Its time to go....Chef
I for one, have never been much of a fan of South Park. Yes I have watched it, and yes I have laughed numerous times. But as a TV show to watch regularly, it never got me in. Not because I was ever offended (although I probably should have been), but I never liked the characters that much.
For almost 10 years now, South Park has been offending people across the Globe. But not any 1 group of people. Pretty much, everyone. From Jews, to Christians, and actors to singers (past and present), nearly everyone with a familiar name has been given a working.
But recently, scientology got a sledging.
This was to much for Isaac Hayes, who plays Chef on the series and is a Scientologist, and has since handed in his resignation, stating 'intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs'.
Now this really doesn't sit right with me. Almost 10 years of poking fun at someone else, and then he cant handle when the fun is poked at him.
So there's that.
But what about you and I?
Should we laugh at other religions, but not at our own beliefs?
It is O.K to have a satirical laugh at ALL religions as long as we laugh at things like 'The Life of Brian'? as well. In this case though, when does it go to far? When should we not laugh but take offence?
Or should we not laugh at anything which 'pokes fun' at any religion, ours and others?
Keen to hear your thoughts.....
Jim
posted by Jim at
9:48 AM
8 Comments:
My problem with South Park was SBS.
Which I didn't know existed until the soccer world cup qualifier.
J.
By
Justin, at 3:50 PM
Serious comment?
Its difficult living together in this world. Its looks from your post, Jim -- although I'd like to read him I his own words -- that our chef can't handle his own stew. Then (assuming that your post is accurate) the issue is simple: Don't dish it out if you can't eat it.
n'ookaayy..
But I guess there’s only one way to do it in a democracy -- if you are offended, speak up. And see if others join you. You can't call for a ban on anything that offends you. But you can speak up.
And don't be a hyprcrite when you do speak up.
Its difficult, but better than Sharia Law...
J-Man.
By
Justin, at 3:59 PM
yeah i never liked that show haha.
And I dunno what the right answer is. I do know that in the temple (Mark 11:12-19)Jesus was offended by its misuse. We really need to consider what offends us - when we get offended is it because it is what people are saying is attacking our personal beliefs, or because it is actually attacking and offending God?! Sure, we get hurt. But thats life - Jesus says to expect it right! What should really get to us is when people offend our Lord - just as Jesus was angered in the Temple.
Where does something like sarcasim or monty python fit into that, im not exactly sure, except that i think God too has a sense of humour, and that if it is not going to offend Him in any way it in theory should be ok....now of course im sure that depends on context too...
MEanwhile...in terms of other religions? Well, we are called to love others right?! Jesus loved all he met, deserving or not, foolish or not, etc etc. Where is the love in paying out someone elses beliefs?!
hm sorry dude this was probably way too long and serious...
but those are my thoughts for now hehe :)
- Chels
By
Anonymous, at 8:57 PM
Some material on Chef is found in this Link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hayes
SCroll down.
J-Man.
By
Justin, at 5:03 AM
I think it's called copping a taste of your own medicine.
Only he didn't like the taste too much.
By
Lachlan Payne, at 12:02 PM
A few thoughts:
On South Park... it can be a very funny show... Parker and Stone know who they're aiming for, and they hit that market dead centre. As someone who enjoys satire and likes to have my comfort zone pushed a bit, i liked watching it.
As for whether I was offended by it... I can't recall the last time I was offended by anyone or anything (modern life has desensitised me, I guess), but I am aware of what is in bad taste and what is not, if you get my drift. At times you could see them pushing the boundaries, and rather than being funny and smart is was just crass and stupid.
But I still enjoyed the show, cause for the most part it was actually pretty funny.
On Isaac Hayes... he needs to loosen up. After spending 7 years being a part of the show that has made it's mission to offend and piss off as many people as possible, he needs to be able to take a little himself. South Park has, at least on one level, been about "intolerance and bigotry towards religious beliefs" since the beginning. Just it became personal, that's all...
(on a sidenote... Justin: good to see that the puns are as painful as ever)
As for Jimmy's question ("Should we laugh at other religions?") I think there is a line between satire, and "laughing at someone's beliefs". Whilst I regard some beliefs as non-sensical, I would never laugh at what they believe ("What kind of idiot believes that?"). Those of you who remember suds sharing about his past in church a while back will know what a big deal that is.
But that is a VERY different thing from satire... And if we can't take a little satire then we're just being over-sensitive.
I think that's all I have to say.
By
Anonymous, at 5:17 PM
Did anyone pick my "n'ookaayy.." reference?
By
Justin, at 3:23 PM
It's a shame Isaac quit after 10 years of taking the piss. Maybe the "taste of his own medicine" was all that was required for him to see that the shows antics can be harmful. Maybe he has now felt the impact and doesn't want to be a part of it. I think it's important we don't become hypocritical in our assessment of his hypocrisy.
By
Ev, at 2:19 PM
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