Top 10 Times South Park ROASTED Religion

Top 10 Times South Park Roasted Religions

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times “South Park” dug into one of their favorite topics: religion.

#10: Christian Rock

Season 7’s “Christian Rock Hard” comments on the commercialization associated with organized religion, using the Christian music industry as an example. In an effort to become rich (and win a bet with Kyle), Cartman forms a quote-unique “Christian” band with Butters and Tolkien called Faith + 1. While he claims to be doing God’s work, his music just replaces words like “baby” with “Jesus.” But of course, Faith + 1 becomes wildly popular. It’s a scarily realistic argument about how easy it is for certain people (i.e., immoral people like Cartman) to exploit religion for money and try to pass it off as a masterpiece.

#9: Camp New Grace

After again finding himself on the receiving end of one of Cartman’s pranks, Butters is accused of being “bi-curious” (not that he knows what it means). So his dad sends him to Camp New Grace, where extreme Christians strive to “pray the gay away.” Not surprisingly, the kids are wrongfully taught that there’s something wrong with them, resulting in self-loathing and anxiety. This is a difficult topic to handle in a comedic way, but what makes it work is Butters’ wholly innocent point of view. His monologue at the end shows that he doesn’t know what “bi-curious” is, but he does know that forcing anyone to live in denial is far from godly.

#8: The Super Adventure Club

Season 10’s premiere draws parallels between the boys’ relationship with an old friend and the creators’ falling out with a long-time member of their cast. Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Cartman are thrilled when Chef returns from an excursion with the “Super Adventure Club.” However, as soon as Chef opens his mouth, it’s clear something is not quite right. It turns out he’s been brainwashed by the Club, which secretly takes part in sinister activities. As hard as they try, the boys are ultimately unable to save Chef. In Kyle’s speech at the end, he blames Chef’s loss on his involvement with the nefarious Club – a nod to Isaac Hayes’ decision to leave the show due to anger about their criticism of Scientology.

#7: Showing a Certain Prophet

Marking the 200th episode of the series, this “South Park” storyline features nearly every celebrity they’ve ever taunted building an alliance to get revenge on the tiny mountain town. Specific emphasis is placed on the issue of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, which had gotten Trey and Matt in hot water before. Well aware of what they’re doing and the risks they’re taking, they portray Muhammad as full of a magical goo that makes him off-limits to mockery. If you haven’t watched this two-parter, it’s because you’re technically not allowed to. Censorship has made both parts pretty much impossible to find. Still, it may be said that the creators showed remarkable integrity by standing by this satirical work of art.

#6: Difficult Questions

This two-parter follows the kids of South Park as they scramble to save their immortal souls. After Father Maxi warns them about the fires of hell, they begin to wonder who's eligible for damnation - namely Timmy and Kyle. Their fears lead them to take extreme measures to protect themselves, with Cartman turning into a very vocal fire-and-brimstone preacher. The episodes tackle questions that almost everyone has asked, but the creators manage to make these common anxieties both relatable and funny. Oh, and there’s also a fun B-plot that chronicles the romance of Satan and Saddam, two great characters that haven’t appeared since the movie.

#5: Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” was one of the biggest films of 2004, and it garnered lots of controversy upon its release. So how could “South Park” not weigh in? In this episode, Kyle is horrified after seeing Gibson’s movie, prompting him to question whether his people should feel guilty for the crucifixion of Jesus. Meanwhile, Cartman starts idolizing Gibson and uses his apparent anti-semitism to justify a revamp of the Nazi Party. But when we actually meet the show’s incarnation of Gibson, he’s… well, difficult to take seriously. The episode provides brilliant insight into the rabid religious debate that one movie – specifically, a movie made by this guy – was able to cause.

#4: The Vatican

Widespread abuse in the Catholic Church became public knowledge by 2002. “South Park” was able to take the issue and turn it into something that makes us laugh - and think. In the Season 6 episode, the parents in town decide to become atheists in protest of the infamous scandals. Meanwhile, Father Maxi – South Park’s resident priest – travels to the Vatican to put an end to the abuse (which, in this universe, applies to Catholics everywhere). It culminates in Father Maxi criticizing the church for straying so far from the meaning of Catholicism by blindly following dogma written thousands of years ago. There’s also a subplot involving a really immature poop joke, but hey, it’s still “South Park” we’re watching here.

#3: The Super Best Friends

And here we have another “South Park” classic that you’d be hard-pressed to find streaming anywhere. Season 5’s “Super Best Friends” finds the boys getting swept up in a cult-like sect led by magician David Blaine. Stan soon grows skeptical of Blaintology’s teachings and enlists the help of the Super Best Friends – a team of heroes made up of mainstream religious figures. (Among them is the Muslim prophet Muhammad, whose physical portrayal resulted in this episode’s ban.) “Super Best Friends” not only draws subtle comparisons to Scientology, but it presents a witty critique of extremism and the harm it can cause.

#2: Scientology

We’ve talked about this episode a few times on this channel – mostly in reference to Tom Cruise. But to play Scientologist’s advocate, Trey and Matt did attack the faith pretty liberally here. After taking a personality test, Stan inadvertently convinces church members that he’s the reincarnation of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. Through Stan’s eyes, the audience gets an in-depth glimpse of the doctrine and practices associated with Scientology, including a few aspects that the show describes as nonsensical and unethical. Although it didn’t sit well with certain followers of the church, this Emmy-nominated episode is still considered one of “South Park’s” best.

#1: Mormonism

Matt and Trey’s obsession with Mormons may involve a lot of roasting, but it’s more “affectionate roasting,” if that makes sense. They’ve poked fun at the church’s beliefs, traditions, and members on multiple occasions – not just on “South Park,” but in their hit Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” too. This Season 7 episode sees Stan making friends with new kid Gary Harrison, who warmly welcomes him into his friendly-to-a-fault Mormon family. What makes “All About Mormons” so great is that it’s able to call out the parts of a faith that seem far-fetched, but simultaneously express appreciation for the same culture. Not every show could pull off this delicate balancing act and still come out with a poignant, and hilarious, product.

Did we miss any of “South Park’s” religious roasts? Let us know in the comments!