How sad that even someone inside of the Church feels that in order to be a Christian one must be those things. I understand that sometimes those outside of the Church believe that about Christians, but that someone who is a part of the institution feels the same way is incredibly sad.
I’d love to point her toward folks like Tony Campolo or groups like Soulforce and Christians for Biblical Equality so she would know that there are plenty who follow Christianity who don’t feel like they need to be Republican, anti-gay, misogynists in order to carry that title.

So does this mean she’s going to start writing about vampires again? I hear they’re hot right now.

I applaud this stance. This *is* the very type of stance that is needed: as loud and bombastic as possible. The “christians” have gotten awfully, awfully loud and pushy about their beliefs, and there are (literally) countless court cases being waged like battles right now over belief. The problem is that the “christians” labor under an impression — which needs to be countered with rather vicious force, it seems, in all arenas — that they can INSTRUCT OTHERS how to live. This is not going over well for them, and never will. It will prompt countless court battles, trust me. Anyone with a brain knows this. You do not TELL OTHERS that you have all the answers and that they are forced by law to live as you would have them live. Rice has taken a brilliant stand that sends a very, very clear message: NONE of the belief of those so-called “christians” is needed in order to have closeness or oneness with god or Jesus Christ. Period.

Good for her! Today’s Christianity is on a dark road indeed, from pedophile priests to gun-toting racists. It is no longer the party of Christ.

I would have added that I refuse to be delusional. There is no historical evidence whatsoever that Christ existed!(nor Moses for that matter) I refuse to “cherrypick” the bible to make it more comfortable for me to be a Christian. You either believe the bible or you don’t. there is no half way measure!

Yay, Anne! We applaud your honesty and your bravery to speak out against the world’s most popular religion. We applaud you for staying true to your heart and what you know to be right. We applaud you for speaking in favor of humanity, feminism, birth control, intelligence, and sanity!
We appreciate you for who you are. Thank you!
Dana

Actually she did it in 2 posts
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.
and then a little later
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.
What prompted it was all of the hating people are doing in the name of God.

Actually that is a very accurate indictment on all Christianity right now. There may be a few individuals who are not anti* but their official church position is indeed.

At some time, when people actually “think critically” about religion and their personal god and the many thousands of other gods whom they have rejected, the rational, intelligent person must come to the only conclusion available; religion is the greatest hoax ever played on humankind and, as Spinoza said, gods are fashioned by men to be servants of their human interests.
Well done Anne Rice for freeing yourself from the shackles of religion.

you may not believe that Jesus was the son of God, but yes there is plenty of historical evidence that Jesus existed. do a little research.

anti-feminist, anti-artificial birth control, anti-Democrat, anti-lfe, anti-science. she won’t find any gay bashing in there either.
she won’t find any statements in the Bible to back up those quotes. vampires are popular again. now is a good time for her to jump on that bandwagon.

Wow. Where to start ? Ms. Rice clearly has had years of bad experiences with the Catholic church. I don’t doubt that.
It’s sad when a person’s understanding of Christianity is based on the teachings of a church or on those who claim to be followers of Christ as opposed to being based on the actual Text of Scripture.
I would say that Ms. Rice never experienced for herself the transforming effect of being born again (John 3:3). This is very different than simply attending church services and listening to someone interpret Scripture for her. The relationship that she believes she had at one time with the Messiah required a mediator for her to access His Truth. This isn’t a relationship with Jesus. It’s more like focusing on the counselor than on the One with whom you should have your relationship.
The Gospel is simple: If you’re honest enough to admit that you’ve lied, stolen (value is irrelevant), blasphemed, hated, and lusted, then you should recognize that you’re guilty of breaking God’s Commandments. By definition, after the first time doing any of the above, you’re a lying, thieving, blaspheming, murderer and adulterer at heart. God is (as a Good and Just Judge) more than justified in condemning criminals. If you stop there, though, you end up with a very angry God Who’s angry and waiting for everyone to mess up.
The Gospel, though, is the Good News. It continues where the Law stops. It says that God sent His only Son to suffer the consequences of our transgressions against a Righteous and Holy God. Through the legal transaction of His Blood shed on the Cross, we can be forgiven if we do 2 very important things: Repent and Believe. Repent may be an old-fashioned word, but it’s the most clear picture of turning from the sin we enjoy in order to look upon God alone. Belief is pure trust as you trust in an elevator to take you to the floor you desire as opposed to dropping you to the bottom of the shaft.
Ms. Rice didn’t “quit being a Christian” if she believed that attending church was what a Christian was. A Christian is someone who’s been dramatically changed by being born again. Christians grow in their love for the One who died for their sins and grow in the hatred of the sin still within them.

