Anne Rice leaves Christianity--and I can understand 100% why

[CowboyT]

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/30 ... ty/?hpt=T2

Anne Rice has recently left Christianity. And I can't say I blame her. My own reasons for leaving Christianity, or "Churchianity," years ago are not exactly the same, but they're in a similar spirit. Jesus Christ himself would never say or advocate some of the terrible, horrible things I've heard from far too many members of the "Christian Club."

This is something that a lot of folks who profess Christianity might want to think about. Consider what Christ would actually say or do. Consider how he talked with people. Consider how he lived his life here on Earth. Then ask yourself if you're really, truly following his example.

Some Christians do. I know several. But too many others don't. I've even seen a few like that here on this board and others.

Resist the knee-jerk defense mechanism of saying "other religions do it too! other religions do it too!" That's a cop-out. What about you? Are you really, truly following Christ's example? Don't answer me, BTW; answer your mirror and Him.

- Cowboy T

[gunderwood]

Yes, there are churches like that, but not all of them.

[jaywade]

I'm a christian.

I feel for people that can't find a place or people to worship with, not all christian churches are equal's or the same. You can't lump all christian's into the likes of the westbro bapist church or the calthoic church.

I agree that JC wouldn't like what's going on in a lot of churches...in fact he commented/warned about that....

but nothing that one christian does or a million christian's do has nothing to do with what Jesus did/does

Don't let the follies of man, (which are far from perfect remember we are all sinners) turn you away from Jesus. He warned about that too.

If you ever would like to talk about this in a less than public forum please send me a PM

[jaywade]

Yes, there are churches like that, but not all of them.

amen to that

[GS78]

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/30 ... ty/?hpt=T2

Anne Rice has recently left Christianity. And I can't say I blame her. My own reasons for leaving Christianity, or "Churchianity," years ago are not exactly the same, but they're in a similar spirit. Jesus Christ himself would never say or advocate some of the terrible, horrible things I've heard from far too many members of the "Christian Club."

This is something that a lot of folks who profess Christianity might want to think about. Consider what Christ would actually say or do. Consider how he talked with people. Consider how he lived his life here on Earth. Then ask yourself if you're really, truly following his example.

Some Christians do. I know several. But too many others don't. I've even seen a few like that here on this board and others.

Resist the knee-jerk defense mechanism of saying "other religions do it too! other religions do it too!" That's a cop-out. What about you? Are you really, truly following Christ's example? Don't answer me, BTW; answer your mirror and Him.

- Cowboy T

This is the ultimate flamer post. Why don't you enlighten us all with how exactly YOU are following Christ's example. Posting something like this is the easy part.

[Jakeiscrazy]

Yes, there are churches like that, but not all of them.

Another +1

[baz]

The marquee article list some of her reasons:

She refuses to be “anti-gay,” “anti-feminist," “anti-science” and “anti-Democrat.”

Christians are not called to be such things.

“My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn't understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me," Rice wrote.

Note she will still be a believer; she has apparently been overwhelmed by certain followers.

[GS78]

who really cares? lots of people leave religion everyday. The Bible calls it the great falling away..


Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being assembled to meet him ... Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion [in the original greek: apostasy - 'great falling away'] comes first, and the lawless [one] is revealed, the son of perdition..." 2Thess 2:1,3

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils..." 1Timothy 4:1

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord..." Amos 8:11


There are reasons why even those who lead this nation, have deliberately led it away from Christ and his teachings....


I think Obama though was the first to openly and proudly proclaim us NOT a christian nation. I was going to ask who this anne rice is , but I really don't care.

[Taggure]

I was going to ask who this anne rice is , but I really don't care.

She is a well known author of books about withches and vampires

[zephyp]

Nothing wrong with being anti-anyofthose and Christian. The hard part is how you treat those folks.

Jesus recognized there was much sin in the world. He was criticized for hanging around the sinners. Why did He hang around with sinners. Was it because He condoned the sin. I dont think so. It was because otherwise He could not reach the sinners -- God hates the sin but loves the sinner.

As Jesus put it -- the sick need a doctor...nothing wrong with being anti-whatever...if you think the whatever is sin then you cant do anything about it unless you get next to it...

Sorry to hear she is dropping her faith because of what appears to be public pressure...

[gfost1]

http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/30 ... ty/?hpt=T2

Anne Rice has recently left Christianity. And I can't say I blame her. My own reasons for leaving Christianity, or "Churchianity," years ago are not exactly the same, but they're in a similar spirit. Jesus Christ himself would never say or advocate some of the terrible, horrible things I've heard from far too many members of the "Christian Club."

This is something that a lot of folks who profess Christianity might want to think about. Consider what Christ would actually say or do. Consider how he talked with people. Consider how he lived his life here on Earth. Then ask yourself if you're really, truly following his example.

Some Christians do. I know several. But too many others don't. I've even seen a few like that here on this board and others.

Resist the knee-jerk defense mechanism of saying "other religions do it too! other religions do it too!" That's a cop-out. What about you? Are you really, truly following Christ's example? Don't answer me, BTW; answer your mirror and Him.

- Cowboy T

Howdy, Cowboy T,
Do you no longer consider yourself a follower of our Lord Jesus, or is it organized religion that you have disassociated with? I'm not clear on that point.

Rice wrote, “For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian ...”

A Christian does care. Caring is a basic tenet of Christianity.

The ... author, who wrote a book about her spirituality ... said Wednesday that she refuses to be “anti-gay,” “anti-feminist," “anti-science” and “anti-Democrat.”

