The following are questions that were collected via this website for an interview with Jonathan and Richard in Portland after the Benefit Concert. But thanks to my nerves, the interview didn't happen. The questions were sent to them later on, and they were gracious enough to answer them as an exclusive J2 thing! Like the concert, the questions focus mostly on spiritual issues. Jonathan and Richard were really impressed with the questions and excited about answering them. They were relaxed and seemed to have fun doing this - hopefully the transcript reflects that feeling. Special thanks to both of them for taking the time to do this, and to Maria for transcribing it!


If you had one message that you could broadcast over a loudspeaker to the world, one thing that you could say that you'd want everyone to hear, what would it be?

Jonathan - God loves you regardless of anything you've thought, said or done and His grace is more real than the air we breathe. Richard, what's your answer?

Richard - It's the same.

Do you think God has called you to be an actor or do you see it more as a gift He has given you?

Jonathan - Both. I definitely feel like God has given certain gifts to be able to do certain things, but I also think He called us down here. We wouldn't have come down if He hadn't created some interesting circumstances for us to do it, so it was definitely His thing.

Richard - God calls us and then He equips us so the gifts are just something that God gives you because He needs you to have them. I think acting is one of those things.

Have you ever been offered a role you turned down because of your personal beliefs? How do you separate your beliefs from the characters you play?

Jonathan - There's been piles of scripts that we've turned down for a number of reasons. Some have been because we just think they are grotesque. It's a tricky question, how do you separate your beliefs from the characters you play. We're actors so we play characters, so not every character I play obviously believes what I believe. I've played a lot of different kind of strange characters and stuff, but hopefully as long as the movie says something good, or sheds some light into some sort of truth, then that's kind of what we look for.

Richard - I have a similar answer, so I won't answer.

Since someone of your popularity can't help but have a public image, what do you want that image to be?

Jonathan - I'd like the image to be as close to who I really am as it can be, but I hope the public image is someone who is very grateful for the things that happen, someone who is hopefully humble and gives credit where credit is due, which is to God.

Richard - I would hope the image would be, just someone who is real, someone who is very human and walks in the grace of God every day.

Does it matter to you what people think of you?

Jonathan - It shouldn't, [laughs] most of the time it doesn't. I guess when I'm living really in the truth of God it doesn't. But sometimes, obviously, we fight with things, and flesh can get in the way and stuff like that. It's a battle, you don't want to care what people think, sometimes you do, but ultimately when it comes down to it, I would say no.

Richard - I try to hope that the people around me that I care about and that know me the best, their opinions matter of me because they know me well enough to have an honest opinion.

At the Gospel Hour in LA, you stated that Lucky's love for Elizabeth was a parable of God's love for us. You said that at the time you didn't even know it. Are you more aware of that now? When you take on a role, do you think of the spiritual implications of it? Do you think of what it might be a parable of?

Jonathan - Yeah. I think about that kind of stuff, just naturally. I try to find God in whatever I'm doing or reading, that just makes it more fun. Sometimes there is something there, sometimes there's not much there, there doesn't have to be a huge parallel for me to do the project. But usually when you're dealing with stories there's always going to be some truth about God in there, because we remain in His image and all the battles with good and evil that we go through really come down to Him.

Do you have a favorite passage of scripture?

Jonathan - Romans 8:1 - It says something like, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Somewhere else in that chapter it says, "If God is for us, who can be against us." I like that.

Richard - One of my favorites is Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know of the thought and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare, not for evil." That's pretty cool.

To whom do you attribute your ability to stay strong in your beliefs?

Jonathan - Number one, God, is the pursuer and the Shepherd so He is the one who kind of keeps us in His flock, so all credit goes to Him. Some of the biggest vessels down here that help is, I would say, Richard, definitely, he's a great accountability, Mom and Dad and some of the other mentors that we have.

Richard - I agree.

(To Richard) A few of my friends and I have discussed some of the things you've written for the newsletter. They think you are an excellent, awesome, profound writer. Is this something that you see yourself doing in the future?

Richard - Definitely, yeah, as far as scripts go, actually as far as any of my writing goes, most of it is a team effort with Jonathan. We're working on a book right now and we've written some scripts that we're developing for films and we work really well together. I enjoy writing on my own, personally - it's a lot of fun, I enjoy doing it, I enjoy expressing myself in that way. But as far as professionally, pretty much everything you'll see me do will come as a team effort from me and Jon.

