Cartoon Double Standard Has a Silver Lining
John on April 13, 2006 at 4:56 pm
Lots of talk today about the most recent episode of South Park and Comedy Central’s decision to ban a cartoon depiction of Mohammed.
Several bloggers have noted that the episode concludes with a depiction of Jesus which is less than flattering. Thanks to Michelle Malkin I’ve now seen the clip and I have to say that in context the joke is aimed more at Islamofascists than at Christians. The context is as part of a film produced by Al Qaeda which mocks America and Jesus. Tasteless, yes. But intended to offend Christians, well, not exactly. Honestly I thought it was funny in exactly the absurdist way the show often is.
Nevertheless, it’s striking that Comedy Central seemed comfortable with this clip but not with the Mohammed clip. Ultimately I think there is some educational value in exposing this blatant double standard. Not all religions are the same. In fact, there is really no point in discussing “religion” as some abstract concept. There is Islam and there is Christianity and the outcomes and behaviour for those who accept these faiths are very different. Even Comedy Central can see that now.
Category: Religion & Faith |
“Nevertheless, it’s striking that Comedy Central seemed comfortable with this clip but not with the Mohammed clip. Ultimately I think there is some educational value in exposing this blatant double standard.”
Personally, I feel that was the entire point of including that clip. The South Park creators knew they risked the wrath of ComCent if they actually showed Mohammed in the episode, so they included that as a way of poking all the Christians and Republicans in their audience with a really big stick. That whole clip is basically Stone and Parker saying to their audience: “See? Comedy Central doesn’t think THIS is offensive! Now what does that tell you about what they think of YOU?”
[Michael, I think you might be right. Not that I think South Park's creators care much for Christianity either, but I agree that they at least seem bothered by the double standard at play.]
April 14, 2006 @ 10:38 amContext is key.
April 14, 2006 @ 2:01 pm