Hayes, an outspoken Scientologist, and voice talent for Chef on South Park, can’t take any more anti-religious satire. Or so it seems.
"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs of others begins," the 63-year-old soul singer and outspoken Scientologist said.
"Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored," he continued. "As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
"South Park" co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply in an interview with The Associated Press Monday, saying, "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology… He has no problem – and he’s cashed plenty of checks – with our show making fun of Christians."Stone told The AP he and co-creator Trey Parker "never heard a peep out of Isaac in any way until we did Scientology. He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin."
Well, Hayes has got a point there. But I think he should have come clean and said that it was the Scientology thing that he was really bothered by. I’m not sure whether to applaud him or not. I think we need the freedom to lampoon anyone and anything, sacred or not, just to keep us honest and not so serious. I’m still waiting for a good South Park on Mohammed, but I doubt that it will happen due to the violent nature of Islam’s adherents.
I think South Park has went after Islam at some point. I know they (Stone and Parker) made fun of several Muslim dictators in Team America.
I was considering posting this myself. I think Hayes is a hypocrite. I don't mind South Park making fun of Christianity. They make fun of everything. "Chef" had to know that going in, or at least after all these seasons.
That being said, I don't think I could work for the show. But if I wasn't offended enough to quit after all these season, one show that gored my personal ox wouldn't cause me to.
Picking on Muslim dictators is pretty good, but not the same as picking on Jesus or Mohammed. I say let the satire rip into the hypocrisy of Islam and it's founder.