S. Brent Plate, visiting associate professor of religious studies, was interviewed for the article “Censorship of 'South Park' triggers debate” in the Columbus Dispatch (4/29/10). The article describes how the creators of the cartoon "South Park" had recently received threats after depicting the Prophet Muhammed in a mascot-like bear costume and as Santa Claus.

According to the article, Revolution Muslim, a radical Muslim website, “said the show insulted the prophet and suggested that Parker and Stone could meet the same fate as Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch filmmaker killed by a Muslim extremist in 2004.”

Plate commented, “It's remarkable how much power a small number of people can have in the Internet age. Two guys can create a website, say something in the name of Islam - and they are not by any means speaking in the name of Islam - and an enormous company ... will back down, which is just kind of amazing," he observed.