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Anne Rice quits Christianity -- but not Christ
Baltimore Sun ^
| July 30, 2010
Posted on 07/30/2010 7:57:36 AM PDT by NYer
Novelist Anne Rice remains committed to Christ. But she is quitting Christianity.
The Interview With The Vampire author, who in recent years has spoken publicly about her faith and written a series of novels tracing the life of Jesus, wrote on her Facebook page Wednesday that she was finished with organized Christianity.
For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian. I'm out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Christian" or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to "belong" to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outside. My conscience will allow nothing else.
She followed that post a few minutes later with more details:
As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.
On Thursday, Rice posted a series of passages from the New Testament:
Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a mans enemies will be the members of his household.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(Excerpt) Read more at weblogs.baltimoresun.com ...
TOPICS: Current Events; Prayer; Religion & Culture
KEYWORDS: annerice; catholic; rice; spiritualjourney
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1
posted on
07/30/2010 7:57:37 AM PDT
by
NYer
To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...
It's simply impossible for me to "belong" to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. Luther opened Pandora's box when he said anyone could interpret scripture. Here is yet another victim.
2
posted on
07/30/2010 7:59:12 AM PDT
by
NYer
("God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." St. Maximilian Kolbe)
To: NYer
Don’t care about her theology, but the movie rendition of the vampire shtick seriously one-upped the gayness factor of the genre.
3
posted on
07/30/2010 8:02:35 AM PDT
by
junta
(S.C.U.M. = State Controlled Unreliable Media)
To: NYer
Anne Rice has every right to refuse to be anti-secular humanist but she should remember that humanism is the worship of man over Christ and is thus hypocritical in her logic.
To: NYer
Pure anti-protestant bigotry.
5
posted on
07/30/2010 8:03:31 AM PDT
by
DManA
To: NYer
Pure anti-protestant bigotry.
6
posted on
07/30/2010 8:03:45 AM PDT
by
DManA
To: NYer
7
posted on
07/30/2010 8:03:45 AM PDT
by
dalebert
To: NYer
Perfect example of the seeds that were thrown on the path and sprouted for a very short time.
8
posted on
07/30/2010 8:04:20 AM PDT
by
Ann Archy
(Abortion......the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
To: NYer
I quit the organized ‘church’ years ago, when I got divorced.
I was still pretty active and concerned with those things so I went to see them about what to do if I was divorced, but wanted to have a church wedding again if I got married again.
They said no, it was so terrible, it’s not allowed, and etc etc etc.... but if I gave them $400 it would be OK
Something about that just didnt feel right any more
9
posted on
07/30/2010 8:04:38 AM PDT
by
Mr. K
(Physically unable to proofreed (<---oops! see?))
To: NYer
As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.***********************
This sounds as much like a political conversion as a rejection of religion. I suppose that makes sense, though.
10
posted on
07/30/2010 8:06:54 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: NYer
>> “In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.”
You blame Protestantism for this? It doesn’t appear to me that she’s quitting based Protestant/Catholic disagreements and scriptural interpretation — she’s quitting based on items that the vast majority of Protestants and Catholics agree about.
SnakeDoc
11
posted on
07/30/2010 8:07:30 AM PDT
by
SnakeDoctor
("Shut it down" ... 00:00:03 ... 00:00:02 ... 00:00:01 ... 00:00:00.)
To: Mr. K
but if I gave them $400 it would be OK
___________________________________________
Thats interesting...
What did “they/them” say the $400 was for ???
To: All
I have tried to be tolerant, but the Left beat it out of me.
To be Pro-Democrat means being Anti-Christ...
To: NYer
“In the name of Christ,” she rejects the fundamental standards of personal morality.
To: Ann Archy
My wife and i were just talking about that scripture a few days ago. Excellent analysis.
15
posted on
07/30/2010 8:09:18 AM PDT
by
Rays_Dad
(H. Clinton-Every man who looks at her is reminded of his first wife, even if he's never been married)
To: NYer
What a shame! We must pray for her.
16
posted on
07/30/2010 8:09:33 AM PDT
by
SumProVita
(Cogito, ergo...Sum Pro Vita. (Modified Decartes))
To: NYer
“I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life.”
This dingbat must be on drugs. She wants to be pro-Democrat AND pro-life? That’s impossible!
17
posted on
07/30/2010 8:12:09 AM PDT
by
nhoward14
(I'm starting The 595 Club... A discount from 700)
To: NYer
multi ergo audientes ex discipulis eius dixerunt durus est hic sermo quis potest eum audire
Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard; and who can hear it?
Like many of those who have been fooled today, her real god is Caesar.