If she had merely held on to her prior belief system while simultaneously calling herself Christian, I can only be happy that she’s out. Who needs an anti-family, pro-sexual hedonism materialist representing the faith? Her leaving is a more honest decision than a lot of other people are willing to make.
Tom

There is not a single shred of rational evidence to support the bronze age myths and superstitions known as Abrahamic religion(s). There is as much evidence to support the existence of gnomes, unicorns and Santa Clause.
In the battle between mythology and physics, physics always wins.

Anne, I’m sorry to hear you have given up on us. I don’t know who told you that we are supposed to be anti things, but I do not believe that is true. I am a sinner myself, so I have no right to tell you what a sin is or isn’t and neither does anyone else.
Now, to the my fellow Christians:
Greetings in the name of Christ my Savior,
In Christ we are supposed to hate the sin, but love the sinner. Only God knows who is to be condemned and who is not. I know as a Bible-beliving Christian, I know that I am not the judge of anyone. Joshua 12:14 “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Matther 7
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Now isn’t that calling the kettle black. Christians who make the decision that we have to be anti these people are just putting that beam into their own eye. We need to love people to Christ, not condemn them with hate. God sees what is in your heart, remember that my fellow Christians. Look it up for yourselves.

What’s to respond to? I have followed her on Facebook and watched how she preferred to let her views define her faith as opposed to the other way around.
No one joins Christianity; no one quits it. You either are living for Christ, or for something else. I do not know Anne Rice personally, and don’t know what she believes about Christ. If her Facebook site is to be considered in the mix, she seems earnest, though somewhat manipulated by culture. At the very least, she seems to be searching, but refers more to the New York Times than the Bible. I read and love the NYT, but was surprised how much she lets it influence her.
There are small-minded people who see Fred Phelps and think that defines what a Christian life looks like, or, the Catholic Church’s priest scandals, and believe all priests are pedophiles. If so, no wonder they ache when they hear the word “christian.” More than that, Rice appears likewise blind to what is going on outside of Christianity. This is no defense of those Christians making bad press, but an awful lot of hatred exists anmong those with no faith as well.
A good Christian isn’t bragging about obedience to God. They don’t brag about how much they give to the poor, AIDS hospices, serve in difficult areas as doctors or nurses, or teach others to read. They don’t mention when they help widows and orphans. Humility is part of our faith. Easier said than done, but anyone who is part of an active church knows these things go on daily, unseen and unheard. Some do brag, and others can off their rocker, but quietly, many are doing what Jesus Christ asks. They first ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Then, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ In that order.

As a revert to the Catholic Church and Christian faith after 25 years of active atheism, one of the hardest things to do was to change my beliefs about issues in the world. The Church has the deposit of faith, but it appears that she wasn’t open to changing her mind on things. Belief in Christ demands conversion of thought.
Anti-gay? Anti-science? Anti-life? I think Ms. Rice has never learned anything about the Church if she thinks this is what we stand for. It’s a pity to lose a soul, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, she will be back as a Christian, regardless of where she chooses to spend her Sundays (whether with the Catholic Church or any other like-minded group of individuals).

It only creates Drama if you choose to let what any individual says (celebrity or not) come across as if they somehow have anything to do with your personal life. I choose to think what I think, and Anne Rice should be allowed the same. And, because she’s famous, she has the opportunity to be heard.

Has she ever been? All too often–Evander Holyfield, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Newt Gingrich, and many others–we accept celebrity claims of Christianity and even promote their books without ever discipling them. As a result, we get to act “surprised” when people who have never really learned the Word and its demands on our lives start acting as if….
….they’re (as Anthony notes) far more influenced by the New York Times (or whatever) than by the Scriptures.

Anne! Thank the Powers That Be! You finally woke up! Looking forward to reading your REAL books now!

