CBS "60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney said Thursday that Mel Gibson's movie depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was good "for a few laughs," but not much else.
Saying he had no intention of seeing "The Passion of the Christ," Rooney told radio host Don Imus, "I mean, I don't want to pay $9 just for a few laughs."
Rooney went on to bash religion in general, saying those who believe in God are "absurd."
"I mean, it's absurd to invent God to unburden our problems on him," he told Imus. "And, on the other hand, there are so many questions that are unanswered that, you know, we're looking for some solution to it. And we have invented God."
Rooney defended his decision not to appear on Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" to defend his attacks on Gibson and his movie.
"[Bill] O'Reilly is sorry that I won't go on his show and make a fool of myself," Rooney said. "He's the worst interviewer there is. But I don't want to go on there and get killed."
O'Reilly has been one of Gibson's most vigorous defenders in the media, and has repeatedly challenged Rooney to a debate.
On Sunday, the 80-something commentator mocked Gibson along with Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson for saying that God had spoken to them.
Claiming that he also had a direct line of communication with the Almighty, Rooney relayed his message to the "60 Minutes" audience, saying that God told him: "Mel is a real nut case. What in the world was I thinking when I created him? Listen, we all make mistakes."
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