Sex, Drugs & Religion

The film begins with archived black-and-white footage from World War II Nazi Germany, showing Hitler and Ante Pavelic walking with military personnel. This sets a sobering historical tone before transitioning into scenes related to religious conflicts and atrocities. The opening sequence lasts for approximately one minute and forty-five seconds.

The film depicts scenes of Roman Catholic clergy blessing soldiers before battle, followed by forced conversions of Serbs and footage from the Jasenovac concentration camp. These visuals highlight the historical violence associated with religious and ethnic conflicts, including confiscated belongings and starving prisoners.

Pastor Deacon Fred Smith introduces himself and his Landover Baptist Church, claiming to be a prominent figure in Christianity. Simultaneously, Betty Butterfield shares her experiences and thoughts on Catholicism, establishing the comedic and satirical tone of the film as both characters discuss their views on religion.

Interwoven with character discussions, the film shows news snippets about sexual abuses committed by priests globally. Clips of Bill Maher on Larry King Live and promoting 'Religulous' accompany these images, emphasizing skepticism towards organized religion.

The film features interviews with Shirley Lynn Phelps-Roper about Westboro Baptist Church's protests at soldiers’ funerals. It also showcases Phelps’ propaganda and the subsequent lawsuit loss, illustrating the controversial activism associated with this religious group.

Scenes highlight the failures of televangelists like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim and Tammy Baker, exposing greed and scandal within televised religious organizations. Ole Anthony discusses televangelist greed, contrasting with clips of Deacon Fred discussing Wiccans.

Bill Maher criticizes Reverend Ted Haggard after his scandal involving meth and a male prostitute, showcasing hypocrisy among some religious leaders. The film examines moral failures and scandals within religious communities.

Footage shows Pentecostals handling snakes, dancing to rock music, and drinking strychnine during religious rituals. Betty Butterfield and news clips highlight the eccentric and dangerous practices of this sect.

Two young Mormon missionaries approach a man in a parking lot to evangelize about John Smith. The man, well-versed in the Bible, quickly counters their arguments, illustrating religious debates and the confidence of certain biblical scholars.

Tom Cruise is featured referencing Scientology with bizarre comments, highlighting the church’s celebrity connections and controversial reputation. This segment underscores the unique aspects of new religious movements.

The film briefly depicts the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, followed by scenes exploring Islam and the Muslim faith. These snippets provide a perspective on religious tensions and geopolitical issues related to faith.

Richard Dawkins shares his views on faith and religion, emphasizing scientific rationalism. Betty Butterfield discusses her interactions with Presbyterians and seeks divine guidance to find a church, adding personal reflection to the narrative.

The credits feature two Mormons dancing to 'Here It Goes' by Jimmy Eats World. Afterward, the director shares insights about religion, ending with a humorous hidden music video, wrapping up the film’s satirical exploration of faith.