Scientologist Isaac Hayes quits 'South Park'

MSNBC.com: "NEW YORK - Isaac Hayes has quit %u201CSouth Park,%u201D 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. 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.' Last November, 'South Park' targeted the Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, in a top-rated episode called 'Trapped in the Closet.' In the episode, Stan, one of the show's four mischievous fourth graders, is hailed as a reluctant savior by Scientology leaders, while a cartoon Cruise locks himself in a closet and won't come out.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.'"