New York—The cartoon known for equal opportunity mocking has raised the ire of a radical Islamic group. In its 200th episode, “South Park” depicted the Prophet Mohammed in a bear suit.

Now the group Revolution Muslim has warned creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker that they’ll likely wind up like Theo van Gogh, a Dutch director who was killed by Islamic extremists for making a film critical of the religion. On its Web site, the group called what Stone and Parker are doing “stupid” but added that the statement wasn’t a “threat.”

However, Younes Abdullah Mohammed, one of Revolution Muslim’s founders, said if Stone and Parker are killed, “they deserve it.” He added, “ 'South Park’ plays a role in the hedonistic, vice-based society that keeps America ignorant.”

The show’s creators say they’re merely satirizing the controversy about European newspaper cartoons that showed the Muslim prophet’s image. The episode plot line centers on free speech, and many people whom the show has offended in the past reappear.

“South Park” has shown Mohammed before, but that was before 9/11 and the protests in Europe. Censorship is “the new normal,” Stone said. “Like we lost. Something that was okay is now not okay.”

At the end of this week’s follow-up episode, producers cut a speech that the character Kyle made about fear and intimidation.

The New York Police Department has stepped up security around Comedy Central headquarters.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the screenplay for van Gogh’s movie and is now living under protection, said the “South Park” episode addressed the issue that one religion “is claiming to be above criticism.” The answer, she says, lies in “scrutinizing Islam and criticizing it in the same way that we criticize Christianity, Judaism and other ideologies and other religions.”

In related news, evangelist Franklin Graham has been uninvited to the upcoming National Day of Prayer due to controversial remarks he made about Islam. Speaking out against the decision, Virginia Rep. Randy Forbes said, “We are getting to the point…where we are trying to exclude everybody from speaking if [we] disagree with what they are going to say.”

Sources: CNN.com, AOL news, Newsweek.com

Discussion Questions:

• How do you feel about the “South Park” controversy? about the warning given to the show’s creators? Did the show cross the line, in your opinion?

• Do you think Stone and Parker are in actual danger? Do you agree they deserve any retribution they might face? Why or why not? If you were Stone and Parker, would you be worried? Why or why not?

• What, if anything, does this incident convey about the Islamic faith? Why do you think its followers are so protective of their prophet and their beliefs? Have you known any Christians who felt this strongly about their God and faith? If so, explain.

• Should all religions be fair game for criticism, or should they all be off-limits, out of respect? Explain. What role does free speech play in this debate? Should free speech cover all areas, even religion? Why or why not?

• What response should people have to religious extremists? Is arguing with them likely to change their minds or just make them angrier? Explain.

• Have you ever criticized someone’s beliefs in an effort to get them to follow Jesus? What approach would Jesus take, and why?

• How does it feel when other people question or make fun of your beliefs? Have you ever warned someone to back off on his or her criticism? If so, explain. Have you ever hidden your faith from someone for fear of criticism?

Scripture links: Luke 12:4-5; John 12:42-43; Acts 4:13-22; 1 Corinthians 4:3-5; Galatians 5:1, 13-15; and 1 Peter 3:13-16.

Stephanie Martin is a freelance writer and editor in Colorado.