Issac Hayes---the voice of Chef---is quitting South Park.

Over religion.

NEW YORK -Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," where he voices Chef, saying he can no longer stomach its take on religion.

Hayes, who has played the ladies' man/school cook in the animated Comedy Central satire since 1997, said in a statement Monday that he feels a line has been crossed.

"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."{...}

Mmmhmmm. Couldn't be that they made serious fun of Scientology, could it?

I mean, I don't remember Isaac having issues when they lampooned the Catholic Church. Or when they made fun of the Mormons. Or when Jesus went up against the Devil in a boxing match. Or even when Satan just wanted to be cuddled by Saddam.

"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."

{my emphasis}

Can I get an 'amen'?

Posted by: Kathy at 09:55 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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