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ISAAC HAYES LEAVES ‘SOUTH PARK’ FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS: Comedy Central cartoon loses its beloved Chef.

(March 14, 2006)

*Isaac Hayes has decided to quit his 9-year gig as the voice of Chef on the animated series “South Park,” stating he can no longer tolerate the show’s take on religion.

Hayes, a proud member of the Church of Scientology, said Monday that creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker - who regularly skewer religion on the show - have recently crossed the line.

"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 said in a statement. "Religious beliefs are sacred to people, and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."

Stone, meanwhile, questioned Hayes’ motives for leaving in an interview with the Associated Press Monday, stating, “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."

The Church of Scientology and its celebrity followers, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta, started becoming a favorite target of “South Park” in November with an episode called, "Trapped in the Closet." It featured Stan, one of the show's four lead characters, being 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."

The "South Park" cartoon character Chef was voiced by Isaac Hayes

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Isaac Hayes