Jonathan - But he is a brilliant writer.

Your music, such as the lyrics of "Wounded Guide" for instance, seems so honest and revealing. Does it make you uncomfortable to share your inner struggles with the world?

Jonathan - I can't think about it too much. [laughs] When you're trying to communicate something with people you have to be vulnerable. I mean that's kind of number one as an actor, you have to be able to be vulnerable; as a songwriter you do too. So, some things I guess can be a little uncomfortable but it's worth it to be able to reach people and touch people, if there's any embarrassment it's worth it.

Is it true you have taped an episode of "Night Visions"? Can you tell us a bit about that project? How did it come about? Who do you play?

Jonathan - Yeah it's true, I did a Night Visions episode, I don't know when it's going to air. It's a really cool project, kind of a mystery, kind of scary story in a way, and it's got some spiritual overtones. My character is a theology major. I don't know how it came about, I think they just got a hold of me. I think the producer's daughters knew me and suggested that I should do it, so I owe them thanks for the job. I play (forgot his name). It's an intense kind of little story. It was cool, though.

Favorite song(s) on the new U2 album?

Jonathan - Where do I start? Oh man, if I had to narrow it down, [laughs] it'd probably be "Kite," "Walk On," "Grace," "Beautiful Day," "When I Look at the World."

Richard - Ok, that's enough! [both laugh]

Jonathan - I'll stop there. [laughs]

Richard - "Beautiful Day."

How do you feel about Congress and Hollywood's responsibility for violence in the movies? Where is the line drawn between responsibility and censorship? What role do you play in it, considering you play a would-be violent serial killer in Skeletons?

Jonathan - I'm against government getting their heavy hand into things too much. I think really what it should be more about is - parents need to start getting into their kids' lives and supporting and motivating them to watch good things and things that are beneficial to them. I think Hollywood should be free to make as much great things or as much crap as they want to. Unfortunately, I would hope as individuals, producers and directors would understand they have a huge influence over kids and that they would try to do things that would be a positive influence on people's lives. But I don't believe in government passing laws to mandate or censor a lot of that stuff. I think it's good to have ratings so people know what's in it, but I don't think the answer is bigger government. We've seen that before with Germany and Russia and China right now, so it doesn't end up good. Freedom is better.

Does he realize just how amazing his performance was in Purple Haze? It was awesome. Really.

Jonathan - That's really neat because the movie kind of came and went and didn't get a whole lot of press and stuff. So that's nice to hear that you guys saw it and enjoyed it, and I was proud of it. I thought it was a really cool film and Carly Pope was really great in it too.

How did the idea for the benefit concert come about? Was it your idea or were you approached?

Richard - The benefit show was our idea. We had done some benefit concerts in the northwest for the Ronald McDonald House and this time we wanted to branch out in our charities and do something for the homeless and that was just impressed on us. So we put it together and just hoped that people would be blessed by it, both at the show and the proceeds that would come from it.

Do you see it as your responsibility to use your fame and talent to help others? To spread the Word?

Jonathan - I don't look at it as much as a responsibility as I can't not. It's like I would have to be amazingly stupid and selfish to horde such an amazing thing as God's love and forgiveness; that would just really be selfish and idiotic of me not to tell others about it. If you ran across this unbelievable thing, you have to tell people about it, you have to, it's natural. It is a responsibility, but I don't focus on it as that, I look at it as an opportunity and joy to be able to infect other people with joy.

To both Jonathan and Richard: Can you describe each other's greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

Richard - I don't know about weaknesses, he doesn't have a lot of weaknesses.

Jonathan - Oh no, no, no. [disagrees]

Richard - His greatest strength is his ability to be close to God and to reveal God's heart, that's a major strength, and that branches out into everything he does. His greatest weakness...uh…I honestly don't know.

Jonathan - Oh c'mon.

Richard - I don't know. Every weakness Jon might have he goes to God with and works it out.

Jonathan - For Richard, it's kind of vague but his heart is his greatest strength. He's got a really compassionate heart and he's a real leader, he's kind of a shepherd and likes to take care of people and make sure if people are down he goes over to them and makes sure how they are doing and that kind of stuff. Weakness - a lot of it is he's kind of negative towards himself, but God is healing him of that, so that's not as much of a weakness as it used to be.

