Hayes quits South Park

No!

Isaac Hayes quits 'South Park'

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

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"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.

"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."

[emphasis added] As with most perceived religious slights, his concern only lies with the mocking of his own beliefs. I'm deliberately removing the mention of his religion. Can you guess it?

"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 .... He has no problem - and he's cashed plenty of checks - with our show making fun of Christians."

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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 put. And well timed, as some have pointed out that this little altercation takes place right before another season is being released on DVD.

So what have we learned? It's ok to rip on Christians, Jews, Mormons, faith healers, Native Americans, Canadians, Americans, Chinese, homosexuals, fat people, hippies, cripples, black people fer chrissakes ... but Scientology ought to be in a special little category that no other religion or group belongs in. How mature for a man who's made millions off playing a racial stereotype.