The Forbidden Planet International Blog Log

I think any of us who read the papers and the comics news sites are probably aware that cartoons and religion don’t seem to get along terribly well. However this disturbing report from CBC shows that it isn’t only Islamic groups who are offended by cartoons – both Christian and Muslim groups in Russia are joning together to demand that the cartoon channel 2X2 be closed down because it airs shows like South Park which they say disrespect religion and ‘promote’ homosexuality. “Through the use of cartoons this channel is pumping, day and night, an ideology into the consciousness of minors of perversion and other vices,” stated the Consultative Council of the Heads of the Protestant Churches in Russia. Strangely no secular groups demand the churches and mosques be banned from teaching their belief system and ideology to minors…

I’d argue South Park doesn’t so much disrespect religion as simply satirise and attack any organisation (secular or religious, commercial or public) which gets above itself and thinks its views are the only correct ones, or which seeks to imposes its views on others and deny them the same freedoms they demand for themselves. Which in my opinion are exactly the sorts of intolerant targets that should be lampooned as frequently as possible. Its also rather disturbing how homophobic the tone of this attack is, especially coming just days after the Catholic Bishop of Motherwell in Scotland made incredibly insensitive (and plain wrong) comments about gay people ‘hijacking’ the Holocaust which he said they had no right to be associated with as it was a ‘pure Jewish event’ (two words: pink triangle). It is nice to see Christian values of tolerance and loving one’s brother being practised so openly in various countries…

I also find this particular situation doubly ironic since religious groups for many decades were persecuted and censored by the authorities during the Soviet era and yet now they are able to worship freely they demand the authorities censor and control a broadcaster they don’t agree with… Somehow I am guessing such irony will be lost on them, though and no doubt I am being condemned to Hell just for even thinking such thoughts. Yekaterina Doglosheveva, PR spokesperson for the company which owns 2X2 commented “The atheists could have just as well written a letter to demand that all religious channels and programs be closed.” Hmmm, do you think the religious groups are as offended as they make out (guys, if you are, just don’t watch!) or are they perhaps more narked that their own shows don’t seem as popular as the cartoon channel’s? Just a thought…