In an industry that must be filled with both temptation and distraction, how is it that you remain so firmly grounded in your faith?

Jonathan - Just day-to-day, not focusing on the things of the world, kind of focusing on the unseen, making that more of your reality. Having accountability with the family is really important, with friends and things like that. It's basically walking with God as a friend. If you walk close to Him you stop desiring those things and they start not holding the weight they used to.

Richard - I think the one thing for me that's really important is being able to get away from the busy-ness and have time alone with God. Also going up north to home, seeing our family and friends up there is really nice to keep us grounded, help us not get so illusioned that Hollywood is real or that it's the only place where we live.

You seem to have an unwavering faith and devotion, but do you ever experience doubts or questions?

Jonathan - Well, Bono said in a lyric once, "faith needs a doubt," and that's true, 'cause without doubts it wouldn't be faith, and the truth wouldn't be the same without questions, I guess. Of course you have doubts. Rarely do I doubt that God exists, rarely do I doubt that Jesus died for me, it's not the basic big things. Sometimes I doubt His immediate workings in my life and that kind of stuff, the day-to-day things sometimes I doubt. I think it takes more faith to believe God in the little things than the big things and I'd like to believe Him on everything, not just the big, but the little, too.

Richard - Yeah, I experience doubts and questions about God. I think I've pretty much in the past questioned him about everything. That's not something I'm necessarily proud of, but it's the truth. But the cool thing is He's long-suffering and patient and He's slow to anger and He has a lot of grace that abounds over all of my doubts and questions. So at the end of the day, I'm just left with an incredible Savior that loves me and washes away any of my doubts and questions.

What is the greatest obstacle in maintaining your faith?

Jonathan - I think it's the same as anyone who believes, it's just keeping your eyes on Jesus. This world is pretty fast-paced and distracting in a number of ways. It's just keeping your eyes on Jesus; the obstacle, I guess, is just the world.

Richard - Probably just not believing what the devil would like me to believe about myself and believing in a God that pursues me and loves me first and I don't have to do anything to earn it.

What is it about your faith that brings you the greatest joy?

Jonathan - Everything. Faith is nothing unless it depends on what you're having faith in. I can have faith in a frog and that's not gonna bring me much joy, but when I have faith in Jesus, the real deal, there is everlasting joy in that. The greatest thing is getting God as a person; He is the gift; it's not like heaven is the gift as much as He is heaven, He is joy - it's getting that person of God that is the greatest joy.

Richard - I agree.

Both "The Sacred Romance" and Pastor Mike at Réal's Gospel Hour expressed disappointment in the modern day church. Do you feel the same way?

Jonathan - Absolutely. I'm included in that as a person in being disappointed in myself of not, especially in the past, not really worshipping God and not even understanding anything about that. Disappointed with the political side of the church, I'm disappointed with how much Christians are constantly judging people, and Jesus said don't judge and don't condemn and they are constantly condemning and judging. And I do it too, but the Spirit checks me on that and calls me on it. So basically, I look forward to the time when the Church actually becomes what it was intended to be - which is a beautiful, redeemed bride for Jesus that is radiant, that draws people to Him, instead of being this religious, nasty-looking, condemning figure.

Richard - The thing I hated most about the church is the mass marketing, commercialization of Christianity and Jesus instead of the personalized individual relationship with Jesus and with each other. I don't like that the church looks for numbers when they should be focusing on people as individuals and as hearts, so I think that would be one of my biggest complaints of the church. Because whenever you stop making God relational, it ceases to be about God.

What role did you most enjoy playing? Is there one closest to your heart? Most like you? Most unlike you?

Jonathan - Up until this point, I guess, you know, it'd be Lucky. I played him for five and a half years and I was really good friends with Tony Geary and some of the people on there, and it's kind of hard not to get close to that character when you play him for that long. And Lucky had a heart that was similar to mine, I think. Certainly he's more like me than the suicidal or heroin or possible serial killer kind of things. So I'd say Lucky.

Richard - Ally McBeal and True Rights were both awesome characters for me, I like those a lot.

Do you make a conscious effort to hear God speaking to you in EVERY role you play? Is that always possible?