She’s out? Well, I guess she never really was in, was she?

That doesn’t leave too many options, does it? While she doesn’t blatantly reject Judaism, they’re purely war-mongers in recent history, so I assume she isn’t going there. If she thinks Christianity is bad, then who knows how she considers Islam, for not only similar orthodoxies, but far more stringent. There’s Marx, of course, and his secular humanism, but just a little history shows us how effective that is.
See you around, Anne, in this life perhaps, certainly not in the next!

Miss Rice will deeply regret her actions one day.

I’m not to surprised at this comment. When she came back to the Church, she had certain reservations about abortion, etc. so I feel that the priest who “brought her back” should have explained that she must accept ALL of the Church’s doctrine, and not be a “cafeteria Catholic”.
This is too bad, and I think that we should pray for her. Apparently secularism and relativism have overcome her Christianity.
It is hard to be a Catholic, but you must accept all of the doctrines of the Church.

Sad. But her immoral values do not allow her to be Christian

Who cares what Ann Rice does? I don’t care if she is a Christian or not, and I don’t care what she likes or doesn’t like. She needs to just move on with her life and stop thinking that a novel writter has any real influence with anyone.

I knew the time would come when she would truly convert or leave the faith. I stayed away from her writings becaue I was aware she did not fully embrace the faith. God’s word must be supreme in our hearts and if we cannot accept the plan that God gives us for living then this is the same old ancient sin of disobedience and pride. We know better than God so say many. We know what is good better than God does. Oh I do not know why people rebel against their Creator who loves us so much and only guides us in the way of peace and health.

She sounds disturbed (and angry). How can anyone stereotype such a large group of people (Christians) as opposed unequivocally to the things she mentions, with no further examination?
Anne Rice, get help!

It should be obvious that we Americans are dividing into two groups. Islam is not an optiom. The options are Christianity with its centuries old moral code given to the Jews and us by God and the pagans who make their own moral rules. This woman has now come clean and elected to be a pagan. More of the pagans (wolves in sheep’s clothing) should come clean and stop masquering as Catholics,
Sodomy, killing of unwanted children, gay marriage and the like are OK among pagans.

So what she is saying is that she has decided to what many others have done over the Centuries since the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and adopt her own watered down version of the teachings of Christ and the commandments of God.

She did well,
Considering that all religions are sham and frauds, invented by power hungry men to control the superstitious sheep….she did well.
Finally, she has come to her senses. Religion does nothing but divide humanity and this division is responsible for millions of death all over the world in the name of fictitious murderous gods.
Unless humanity abolishes all religion it will self destruct and has no future

The problem always is that to really embrace Chrisitanity, and in particular the Catholic faith, one’s life must change radically. A true conversion of heart demands it, won’t allow anything else. And there’s the rub. People just don’t want to give up all their clinging to the world, their pride, and the little sins and vices. The way I look at it, if you are unable to do that, than why bother professing any faith or religion at all? You become your own “religion” in the church of “me”. And as we see in this case, pride is the greatest sin of all. It’s what caused Lucifer and his minions to be cast from heaven….”non serviat”.

I wonder just how much of this is “targeted” to groups that once were loyal fans of her fiction?
Color me confused, but after reading some of her works after her return to faith, she was writing richer and I felt much better… but those pesky sales figures…
Controversy sells, drama sells and yes, especially sinning sells.
John, I think you have it wrong… religion and faith do not divide people as much as “hating” and wanting to do physical and psychological damage to someone that has faith, religion, or a belief that is ‘different’ from what you believe.
The worse religious bigots I have encountered where not Christians, or even Muslims, no, they were Atheists. And yes, Atheism IS A RELIGION.

SHE SAYS THAT IN THE NAME OF JESUS SHE QUITS CHRISTIANITY? THAT MAKES NO SENSE – HOW CAN SHE EVEN SAY SHE BELIEVES IN GOD IF SHE IS TIRED OF BEING ANTI-SECULAR HUMANISM (HUMANISTS DON’T BELIEVE IN GOD).IT’S TIRESOME HEARING ABOUT HOW CRAZY CHRISTIANS ARE. I’M A CHRISTIAN AND AM PROUD OF IT. GOD MADE THE WORLD AND ALL OF US WHETHER SOME OF YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!!!! PEOPLE SCREW UP EVERYTHING – NOT GOD!! TO THIS DAY NO SCIENTIST HAS EVER PROVED THAT GOD DOES NOT EXIST (EVEN THOUGH THEY KEEP TRYING) READ THE BIBLE – IT WON’T HARM – AND STOP SPITTING ON GOD

I see the Holy Spirit is cleaning House,He will continue to do so, our numbers will go down drastically, but the quality will be out of this world!I know there is life after death, i truly feel so sorry for unbelievers, they will be so very shocked when they meet their creator!

