Comedy Central Censorship Of South Park's Muhammad The Bear At Odds With Most Americans, Zogby Poll Finds

Most Americans disagree with Comedy Central's decision to censor South Park's depiction of the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a bear, according to a new Zogby poll.

The poll found that 71% of all Americans disagreed with the network's decision. The sentiment extended beyond party lines, with 60% of Democrats, 87% of Republicans, and 68% of Independents disagreeing with the decision.

Zogby asked poll takers:

Generally speaking, do you agree or disagree with Comedy Central's decision to censor parts of a South Park episode deemed offensive to some Muslims?

Last week, South Park's Matt Stone and Trey Parker included Islam's most important prophet in an episode after being threatened by a Muslim extremist website. The site warned the animators that if they depicted the prophet, they could end up like murdered Dutch filmmaker Theo VanGogh.

Rather than allowing the episode to air unedited, Comedy Central replaced Muhammad with Santa Claus and plastered the word "CENSORED" over parts of the episode.

During the Muhammad cartoon uproar last year, the men tried to insert a picture of the Islamic holy figure into their show, but Comedy Central said no.

Comedy Central is owned by Viacom.

Comments

[Weirdo]

08:25 PM on 05/10/2010

What freedom of expression the government can't take away, corporations will.

[marcehole]

06:04 PM on 05/02/2010

Hahahahaha.... Comedy Central censoring South Park is like George Carlin muzzling himself! I enjoy watching South Park poking fun at all the world's cults... Chritianity, Islam, Jews, Scientologists, Mormons, Jehovah Winesses... hell even my own favorite cult... Atheism... :-)

F--k em if they can't take a joke... :-)

[taratata2009]

05:20 PM on 04/30/2010

Mohamed must be happy we still talk about him, 1500 years after his death.

[Weirdo]

08:26 PM on 05/10/2010

He's dead, you know. He doesn't feel any emotions.

[CentristScientist]

05:46 PM on 04/29/2010

Ridiculous to watch this kowtowing to extremists. If Matt and Trey pulled it because they were afraid for their lives, fine, I can't ask them to put themselves at risk. That's their decision. But if comedy central was just being spineless (as I am sure is the case), then poor form.

[US American]

12:18 PM on 04/28/2010

I think the episode was funnier with the black bar censorship. Part of me believes CC did this to boost ratings more than to protect Stone and Parker.

[Dervish Finkelblatt]

08:41 PM on 04/29/2010

The black bar in episode 200 was Stone and Parker's choice I think. Otherwise, the whole plot makes no sense of having to cover the Prophet up in various other ways. Only the bleeps were additions by Comedy Central. At least, that's how I interpreted it.

[porsche996]

11:46 AM on 04/28/2010

Matt and Trey point ot the obvious hilarity of ourselves all the time.

We have no idea what Jesus looked like, it's offensive to draw him as white.
We have no idea what "satan" looks like, is he a red man?

The fact is well made, all religious people are dangerous and potentially violent, all of them....I avoid the whole lot....it's not safe to be anywhere near any of them and it concerns me very much to hear the President of the United States saying "God bless America" I am very concerned that he's like George W. Bush religious and is dangerous as a result of such associations.

[gimmeabreak444]

11:22 AM on 04/28/2010

so many cowards coming out of the woodwork. i still havent seen a picture of mohamed being mocked on a regular basis as they do jesus, buddha, etc. these so called "heroes" who "bravely stood up" are trying to recover ratings that have been lost to round table talk shows (joy behar, chelsea, etc)

[sb250guy]

11:21 AM on 04/28/2010

Of course freedom of speech loving Americans don't like censorship. I'm surprised it's not higher than 71%. That means that 29%.............. Hey, where have I seen that number before?

Bush Dead-enders.

[ricardotoronto]

11:16 AM on 04/28/2010

Who knew that Muhammad was so insecure about his looks? High school must have been hell.

[LDoren]

11:07 AM on 04/28/2010

Can Democrats explain to me why only 60% of Democrats were on the right side of this issue?

[CentristScientist]

05:45 PM on 04/29/2010

You would have to ask the 40%.

Respecting and tolerating other peoples and faiths does not mean subjugating oneself to their beliefs.

[Weirdo]

08:37 PM on 05/10/2010

I was surprised by that, too. I'm pretty liberal, but there can be too much tolerance and understanding. We have to ask ourselves what is most important to us, tip toeing around the easily trampled feelings of bullies spoiling for a fight or living out a fundamental principle of our country?

[Mekrabb]

11:01 AM on 04/28/2010

If as many people really disagreed with their censorship there would be more comments here rather than on the Arizona topic.

[jdGALiberal]

10:45 AM on 04/28/2010

We created a Facebook Group: South Park Should be Able to Show Mohammed

Please join us!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116104385078597&ref=ts

[GeoNorth]

10:42 AM on 04/28/2010

ALL censorship sucks. And in this case, it's even more insidious. Most censorship results in a lawsuit or attempted civil offense. This case stems from a threat of violence that is allowed to stand. Is Islam really a religion of peace?

[uansari1]

11:25 AM on 04/28/2010

Yes, Islam IS a religion of peace, as exemplified by myself and hundreds of thousands of other American Muslims who don't really care about this controversy and are continuing about our normal lives. We value the first amendment and recognize that even if we don't agree with someone else's idea, that is no reason to try to censor him, much less threaten his life.

That small website in NY, run by ONE so-called Muslim was able to usurp the mantel of Islam so easily for all of you people... what does that say about you? Sorry, but that one toolbag doesn't speak for me or my religion. Go to a local mosque and speak to the people there and you'll see how outlandish so much of this discussion has become. We don't care.

[galex101]

12:37 PM on 04/28/2010

It also seems to be a religion of Hate, Retribution, Intolerance, and Subjugation.
I hear your words, but see too many 'bad Muslims' blowing up innocent people in the name of God.

Your religion has a cancer that seems to be ignored worldwide.
That 'not-so-vocal' thing is catching up to you.

[Guy DeWhitney]

07:10 PM on 04/29/2010

Sorry, but the word on the Muslm street as well as from the Imamas is that South Park is Haram. Spreading haram is supposedly the only justification for a Muslim to kill.

[Weirdo]

08:47 PM on 05/10/2010

The best way to spread one's baseless ideology is at the point of a gun.

[court99]

10:24 AM on 04/28/2010

We are in America where we have freedom of speech. SouthPark has questioned and ridiculed all religions. Why should Islam be different? Because the vocal Muslims are sensitive and sending death threats? Isn't there a nut faction of every religion? If they are uncomfortable with the death threats, that is one thing...but if Matt and Trey don't care...then there is no reason for the censorship.

[Bethy1]

10:21 AM on 04/28/2010

Matt and Tray, I love your bravery and social commentary! Keep it up!