Jonathan - God is in everything. Wherever truth is, God is, because God is the truth. So whenever you're playing a role and you find some sort of truth, you're kind of in line with where God is. He's the one who guides my performances and stuff, He's my acting coach really and the Holy Spirit is the author of emotions. So God is my emotion when I'm performing also, He's my passion.

Where is it that you see God leading you in your career? Will you continue to write and direct your own movies? Write music? Act?

Jonathan - I don't know where God is leading. Richard and I are writing a lot, we're writing scripts, we're going to direct again in the future, we're still writing a lot of music. What do you think, Richard?

Richard - I think we're keeping it open, God is refining our skills in a lot of areas and we're just praying that He uses us however He wants to.

Do you actively attempt to spread the Word or do you let your lifestyle and unabashed enthusiasm for God be your testimony?

Jonathan- Yes to both, I guess. Jesus wasn't a bible-thumping kind of guy, He just loved people and they were drawn to him and stuff. I guess you could look at it this way - if you try to spread the word and your lifestyle is completely contrary to God then it does you no good and in fact it does God more harm. So I hope my lifestyle and enthusiasm for God draws people to get into an intimate relationship with Him. I can't help but spread the word, the word is in me, it's part of me. So whenever I speak, or whenever you talk about anything in my life, it ends up being about God, because He is my life, so that just happens naturally.

Richard - I agree.

You speak of your faith with such ease and unapologetic enthusiasm. Not everyone has that same ability. Where does that come from? [additionally: Many Christians seem almost sheepish about admitting their faith. Why do you think people are uncomfortable talking about it…is it because it is just SO personal...and how is it that you don't seem to be affected the same way?]

Richard - First of all, the question in there has "not everyone has the same ability" and I disagree with that. Because the Holy Spirit will lead you in your own way in your own personality to be unashamed of the gospel and unapologetic in knowing, in talking about God. I think for me, where the faith and enthusiasm and all those things come from is just the reality of unconditional love - we get a tastes of that in our human experience in people that we love and we get excited about talking about our boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, husbands, all those things, that's because their love for us and our love for them naturally makes us want to talk about it. So when you have God - which is an incredible amount of love - enter into your heart it kind of just pours forth out of you.

Jonathan - I think people are uncomfortable sometimes because there's a real negative view of Christianity, some of it has been earned. It's not real Christianity, I guess it's a negative view of false Christianity, but I think people don't want to be bunched in with the negatives of Christianity sometimes, and I can understand that. But we want to try to let people know what it's really about, who Jesus really is and we're not really afraid to tell them that.

Richard - I don't think that faith is so personal that you can't talk about it. I believe that faith is so personal that you should talk about it. If people want to get to know me, per se, then they would have to get to know the person of Jesus that is the closest person to my life, that affects me the most, that has made me who I am. And so to me, God and specifically Jesus as our Savior, is as personal as a spouse of some kind, in a sense and even more so. And you end up just as people say, "there's Bobby and Suzie, they are married" and you get to the point where you say "there's Richard and Jesus and Richard and the God that he's crazy about" because they go hand and hand.

Why do you think religious conversations often make many people uncomfortable?

Jonathan - Because religion without Jesus and religion without real grace is a really dangerous, condemning thing. If you talk about all the rules of God without his forgiveness it's horribly uncomfortable; it makes me fidget. If I forget the sight of grace, I don't want to hear that stuff, because it's frightening.

HOW does he make that ONE tear form in his eye and slip down his cheek at JUST the right moment in a scene?

Jonathan - [laughs] I have no clue what you're talking about. I don't know, I look at acting and I don't think you have to cry to give a great performance. As long as you make the audience feel emotion, that's what your job is and that stuff just kind of happens and I try to be open for it to happen.

Was there ever a situation where your belief in our Savior, Jesus Christ was challenged? If so, how did you react?

Jonathan - Yeah, people can always challenge. I've had really long discussions with people that are very aggressive and negative. I'm not out to prove anything. If you prove something there wouldn't be any room for faith, so I just try to live my life and people hopefully in the end will see that the side of the God of love is more powerful than anything else and maybe they will be affected by that.

Who is the most inspiring or fascinating person that you have gotten to meet due to your acting careers?

Jonathan - Bono. Richard and I both got to meet him and he's just a really cool guy who has a strong faith. And he's an unreligious and unconventional kind of guy, but he's a strong Christian and he's been very inspirational to me.

