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.
