Would South Park co-creator Matt Stone work on a show that ridiculed atheist libertarians? Not likely. So why does he have a problem with Isaac Hayes, the voice of Chef, quitting his show because it mocked Scientology? In a statement that tossed about such words as "bigotry," "intolerance," and "civil rights," Hayes said he is outraged by South Park's disrespect toward religion. "This is 100 percent having to do with his faith of Scientology," Stone informs. "He has no problem--and he's cashed plenty of checks--with our show making fun of Christians." True enough, but--Hayes's moral posing notwithstanding--what, exactly, is the problem with this? Hayes doesn't believe in Mormonism, Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, or any other faith mocked by the show. Why should he have been offended in the past?

Hayes does believe in Scientology. South Park, in one of its least imaginative episodes, ridiculed Scientology, and Scientologist Tom Cruise (in a rather mean-spirited way), last year. I found it boring. Hayes found it offensive. And as a result, he has decided to take his voice and go home.

"He wants a different standard for religions other than his own, and to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin," Stone complains. But doesn't everyone want a different standard for religions other than their own? If you believe something is true, you hold it more sacred than something that you believe is false. Presumably, this is why Stone and South Park co-creator Trey Parker avoid deriding what they believe in on their own show. Hayes should have known that his beliefs were due for the South Park treatment. But he has as much right to leave the show (if his contract permits) as Stone has in putting the show out. Stone's self-righteousness ("to me, that is where intolerance and bigotry begin") is almost as galling as Hayes's. Neither Stone nor Hayes is intolerant or a bigot. To loosely paraphrase Dave Mason: "There ain't no good guy. There ain't no bad guy. There's only the voice of Chef and the voice of Butters and they just disagree."

"True enough, but--Hayes's moral posing notwithstanding--what, exactly, is the problem with this? Hayes doesn't believe in Mormonism, Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, or any other faith mocked by the show. Why should he have been offended in the past?"

You are right, Dan, that he shouldn't have necessarily been offended by what Southpark did with other religions. It is only the moral pose you refer to that Stone is condemning. Hayes isn't bothered when other faiths are mocked, though he implies he is. This is hypocrisy.

You should send your idea of a send up of atheist libertarians to Stone and Parker. I believe they would not shrink from self satire.

I found the scientology episode funny (although, not as funny as their take on the Mormon religion episode). The reason South Park is so funny is that they generally make fun of "everything". It is also very easy to produce, which results in relevant stories about current events (the Kenny as Terry Shiavo episode for instance). Anyone who gets offended by this show, takes themselves way too seriously!

As an evangelical Christian, I sometimes cringe at the show's crassness and bathroom humor, but I can't help but laugh. One of the things I respect about the creators of this show is their consistency in making fun of EVERYONE, which is why no group can say they are being singled out and therefore, complain. I also think the creators in many ways, teach society lessons to not take themselves so seriously. It's great to believe in something, but when you start acting like everyone should adhere to your own religious standard, you tread dangerous ground. It also points out the complete and utter rediculousness of political correctness (Christmas concert episode), and points to the farce that everyone has to be tolerant to the minority's beliefs, but often enough, the minority is not being tolerant to the majority's beliefs, which obviously is a contradiction of the whole premise of toleration. "You have to tolerate and respect my beliefs, but that's because your beliefs are stupid and out-of-date and mine are right, therefore I am superior and i'll adhere to my own moral code, while disrespecting your beliefs."

Chef, he's a bad motherfu.....watch you're mouth!

Hayes' actions are mild compared with what some Scientologists have done when they considered their religion to have been dissed.

Yea Dan, but its funny as hell to make fun of redheads :) Mr. Hayes dont like the jokes, Mr. Hayes dont have to stay. Jive ass turkey aint got no funny bone!