Good for Anne! She has seen the error of superstitious beliefs. She has come to understand that “God” does not make us moral any more then the “lack of god” makes us immoral.
When will people wake up and realize that religion does more harm to society than good? All these so called “Christians” do is sit around and engage in silly little arguments about which religion is the “true” religion. “My god can beat up your god” arguments are so childish, you would think that Christians would be the last people on Earth any rational person would want to associate with.
I say let them all drink the special kool-aid and hasten their retreat to their “heavenly father” so the rest of us can get on with making this world a better place for everyone.
And if this is found to be “offencive” to a few “Christians” out there, then GOOD! You only find it offencive because it’s true. So live your own life and stop shoving “Jesus” down every one’s throught.

“Narrow is the gate and difficult is the path which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Mathew 7:14
Seems to fit Mrs. Rice
Who claimed that the Catholic faith was easy or would bend towards the current culture – it is counter-cultural because Christ is counter cultural.
I will pray for the unbelief of many in our world.

Obviously she’s having a bad hair day and is not particularly keen on ‘deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me’. It is a hard call, especially in this day and age. I think if I was a celebrity the toughest thing for me to do would be declare myself a Christian, and then even harder, to embrace Catholicism.
I’m not anti-gay, they are anti-Catholic. I’m called to love my enemy.
I’m not anti-science, science is anti-God (for a large part)
I’m not anti-feminist, I’m pro-woman. I adore my wife and daughers.
I am anti-birth control because I’m pro-child, the more the merrier.
I can’t be pro-humanist because I have a relationship with a living God.
I can only be pro-life, because pro-death doesn’t make any sense.
Goodbye Anne. I pray for your eternal soul
‘It is hard for a rich ‘man’ to enter into the kingdom of God’.

Who’s Anne Rice?????

Good bye Ann,…..As you always believed those things against the Catholic faith, (which you picked and choosed) the faith and teachings weren’t pleasing to you, (like Lucifer said, “I will Not Serve”,… now you only return on the wide path that so many take, because it is easier for you. Instead of truly praying to know God’s will and by being Obedient to what the Church holds, you and those like you remain in a pride-filled illusion that makes you, your own god. Selfishness rather than following God’s Truth. The Truth is too hard for many to hear. Your loss Ann,..your loss!

It is obvious from her post that she does not understand Christianity very well. That is too bad. Perhaps one day she will respond to the grace offered to her and come to a clear understanding and embrace the Faith Christ left to us.

Anne you should pray more…not quit…just because you going through a dark night of the souls. It is you stubborn pride that preventing you from conforming you will to God’s Will…for you think you know
better than God and could do better than God…it sound like you also need to practice the virtues of humility and get yourself a spiritual director…last note every person struggle with the will and the union with God…it is just arrogance and being weak to discipline that is getting the best of you…fasting, prayers, adoration, alms, and penance will conquer…it is God who loves you first while you were still his enemy…all you do is love him back. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Practice humility and getting up after you fall…

Woo to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and adorn the tombs of the righteous.
The same guy who said:
The heavens and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
So now the new scribes and pharisees of the ruling churches have changed and now they are righteous because they say Christ and Amen?
Don’t make me laugh. His words were valid then, and are valid now!
I repeat the words of Jesus Christ to the churches, that are of truth.
Woo to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and adorn the tombs of the righteous.
If you think and proclaim that you understand what it all means then you are like the Scribes and Pharisees.
Who goes to the heavens is he who admits.
There shall be there the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth, when ye may see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the reign of God, and yourselves being cast out without;

