In its 200 shows, the irreverent animated program "South Park" has mercilessly satirized Christianity, Buddhism, Scientology, the blind and disabled, gay people, Hollywood celebrities and politicians of all persuasions, weathering the resulting protests and threats of boycotts.

But this week, after an ominous threat from a radical Muslim website, the network that airs the program bleeped out all references to the prophet Muhammad in the second of two episodes set to feature the holy figure dressed in a bear costume. The incident provides the latest example that media conglomerates are still struggling to balance free speech with safety concerns and religious sensitivities, six years after Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh was slain for making a film critical of Islamic society.

Comedy Central declined to comment on the latest incident. But "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone clearly disagreed with their bosses' handling of the situation. A statement posted on their website said that executives "made a determination to alter the episode" without their approval and that the usual wrap-up speech from one character didn't mention Muhammad "but it got bleeped too."

The network may have thought it had no choice after revolutionmuslim.com, the website of a fringe group, delivered a grim warning about last week's episode, which depicted Muhammad dressed as a bear.

"We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show," the posting said. A photo of Van Gogh's body lying in the street was included with the original posting ...

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ORIGINAL: Aneirin

But really, should we be poking fun at the deities people believe in, understanding the word fun as a word with variable meaning and intent, one persons fun can be another persons insult, we all have different interpretations of what we experience in life.

Could the word fun in these cases be replaced by the word disrespect ?

I suppose if the reverse was implemented, God was ridiculed in a cartoon that originated with Moslems, there would be outrage from Christians in the west, except that the Moslems would not do that, for they also believe in god, Mohammed was a prophet, just like in their view Jesus was.

But when you do see cartoons that originate from moslem minds, cartoons that inflame the west, what is it's content, more often than not, it is political in nature, thereby ridiculing policies and if the policies are the things the Moslem world pokes fun at, then what does that reveal to us in the west what the Moslem main gripe with us is, nothing but the policy makers and implementers, not so much or if any the people of the country and their varied beliefs.

Respect starts with the self, if we cannot respect ourselves then what hope do we have of respecting others and everyone I suspect would have to agree respect in our world is rarely truly experienced, have we become more uncivilised as we evolve.

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ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY
Nothing was sacred, and they'll gore anyone's ox .... and they usually have a good point.

I admire Matt and Trey, and think the "suits" are kowtowing, cockless bastards.

Firm

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ORIGINAL: Aneirin
Respect starts with the self, if we cannot respect ourselves then what hope do we have of respecting others and everyone I suspect would have to agree respect in our world is rarely truly experienced, have we become more uncivilised as we evolve.

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ORIGINAL: Jeffff

Everything...and I mean EVERYTHING can be the object of humor. As soon as something is to sacred to be made fun of I think it becomes dangerous.

If your convictions are strong enough no one can move you. I find your entire post to be offensive to right thinking people everywhere.