Outspoken Scientologist Isaac Hayes, an Oscar-winning singer heard by millions in recent years as the "Chef" character on "South Park," has quit the cartoon four months after an episode spoofing Scientology.
"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 said in a statement.
"Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored," he continued, never mentioning the Scientology episode, but citing the recent controversy over cartoon depictions of the prophet Muhammad. "As a civil-rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
In an interview with the Associated Press, "South Park" co-creator Matt Stone responded sharply, 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."
He said 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."
In a previous interview published by ContactMusic.com, Parker said they avoided animated shows about Scientology for years because they didn't wish to upset Hayes, who gained fame in the 1970s with his song, "Shaft," from the movie of the same name.
"To be honest, what kept us from doing it before was Isaac Hayes. We knew he was a Scientologist and he's an awesome guy. We're like, 'Let's just avoid that for now,'" Parker said. "Finally, we just had to tell Isaac, 'Dude, we totally love working with you, and this is nothing personal, it's just we're South Park, and if we don't do this, we're belittling everything else we've ripped on.'"
The episode that focused on Scientology originally aired on Comedy Central in November, and did not include Hayes' name in the end credits.
Greta Van Susteren of Fox News is a Scientologist
It featured a cartoon boy on the show being mistaken for L. Ron Hubbard, the science-fiction writer who founded the religion. A portion of the show had Scientologists explaining the basic beliefs of the faith, including aliens populating the Earth, with a statement that flashed on screen reading, "This is what Scientologists actually believe." (Click here to view that portion of the program.)
The faith has been featured prominently in the media in recent years, with high-profile members including John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Fox News Channel host Greta Van Susteren.
"South Park" became an instant hit after its original animated short in the late 1990s depicted Jesus in a fierce battle against Santa Claus over the meaning of Christmas.
FYI, that article was posted here yesterday.
Curious that you should say that because that was my first and last "South Park" episode (I didn't watch it all) since I knew that this just wasn't for me.
Don't dish it out if you can't take it, Chef. South Park has made fun of every religion on the planet over the last several years, and Hays was OK with it. It's bad enough that he's willing to trash other religions for money, and then duck out when his own ox gets gored, but to sanctimoniously condemn Parker and Stone for being intolerant is off the charts in hypocracy and chutzpah.
Donohue doesn't get it. South Park only disrespects you if they DON'T smack down on you. Besides, that episode wasn't about disrespecting Mary, it was about the idiots who see apparitions in everything from french toast to highway overpasses. (For the record, I believe in Marian Apparitions, but not most of the idiot claims.)
I don't see what's sacred in Scientology. As far as I know, they don't believe in any Supreme being, other than Thetans that are, at best, Superior (to us) beings. (In their opinion--which they are entitled to)
There is a big difference between Spirituality and Spiritualism. I consider Scientology to be the latter, (and I am entitled to MY opionion).
BTW I've tried to watch South Park, but can't understand more than 10% of what comes out of the character's mouths. Don't know if it's the local channel's sound delivery, or my high frequency hearing loss that's the problem.
"Matt Stone responded sharply, 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." He said 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."
100% Correct! I'm glad Matt Stone didn't give some mealy mouth statement, he just laid it on the line.
When South Park offends me, I turn it off (which I've done); and when I am amused by it, I laugh my butt off.
Gosh. I wonder if South Park will make an episode sending up Hayes?