GOD ALLOWS YOU THE FREEDOM TO BELIEVE OR NOT-BELIEVE IN HIM – AND MANY WILL BE NON-BELIEVERS, SOME OUT OF BITTERNESS OR IGNORANCE.
APPARENTLY ITS EMBARASSING & UNFASHIONABLE TO BE A CHRISTIAN AS THEY ARE CONSIDERED WIMPS OR TROUBLEMAKERS. LOOK AROUND, ALL SYMBOLS OF CHRISTIANITY ARE SLOWLY BEING WIPED OUT. NOW IT’S “ANYTHING GOES AND DO YOUR OWN THING” ANY HONEST PERSON WILL HAVE TO ADMIT THAT THIS WORLD IS GOING DOWN THE TUBES IN SPITE OF ALL THE WONDERFUL MODERN ADVANCES- WHY? I’M GUESSING THERE’S A LACK OF CONSCIENCE & MORALS, TOO MUCH GREED OR “I DON’T WANT TO GET INVOLVED” TO NAME A FEW REASONS. LIKE IT OR NOT THERE IS A SPIRITUAL WAR GOING ON. AS JESUS SAID, DON’T WORRY ABOUT DYING, WORRY ABOUT YOUR ETERNAL SOUL- PEOPLE NEED TO BE WARNED – TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT – AMEN

If all of the people criticizing Anne Rice had read what she said on
the forums on Amazon they would realize that this woman did not make
this decision lightly. Anne gave evidence that she studied, really
studied the Catholic church and found that we all had been brainwashed.
Anne and I grew up in the 40′s and 50′s and if you did not experience
the life within the Catholic church at that time you have no idea
what I am talking about. The churches used fear and guilt to gain control of us and many of us broke away from all the man-made doctrine,
when we asked questions we were told we should have blind faith and
accept what we were told to accept. Like Anne said, study, really study
the Catholic church, the past history, the MAN MADE doctrines and you
will better understand what I am talking about. To quote Anne
“Christians feel they have to judge others and declare “the truth”
to them and this runs through all the various denominations and
churches on all levels about all moral issues” Anne is a still a
follower of Christ and like many of us she finds that she does not
need organized religion to do this. These so-called, know-it-all
Christians who judge are what I call the Pharisees and all churches
have them. Anne is in harmony with her God and His cloak of love
surrounds her and gives her the strength she needs on this journey. yes, God will work within her. There is no bond of union on earth to compare with a human soul and God and Anne will go forward, unafraid and have inner peace. Anne gave her son the unconditional love that God has instructed us to give one another. Now I will sit back and
read what all the Pharisees will say about this post.

Well, given the fact that from the day of Ms. Rice’s highly publicized “joining” the Church, I find her decision to “quit” completely unsurprising, given her complete rejections of Christian teaching & her constant insistence of the last few years that the entire Christian faith subscribe to the omniscience of SECULAR humanism, where humans are “god” & “progressive” ones know what’s best in the universe, I am not surprised at all. Such a crusade to change the teachings of Christ was bound to fail eventually.
That said, I do think it is sad to see anyone, including Ms. Rice so utterly fail to learn about or comprehend the Christian faith that she would simply “quit” it because it won’t succumb to her preferences or her misguided notions of what it believes.

A couple of months back, I participated in a discussion of Catholicism on Amazon.com’s Christianity forum in which Ms. Rice took a major part. She might even have initiated it.
She left me with the impression that she is an essentially well meaning person, and an exceptionally talented artist, who is driven almost completely by emotions. Several contributors including me quit the discussion because it was impossible to have a rational give and take of opinions. Any difference of opinion was greeted with ad hominem attacks, name calling and outright tantrums.
The possibility that the Church might have better insights than she after 2000 years of thinking about thinking did not give Ms. Rice pause for a moment. And the concept of obedience to authority was nowhere on her radar. I hope she finds her way back home. Having seen how thoroughly she is indoctrinated with modernism, individualism and “rights,” it is hard to see how that would happen. But all things are possible with God. Anne needs prayer; her own and ours.