Perhaps her frustration stems from being unable to find a fellowship of believers who share her world view.

... It's simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group.

One would generally apply such a description to a group with whom one has a fundamental disagreement. Could this be the root of her problem with Christianity?

People can "believe" in God and "believe" in Jesus, but until the love of Jesus has transformed us, we remain on the outside looking in.

A few bad apples can, and often do, sow discord among the followers of Christ. That affliction has dogged us from the beginning, yet our faith endures. The letters of Paul teach us how to move forward in the face of such challenges.

Regards,

George

[wbtrunx]

Why Rice felt this event of her life was national newsworthy, I don't know. However, it's a perfect example of how one cannot be reasoned into Christianity. It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that one will truly be able to accept Christ and have that renew their life.

Cowboy T actually hit it in his original post, sort of; churchianity. Churchianity and Christianity are not the same. Many churches will tell you what YOU need to do to be a good person/ "Christian" but, and I struggle with this daily, it's not in our own power that we do anything Christ-like. As my pastor likes to say, "It's Jesus Christ + nothing." When we try to add anything to that, we're going to screw it up.

[zephyp]

Why Rice felt this event of her life was national newsworthy, I don't know. However, it's a perfect example of how one cannot be reasoned into Christianity. It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that one will truly be able to accept Christ and have that renew their life.

Cowboy T actually hit it in his original post, sort of; churchianity. Churchianity and Christianity are not the same. Many churches will tell you what YOU need to do to be a good person/ "Christian" but, and I struggle with this daily, it's not in our own power that we do anything Christ-like. As my pastor likes to say, "It's Jesus Christ + nothing." When we try to add anything to that, we're going to screw it up.

Amen. I screw it up every time...

[Eutaw]

Eh, I don't think I really need a church. I feel more at home with God and the Earth when I'm outside surrounded by the mountains. When I started spending a lot of my free time outdoors fishing and streams and hiking with my dog, I thought to myself that God would probably prefer what is natural to some stuffy church anyway. I lost my official church-goer status due to the black dealings of the Baltimore Archdiocese. Although, I'll still attend with Grandma when need be.

[Dreghorn]

I try to live by these simple truths spoken by folks far more "Enlightened" than I.

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
Dalai Lama

All major religious traditions carry basically the same message. That is love, compassion and forgiveness, the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
Dalai Lama

Before the throne of the Almighty, man will be judged not by his acts but by his intentions. For God alone reads our hearts.
Mohandas Gandhi

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
Buddha

And every morning when I begin my day I run this through my head.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
Marcus Aurelius

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Tecumseh


I do not wish to go through life with a religious tag. I believe in Christ's teachings, but no more, or no less, than I believe many other great Teachers some of whom are listed above.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

[newdovo]

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?se ... ersion=NIV

[wbtrunx]

I always find it interesting that so many will say, "Give thanks," but never tell you who to give thanks to.

[Dreghorn]

I always find it interesting that so many will say, "Give thanks," but never tell you who to give thanks to.

I would never tell some one else who to "give thanks" to. Give thanks to your Deity of choice! After all, this is America and we may all worship (or not) as we choose. I know who I give thanks to every morning, and I am content.

[gunderwood]

I always find it interesting that so many will say, "Give thanks," but never tell you who to give thanks to.

I would never tell some one else who to "give thanks" to. Give thanks to your Deity of choice! After all, this is America and we may all worship (or not) as we choose. I know who I give thanks to every morning, and I am content.

For clarification:

Freedom of does not mean freedom from.

Just as the 2nd Amendment (should) protect our rights from the government and people wishing to use the government to tell us what to do with our arms, so does the 1st amendment with religion (others too, but they aren't the topic of this thread). The government should not be in the business of telling you who or anyone else whom to give thanks to. However, two private individuals having a good discussion or debate about it is perfectly ok.

While I respect everyone's right to give thanks to the "deity" of their choice, I must also point out that there is only one true God and that is the God of the Bible. Disagree with me if you must, argue with me if you want, but it is all ok until one of us wants to use the government to settle the score. That's what is wrong and the first prohibits.

[Dreghorn]

I always find it interesting that so many will say, "Give thanks," but never tell you who to give thanks to.

I would never tell some one else who to "give thanks" to. Give thanks to your Deity of choice! After all, this is America and we may all worship (or not) as we choose. I know who I give thanks to every morning, and I am content.

For clarification:

Freedom of does not mean freedom from.

Just as the 2nd Amendment (should) protect our rights from the government and people wishing to use the government to tell us what to do with our arms, so does the 1st amendment with religion (others too, but they aren't the topic of this thread). The government should not be in the business of telling you who or anyone else whom to give thanks to. However, two private individuals having a good discussion or debate about it is perfectly ok.

While I respect everyone's right to give thanks to the "deity" of their choice, I must also point out that there is only one true God and that is the God of the Bible. Disagree with me if you must, argue with me if you want, but it is all ok until one of us wants to use the government to settle the score. That's what is wrong and the first prohibits.

Not sure what your clarifying Gunderwood. I never said anything about freedom from religion in my post. I simply stated that I do not tell someone else who they should give praise to. They may give their praise to who ever they wish, just as I do. That we are free in this country to worship (or not) as we wish.

It just so happens that I also worship the One God, The Creator, just as you do, and as most of the major religions in the world do. I do it in my way, you do it in yours, and the great thing in this country is we are free to do just that. I would never tell you (or anyone) that your way of worship is wrong, you are free to believe what you will. There-in I think may lie the difference between us.

Peace