Richard - Not sure.

My question is do you ever receive flack from your peers in Hollywood for the way you choose to live your life and how do you deal with it if your morals are threatened or are compromised?

Jonathan - Not that bad. People haven't really been all that abusive or anything towards it. The thing is, if you don't impose things on people, they're generally pretty nice. And we're not really invasive with our beliefs, we don't really go door knocking and get frustrated when people don't agree with us. So people have been really cool. I don't judge them and hopefully they won't judge me, that's the way I look at it.

If you could plan the next 10 years of your lives in advance, what would you want them to be like?

Jonathan - Whatever God wants to happen to me I want to happen, I have no expectation what that looks like.

Richard - I like to live in the moment.

What is your main goal in life?

Jonathan -To be in habitual fellowship with God and try to love others like He loves me and have fun.

Richard - To know God's love for me and to let other people know that God loves them and to be more and more like Jesus every day.

What was the best moment of your life?

Jonathan/Richard - [laughs] I don't think we can answer that, there's too many of them.

When will Scarlet Road be recording/releasing their next album? I can't wait for a new one to come out! Also, what are some things that inspire their beautiful songs?

Jonathan - Scarlet Road is now Scarlet River and that is just basically just Richard and I. The next album is going to come out probably April or May. God is probably the biggest inspiration in my life in general, the things of God are so much more wonderful than anything else, it's almost like when you start feeling those things, it just feels like you're talking about Toys-R-Us stuff when you're talking about other stuff, so, you know, love and grace and stuff is my favorite stuff to talk about.

How much of Jonathan do you bring into all your characters?

Jonathan - I have no clue. Whatever comes out, ya know, I really don't know. Obviously I'm the actor and there some things that come out of me, but it's not conscious, I don't think about that. I just try to portray the truth of the character that I can.

Do you listen to other contemporary Christian bands like Jars of Clay, and if so, would you ever consider touring with any of them?

Jonathan - Yeah, we listen to Jars of Clay, we have all their albums, they're really awesome. Delirious we listen to a lot, Nicole Nordman, The Normals, they're a cool group, P.O.D. is awesome. Christian music has gotten a helluva a lot better than it used to be, so we listen to quite a bit of it. And yeah, we would consider touring with certain bands and stuff in the future if our schedules permitted it.

Are you guys working on any new projects, acting-wise?

Richard - We're just auditioning for stuff. Madison is doing good, it's a film I did with Jim Caviezel, I have a supporting role in it. It was at Sundance, Jon and I got to go there and see it premiere. And it looks like it might get picked up by a studio, so we'll keep you informed about that.

Do you guys share with the household chores...who's the messier one?

Jonathan - We don't have like a regular schedule of household chores. Mom does a lot of it, she deserves most of the credit for that. We may vacuum once in a while and we do the wash and try to keep our room clean and stuff. We don't like to be big slobs or anything.

Richard - I don't think either one of us is a lot messier than the other.

We heard you guys share a room so we're wondering if you guys ever end up talking about anything and everything all night ('cause me and my sister do)?

Richard - Jon and I end up talking about a lot of stuff. I think it's good, you know, to have someone you can share with and that is coming from the same place and understands, so we end up talking about a lot.

What toy would you buy for yourself for Christmas?

Richard - Something about drums, some percussion thing, some cymbal, if I had toys.

Jonathan - Uh...I don't know, maybe PlayStation 2?

What's the last movie you've seen?

Jonathan - Thirteen Days - Great film with Kevin Costner. Really, really great.

How did you guys come across the NEO Foundation?

Jonathan - The Neo Foundation was started by a Pastor who's a really great friend of ours up north, two of them actually. We basically got involved just through them. Mike Galeotti is one of them and Eric Bahme is the other. They are awesome men of God and we've worshipped with them a lot and they've been kind of our mentors, so we got hooked up through them.

It's basically a foundation that is looking to hopefully bless a lot of different people and organizations. It wants to be an organization/foundation that can just give money instead of trying to suck it from people.

We know that you guys have always had a strong faith in God. We wanna know if there was a certain event in your life that pushed you in that direction.

Jonathan - Every hard thing you go through is either going to catapult you closer to God or it can kind of become another burden on your shoulders. And every dark thing that we've gone through, Praise God, has brought us closer to Him.

