South Park’s Chef gives himself the Shaft.

Citing a “growing insensitivity toward personal spiritual beliefs”, singer Isaac Hayes has decided to quit his role as Chef on South Park. The Comedy Central show, of course, has a long history of being insensitive to religious and spiritual beliefs, having partially originated as a short called “Jesus Vs. Frosty”.

While it looks like the show’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone will release Hayes from his contract without incident, they are suggesting that Hayes had no problem participating in their storylines before they took aim, in a well-publicized episode last year, at the Church of Scientology of which Hayes is a member.

Coming up soon on South Park: the episode in which Chef – strangely struck mute – is permanently and unequivocally retired from the show in the most absurdly offensive manner you can possibly imagine.