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

[gunderwood]

It was more directed towards the generic thread starting with the inner quote and to some extent newdovos. The inner quote drove your reply...

If you believe in the Bible, newdovo has it right...there aren't other paths to God.

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

Christianity does not leave room to reinterpret the one true God to spiritualism, mysticism, allah, etc. While there are differences of opinion in Christianity about style and some doctrines, the core remains the same. They aren't separate religions as much as they are separate denominations. AFAIK, all major religions have various group that disagree with each other, but their core remains the same. The god they worship doesn't change.

The distinction newdovo, wbtrunx and I are pointing out is that anything other than worship of the God of the Bible is idolatry. Saying whom that praise is due is valid and find so long as no one is attempting to use government.

Telling anyone as an individual that there is only one way is not a problem (as newdovo did). Forcing them through government or otherwise is not.

[zephyp]

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.

Amen brother...The One True Living God I might add.

[frac]

Wait-Anne Rice was a Christian? Okay, let's say for a ****ing second that I believe that in the first place. She got rich and famous by writing about vampires (Interview with a vampire, a book and a movie for those unaware) who treated the world as their playground with little thought to consequence. THEN she sold her book to some guys who made a movie out it with TOM CRUISE, the one person that ALL of her fans said no way too. SO much so, that she had to write a letter that was published in Fangoria, among others, telling her fans that it was great. Well, it wasn't great, Ms. Rice, it was terrible. However, it did cure me of reading your books. Because that's when I realized that 'vampire' was a allegory for 'gay'. Oh, sure, they pretended they were straight, but it was pretty evident, after I saw the film, that they were gay. Now, I don't care what anyone does in their private lives, but I don't want to read about it or watch movies about it either. Now she comes out and say that she's left Christianity? Who's next to make this announcement? Anton LaVey? Ozzy Osbourne? Obama? Seriously, the woman lives in a former funeral home in New Orleans. So, okay, Anne, tell the world, BFD.

[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.

[wbtrunx]

I find it disheartening when people say they follow Christ but feel that organized religion is unnecessary; since that's very anti-Bible.
To go so far as to distinguish Christ and Christianity is even sadder. It's only by the grace of God that those who are followers
of Christ are followers of Christ, and we need to utilize the access we have to God via Christ to pray for them.

I say this to myself perhaps more than to anyone else. More often than not when encountering such situations, my first thoughts aren't,
"You poor soul! God loves you and so do I." They're generally more along the lines of, "C'mon! If you did it this way you wouldn't be such a fool!"
Hardly the loving attitude we are to have. However, it is proof that we only change by the will of Christ and not our own will.



[What happened to the edit button?]

[chfaunce]

I find it disheartening when people say they follow Christ but feel that organized religion is unnecessary; since that's very anti-Bible.
To go so far as to distinguish Christ and Christianity is even sadder. It's only by the grace of God that those who are followers
of Christ are followers of Christ, and we need to utilize the access we have to God via Christ to pray for them.

[What happened to the edit button?]

Well, you raise some interesting points. I wouldn't go so far to call organized religion unnecessary, but I also would not go so far to say that following Christ's examples and belonging to any organized religion are mutually dependent (for lack of a better word - it's early).

While it may seem extreme to distinguish Christ and Christianity, it's not at all extreme to differentiate Christ from his modern day "followers". The hypocracy and bigotry which exists in the Church today is one of the things which drove me away from organized religion. Also, it's important to remember that Christianity did not come about until hundreds of years after Christ's death, so maybe it is really possible to distinguish Christ from Christianity. The two did not coexist. The followers of Christ during his time on Earth were not 'Christians'.

Your last statement is a little troubling, though as you're clearly a Christian, I can see where you're coming from. But, I'll also say that there are some that go to God directly, and simply do not go through the Son. Their access to God isn't any different than yours; only the channel differs. The one thing about Christians (mostly the born again varieties) that always got me the most was the whole "our way is the only way, and the rest be damned". I don't think anyone really knows "the way" - everyone's just guessing.

[newdovo]

Also, it's important to remember that Christianity did not come about until hundreds of years after Christ's death...