It was only a matter of time - if you spend much of your time writing and thinking about “vampires” it won’t be long before evil creeps into your consciousness.
18
posted on
07/30/2010 8:12:39 AM PDT
by
jtal
To: NYer
And yet Jesus spoke to anyone, not just the religious leaders. So do you think he would expect his words now to only be spoken through a specially trained cadre of religious elite? What’s the purpose of the Holy Spirit? Is he just loitering here picking his teeth?
19
posted on
07/30/2010 8:13:51 AM PDT
by
throwback
( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
To: NYer
“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian.”
Her statement tells us all we need to know about her. She can refuse these things because God has given her the ability to choose, like the rest of us. That does not mean that she is right. She will deal with the consequences.
So many people have been brainwashed into a distorted and watered-down version of Christianity over the last 50 years that Anne Rice may not even be in the minority in her moral relativist world view. Very sad.
To: NYer
“...In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian...”
A bundle of contradictions. Good luck with that philosophy.
21
posted on
07/30/2010 8:15:47 AM PDT
by
PGR88
To: NYer
I never though her conversion was real.
She never renounced her previous infatuation with occult things.
To: NYer; Teófilo
Teofilo had a good blog post about this:
Friday, July 30, 2010
Folks, in a rather confused, angry, yet poignant declaration posted on her Facebook page two days ago on Wednesday, author Ann Rice renounced Christianity but not Christ:
For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian. I'm out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Christian" or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to... this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten
years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.
As I said below, I quit being a Christian. I'm out. In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of
Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.
In the past, I had reviewed a number of Ms. Anne Rices works, particularly her Christ the Lord works, as well as Memnoch the Devil, and Servant of the Bones. One such review earned a place of honor on her website. I found those works genial and congenial, and evidence of a gentle, inner evolution of thought, heart and soul. If Ms. Rices declarations hold, her evolution has come to an end.
Ms. Rice is a gentle person. My very few exchanges with her have shown me that and the very few times I expressed my disagreements on her Facebook site I did it respectfully, without attacking her person, but questioning her stances from the viewpoint of the Catholic faith she said she had embraced, and natural law. In the end I saw the futility of it and not liking to be embroiled in long, protracted arguments, I left her to the mercy of God, to whom I cling every day for my own sins and shortcomings.
Ms. Rice is not an ignorant. To say that shes well read would be an understatement. Shes a genius, shes an artist. But whether she likes it or not, Christ left us a moral code, that is not anti-human nor anti-life, but well to the contrary and this teaching is proclaimed by the Church He left behind, unapologetically, in season and out of season.
We should take this opportunity for introspection. Did Ms. Rice leave because of her convictions or because we drove her away? Without absolving her of the personal responsibility of her choices, we should ask ourselves that question. We should ask ourselves how many from among us failed to be Christ for her and carefully, gently, try to show her why a number of her deeply held convictions were contrary to the Gospel she said she embraced. Did we also show her the breadth and the depth of the mercy of God to her? I think that many of us didnt. Those who didnt also share a measure of responsibility for her apostasy. Think about that one too.
I mourn Ms. Rices exit and pray that she comes to her senses. If not, I wish her well, and I want to let her know that the door remains open for her again, awaiting her return. For that we should all pray.
23
posted on
07/30/2010 8:17:09 AM PDT
by
Dr. Brian Kopp
("Oh bother," said Pooh, as he chambered another round...)
To: NYer
Luther is a hero. He opposed the corruption of the Catholic church at that time and to say other wise is anti-intellectual and anti-truth. I have nothing against the Catholic church, but to blame Luther - well - it made me laugh!
24
posted on
07/30/2010 8:17:54 AM PDT
by
Dave W
To: NYer
1. There are churches out there that wouldn’t offend her political and social concerns. Even better, there are churches that don’t get sidetracked on social and political concerns at all, but are focused on the Gospel and in helping people work out their salvation, letting them figure out the social and political concerns on their own.
2. There are churches out there that are not “quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous.” I think anyone who has been around long enough in Christianity has a painful awareness of what she is referring to here. They also know that there are loving, spriritually healthy, Christian communities to be found.
25
posted on
07/30/2010 8:18:06 AM PDT
by
Southside_Chicago_Republican
("During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." --Orwell)
To: NYer
Who in the world is this ignormalus?
“As I said below,
I quit being a Christian. I’m out.
In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay.
I refuse to be anti-feminist.
I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control.
I refuse to be anti-Democrat.
I refuse to be anti-secular humanism.
I refuse to be anti-science.
I refuse to be anti-life.
