Watch what happens when Stephen Colbert debates faith with athiest Bill Maher - East Idaho News
Faith

Watch what happens when Stephen Colbert debates faith with athiest Bill Maher

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"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert isn't the perfect Catholic — but he still tries.

That's one of numerous points Colbert discussed with his Monday night guest, "Real Time" host Bill Maher. Bill Bradley wrote for The Huffington Post the interview's focus shifted to religion, and the contrasting views of Colbert, a practicing Catholic, and Maher, an outspoken atheist, made for some "awkward" dialogue.

First, Maher acknowledged his "opposite" take on faith compared to Colbert's, pointing out the former "Colbert Report" host is married and religious.

"Yeah, I'm married, and I give religion a shot," Colbert told Maher. "… But that doesn't mean I'm good at it."

According to The Huffington Post, intensity followed: Colbert suggested Maher accept greater things than him exist in the universe. And Maher countered with a shot at religion's "silly stories."

Maher came off as "typically snide," Ruth Graham wrote for Slate.

But Colbert was "winsome," showing how to talk about religion without being combative, Slate indicated.

"But no matter whose side you favored, it was undeniably great TV," Slate's report read. "Colbert has only been at the "Late Show" desk for a few months now, but he's already reminding viewers of what talk shows at their best can offer: a deep conversation in the guise of a shallow one."

Josh Valley wrote for ChristianWeek that Colbert's ability to display faith while avoiding self-righteousness makes him a Catholic adored by people of other religions.

Whether lacing talk on his beliefs with humor or explaining doctrine on NPR, Colbert is a "Catholic superstar" because of his authenticity, according to ChristianWeek.

"As a person of faith he’s been able to avoid the self-righteous and rigid tone that has unfortunately characterized today’s American evangelical celebrity culture," ChristianWeek's piece read. "Perhaps that’s why he’s so admired by people everywhere, including Christians of every stripe."

Send Payton Davis an email at pdavis@deseretdigital.com and follow him on Twitter, @Davis_DNN.

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