Charlie Sheen

In the last few weeks Charlie Sheen has made many headlines and managed to turn himself into a one-man quote machine. His speech is manic and at times deranged. Yesterday (March 7) he was officially fired from his hit sitcom in a joint decision by both the network and the studio and was heard on the radio making comments about slitting children’s throats.

If you have watched any of his interviews one thing becomes apparent: something is wrong with Charlie Sheen.His behaviour has always been somewhat legendary but since his bender a month-and-half ago which led to suspending production on his hit TV show Two and a Half Men, Sheen’s exploits have become pop culture legend. Aside from the crazy quotes (which, among other things, have garnered a new Facebook quiz in which one had to guess whether a quote was said by Sheen or Muammar Gaddafi on which I scored 7 out of 10) Sheen has taken up residence with two women who are not his wife. One is a porn star, the other a cover girl for a pro-marijuana periodical and both share his home and his bed. He has expressed a desire to marry both of them. Until last week his two-year-old twin boys were also residing with them before being removed from the home and placed with their mother.

Pop culture and media frenzy aside, what am I as a Christian person to make of Sheen’s actions? I admit to making a joke or two at his expense in the last while and laughed at the jokes of others. But is it okay for me to share his quotes with others in my Facebook status, or to use him as fodder for drug-related humour?

This writing assignment stopped me in my tracks and made me think more seriously on the matter.

I watched Sheen’s interview on 20/20 last week and all one had to do was see his eyes to know at the very least the guy needed some sleep. His speech was manic and frenzied, his tone paranoid and defensive. It was akin to watching a train wreck and not being able to look away. To see a man in such a state, any man, is disturbing.

Again though, how should I or anyone else feel about this situation? Should we be compassionate towards him? Defend him? Pray for him? Certainly the last one is in order for sure, but we need to look closely at what we believe.

When I saw Sheen speak I saw a man who is unrepentant of his own actions, who points fingers and blames everyone but himself when the math is really very simple. No binge equals no problem. Until there is repentance there can be no forgiveness but neither is it for us to judge. We also need to recognize that he is not sinning against us but God, and his actions are between him and God to sort out. As Christians we should always have hope that others will find peace and salvation but it is apparent that will likely be a long time coming if it at all.

So what of making jokes? I wish I had an answer that made clear sense even to me. Am I bearing false witness against my neighbour if I am declaring what he has already admitted to freely? He gives the impression that he welcomes the jibing certainly.

Ultimately though, I must admit that my jokes and my thoughts do nothing to help the situation which tells me I should listen to the New Testament book of James and keep my tongue (which is prone to evil) to myself and let wisdom prevail. For that matter, maybe we all should.

Rev. Andrew Craig is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Pincher Creek, Alberta. His blog is http://pastorandrewcraig.wordpress.com/

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