I read an interesting article today in our paper. It kind of typlifies the struggle that our country is going through concerning tolerance or the lack there of in the area of religion.
I encourage you to read the article and then my comments at the end:
NEW YORK -- Isaac Hayes has quit "South Park," 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."
Did you catch that last statement? Where does the line between intolerance and bigotry begin?
It's one thing to make fun of Christians and Christianity - but when the show starts speaking of Isaac Hayes' faith, than it's time to draw the line. To me that is a symbol of the hypocrisy of those who don't appreciate any kind of reference to God or Jesus or a faith walk in Christ.
Agree or disagree?
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4 comments:
I think we all can be more tolerant toward fun being poked at things as long as they are not OUR things. Mr. Hayes was on board as long as his religion was not being made fun of on the show. Personnally, I'm not into religion so if someone insults, or parodies, the Assembly of God, it's no big deal to me. I am into Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and God...and am commanded by them to turn the other cheek when affronted. Not just once but 7 times 70 times...it's not easy and I must admit that I don't always succeed. In fact, in writing this reply, I have realized that I have been holding hurt in my heart toward a long time friend who asked me never to speak about God to him again. I explained to him at the time that it would be like me telling him not to talk about his wife or his hobbies to me...you know, things we talk to our friends about alot. He didn't understand the connection but I walked away hurt that he took the position that he did toward God. God doesn't call me to vengeance or justice or condemnation...He calls me to love and honor and cherish. So, unlike some in this world (Mr. Hayes and some Islamic folks, who hold the image of Muhammad sacred), I choose to leave the righteous indignation to God...and the eternal punishment as well...or the eternal peace if these folks come to the realization that from God comes everlasting life through Jesus Christ the Lord (my Lord!) and His sacrifice on Calvary. I guess a quote from the Lamb would go good here, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do." Most people don't understand the eternal consequences of their actions, even if they have heard about them their entire life. They live in the here and now, not the eternal...God calls us to act like we are living the eternal every day...I choose to forgive those who offend me (okay, some forgiveness takes a lot longer than others--see above story about my friend) and try to show them through my love that there is a better way to live and only one way to live eternally.
There will always be those who condemn us for who we are...in the end times, not only will they condemn us, they will martyr us for what we believe. If I can't take a joke now, how would I ever stand watching someone I love be beheaded without losing my mind and seeking vengeance. Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord...I leave it to Him and walk in His light on this earth...and ultimately in heaven.
People are people, fallible and faulty, as am I. Forgive me for my transgressions against you for I will surely forgive you yours against me. That is the command of the Father so that He will forgive us forever. Washed in the blood of the Lamb, God sees us as holy...help someone else to achieve that holiness by acceptance, not indignation or denial. God loves all people...unfortunately, not all people love God...it's ultimately their loss for they will suffer eternal separation from Him unless they repent in the interim. Let's pray that the position taken by Mr. Hayes (and others) on these issues opens the eyes of America to the hypocrisy of those who deny God. Let God use them to achieve His purpose, for God can turn all things to good, even those intended for evil! Trust in Him.
Leaning on the everlasting arms,
Jon
Bigotry to me is racism, prejudice, and bias towards ones beliefs and culture, whereas tolerance is acceptance, open-mindedness. From the article it appears Mr. Hayes is showing bigotry. It was fine to earn money and have a job when the fun was not attacking his personal beliefs. He tolerated and accepted what he was to do because it didn’t affect him personally. When the joke “was on him,” it was personal, therefore, now he needs to stand up and say this is wrong? I am making a judgment on one article so who knows what all has transpired for him to make such a decision. I do, however, agree with his coworkers, “they never heard a peep.” As Christians, we have been silent far too long, me included. I think this is a great example of allowing tolerance to keep us silent and just watch hoping it doesn’t effect the church of Jesus Christ (or me personally). This shows me that I must voice my opinions when they go against my Lord and not stand by hoping someone else will speak out. I think if we live as Christ each and every day, people around us already know what our tolerances are. We are to love everyone first, but it also doesn’t mean I should not be accepted for my own diversity, especially my religious beliefs. At work, I do not mind hearing what others believe, as long as they allow me the same freedom and diversity.
Rick, I don't think that you are a bigot or prejudiced because of your statement here...though there may be things you're not telling us yet? What you have spoken here is the truth as spoken in the Word of God. If you treated people differently because of your belief in this truth, then you would be prejudiced or a bigot. However, that same Word of God calls us to love everyone and treat them well, even to the extent of telling us to pray for blessings for those who curse us! So, if you're following the entire Word, you will not be prejudiced or a bigot, you will be a loving kind and gentle man who loves all people. Not much prejudice in that! I used to say that I wasn't prejudiced, I hated everyone equally...that's bad, I know, and God worked a transformation in my life to turn that around. Now I say that I'm not prejudiced, I love everyone. Some love may be deeper, based on relationships that I have established, but I still can love everyone. I may not like what they do or how they act but I still love them. I may have to speak the truth to them but I can do that in love. Now that's something that I strive for, and there is no way that I am perfect (or even close to it) at speaking in love all the time, but it is something that I have set as a goal in my life and God will help me. I trust in that! I trust that God is a just and great God! When He says things, I can count on them to be true. So, your statement above from the Word is the Truth! Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I can rely and rest in that. My belief in that does not in any way make me prejudiced or bigoted...it does, however, make me saved! Praise be to God Almighty!!
God bless and keep you
Jon
I know I’m late on this one, but I fell I had to comment anyway just to be on the Eternal Record. The problems that we have as Christians, within the media are really our own fault. We haven’t truly experienced intolerance or bigotry yet. When we do, you’ll see the great falling away spoken of about in the last days. Even today as scripture says, the hearts of many are waxing cold. On the other hand a lot of professed Christians are some of the most intolerant and bigoted I know. All you have to do is listen to what people are saying. It’s blatant. You know the self righteous and Holier than you. Where’ the Grace? and where’s the Mercy?
Like in Jesus day the people say, show us a miracle and we’ll believe. The people want to see. So we see the silly antics that go on in Toronto and else where. The people see and they want to see more. Ever going from place to place and changing with every new wind of doctrine.
It says in the last days that people will not adhere to sound doctrine, but to doctrines of devils.
In the early church, when the Holy Spirit moved people feared, people got healed, people got delivered, Blind eyes opened, the deaf heard, the lame walked, the dead were raised, people even died, because they didn’t recognize the Holy Spirit.
Today when a spirit moves, people jerk, shake, bark like dogs, roar like lions, and the like. Sometimes people just sit around and laugh, till they can’t laugh no more and think, Wow! wasn’t church great tonight? The spirit really moved.
People are still dying though, because they didn’t recognize the true Holy Spirit of God during his visitation. They settled for an imposter.
We give a lot to the world to laugh at us about. Someday, as individuals wake up, and I hope they do before it’s too late. God will pour out His Holy Spirit upon all flesh as he said he would do. And we will do these works and greater works, as He promised.
The only way to change what’s going on in the media in regards to intolerance and bigotry towards us as Christians, is to change what’s going in us and in the church. Believe me God isn’t laughing. The change starts with each one of us individually. You and God can make a difference. All together we can change the world, for the kingdom of God.
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