Anne Rice Quits Christianity

[Amby 490]

The blogosphere has been abuzz since Anne Rice, a novelist known for writing about vampires sent a “shot across the bow” of the Christian Church after declaring that she was quitting Christianity.

In a posting on her Facebook page, she said, “I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being ‘Christian’ or being a part of Christianity. It’s simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. 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.”

Miss Rice’s words should not be quickly dismissed. She is not alone in her views and trends show that people have stepped away from established religion in increasing number. Scandals within the church and political agendas that have been placed on par with church doctrine are partially to blame.

Another factor pertains to those within the church who identify more with religion than with the true Jesus. The Pharisees were very religious but they rejected Jesus and his methods.

One’s reaction to the words of Anne Rice is a litmus test as to whether one responds in condemnation or Christian love. Miss Rice is, after all, pointing out the disparity that can be found between Jesus and his followers.

The following are 10 thoughts pertaining to Jesus and the Church:

1. Jesus saved his harshest criticism for the Pharisees who elevated rules and tradition but failed to recognize God when he stood before them.

2. Jesus modeled the proper balance of forgiveness and righteousness when he said to the woman caught in adultery, “neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”

3. Jesus came from a lineage that was dysfunctional and included prostitutes. He loved and identified with those who were judged by others and through loving them redeemed them.

4. Jesus chose women to be in his inner-circle and shocked his disciples by going against the cultural mores of the day and conversing with the woman at the well.

5. Jesus called Judas “friend” at the very moment Judas was betraying him with a kiss exemplifying his love for the most hated man in Christianity.

6. Jesus called Peter to put away his sword and then healed the wounds that Peter caused when Peter attacked a servant of the high priest. With this one act he showed that it is better to heal and win the heart than to harm.

7. Jesus was neither a Democrat nor a Republican and clearly delineated between politics and faith when he said “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” Romans 13:1.

8. Jesus would not allow his followers to exclude Peter from being recognized as a disciple even after Peter had betrayed Jesus. He told the first witnesses of his resurrection to go tell his disciples “and Peter also” lest they exclude Peter because of his actions.

9. Jesus placed science and the gathering of knowledge about nature in context with God’s design and authorship. Matthew 6:28-30.

10. Jesus called the church, “my church” showing that it is not an idea of man but of God. Matthew 16:18.

At its core, Anne Rice’s statement is a challenge to the modern church to look and act more like Jesus. Her message is muddled in political tones and her conclusion is regrettable but the church would be amiss in dismissing the essence of her words.

The church has been most Christ like when modeling forgiveness rather than hostility and when elevating love over judgment. Biblical standards of morality should not be compromised but it should be remembered that if one’s salvation is based on achieving righteousness outside of God’s love and forgiveness we are ALL lost.

So is quitting Christianity the answer?

Is it right to embrace Jesus but reject the church?

The scriptures state that we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as is the habit of some but to encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:25).

In other words, instead of running away we are to lift the dialogue. We are to emulate the leader of the church – Jesus Christ.

There are believers in churches across the globe that do this with excellence. Hospitals, orphanages and schools are the results of their efforts. When they come on the scene families are healed, children adopted, prisons visited and the elderly loved. They are the true ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I began this article by describing Anne Rice’s words as a “shot across the bow” of the church. In olden days ships would lob a cannon ball over another ship in order to elicit a response that would identify the ship in question as being hostile or friendly.

The Church's response to the Anne Rices of the world will speak volumes about the effectiveness of the Church in fulfilling its mission.

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/08/08/rev-shuler-anne-rice-christianity-quit-christ-pharisees-god-love-forgiveness/

[^_^ 5,021]

I see this post as a direct shot across the bow of vj Christians.

I see this post as a direct and most vile attempt to bait and incite vj Christians.

I see their lack of response thus far as being in the best of traditions of forgiveness and am happy to see that someone on here knows how to turn the other cheek.

you should be ashamed of yourself for attacking Christians with this post, amby.

consider yourself reported.

[^_^ 5,021]

I guess she realized her books suck now and had to do something to get some controversy and attention to her.

I think people like her and people who propagate her views are evil creatures, the worst of the worst.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I think people like her and people who propagate her views are evil creatures, the worst of the worst.

Not only that but her books are utter pedestrian tripe wrapped up in unsubtle and sub-cretinous attempts at eroticism, and are the direct ancestors of the whole Twilight BS. For this she should be tied to a stake and burned as a witch.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Not only that but her books are utter pedestrian tripe wrapped up in unsubtle and sub-cretinous attempts at eroticism, and are the direct ancestors of the whole Twilight BS. For this she should be tied to a stake and burned as a witch.

Whatever happened to the notion that werewolves and vampires were savage and brutal creatures? FFS, they don't wear stripper glitter and alabaster makeup. Twilight and the Anne Rice books were pure ####### that led to the degradation of the concept of monsters.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Whatever happened to the notion that werewolves and vampires were savage and brutal creatures? FFS, they don't wear stripper glitter and alabaster makeup. Twilight and the Anne Rice books were pure ####### that led to the degradation of the concept of monsters.

And for that they must be put to sleep. I want my monsters to scare the f^ck out of me, I don't want to f^ck them.

[^_^ 5,021]

Not only that but her books are utter pedestrian tripe wrapped up in unsubtle and sub-cretinous attempts at eroticism, and are the direct ancestors of the whole Twilight BS. For this she should be tied to a stake and burned as a witch.

I'm much more concerned with the direct assault on Christianity that is occurring in this thread than i am with the literature preferences of the areligious.

[The_Dude 1,142]

And for that they must be put to sleep. I want my monsters to scare the f^ck out of me, I don't want to f^ck them.

So I take it you haven't picked your "Team" on twilight?

I'm much more concerned with the direct assault on Christianity that is occurring in this thread than i am with the literature preferences of the areligious.

I really could care less. If your piousness and faith is swayed by aspersions cast upon your religion, you have far bigger problems.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I'm much more concerned with the direct assault on Christianity that is occurring in this thread than i am with the literature preferences of the areligious.

Well, naff off you. Twilight is bringing down this civilisation and you know it.

So I take it you haven't picked your "Team" on twilight?

Team Euthanasia.

[^_^ 5,021]

I really could care less. If your piousness and faith is swayed by aspersions cast upon your religion, you have far bigger problems.

I bet you'd care if the poster was attacking Islam. double standards anyone?

[The_Dude 1,142]

I bet you'd care if the poster was attacking Islam. double standards anyone?

Actually, I wouldn't care less. For the record, I am catholic.

[evli1966 88]

The problem Anne has is not a sole christian faith issue.

she has so many I dont want to be in her list that she wouldn't fit in any religeous doctrine.

She is another whacko that wants some attention.

[HannahP 119]

Ya'all know her first name is Howard?

I COULD HAVE WON A MILLION DOLLARS WITH THAT TRIVIA!11

Interview With a Vampire was genre breaking. Everything else just sucked.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Rice stopped writing vampire stuff a few years ago and started writing religious fiction.

[Fandango 1,439]

She let the worst define Christianity??? Not all Christians are 'quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious'. Not all Christians are anti-gay, anti-science, anti-women, etc. That notion is ridiculous, and it seems to me that Anne Rice didn't understand what it actually means to be Christian.

Edited August 9, 2010 by Happy Bunny