South Park creators take Book of Mormon to Broadway

[Carl62]

Oh, so South Park is just a comedy and therefore people don't take it seriously? Hmm, somebody needs to tell the Muslims this then since Trey Parker and Matt Stone are now receiving death threats from some Muslims all because of a recently aired episode depicting the image of the prophet Mohammed as a stick figure. Yeah right, nobody takes South Park seriously.

[Dominic_Korozya]

LOL

I have just got to watch that episode!

[Dravin]

Yeah right, nobody takes South Park seriously.

Having fun playing with your straw man?

[Dominic_Korozya]

Having fun playing with your straw man?

That's not exactly a straw man, is it?

[Dravin]

That's not exactly a straw man, is it?

Yes it is. The post he quoted did not claim that nobody takes them seriously. Carl manufactured a claim similar enough to be confused with the one actually made and then attacked it. Taking a qualified statement and removing the qualification is a classic.

Edit An aside (as in unrelated to comments about straw men) there is also the issue of what exactly taking seriously means. Does it mean offended? Or does it mean feeling the show is an accurate source of information? Or something else such as a significant source of money? Of course considering the context I'd assume either the first or second was intended.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Dravin

[marshac]

Believe it or not, the Southpark episode about Mormons was my first introduction to the church- I still watch it and it's one of my favorites. I know some people found it troubling (finding out about the hat in the show, and then finding out that it was true for example), but for someone who has no vested interest in the church, it really wasn't bad- sure, some things as portrayed seemed a little ridiculous, but the LDS family was clearly very close and happy- which they contrast against stan's disengaged family- at the end of the episode, they actually drove that point home, again talking about the family.

As also noted- "The Mormons were the correct answer"

[Dominic_Korozya]

Yes it is. The post he quoted did not claim that nobody takes them seriously. Carl manufactured a claim similar enough to be confused with the one actually made and then attacked it. Taking a qualified statement and removing the qualification is a classic.

Edit An aside (as in unrelated to comments about straw men) there is also the issue of what exactly taking seriously means. Does it mean offended? Or does it mean feeling the show is an accurate source of information? Or something else such as a significant source of money? Of course considering the context I'd assume either the first or second was intended.

...and ya lost me.

[Dravin]

...and ya lost me.

Are you familiar with the argumentative fallacy that is a straw man? Instead of arguing against one's opposition's actual position one manufactures one and argues against that instead. If one is really good at it an audience doesn't even notice.

Edited April 24, 2010 by Dravin

[Bini]

Aren't the South Park creators Mormon? I heard this rumour sometime ago. Meh, what rebels.

[WillowTheWhisp]

It may encourage people to look at the church and see if it is a true representation.

[James_Fryman]

Aren't the South Park creators Mormon? I heard this rumour sometime ago. Meh, what rebels.

They were kicked out

[HEthePrimate]

Well, at least they didn't put Joseph Smith in a bear suit! (Quelle horreur! )

HEP

[Guest Godless]

Aren't the South Park creators Mormon? I heard this rumour sometime ago. Meh, what rebels.

No, I'm pretty sure that they aren't and never have been. Being from Colorado, they've probably met their share of Mormons though.

[divinemom5]

No, I'm pretty sure that they aren't and never have been. Being from Colorado, they've probably met their share of Mormons though.

You are right.... Edited April 25, 2010 by divinemom5
wrong info

[Carl62]

Are you familiar with the argumentative fallacy that is a straw man? Instead of arguing against one's opposition's actual position one manufactures one and argues against that instead. If one is really good at it an audience doesn't even notice.

Wow!! All this over a seven word statement that I made?! I think some people put waaaay to much mental energy into things that are absolutely nothing.

[Moksha]

With the right wardrobe and makeup, I am wondering if I could play Elder Cartman.

[Blackmarch]

Oh, so South Park is just a comedy and therefore people don't take it seriously? Hmm, somebody needs to tell the Muslims this then since Trey Parker and Matt Stone are now receiving death threats from some Muslims all because of a recently aired episode depicting the image of the prophet Mohammed as a stick figure. Yeah right, nobody takes South Park seriously.

radicals take things far too seriously.. unfortunately it is not limited to a few in Islam.

[rameumptom]

I could just see Elder Cartman in a discussion:

Cartman: Brother Ramsey, we feel that it would be best if you and your entire neighborhood were baptized this coming Saturday.

Ramsey: Ummm, shouldn't we at least hear the discussions first?

Cartman: Respect my authoritae! (as he beats the man with his triple combination).

[rameumptom]

Aren't the South Park creators Mormon? I heard this rumour sometime ago. Meh, what rebels.

They are not members. They did have very good LDS friends growing up in Colorado, and so like using the Church in some of their comedy.

[Guest Alana]

Oh, so South Park is just a comedy and therefore people don't take it seriously? Hmm, somebody needs to tell the Muslims this then since Trey Parker and Matt Stone are now receiving death threats from some Muslims all because of a recently aired episode depicting the image of the prophet Mohammed as a stick figure. Yeah right, nobody takes South Park seriously.

If any Mormons start sending them death threats, I'm pretty sure that person is off their rocker anyways and doesn't represent the religion as a whole.

Plus, when ever I'm talking to someone about being a Mormon, and they bring up something about the church that they 'learned' from south park or Orgazmo, it's a lot easier for me to keep the conversation rolling, correct misunderstandings and clear things up than when talking to someone who has no sense of humor and just think we're evil and a cult and nothing I'm going to say can change that. I'm not saying it's good to be mocked, but the damage done by comedy is much more fixable and can actually open up doorways to communication.

[Backroads]

Keep in mind that South Park is labeled as comedy and the Godmakers is (self)labeled as a documentary. People may walk away from South Park shaking their heads at them weird Mormons but that's a whole different level of damage than something like the Godmakers shown to a congregation by a pastor is capable of.

Godmakers is specifically anti. South Park is comedy and to my knowledge has yet to do anything truly anti and offensive.

I know plenty of people who don't like Mormons but find the Godmakers offensive.

When it becomes critical and mean enough to be anti, it's no longer comedy, and most people do not like anti-anything.

[rameumptom]

I think everyone realizes it is a comedy or mockumentary. We've done alright by the South Park crew, though. In the movie (I've only seen this one scene), everyone is standing in hell with Satan. All the religious groups (Jews, Baptists, Catholics, etc) are wondering why they are burning in hell.

Satan tells them it is because they had the wrong answer. The correct answer is: "the Mormons." Aaaaahhhhh! says the crowd.