Richard - Yep

If you guys could give yourselves a superhero name, what would it be and why? What superpowers would you have?

Richard - Oh man! I have no clue.

Jonathan - BOG - Born of Grace. [laughs] I'd be BOG! [laughs] Bible verse in the Romans says, "You are more than conquerors, through Him who loved you," so, we're all superheroes.

Richard - I'd have super drumming abilities that could fight evil. [Jon laughs]

Would you guys change anything about yourselves if you had the chance?

Richard - Um, just the negative stuff! [both laugh]

Jonathan - Yes and no. Everything I would like to change, God is doing and He's going to continue to do throughout my whole life. But other than that, no, 'cause I am who God made me and I don't want to be anything else. I want to be who I am to Him.

Richard - I agree.

What movie can you not get tired of watching?

Jonathan - In the Name of The Father, Robin Hood, Jesus of Nazareth.

Richard - Back to the Future, Jesus of Nazareth, The Insider.

For Richard: What do you look for in a girl?

Richard - Just her heart for God and her ability to see my heart.

Is there anyone special in your lives at this time?

Jonathan - Is that like a covert, almost-asking question? [laughs]

Richard - Yeah [laughs] There are a lot of special people in our lives. [laughs]

Jonathan - [laughs] That's the answer, there are a lot of special people.

Has there been any news about a theater release for "Skeletons in the Closet?"

Jonathan - Not that I know of. I don't know if it's going to go theatrical or cable. Either way, hopefully you guys will be able to see it because it's a pretty cool film.

Does Jonathan still keep in touch with Carly Pope?

Jonathan - I try. She's pretty busy, but I try to keep in touch with her, she's cool. If she's reading this, call us! [laughs]

First I would like to say that you guys are wonderfully talented actors. I love to watch your work. 1) How has your relationship changed as brothers since you first started acting to the present? 2) What are you working to achieve in the next decade?

Richard - Jon and I used to fight a lot, we didn't get along very well - we did a lot of sports together and we had fun, but we were also very competitive. And since we've acted together we've learned that working together for a common goal can actually be really cool and to have someone that understands is really great. As far as how it's changed - a lot, and for the better, for the best.

As far as what we are working to achieve in the next decade, just whatever God wants. We're just there to do God's will.

Three lessons you learned the hard way.
Three things you regret.
Three things you would never do.

Jonathan - Lesson I learned the hard way - put God first, above everything, don't put your stock in people and the stuff in this world; three things I would never do, there's a heck of a lot of stuff I would never do.

Richard - I can say a few things I regret, which is kind of the same thing as learn the hard way - which is always strive to be close to God and always strive to do His will and to have accountability in the multitude of counselors there's wisdom, and I wish I had that more. But I do now which is awesome.

What was it like acting with Anders Hove in your final GH scenes? They were very physical and he is such a great actor.

Jonathan - I had a great time, he's a pretty intense guy. And it was a cool way to go out. I would have wished I could have worked with him a little more, but I had a fun time. I like doing physical acting too.

I was surprised you went shirtless in Skeletons. What kind of role will it take for you to go au naturale, like Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans? Do either of you ever see yourselves doing that and what are your feelings on the subject?

Jonathan - It would probably take a script like Last of the Mohicans to do anything close to that.

You've stated John being your favorite book in the Bible? Can you tell us why? Richard, what is yours?

Jonathan - I think because Jesus talks most of the time, which is awesome. It's very clear who He is, His love for us is very clear. It's just clear, the book is clear, if you ever want to read it, just read it and you'll see what I mean. It's an awesome, awesome book. It just presents who He is, it's powerful.

Richard - I haven't read John all the way through, but the parts I have read are incredibly special. But I love Romans a lot. I haven't read all of Romans either, but I've read quite a bit of it and it's an incredible book about grace.

Do you honestly think we can have the same love for each other as the kind of Agape love the Lord has for us? [a·ga·pe (ä-gäp, äg-p) n. Christian love; Love that is spiritual, not sexual, in its nature. In the early Christian Church, the love feast accompanied by Eucharistic celebration.]

Richard - These are cool fans, aren't they?

Jonathan - These are awesome. You guys are awesome, I just gotta say that, you guys are so cool. Agape love. Totally.