In the name of Christ,
I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.”
Well, at least you are being honest.
You are NO CHRISTIAN!
Yes, you’ll fit in with what God HATES:
Proverbs 6:16-19
16] These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
26
posted on
07/30/2010 8:18:29 AM PDT
by
nmh
(Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
To: NYer
“Luther opened Pandora’s box when he said anyone could interpret scripture. Here is yet another victim.”
You’ve also opened Pandora’s box, sweetie.
Who “interprets” the Magesterium for you?
Can anyone “interpret” the Magesterium’s interpretation of Scripture?
To: jtal
It was only a matter of time - if you spend much of your time writing and thinking about vampires it wont be long before evil creeps into your consciousness.************************
Interesting point. There was a thread recently (Vampire Logic?), now removed, that addressed this issue. Imho, it's a valid connection.
28
posted on
07/30/2010 8:20:28 AM PDT
by
trisham
(Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
To: NYer
Like she’s too perfect to belong to a church.
29
posted on
07/30/2010 8:21:28 AM PDT
by
Shimmer1
(Perseverance. In a confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins)
To: NYer
Anne Rice quits Christianity -- but not ChristI am quitting Anne Rice, but I am not quitting Rice; it's actually delicious with Black Beans and Tomatoes.
To: trisham
This is okay with you?
“I refuse to be anti-gay.
I refuse to be anti-feminist.
I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control.
I refuse to be anti-Democrat.
I refuse to be anti-secular humanism.”
Whem you are not against something you are FOR it.
Let me rephase her personal theology for you.
I am PRO homosexuality.
I am a PRO feminist.
I am PRO birth control.
I am PRO Democrat.
I am PRO secular humanism.
There!
All these “anti’s” might have been confusing.
31
posted on
07/30/2010 8:22:45 AM PDT
by
nmh
(Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
To: throwback
I have learned that churches and churchiology are actually crucibles of relationship building and learning to love and forgive others. It is cowardly to and run when we are offended buy other Christians. By staying and resolving or staying and tolerating the percieved idiocy of “others,” we live out the command to love oneanother. It was not promised that this would be comfortable, pleasant, convenient, or easy. By leaving, Ms. Rice is living out her own self-absorbption and failure to live up to the essence of being Christian. Love to all. Foyen
32
posted on
07/30/2010 8:23:50 AM PDT
by
foyen
To: Nonstatist
Her rant tells me she never knew Christ.
She's on the side of Christ’s adversary.
What a silly, mixed up person !
33
posted on
07/30/2010 8:23:55 AM PDT
by
nmh
(Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
To: NYer
“Luther opened Pandora's box when he said anyone could interpret scripture. Here is yet another victim. “
Interpreting is much different than reading it yourself and understanding it. And to think for yourself.
Christ certainly didn't intend for Popes and priests to be established for the purpose of spoon-feeding understanding to us.
That is an artificial man made barrier between us and God; and what the Pharisees were doing. He came to abolish that flawed way.
34
posted on
07/30/2010 8:26:24 AM PDT
by
HereInTheHeartland
(I aspire to a large carbon footprint; just like Al Gore's)
To: NYer
Luther opened Pandora's box when he said anyone could interpret scripture. Here is yet another victim. Frankly, we should take this back a lot farther than the 16th century: After all, Marcion set the prototype with his "canon" of Scripture and his separation of the "creator god" from the "good god." (And that was back in the second century)
To take it farther back, the church in Corinth was in pretty bad shape too (read 1 Cor 5 if you'd like an explicit example)
But, in reality, Pandora's box was truly opened by Eve when she believed the line, "thou shalt not surely die."
I wouldn't nail this one on Protestants, in other words.
35
posted on
07/30/2010 8:26:57 AM PDT
by
markomalley
(Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
To: NYer
Sounds like Ms. Rice does not want to make any worrisome or unpopular decisions. She's not going to be anti- anything anymore. Nothing’s bad, everything’s good, we're all fine..... No conflict, make love not war, etc.
Haven't we heard all this before? Wasn't this the anthem of the Hippie Movement?
36
posted on
07/30/2010 8:28:53 AM PDT
by
July4
(Remember the price paid for your freedom.)
To: NYer
In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat.
What's she complaigning about, there are plenty of denominations around that will bless off on all her issues and more ...
37
posted on
07/30/2010 8:31:13 AM PDT
by
Scythian
To: foyen
I’m afraid you’re right. I’ve been batting around formally joining a church. I go to one regularly, but am not a member. I like the church and its message, and I’ve gone through some introduction classes. Still, the people I’ve met I don’t particularly like. I think they’re all goofballs. Then I look at me, and guess what, so am I. I’m thinking this idea of making a church out of sinners, how dumb is that? Uh, but what is the alternative? What’s the old line, I’d never join a church that would have me as a member.
