Jeremiah Cummings Blames His Misfortune on HBO Host Bill Maher's 2008 Film 'Religulous'

Sept. 24, 2009 — -- Preacher Jeremiah Cummings says his life was changed forever – and not for the better – after he appeared in political commenter Bill Maher's documentary "Religulous."

According to Cummings, Maher "ruined [his] life."

Cummings sued Lionsgate Entertainment, the film's distributor, for defamation of character and sought $50 million in damages. He later dropped the case, but says the film has triggered lawsuits against him and impoverished him. The preacher wants his life back, he says.

"They are not telling the whole story the way I gave the interview," Cummings, 58, told ABCNews.com of his appearance in the 2008 film in which Maher interviewed the Orlando-based evangelist.

As a result of the film, Cummings says that he's now unable to pay the rent on his Orlando home that he shares with his wife and three of his children, and has stopped getting requests for speaking engagements.

"This film hurt me tremendously," said Cummings.

Cummings said that his troubles began in November 2006 when he was approached to be in a documentary for the PBS Broadcasting Network titled "A Spiritual Journey," in which he was to discuss his "faith and conversion."

Cummings, who was a member of the Philadelphia soul group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in the 1970s, is a former Muslim who converted to Christianity in 1997.

But that documentary was not at all what it seemed, according to Cummings, who says in the complaint that his "true character was totally distorted on screen before millions of viewers for laughs."

In the film, Maher asks Cummings to discuss how rock icons and religious leaders always seem to be dressed in "elaborate costumes."

When Maher presses Cummings about his outfit during the interview, the reverend responds, "I always dress well" and notes that his shoes are not made of alligator, as the host suggested, but are lizard skin.

Maher does not let up, asking Cummings if it's not true that Jesus "championed the poor." The film then cuts to Cummings saying, "I like gold" and "People want you to look well."