I too agree that conservative Christianity has much to learn. God is about love not a bunch of man made rules that have nothing to do with the Bible teaches. The pastors who pass on their personal hate messages will be judged quite harshly by the Father.
However, not all Christians are anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-science, etc.
For instance, there is verse in the Bible that talks about two men fighting and they injure a woman carrying a baby. If nothing happens, nothing happens to them. If the woman dies, they’re stoned to death. If the baby dies, they pay a price to the husband. Now, bear in mind the penalty for murder was to be stoned to death. The death of the baby was not considered murder.
Another example, in God’s eyes there is no male or female. God calls women to be missionaries, to lead churches, to preach, Joyce Meyer for example, to be artists, writers, etc. The primitive idea that women are only here to be wives and mothers is outdated. It means the men haven’t actually read the passage in Eph. There are more mandates for men than women. The men are ignoring them.
Christ came to redeem everyone regardless of sex, sexual preference, beliefs, etc. The narrow mindedness of a select group is maddening to those of us who understand the love of God and remember well the verse that says: Don’t judge unless you yourself want to be judged.
To those of you who condemn the sinner and can’t separate the sin from the sinner – remember the woman at the well that Jesus talked to? She’d had several husbands the current man she lived with wasn’t? Did he condemn her? No!!!!! He showed his love and kindness. So what was her reaction? She ran to tell everyone in town about the stranger at the well and they all came to hear him speak. So, you’d better start asking yourself who do you really serve? God, our loving Father, or the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy?
So, stop serving the dark one. You’ve served his evil purpose for far too long. If you’d show the love of God instead of your intolerances – people would be flocking to Christianity. REAL CHRISTIANITY. Not the religious felgercarb you’ve turning it into.
Sorry, my brothers and sisters, but you’ve lost your way!!!!!

Rice went from writing obscene vampire books to believing in a home-grown type of Catholicism. She now officially rejects those aspects of Catholicism that differ from her understanding of Catholicism, and has become a Christian do-it-your-selfer. One is left with the impression that the woman never had a intelligent understanding of what Catholicism was about.

I am surprised that A. Rice didnt merely find her version of truth in another denomination. Afterall, its the Protestant way. You believe in Gay Marriage, Abortion for any of various reasons, equality of women within the Church Hierarchy, StateCraft and SoulCraft embodied by the Democratic Party, there is a Church for you out there. Church shopping is not dead.

I think it was all a big publicity stunt in the first place to sell Out of Eygpt. What a phony.

Her apparent insistence that she’s rejecting Christianity on the basis of what she found in her studies of Catholicism and the history of the RCC simply indicate to me that her research was shallow. The Church is not limited to the doctrine of the RCC, no more than it is limited to the doctrines of other denominations. That’s akin to saying someone dislikes all ice cream based on their tasting of one flavor of one brand and despising the entire dairy industry for the actions and practices of one company. Doctrines are man-made, but that doesn’t necessarily make them false, or true. Doctrines are simply codifications of beliefs or principles. As a Christian, the basis for my understanding of any doctrine or church position must be the Bible, in it’s entirety, from a systematic and hermeneutical perspective. Otherwise, we start cherry picking verses to support our desires, rather than understand what the Scriptures say, whether we like it or not. An honest person will, rather than twist Scripture to suit their purpose or desire, acknowledge what it says and based upon that, either accept it and submit to it as the Word of God, or reject it and abandon it in it’s entirety. The Word of God is not only eternal and unchanging; it is inerrant and harmonic. Our modern cultural practices play no bearing in mitigating what the Bible states, nor the accountability we’ll face upon our death from the Lord.

CeCe, I did spend life in the Catholic Church about the same time you did; and I have quite the opposite perspective that you have. I find the following the teachings of Christ sweet and amicable. Words cannot express the inner peace I have that Jesus is an intricate part of my life, compared to my younger rebellious years. I thank God every day for bringing me into this world as a Catholic and keeping me close when I’ve wanted to stray.
By your sarcastic remarks, I am guessing that maybe you had a bad priest growing up who failed to teach about a loving, peaceful Jesus who, like his Father demands our obedience to His will and His truth or face the consequences. Or maybe you have been hurt deeply by someone in the Catholic Church or possibly a Protestant Christian brother or sister. Or maybe you just don’t want to accept the written will of God because you love the sin. If you think that Christian doctrines are “man-made”, then where does your doctrine come from? Your doctrine certainly cannot come from God; despite that you like to throw around biblical terms (like “love”). If you follow the diatribes of the woman in this story, then you cannot know the meaning of the Ten Commandments as they are laid out in Exodus and explain in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. And if you can’t even remotely comprehend the meaning of the Ten Commandments, then you cannot profess to know the true “love” of God.
Anne’s god is a false god that professes a false and illusory love. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:21) If this is the path you wish to follow then I feel sorry for you and for Anne. Because neither of you have any hope to look forward to after you pass from this world into the next. I will pray for both you.

