Goodbye to Chef's chocolate, salty balls

Isaac Hayes won't be voicing Chef on South Park any longer. He is in the process of terminating his contract with the program because, as a Scientologist, he is morally against the show's religious blasphemy.

Hayes has played a key role on the show since its inception but it is assumed that a recent episode entitled "Trapped in the Closet" really set him off.

The episode poked fun at Scientology's history, practices and famous practitioners. It highlighted the ostensible absurdity of Scientologists' belief in Xenu (an alien life-force that lived millions of years ago) and the way the Church of Scientology makes its members pay money to move up the ranks. Also lampooned were Tom Cruise and John Travolta for, well, being celebrities who practice Scientology. So yes, South Park did make the religion out to look completely ridiculous.

Hayes issued a statement on why he's trying to part with the show:

"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. 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."

Honorable words, I guess, but hasn't South Park been making fun of all types of religions since its beginning in 1997. Matt Stone and Trey Parker said they wish him well and will release him from his contract. Stone had this to say:

"In 10 years and over 150 episodes of South Park, Isaac never had a problem with the show making fun of Christians, Muslims, Mormons and Jews. He got a sudden case of religious sensitivity when it was his religion featured on the show. To bring the civil rights struggle into this is just a non-sequitur."

My opinion is that if it works for you, it works for you. That said, Scientologists subscribe to some extremely unique beliefs and should expect this the way Pamela Anderson expects boob jokes. The way Jennifer Lopez expects ginormous-ass jokes. And the way Paris Hilton expects STD jokes.

But that's life. We'll miss ya, Chef!