; brief sexual references and imagery; and upper female nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.