» posted on 9:09pm - March 14 2006 | posted by Lev

Singer Isaac Hayes is to stop providing the voice for a character in cartoon South Park because he objects to its "inappropriate ridicule" of religion.

Hayes, 63, who is the voice of the lustful Chef, has been a regular on the show since its US TV debut in 1997.

But co-creator Matt Stone said Hayes had "never had a problem" until the Scientology Church, to which Hayes belongs, was parodied.

The show was insensitive to "personal spiritual beliefs", said Hayes.

"There is a place in this world for satire but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs begins," he said.

'Religious sensitivity'

Co-creator Stone said Hayes would be released from his contract and had the best wishes of the South Park team.

Stone said: "In 10 years and over 150 episodes of South Park, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslim, Mormons or Jews.

"He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show."

The series tells the story of four boys in a dysfunctional Colorado town and regularly deals with sensitive subjects and sends up famous figures.

In a recent episode, one of the gang, Stan, did so well in a Scientology test that church followers thought he was the next L Ron Hubbard, the late science-fiction writer who founded Scientology.

Hayes did not take part in that episode but has talked widely about his work for Scientology, which he calls "an applied religious philosophy".

A spokesman for the show's makers Comedy Central said producers had not decided if Chef would be dropped from the show.

The show sparked another religious row recently when an episode entitled Bloody Mary depicted a bleeding statue of the Virgin Mary.

Catholics in the US criticised the show while church leaders in New Zealand called for a boycott of a broadcaster which planned to screen the episode.

Osama Bin Laden was killed in another episode of the programme, which has seen guest cameos by the likes of George Clooney, who voiced a pet dog.

SOURCE: BBC

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posted by: Necromaster · date: 8:44am - March 22 2006

i just downloaded and watched it today and it wasnt even all that funny. i was hoping it was extremely offensive but it seems that these scientologist are just overly sensitive.

boohoo you mad fun of me. i hate you. GAY.

newbie (3315 AP) » total items: 89 / total posts: 507 » 0.000 / 0.000

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posted by: Nemo Metis · date: 7:38pm - March 19 2006

Well, I'm gonna break the habit of a lifetime, or close to it, and also agree with Hammard.Issac has just proved to the world that he aint an ok guy, he's just a hypocritical tosser, and i dont have much time for those kinds of people.

I am the human race's worst nightmare.
The human race is my worst nightmare.

Guess who go the raw end of the deal.
Fuck.

I can ail what cures you.

newbie (5490 AP) » total items: 112 / total posts: 311 » 0.000 / 0.000

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posted by: Lev · date: 4:13pm - March 19 2006

I agree with Hammard on this one: I find it funny as well that the show has satired so many religious beliefs, yet he never had a problem with it until his own was satired. Maybe he did have a problem with the satire all the time up 'til now, but he never took any step to quit years ago.

I see him as a blatant and complete hypocrite. It's okay to offend other beliefs and values as long as they aren't mine. Schmuck.

"Hey man, what is it to you - how do I infringe on what you do? Well, I beg your pardon if you're offended by my garden, but I just can't grow Prozac in my yard." - Ben Scales

[ creating worlds ]
www.sikosoft.com

newbie (34250 AP) » total items: 2074 / total posts: 2425 » 0.857 / 0.143

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posted by: Hammard · date: 6:17pm - March 15 2006

I think hes obviously a really bad sport about this kind of thing. The episode doesn't sound like its that bad on the south park level of insults.

He seems like he doesn't know that other episodes could have been offensive and that he only realises that when it happens to him. If your going to be involved in (partially) satirical either have a sense of humour about yourself and your own beliefs or don't start doing it at all

newbie (438 AP) » total items: 5 / total posts: 64 » 0.000 / 0.000

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