Matt Stone and Trey Parker are no strangers to controversy. “South Park” pokes fun at Jews, Christians, Catholics, Scientologists and, in no small portion, Muslims.

But how far is the show willing to go? And how far are the made-fun-ofs willing to go to protest?

How about murder?

On a show that puts God in Gap, makes Satan out to be a little bitch, featured a character that was literally a piece of poop, and once locked Jesus and Santa Claus in mortal combat, nothing should surprise or shock viewers anymore. It’s the formula that’s made “South Park” the top-rated show in the history of Comedy Central.

The recent depiction of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed in a bear suit has enraged activists. In the recent episode, the show’s creators poked fun at the usual inability to depict Mohammed in any form by portraying Mohammed with a black “censored” bar covering him and by putting him in a bear suit.

One Muslim group has told Stone and Parker that they’ll probably end up like Theo van Gogh.

Van Gogh, a direct descendant of Vincent van Gogh, was a filmmaker and journalist who was murdered in 2004 by an Islamic extremist after he made a film called “Submission” that was critical of the way Muslim women are treated.

The “South Park” issue has been a divisive freedom of speech case study, but even more divisive is the fact that the Muslim group’s statements about the show’s creator’s possible deaths is also protected as free speech, as the group insists it is not inciting “violence,” but “protest.”

What do you think about this one? Share your comments below!

About The Author

John Guilfoil is the editor-in-chief of Blast: Boston's Online Magazine and the Blast Magazine Network. He can be reached at [email protected]. Tweet @johnguilfoil.

2 Responses

  1. Ryan

    This is ridiculous first off every religious belief is full of holes and lies. It appears to have all begun with the egyptians and their tale of Horus, from there it appears that many, if not all religions follow his story. Next I find it ridulous that an image of Mohammad is not to be shown with worries that idolizing would be done with his image or some nonsense. I suppose I do not have the best concrete defense but I am just applying my education and anger filled opinion. Also what does it matter if we show an image, everyone that watches south park knows what to expect. I understand it disrepects Muslims but why can’t they just choose not to watch… Oh yeah by the way they did not show his image which is why he was in the bear suit. If I were in matt or treys shoes I would have done the same thing. So all in all f the Muslim faith i love how they think they can threaten us about something going on in our country where we have rights and freedms to protect us. So to all the Muslims out there planning retribution on south park creators, best of luck… Also isn’t killing wrong in every religious belief especially for retribution.

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