Russel Brand On Addiction And Abstinence. Inspired?

[canard78]

You guys in the states will know him for roles in a few b-grade romantic comedies. In the UK we know him as a scatty, sometimes annoying, comedian. He's also a recovering alcoholic, drug addict and sex addict.

He's recently launched a campaign called "Give it up." A simple message that abstinence is a positive option.

He recently gave an interview to UK's Channel 4 which is 'trending' on my Facebook feed from several UK mormons sharing it. A couple of quotes from the interview (which is 15 minutes):

"If you don't want to drink and take drugs, you don't have to."

"Let the central tenet of your being be love, compassionate and tolerance... everyone knows that."

So here's two other quotes and then my question:

B. H. Roberts:

God raises up wise men and prophets here and there among all the children of men, of their own tongue and nationality, speaking to them through means that they can comprehend. … All the great teachers are servants of God; among all nations and in all ages. They are inspired men, appointed to instruct God’s children according to the conditions in the midst of which he finds them...

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/08/a-latter-day-saint-perspective-on-muhammad?lang=eng

Elder Uchtdorf:

Latter-day Saints believe that all human beings are God’s children and that He loves all of us. He has inspired not only people of the Bible and the Book of Mormon but other people as well to carry out His purposes through all cultures and parts of the world. God inspires not only Latter-day Saints but also founders, teachers, philosophers, and reformers of other Christian and non-Christian religions.

Can Russel Brand be considered to be within that category? An inspired man appointed to instruct God's children according to the midst of which he finds them? He is exactly the kind of person that younger generation would be willing to listen to. If it actually makes a difference and leads to 'more good' then we would assume his actions and message is, ultimately, inspired by God?

[Duncan]

sure why not! I don't like his comedic stylings but if he has a positive message for people he can influence then go for gold!

[mfbukowski]

I've got no problem with it- good for him!

[Madmardigan]

I don't see why not. However, I have a hard time believing that he subscribes to abstinence. All of his movies, TV Show, or stand-up acknowledges otherwise. If he doesn't practice it, it will fall on deaf ears.

If he is abstaining, good for him. The message will resonate with people I think.

[canard78]

I don't see why not. However, I have a hard time believing that he subscribes to abstinence. All of his movies, TV Show, or stand-up acknowledges otherwise. If he doesn't practice it, it will fall on deaf ears.

If he is abstaining, good for him. The message will resonate with people I think.

If you haven't yet, watch the interview. He's very humble about it. He is not trying to be a model, just trying to educate. He tries to follow abstinence because he's fed up of the addictive impact of alchohol/drugs on his life.

He does in the same breath say that if you're not an addict then it's fine to enjoy the stuff... but at least is proposing a view that gives people something to think about.

[HairBear]

More like experience rather than inspiration. But does it matter how we get our knowledge, as long as we learn from it?

[canard78]

More like experience rather than inspiration. But does it matter how we get our knowledge, as long as we learn from it?

Experience is probably where we all get most of our knowledge from. Even our prophets and apostles.

But why not inspired? As Elder Roberts said, God talks: "through means that they can comprehend"

Some people will pay very little attention to the usual religious leaders - so God doesn't give up on then and speaks through other means like Brand.

Do you say no because you feel only the LDS prophet can be inspired?

[bluebell]

It's a teaching of the church that everything good comes from God, regardless of whether or not its attached to the church.

So if Russell Brand is doing good, it has to be inspiration from God.

[canard78]

It's a teaching of the church that everything good comes from God, regardless of whether or not its attached to the church.

So if Russell Brand is doing good, it has to be inspiration from God.

Yes, that was my perspective too.

[bluebell]

Oh, and he's probably best known in the states for being Katy Perry's ex.

[canard78]

Oh, and he's probably best known in the states for being Katy Perry's ex.

A reputation to be proud of indeed. A career's work and best known for who you're no longer married to

Edited July 19, 2013 by canard78

[Bikeemikey]

It's a teaching of the church that everything good comes from God, regardless of whether or not its attached to the church.

So if Russell Brand is doing good, it has to be inspiration from God.

Great. What is good?

[canard78]

Great. What is good?

Are you asking what is good about what he's doing? Or what "good" is as a concept?

[HairBear]

Experience is probably where we all get most of our knowledge from. Even our prophets and apostles.

But why not inspired? As Elder Roberts said, God talks: "through means that they can comprehend"

Some people will pay very little attention to the usual religious leaders - so God doesn't give up on then and speaks through other means like Brand.

Do you say no because you feel only the LDS prophet can be inspired?

I never said that only the LDS prophet can be inspired, in fact I believe anyone and everyone can be inspired. It's probably more my own opinion of Russell Brand and his history and stand-up routine rather than anything else.

[canard78]

I never said that only the LDS prophet can be inspired, in fact I believe anyone and everyone can be inspired. It's probably more my own opinion of Russell Brand and his history and stand-up routine rather than anything else.

I can appreciate that. He doesn't seem like a modern day 'prophet' - despite the beard and hair - but I suppose God works with a whole variety of tools.

I don't think someone has to be inspired in all things to be inspired in some things. The LDS prophets don't even claim to be inspired in all things.

[mfbukowski]

Maybe this thread should be titled "Russel Brand: Prophet or Loss?"

At least he cultivates LOOKING like the Jesus everyone pictures!

[Bikeemikey]

Are you asking what is good about what he's doing? Or what "good" is as a concept?

I was asking specifically in response to bluebells comment "everything good comes from god". We also have other scriptures that talk a out God ordered the death of thousands via prophets or the idea that that which is good encourages people to follow Christ.

I agree with the sentiment - we can just get stuck quibbling about what is good.

[Tacenda]

A reputation to be proud of indeed. A career's work and best known for who you're no longer married to

I thought he was pretty good in the remake of Arthur, ironically playing the part of an alcoholic. BTW, I'm so glad he was able to come to terms with his addictions. I have two brothers that are alcoholics, and believe it or not raised in the church.. And like he said, they are hiding or disguising an underlying problem. Also I think many people, mainly non LDS, have grown up with the idea that drinking is a part of life. So it's good to have Russel say it's okay not to drink, especially in a public way and a concert to boot.

[CV75]

"If you don't want to drink and take drugs, you don't have to."

"Let the central tenet of your being be love, compassionate and tolerance... everyone knows that."

I’m not sure what it takes to objectively confirm that a man has been “raised up” and “appointed” as a wise man, an inspired man, a prophet, a great teacher, an instructor, or one of the “founders, teachers, philosophers, and reformers of other Christian and non-Christian religions,” but I think D&C 58 certainly applies:

“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.”

I don’t think celebrities necessarily have to be raised up or commanded to do and teach good things, since “it is not meet that [God] should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.” But it certainly is possible. But I tend to celebrate the good that people do, not the credentials or the authority of their calling to good.

[bluebell]

Great. What is good?

A lot of people would probably define it differently, based on their own opinions about certain behaviors. Most Christians would probably define it as anything that God condones or which serves His will.

If Socrates had trouble figuring it out though, I'm probably not going to be able to enlighten anyone on the issue.