Acts 11:25-26
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

I don't think anyone really knows "the way" - everyone's just guessing.

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

[wbtrunx]

Thank you, newdovo. You got to it first.

There's a specific reason why we say, "In Jesus' name," at the end of prayers.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 ESV
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Also, read Hebrews 5. It talks about Christ our High Priest. The duty of the high priest in the OT was to take the supplications of people into the presence of God within the Holy of Holies.

Just so we're clear, I am not calling organized religion unnecessary. Anne Rice basically said this, and I have heard a number of people say it in almost those exact words. Organized religion is necessary and we're called to worship in fellowship with other believers. Acts has numerous examples of Christians meeting together for worship. Sounds like church, right?

[chfaunce]

So, you're suggesting that it is not possible to have a relationship with God without an acceptance as Christ as the son of God, and utilization of Christ as a conduit? I'm not knocking your belief, I'm just saying that it's this sort of close-mindedness which turns people away from religion. I've known several non-Christians who have a relationship with God.

And, no, I don't think that people need to 'gather' in order to be Christian. Granted, the gatherings are a choice of many, but I still don't believe that going to Church every Sunday makes you any more of a Christian that someone who does not.

[Taggure]

[quote="wbtrunx"]

Just so we're clear, I am not calling organized religion unnecessary. Anne Rice basically said this, and I have heard a number of people say it in almost those exact words. Organized religion is necessary and we're called to worship in fellowship with other believers. Acts has numerous examples of Christians meeting together for worship. Sounds like church, right?[/quote]

Or sounds like the Sermon on the Mount that was held out in the open. How many times did Jesus stand behind a pulpit in a temple/church and give a sermon? I can't think of one, (but I may be wrong), but I know he cleared out the Temples and why did he do that?

The thing is IMO you do not have to be in a building or structure to worship the Lord. I look around at all these grand churches that are being built so they can house all the "Believers" when if I remember my scripture right and I am a bit rusty "Fore wherever there are those that gather in my name if but a few or many there so shall I be also” the key here is that Christians today get so hung up on Grand structures and monetary things and look down their noses at those less fortunate even within their on congregation that they forget that the greatest temple is nature itself and that Christ was but a simple carpenter.

I in my lifetime have seen a lot of Self Professed "Good Christians" do a lot of bad things and I have seen a lot of folks that are not religious promote more of the Christ Like lifestyles. The bottom line is to live a good life and treat others with respect. I know there are some bad elements out there and at that point I treat Fire with Fire.

By the way I have all of Anne Rice’s books and have enjoyed the read, but did not like the movies except for the Queen of the Damned.
I could really care less what beliefs she has as I view her works for entertainment only.


Sorry for the long rant

Vern

[wbtrunx]

You both misunderstand what I'm saying. The church is not the building. The church is the people.
Reread my post and see at any time I said you have to be in a big, gaudy building and preach "Give lots of money!"
Yes, people will use the name of God for their own gain. Anytime you throw man into a situation, you can count on it getting screwed up at some point.
That's what we do within our own power.

A dozen people secretly meeting in the basement of a house in China can worship just as well, maybe even better, than a congregation of 10,000 in a multi-million dollar building with a steeple and stain glass windows in California. A more common meeting place these days is under the roofs of schools. That typically happens in the gym/auditorium. You can be sure those aren't grand, gaudy structures.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Yes, you can worship outside of the building, even by yourself. However, Christians are called to fellowship and worship together. It's about being one body under the headship of Christ. Christians gather together to build their relationship with each other and God. It also helps bolster beliefs and encourage one another. No, going to church doesn't make you any more a Christian than going to McDonald's makes you a big mac.I would never suggest someone go to church with the idea of them earning some good points.

Taggure, your rant reminds me of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The bad guy chose a fancy, gaudy cup while the woman was knowledgeable enough to remember that Jesus wasn't the wealthy, powerful king during his first coming that the Jews were expecting.

Also, Taggure, read Matthew 21/Mark 11/Luke 19. Those are the references for him clearing the temple. Let me know what you learn.