South Park and Religion (Jesus, the passion, Buddhism, church, eternal)

[jewscout]

this weeks episode of South Park was about Scientology
but it brings up an interesting thought, South Park has paradied many types of religions in the past
they've done an episode on LDS
In one episode Cartman starts his own revivalist church in an attempt to make 1 million dollars
in another episode Cartman starts his own christian rock group in an attempt to beat Stan, Kyle, and Kenny to a Platinum Album
In another they rip on the big stink over the anti-semitic content of the Passion of the Christ, an episode called The Passion of the Jew
and, of course the Jewbilee episode from which my handle comes from, Jewscout

what do you guys think of some of these episodes if you've seen them and what religion would you like to see the boys of south park deal w/ next
or do you find what they do offensive and would rather they not do them.

[LongGe123]

I think the makers of South Park certainly push the bounds of religion and jokes together. I don't think they ever go too far though. I recently acquired series 1-6 South Park on DVD and so I've been watching a lot of episodes and so far the ideas really just come down either to meaningless jokes or well-founded criticisms of the faults of organised religion. Some of the jokes are quite subtly placed though, or at least, more subtly than some of the other stuff. Nothing is totally subtle in that show.

As someone who doesn't exactly "appreciate" organised religion, I don't see anything wrong with the way religion is shown in South Park - in fact I think it's hilarious. If Matt Stone and Trey Parker were British they should have been knighted by now, lol. If some people can't take the jokes then they just shouldn't watch. I firmly believe South Park takes it far but never too far. They even insult the British but I don't really care - it doesn't go too far.

South Park is a truly awesome show. They dare to dream that they can get away with sometimes candid and sometimes subtle religious satire, and they do it. Kings among Men

[Darkdale]

I'd like to see them do an episode on Voodoo. I think Cartman should get a voodoo doll and cause havoc. Then, everyone starts making voodoo dolls and Kenny gets killed by Cartman after Kenny castrates a Cartman doll.

On a more serious note, I think there is a lot they could do with Buddhism. Lots of funny Buddhist stereotypes.

[cfer]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

I'd like to see them do an episode on Voodoo. I think Cartman should get a voodoo doll and cause havoc. Then, everyone starts making voodoo dolls and Kenny gets killed by Cartman after Kenny castrates a Cartman doll.

On a more serious note, I think there is a lot they could do with Buddhism. Lots of funny Buddhist stereotypes.

That sounds like a really great idea -- I can see the voodoo thing being hilarious after given the South Park treatment.

They did have that one about the religious superfriends. Where Jesus builds this huge wooden structure in lightning speed using his super carpentry skills, and Buddha uses his powers of meditation or something like that. That was a really funny episode.

Personally, I think it's great the way they poke fun at religion. The thing that makes it really okay for me is that they treat them all the same. They don't say that one is better than the other. They might pick on the Jewish faith a little more than others, but it's always balanced out with others in the end.

[gtrsgrls]

I don't actually watch south park but I don't think it's right to make fun of any religion.(even if it is stupid)I realize that some people just see it as a joke but I still don't think it's right.

[LongGe123]

If if it's OK for Christians to claim that people will burn forever in eternal damnation - I say it's fine for a couple of Colorado folk to make some jokes about religion.

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by LongGe123

If if it's OK for Christians to claim that people will burn forever in eternal damnation - I say it's fine for a couple of Colorado folk to make some jokes about religion.

Damn right! Well said... furbals for you.

[michel]

Originally Posted by LongGe123

If if it's OK for Christians to claim that people will burn forever in eternal damnation - I say it's fine for a couple of Colorado folk to make some jokes about religion.

Ah, but there's the Rub, this Christian (or perhaps follower of Christ) does not believe that people will burn forever in eternal damnation. But then I am having other problems with the dictates..........

[cfer]

Originally Posted by gtrsgrls

I don't actually watch south park but I don't think it's right to make fun of any religion.(even if it is stupid)I realize that some people just see it as a joke but I still don't think it's right.

Why are some subjects okay to make fun of, but not others? I'm just asking in general, too. Like, some subjects, such as politics, is okay to make fun of, but others like religion is not?

[gtrsgrls]

Originally Posted by cfer

Why are some subjects okay to make fun of, but not others? I'm just asking in general, too. Like, some subjects, such as politics, is okay to make fun of, but others like religion is not?

I don't know,maybe I'm being a hypocrite.But people's religion is usuall deep and personal to them.Maybe that's why it shouldn't be made fun of.