Not as perfect as God, you know, but the whole thing is, when we love others with real love it's His love in us. So if we're loving someone with Agape, it's Him loving them through us. We have none of that within ourselves, none of it stems from us, so you take Jesus out of me and I wouldn't be that fun of a guy to be around, probably. [laughs]

Richard - Yeah, that's true and that's true for me too.

If it isn't too personal…when the Holy Spirit is working through you, does it feel like you're on fire, a cleansing, or is it always different?

Jonathan - It's always different, it's a mystery. He's a mystery.

Having to deal with different scenes on TV and movies, a/k/a handling guns, promoting violence, have you set ground rules for yourselves or is it something you pray about when the scene comes up? How have you learned to deal with this? Is it a moral conflict and do you feel pressure about this now that you are considered role models?

Jonathan/Richard - There's a lot of that. We pray.

With tragedies like Waco, TX with the emphasis on religious zealots or acts of violence done "in the name of the Lord" do you feel Hollywood has the right to explore these issues or should they be left alone…that it would be exploitation only. And since Skeletons was based loosely on Jeffrey Dahmer, would you ever consider taking on a role fashioned after David Koresh since he was a Seventh-day Adventist at one time? [additionally: in this same violence vein, do you feel that some of the language in the Bible lends itself to violence in any way? Even if it is a metaphorical "war" being waged, people take it literally.]

Richard - We're not Seventh-day Adventist anymore.

Jonathan - In the Bible, Jesus always preached peace. He was the peacemaker, He always talked about turning the other cheek and all that kind of stuff, loving your enemies and praying for them. I think it's the Third Commandment, "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain," that's what that means. It means don't take my name and use it for your own evil or for your own purpose. It angers me bitterly when I see people use the name of Jesus and do horrible, horrible things and it makes God really mad too. Hollywood can explore anything they want in that, sure. Expose the negative sides of Christianity so the true stuff can come out, that's what I say. I'm all for the truth.

Richard - You wouldn't want to play David Koresh, would you?

Jonathan - No, no… and like Richard said, there are some good things about the denomination we grew up in, but we're not part of it anymore. We're just non-denominational. It's not about a church, it's about a personal relationship with Jesus.

Would either of you ever consider going back to school to pursue a college education?

Jonathan - I've considered it, definitely. I've gone back and forth a lot. The future has to do with what I feel God is calling me to do.

Richard - It's kind of up in the air. I would if God wanted me to.

What attracted you to the role in Skeletons?

Jonathan - It was a brilliant script. You don't know what is going to happen until the end. It was just a great script.

Latest CD purchases?

Richard - Delirious, "Glo"

Jonathan - "All You Can't Leave Behind," U2; P.O.D.

What is the title of that song you sang at the Gospel Hour about the "young man?" Who sings it?

Jonathan - It's called "Golden Street," it's a song I wrote and it's going be on the next album.

Do you prefer doing independent movies?

Jonathan - Not necessarily, I don't prefer either really. I just look for good scripts and whatever doors open, we walk through them.

Richard - I agree.

Would you ever consider doing a Christian CD? A Christmas CD?

Jonathan - We don't really look at is as a Christian CD. The songs have to do with our life and God's going to be implement in that, so that's what that is. Christmas CD, yeah, someday, I think that'd be fun.

Over the years, as you've grown stronger as a Christian, do you think your work ethic has changed and how? Not just in the movies you choose to do, but the way you work in the movies?

Richard - I think it's changed because we see opportunities now just anywhere we go to spread God's love even more than we did as we started. But we are fortunate enough that God gave us values to work hard and strive so we've always kind of held those values.

Did the subtle parallels between what Will did for Seth and what Christ did for us affect your reading or your portrayal of that last scene on the docks [in Skeletons]?

Jonathan - That's a kick-ass question whoever asked that. Yeah, it did actually. The title song, "Father," the song is a parallel to the Father's love for us and it did affect me that God came back. What it's about basically is that we have this view of God as someone who is kind of out to get us, and the truth is He's the one who saved us and that's what the truth of the movie is to me.

Are you guys going to Sundance?

Jonathan - We did.

Richard - We did, we had a great time. Madison was there, we got to see Skeletons in another film festival.

Jonathan - Madison was a great movie, by the way and Richard was great in it. It was just a powerful film.

