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That is really sad to see. He has always been so talented. His first appearance singing turned out pretty badly too. People just aren't sure what to make of him. I sure hope he has friends around him. I'd hate for him to end up like his brother. Perhaps he's just looking for himself. Pray he finds the Lord in the process.

Posted By: Aithne | February 14, 2009 12:12 AM

Who are we to say who has or has not checked out? Not that I'm one of those holier-than-though types but the acting business did destroy his brother. And the family has had interesting religious issues. We don't know what's going on in his head. I don't mind the odd gossip but we aren't supposed to be so quick to think we know the pain or hurt or complex stuff someone is going through. This is supposed to be the Christian take. We aren't here to mock. -C

Posted By: Carole McDonnell | February 14, 2009 1:05 AM

Is this the Christianity Today Website?

I wholeheartedly agree with the poster Carole!!

I am appalled and sickened to see a clip of such poor taste shown on a Website that SHOULD be supporting the Christian cause.

EVEN THE EDITORIAL ABOVE THE CLIP shows little compassion AND LOTS OF JUDGMENT concerning the actor's behavior!

Yes, Joaquin Phoenix has certainly demonstrated strange behavior. However, NO ONE on this earth REALLY knows what he is going through.

This is the perfect opportunity to pray for him, not to ridicule him.

Ridiculing and laughing at him is part of the reason why many people are afraid of or have never been comfortable in the Christian Church.

Please let people see what is means to be a Christian. Show the man some compassion. DO NOT JOIN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA AND MAKE FUN OF HIS BEHAVIOR!!

Posted By: Lee | February 15, 2009 5:17 PM

So Carole and Lee watched the clip and they felt like "His interview with David Letterman seems to indicate he has certainly checked out" was an unfair mean spirited statement? He is a movie star, people! He went on the show for publicity. He wants to be seen and talked about. Jamie, on the other hand is not really a public figure and the merciful Christian thing to do is to delete his last 2 blogs.

Posted By: Rick | February 15, 2009 7:32 PM

Rick, you are entitled to your opinion. The one fact that is not disputable in this clip and editorial is that Phoenix is being mocked. Phoenix is being laughed at versus laughed with.

However, Do you truly believe that because he is a movie star that anything goes?

What if that was your mother, sister, brother, daughter, or son on stage? If it was someone you loved would you still think "OH what the heck they are a movie star, they just want the publicity, so it's OK to laugh, ridicule, and gossip about them.

You are correct he is a movie star.

The 2 obvious scenarios as to what is occurring in this clip are:

1) As you seem to insinuate, he is acting this way for publicity. If that is the case, how sad, we should pray for him. He must feel very desperate about his life to need to get publicity or attention by "pretending" to have strange behavior.

2) He is really sick, depressed, addicted, or caught up in something bigger than what he can handle. Again, we need to pray for him.

The editorial says "The audience has some yuks at Phoenix's expense, but it's also kind of sad to see what was once such a bright flame among Hollywood's finest actors flickering out to, well, whatever this is:"

The answer is he is a human being.

Please let us all treat each other as such. With kindness, compassion, warmth. The way we were taught to in the bible, regardless of occupation, color, gender, etc.

I pray.

Posted By: Lee | February 16, 2009 12:07 PM