Isaac Hayes quits South Park over Scientology

Associated Press:

Hayes is a Scientologist. Last fall, the show poked fun at Scientology and its celebrity followers, including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

But "South Park" co-creator Matt Stone said it's not all religion, it's Hayes' religion. He didn't come right out and say the word, but Stone is hinting strongly that Hayes is being a hypocrite when he says he's leaving "South Park" because of the way it treats religions. Stone says he feels Hayes' beef with the show stems only from the fact that the musician is a Scientologist and last year, the show began poking fun at his religion.

Stone said, "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."

Stone said they never heard a peep out of Hayes until they did a show on Scientology.

The episode that ran Nov. 16 and is being rerun Wednesday night is called "Trapped in the Closet." It's where church leaders see Stan as the second coming and at the same time, Tom Cruise locks himself in a closet.

In one scene, R. Kelly is called on to urge Tom Cruise and John Travolta "out of the closet" -- in a take-off on the R&B star's multi-episode song "In the Closet." And in another, Stan is told he is the re-incarnation of L. Ron Hubbard and is wooed to become the group's leader. As Stan is told about the beliefs of Scientology, a graphic on the screen said, "This is what Scientologists really believe."

At the same time, the animated TV series has been equally critical of Catholics and Jews at various times.

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