don’t slam the door on your way out…

All the same reasons I decided to leave the Episcopal church and converted to Catholicism. It took me forty years to find the truth and figure out that I was just being told what I wanted to hear not what I needed to hear. I truly believe in the life of the world to come, and I now know what I must do to achieve that goal. It is through God’s way and Jesus made that way very clear all we need to do is listen and obey. God bless Anne Rice but she won’t find what she needs anywhere else.

She has lost the emphasis of Christianity. It is not “anti” everything. True Christianity loves the gay person and wishes a relationship with God for them. Her other issues may not be worth conversing on (feminist, birth control and Democrats), however, when she states “secular humanism” (secular is without God). So how can one have faith in God and acknowledge that humans are supreme and there is no God. I hope she does acknowledge science (it proves God instead of evolution). How about the laws of thermaldianamics (where things break down instead of getting betting), and DNA where our bodies are so complex it is undeniably created by a higher being. How about the odds of our universe and the odds to sustain life (almost unfathomable. I forgot what it is called but when the science is related to the “big bang” theory. This is where all matter was contained within the size of a pin head on a piece of paper (quite heavy, huh) and it exploded (who caused it to explode?). Imagine the explosion that took place. It is like a spinning wheel that children play on (they hold the bar, the name has been misplaced in my mind). But when a child falls off they always fall and spin the same because of the weight of ones body being pushed to the outside and all people would spin the same way. The reason I say this somewhat long story is because “scientist who say that all life was created from the big bang has a major problem. I believe it is 3 of the 8 planets in our universe turn counter-clock-wise to the others, and 9 of the 60 moons do the same thing. Being almost 50 I grew up being taught different “scientific” models. Back in the 70′s we were told that the universe was “dying” (the universe was shriniking and getting smaller). That was proven erroneous. Now scientist say we are one “bubble” in a series of bubbles. The universe is humungous. Not to mention the “table” model of earth during Columbus’s time. The Bible has always said that the earth was round. Our system for creation has never changed. God values all people and I hope you see the light.

Anyone can break up with the Catholic Church, and still be Christian – just read Scripture, and align oneself with a group of Bible-beliving Christians, and then live what you learn.
Either we follow Jesus (as a Christian) or we follow ourselves and the world, in that case, we are NOT Christian. It is either/or.
There is no harm in not following Jesus – at least in THIS life. But in the next life? That’s not the case. There is harm in following ourselves and the world -it takes us down a different path.
God wants us to love Him with our minds as well as our hearts. Being a Christian is not to leave our brains at the Church door. Though being a Catholic is different. Brainless people are ideal.
Most Catholic clergy expect the average parishioner to leave his/her brains at the Church door and to ‘pray, pay and obey’ THEM and the Vatican, claiming they have a corner on the market of “Truth” revealed to them by the Holy Spirit.
But the Holy Spirit does NOT contradict Himself. Most Catholics do not recognize truth from errot. For many Catholics, their “god” is too small. He fits into a Tabernacle and allows a priest to order him around, like at Confirmation, when a priest or bishop says, “Here, receive the Holy Spirit”, like he’s giving them a soda. It does not work like that, but most Catholics believe anything.
So before anyone leaves Christianity, he/she ought to learn what it really IS first; it is not only what the Catholic Church teaches. Much of what the RCC teaches has been handed down for generations, and is not accurate, it’s the result of a whim by some pope or “chruch father”.
One need only to ask the Holy Spirit to guide them in reading the Word, and not to just know what it means, but to OBEY what God wants.
ALL things will pass away (the world, science, etc.) but MY WORD WILL NEVER PASS AWAY, says the Lord. Lastly, “obey God, not men.”

What took her so long. Common sense should have told her that Xtianity was toxic decades ago. How smart can she be to have tried to believe all that BS for so long.

