Religious parody on "South Park" has led Isaac "Chef" Hayes to quit the Comedy Central cartoon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hayes, who has been with "South Park" since 1997, issued a statement Monday saying he has requested a release from the show because of recent episodes displaying "inappropriate ridicule of religious communities."

"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs of others begins," Hayes said.

"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."

Hayes did not specify any episodes in particular, but a recent show called "Bloody Mary," which included the defiling a statue of the Virgin Mary drew fire from Roman Catholic groups.