Are you ever going to come to the Bay Area to perform?

Jonathan/Richard - We're open to that, get us a gig!

If you could have anyone star in your next film, who would it be?

Jonathan/Richard - Daniel Day Lewis or Anthony Hopkins.

What would your next film be about? What issues/topics are you interested in for your next movie? What you ever cast yourselves as leads in your films?

Richard - We're writing stuff we can act in as well. As far as issues and all those things, we just kind of go with the flow on those things and see what comes up.

Who drew which pictures in the God Candy CD jacket?

Jonathan - I did all of them, except Richard did the one on "Denied," the cross.

When you watch yourselves on TV, can you just sit and relax or are you critical of yourselves?

Jonathan - Speaking for myself, I'm pretty relaxed, I'm not into berating myself. A lot of that is false humility. I just did my best, it's over now, and I just want to watch it and hope that people enjoy it.

Richard - I agree.

Do you still play basketball on a league with Tyler?

Jonathan - We haven't played in a league in a while, but we're gonna shoot hoops with him this week.

How do you guys get all these God Candy cameos in your films, i.e. Purple Haze, Skeletons?

Richard - [laughs] Well, ya know, they're not quite cameos. That is funny, though.

Jonathan - That's cool that they caught that.

Richard - The God Candy thing just kinda happened on the set, if I remember correctly.

Jonathan - Eric Laneuville, the director, is a really cool guy. I don't know who was kicking it around, but he was real open to it. He thought it was funny.

Richard - And Wayne, the director of Skeletons just thought the songs fit and he was cool, that was very cool of them.

What does he make of the evolution of U2, where they went from being very open about their religious and political beliefs to being more ironic and guarded. They sometimes said they felt like they revealed too much and it made them vulnerable and came across as preachy - does he worry about that? U2 really shut down even in speaking with the press about certain things - I wonder if Jonathan ever feels like he's giving too much away and getting boxed into a category.

Jonathan - I think U2 has been faithful to what God has called them to do, and I'm not one to judge how they go about doing what they do. I know their hearts are real, Bono's heart for God is true and it's real. And in the music business from where they were, they wouldn't be around today if they hadn't become a little more ironic and guarded with some of the stuff they believe. And I just look at the music as God is in every one of their albums big-time and if anyone is searching, they are going to find God in U2 albums.

Richard - Are you worried about that?

Jonathan - I'm not real worried about that. I feel people should kind grow up when they start boxing people because of their beliefs. Ya know, talking about stuff like God, those are the greatest questions in life, why should we not talk about it? I admire U2 and Bono and the whole group for sticking with their beliefs and I think God's really proud of what they've done and who they are.

Favorite…

TV show of the new season

Jonathan - Oh geez, I don't even know what's on.

Movie you've seen recently

Jonathan - Castaway, which I thought was brilliant.

Word

Jonathan - Christ

Richard - God

Sound

Jonathan - Uilleann pipe - an Irish instrument.

Richard - A really kickin full drum set.

Hymn/worship song

Richard - Hymn, I have a lot of them. One worship song I'm really liking right now, "One Day."

Jonathan - Hymn - "Be Thou My Vision" or "Nearer My God to Thee." Worship song - "Do you Feel the Mountains Tremble" by Delirious.

Vacation spot

Jonathan/Richard - Depends on the company.

Book

Jonathan/Richard - The Bible.

Ethnic food

Richard - I like Mexican food.

Jonathan - It goes in spurts, but the most consistent I'd probably say is Mexican.

Characters in the Bible

Jonathan - Jesus.

Richard - Jesus is awesome.

Jonathan - But I also like John, I like John the Baptist, I like John the Beloved.

Richard - I like Moses, David.

Jonathan - And Peter, because he's just like us - he messes up a lot like we all do, but he's a powerful man of God.

Clothing stores

Richard - Don't have one.

Jonathan - I have no clue.

Drink

Jonathan - I'm enjoying water more and more.

Richard - Yeah, I like water a lot. I like milk, different kinds of milk - chocolate milk.

Jonathan - Virgin Piña Coladas are nice.

Candy

Richard - Right now, Snickers is kind of satisfying me.

Christian artist/song/CD

Jonathan/Richard - Delirious / Song - "Do You Feel The Mountains Tremble."

©J2