10 Best Heartwarming Lessons South Park Ever Taught Us
3. Respect Religions And Beliefs
Atheists have taken great pleasure debunking and mocking religion. Look at any Ricky Gervais stand-up, or Richard Dawkins lecture to see how quickly faith can be turned into a vocal punching bag for the intellectual elites.
While religion has been a factor in episodes of South Park, the seventh season episode "All About Mormons" tackles the flippancy non-believers have, by bringing in one religion as the subject.
When the Harrisons moves to South Park, Stan becomes acquainted with their son Gary. Gary's polite and content nature doesn't gel with Stan or the other boys, and inevitably Stan butchers what could have been a good friendship in the name of principals and beliefs.
While the episode might be considered exclusive to Mormonism, it can be reflected in other religions and if seen that way, we suddenly realize that religion has been what makes many people good. The teachings from holy books might be outdated for most, but loving thy neighbor, and generally being kind to one another isn't taxing.
The episode concludes with Stan being cut down for his narrow-mindedness, and we're reminded that just because someone has different beliefs than us, doesn't make them someone to be ridiculed or vilified.