Half a man is not quite a man yet

If you watch TV news in the past few days, you may have noticed the brouhaha over the remarks by Angus T. Jones, the young star of the CBS sitcom Two and a half Men. Apparently, the “half Man” of the series title has realized that the show’s raunchy humor and plot themes are incompatible with his recently found faith.  In an videotaped religious testimonial for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, he stated the show was “fifth” and he encouraged viewers to not watch it.  In the video, he implied the show was the work of the “enemy” and that it had a negative effect on one’s brain.  Now, it is unusual for an actor to openly denounce a show they are a part of, so of course this is news. What’s more, he currently receives approximately $300,000 per episode to be on the show.

Now I am not a big fan of this show, not because it is vulgar (I think it is, but so what), but because I don’t think it is funny.   However, I can see how the show could be offensive to individuals who have different values than I.  And, I applaud Angus T. Jones for taking the time to examine his values and for speaking out about what he believes. I just think his actions do not match his rhetoric.   

Angus T. Jones has been on this show since he was 9 years old (he is now 19). Given his young age when he started, it is understandable that he was not in a position to critically evaluate the show’ moral underpinnings when he began.   Now he has grown up and literally done some soul searching. Mr. Jones has apparently decided that he needs to live by the values espoused by his church, and he seems to recognize that what he does for a living isn’t compatible with his faith. Recognizing what you are doing is incompatible with your values is a start, but is insufficient. In my view, he is still looking at the world like a child, in which he isn’t truly accountable to himself for his own actions. An immature individual may recognize their actions run counter to their values but they will rationalize not addressing the situation.

 A man should be willing to stand up for his principles despite the cost.  I believe that if Angus Jones truly feels that he is involved in an endeavor that doesn’t conform to his morale principles, then he should be willing take whatever actions are necessary to rectify the situation.  If Mr. Jones is convinced the show he participates in is harmful as he states in the video, then he should quit. If that means he must break his contract, so be it.  It may cost him money, but money isn’t as important as being able to live ones values. A man understands that there are costs to standing up for what you believe and they are willing to pay them.  From what I see, Mr. Jones is moving in the right direction, but he is not quite there yet.