Here’s a line of Chef/Hayes’ from the SP episode “Kenny Dies”: Well, look at it this way: if you want to make a baby cry, first you give it a lollipop. Then you take it away. If you never give it a lollipop to begin with, then it would have nothin’ to cry about. That’s like God, who gives us life and love and help just so that he can tear it all away and make us cry, so he can drink the sweet milk of our tears. You see, it’s our tears, Stan, that give God his great power. Given this—and the interviews mentioned, etc.—Mr. Hayes seems a bit hypocritical. It should also be mentioned that—I really did look it up afterwords—the information SOUTH PARK used to lampoon Scientology is all TRUE; much like in the Mormon episode, the show presents the facts as being bizarre, yet it doesn’t lie, it uses real information. Nevertheless, I feel great sadness to see Mr. Hayes go. Though Chef’s part has been downplayed in recent seasons, the town won’t be the same without him. God bless.>

In reading about Mr. Hayes’ sudden concern for the way South park treats religious beliefs, I was reminded of Pastor Martin Niemoller’s comments about the Nazis: First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a communist; Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist; Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist; Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew; Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out. While I certainly do not equate South Park’s creators with Nazis, the dynamic is the same, with regard to Isaac Hayes. He voiced no objection to the lampooning of other faiths, and only objected after his was razzed. Wonder if he has noticed that log in his own eye yet?>

I haven’t seen South Park in a long time and actually had no idea that they had even done a show on Scientology(did I spell that right?). But since South Park usually mocks just about EVERYTHING, I will say that I’m not surprised. However, what the creators said is true; if Isaac had no problems “cashing checks” while OTHER religions were being bashed, he certainly had no right getting his panties in a wad. Peace.>

If this is the way Mr. Hayes feels, where was he years ago when ‘South Park’ was satirizing the Catholics and Jews?>

I respect Issac Hayes and all he’s done for music. There won’t be another like him. But I’m sad to say that this is one more celebrity that is being hypocritical. Not because of his religion. But because he acts like his religion matters more than other people’s religions. I honestly feel that in their humor South Park teaches tolerance. If you can laugh at other people then you should be able to laugh at yourself. If you can’t laugh at yourself then you shouldn’t be laughing in the first place.>

I wonder actually if it’s the other way around. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, why on earth should we expect that other people will be able to laugh at themselves when we poke at what they hold dear? eg. the Islamic cartoon debacle. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to honour what is important to other people, while being more gentle with them as well? I’m not sure right now that the “tough love” of satire is the best way to promote tolerance.>

You know it has not been a good episode when you get all the way through it without being offended at least once. I thought the whole point of South Park was equal opportunity slander? Sounds like Mr. Hayes did not know his own show very well.>

I agree with Ravinpitts, he must have realized how upsetting it is to see one s own religion lampooned until he saw his own lampooned. That s not hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a website that has people, like the idol chatters here, who don t know anything about religions lampooning celebrities about how the same don t know anything about religions. Hypocrisy is a website that makes fun of Kabbalah bracelet-wearers while plastering my computer screen with those idiotic angel bracelets commercials. Empower your intentions! yeah, right, mine is for Jesus to come back and whip your money-changers out of his temple. >

Mr Hayes is being more than just “a bit” of a hypocrite. He’s been with the show this long, being the sleezy chef character demeaning women with his sexist antics, talking about his sexual escapades with children, and NOW, all of the sudden he splits from the show?? Priceless, Isaac. Me think thou dost whine too much.>

i remember reading a joke about scientology a while back. Q: why aren’t there any scientology jokes? A: CAUSE SCIENTOLOGY IS SERIOUS BUSINESS! it would seem that anybody who has talked to a scientologist would appreciate the humor, except mr. hayes.>

This is hypocrisy at its most blatent.>

Well in my opinion as a Scientologist, Mr. Hayes is not a hypocrite. The shows has pocked fun at Scientology before this epsiode and he still remained with the show. The Blaintology episode was directed as Scientologists too and again he didn’t leave after that epsiode. In fact I can laugh at myself and I do many times. A while back the Jon Stewart Show had a really funny “This Week in God” segment about Scientology that left me in stiches. What was the differance was when Corbert says “Oh, if only they through in a burning bush, you know something that made sence.” Hencing, all faiths believe in wierd stuff and because he added this little comment, it was not offensive. This essentional is the differance between satirism and offcensivness, it’s called fairness. The problem is that this episode was more offensive then it was funny and that was its obvious intention. There is a thin red line between satirism and offensivness but a good satire never really offends anyone because the object is ultimatly for the people being satirized, to laugh. This episode was partly funny until they end when it was just plain offensive, inaccurate and stupid. If you look carefully the “This is what Scientologist actually believe” bannar it never shows up in the Mormon episode, or the Atheist one or the Mel Gibson one or the one where they mocked people who take alternative medicane or the epsiode with the Blaintologists or any others. How can one defend what was an obvious attack and not ment to be funny? Obviously, in their 9th season the South Park guys are aiming to a new low. Let’s ridicule others based upon their religious beliefs. Shame on them and good for Mr. Hayes.>

Fascinating twist—according to the official SOUTH PARK website, which releases episode titles the Monday before they air, the episode this Wednesday—first episode of season 9—will be titled “The Return of Chef.” I don’t know what this means—if Hayes has changed his mind, or maybe Stone and Parker (peace be upon them) are doing something weird, getting a new Chef…whatever this is, it is an interesting twist in the SOUTH PARK-Scientology War. Something has also occurred to me—the last episode of season 9, “Bloody Mary,” was controversial in that it was condemned by Catholics, so that might be the religious insult Hayes found objectionable. Nevertheless, the Scientology thing seems more likely. In any event, God bless!>

i am very disappointed in Hayes…it was “ok” to make fun of others; but when it came to his faith…he’s gonna ditch the show…..i have only one word for such actions—COWARDICE!>

maybe, hayes is signing off for some other reason, in reality, and these comments [on the website] are SPIN.>

“Screw you guys…I’m going home!”>