Atheist Bill Maher Calls 'American Sniper' Chris Kyle 'Psychopath Patriot'

Atheist Bill Maher has spoken out regarding the recent "American Sniper" film, calling deceased U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle a "psychopath patriot."

While speaking on his HBO talk show "Real Time with Bill Maher," the atheist comedian said he was pondering whether Kyle was a "hero or not." The movie serves as an autobiographical look into the life of Kyle, the most decorated sniper in American history.

"Hurt Locker made $17 million because it was a little ambiguous, and thoughtful," Maher said. "And this one was just, 'American hero! He's a psychopath patriot, and we love him.'"

Maher went on to quote excerpts from Kyle's book by the same name as the recent Clint Eastwood-directed movie. One of the lines from the book reads: "I hate the damn savages" in reference to jihadists living in Iraq.

The atheist comedian added that he found it difficult to compare Kyle to American president Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously became anti-war after World War II.

"Eisenhower once said, 'I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can.' I just don't see this guy in the same league as Eisenhower, I'm sorry," said Maher. "And if you're a Christian—I know this is a Christian country—'I hate the damn savages' doesn't seem like a very Christian thing to say."

Others have sought to defend Kyle, with both Arizona Senator John McCain and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin defending the deceased Kyle on social media. Country music stars Blake Shelton and Craig Morgan have also defended the Navy SEAL on Twitter.