Affleck unleashes rant on Bill Maher’s show over ‘racist’ views on Islam

Hollywood star Ben Affleck became embroiled in a fierce debate about Islam on a US television show after the host claimed being a member of the religion is like being in the Mafia.

Affleck, appearing on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher to promote his latest film, became angered by comments made by Maher and fellow guest, author Sam Harris, who he accused of being racist and ignorant.

The debate kicked off when Harris said: "We have been sold this meme of Islamophobia, where criticism of the religion gets conflated with bigotry towards Muslims as people. It's intellectually ridiculous."

Affleck responded: "Are you the person who understands the officially codified doctrine of Islam?"

Harris claims he is "well educated in this subject", while Affleck questions: "You are saying that Islamophobia is not a real thing?"
Maher says that was not what they were saying, before Harris adds: "We have to be able to criticise bad ideas and Islam is the motherload of bad ideas."

The agitated Gone Girl star responded, branding the pair's remarks "gross" and "racist" and arguing that they were akin to saying, "Oh, you shifty Jew".

"How about the more than a billion people, who aren't fanatical, who don't punish women, who just want to go to school, have some sandwiches, pray five times a day, and don't do any of the things that you're saying all Muslims do?" Affleck added.

Mayer went on to describe Islam as "the only religion that acts like the mafia that will f****** kill you if you say the wrong thing, draw the wrong picture, or write the wrong book".

Cue much anger from Affleck, who replied: "Your argument is, 'You know, black people, they shoot each other'."

But Maher claimed his argument was "based on facts".