Apr 25th 2010, 13:58:26
The second part of your post, I generally agree. The first part:
"How in the hell was South Park offensive?"
It is only offensive to Muslims. Yes, it really is offensive to me (I'm a Muslim). However, I don't mind being offended. I know it's satire so I just blow it off as trivial. However, it's the scum that take it to the next level (with violence) that is really disgusting, and from there we branched off onto the tangents.
Perhaps you are unaware of how it is offensive to Muslims, so I will explain. In Islam, characterizing the Prophet Muhammad is prohibited in all forms because it was feared that it could lead to idolatry or veneration of the Prophets (in fact, it is prohibited to make any representation of any of the recognized Prophets, which include Jesus, but many Muslims gloss over this fact). See what happened to the Virgin Mary and Catholicism? Islam is trying to avoid that sort of corruption in the religion. Also, the Prophet Muhammad, we believe, was the last Prophet and he was the one who revealed the Quran, so we hold him in a particularly esteemed position.
So yes, it is offensive. But these idiots who threaten violence can go to hell.
Hope that helps.