38
posted on
07/30/2010 8:36:51 AM PDT
by
throwback
( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
To: Ann Archy
Exactly what I thought.
She apparently never had a good grasp of what sin is and the concept of loving the sinner but hating the sin.
To: NYer
Committed to her own imaginary “Christ” that she keeps handy in a box.
40
posted on
07/30/2010 8:41:09 AM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Obamacare is America's kristallnacht !!)
To: HereInTheHeartland
I probably agree with you on your specific point, but we also need to wrestle with the ideas that: Christ DID send his apostles out to spread the good news, and Christ DID speak differently to the masses than he did to his selected disciples.
To: NYer
>>Luther opened Pandora’s box when he said anyone could interpret scripture. Here is yet another victim.<<
Actually, it was a Pandora’s box of accountability. We all die alone and we are all responsible for our own decision to accept or reject Christ. It is actually a good thing, considering Christ is our intercessor in the Melchizedek priesthood.
Sure, a lot of goofy stuff comes from giving individuals freedom, but I see it more as exposing each person as who they really are. The bible is pretty clear and basic issues. This woman says some things I agree with but then goes south quite a bit. One example is that she could have said “I’ve decided to be a Christian but give up Christianity.” After all, “Christian” is the word for someone who follows Christ. And “Christianity” is the group of believers that follow Christ, also known as the Church.
And her comments about Christianity prove she has no idea what it preaches. It would be interesting to ask her what it means to be a follower of Christ, also known as a “Christian”. I wonder if it would follow how the Bible defines it.
42
posted on
07/30/2010 8:42:00 AM PDT
by
RobRoy
(The US Today: Revelation 18:4)
To: NYer
Who has the authority to interpret scripture in the Protestant world?
43
posted on
07/30/2010 8:42:54 AM PDT
by
MongoBoy
To: Dave W
So Luther went from opposing a corrupt RCC of his day to helping form another corrupt Christian branch of religion, Protestantism. That makes me laugh.
44
posted on
07/30/2010 8:43:01 AM PDT
by
MongoBoy
To: NYer
Pray for her. I actually feel bad for her. She obviously struggles with demons that won’t let go. I know many people who struggle with many things, spiritual and otherwise. The devil is unrelenting. Pray that she finds her way. I believe she is searching as honestly as she can. Have compassion.
To: dinoparty
>>Christ DID send his apostles out to spread the good news, and Christ DID speak differently to the masses than he did to his selected disciples.<<
Yes he did, and what he said was then, AFTER HIS CRUCIFIXION, written down for all to read. I believe it was necessary for the people to have him crucified before full revelation was to happen. Even the apostles did not fully understand both before and immediately after His crucifixion. They actually seemed pretty thick and even Jesus got frustrated with them. But He persevered. :)
46
posted on
07/30/2010 8:45:47 AM PDT
by
RobRoy
(The US Today: Revelation 18:4)
To: NYer
“Luther opened Pandora’s box when he said anyone could interpret scripture.”
.
I can find no record of Luthor ever saying that.
Only those that have a solid relationship whith the Lord, and have the Holy Spirit to guide them can understand the scriptures. (this leaves out at least 2/3 of professing “Christians”)
Pandora’s box is a metaphor of Eve’s encounter with the Serpent. We’re all ‘victims’ of that event.
47
posted on
07/30/2010 8:46:32 AM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Obamacare is America's kristallnacht !!)
To: dinoparty; NYer
I don't disagree.
It is important to remember that He chose ordinary people to spread that word.
That is what is annoying about comments similar to what NYer posted.
Christ did not come to establish a ruling class elite clergy.
He pulled people literally of the shore and said “come follow Me” and they did. They dropped their nets and become His disciples.
That does not square with a huge monolith organized system of popes and priests.
48
posted on
07/30/2010 8:56:58 AM PDT
by
HereInTheHeartland
(I aspire to a large carbon footprint; just like Al Gore's)
To: NYer
. . .Today I quit being a Christian.Cease not gathering together as is the manner of some. Much of the New Testament is about the church and how we should interact with each other. Christians aren't supposed to stop fellowshipping with other Christians because they aren't perfect.
It's simply impossible for me to "belong" to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.
She says this in quite a hostile manner. Perhaps she should be asking forgiveness for HERSELF.
49
posted on
07/30/2010 9:02:38 AM PDT
by
MEGoody
(Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
Comment #50 Removed by Moderator
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