Anne Rice sounds like a drama queen to me. Didn’t she get a public reaction to another undiplomatic outburst recently ?
I think she liked the 15 minutes infamy, and is craving for more. Enjoy Anne; but be careful because when you deny Christ before men, He will deny you before His Father in Heaven, and you are stuffed for all eternity if you push your love of media fame too far at the expense of the One True Friend any of us really can depend on; Who is Christ our Saviour.

Unfortunately, Ann Rice is another “Christian” who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. No judgement here; just look at the fruit. Pray for her. And yes, there are members of the Body of Christ who are not loving and Christ-like. May God forgive them and may we forgive them. Ann is a very intelligent and influential woman with an enormous fan base. It’s no wonder she’s experiencing a crisis in her faith. Who hasn’t to some degree or another? Pray for her, please. It’s not enough to post our opinions one way or another. If God has made us aware of someone in crisis, then that’s also a call for us to pray for them. May she be blessed with an intimate relationship with our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Come, Holy Spirit, come!

CRADLE CATHOLIC: It was the Catholic Church that selected the 27 books of the New Testament and when reading the bible you are reading a Catholic book. Google-History of the bible Old and New Testment-and find out for yourself how we got the bible. Many christians sooner or later want to know what the early christians believed and taught in the first three centuries after Jesus died and before the 27 books of the NT was canonized as scripture in 390AD. Google- Early fathers of the church and read what they wrote- you will be surprised if you have a open mind. Also you may be surprised to find out that the Catechisn of the Catholic Church has over 8000 bible references. Have you ever read what the Catholic Church actually teaches? We are the most bible based of all the so-called bible churches.

Great words…BOB…You said it all Bro…

For those who support Anne Rice and her reasons leave not only the Catholic Church but Christianity as well should read the following:
1 John 2:18-23…
For those who are NOT in agreement with Anne Rice departure from Christianity should pray for her and read the following:
1 John 4:7-17
I feel those who mockingly condone Rice’s decision would equally find it applaudingly amusing and encourage the suicidal to jump. I wonder do you equally mock with enjoyment your own soul and spiritual destruction??? Empty people are known for their addictions…drugs and alcohol…something to deaden the painfully dead.

“In the name of Christ” she rejects Christ?
Or does she insist that Christ is this fictional character that tolerates everything except those who stand up for right and wrong?
Yes, let us pray for this poor women and all of those caught up in our sad, sad culture.

Anne, Jesus loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. Once you experience HIS love religion of any kind won’t matter at all. Put your trust in Jesus. He will make all the difference in the world.

Another attention seeker! It is so sad when you feel no responsiblility for the damage you may do to innocent people who have not yet experienced the nearness of Jesus. Of course the Catholic Church contains the truth. All christians were Catholic for 1500 years for God’s sake. Poor Ann needs our prayers, but most of all those who may believe her should look beyond what she says and seek truth through the Catholic Church. Anyone who equates Jesus with the things she did is certainly very misguided and confused.

PAIN I should have said that it takes more faith to believe in evolution that the Bible. All of these comments on Catholicism makes me wonder, if the Catholic Church holds so much truth, why does it hold the power to extend grace? Baptism, Sacraments are just to name a few of the many “works” that Catholicism holds to its belief system. No church can hold the power of God to extend grace. Faith is based on a personal relationship not simply being baptized. Baptism is only an outward sign of what God has done to us inwardly (1 Peter 3:21). Catholicism is truly and sadly a works system.

Bob and Pain…Anne’s words aren’t idle words…instead of taken 3 steps back, she has decided to jump a mile back…the philosophy she appears to be embracing is Moderinism and all it’s errors. This way of free-thinking was condemn in an encyclical of the same title by Pope Pious X. This is what Our Lady of Fatima apparitions were against and asked for many rosaries. This is the last Battle with Satan, her ever Adversary, before the Triumph of Her Immaculate Heart and the Church. Modernism is the evil spawn of the beast Marxism and the beast of Freemasonry. Anne you need to get back in the Boat…babey! Swimming in the foaming sea of errors is not cool!

Christ never said it was easy to follow him. He did say to take up your cross daily and follow him. When we do it our way there is trouble ahead. Lots of trouble.
Mall shopping for religion is very popular for some people. A little of this and a little of that. What ever makes you feel good is their attitude. When you do it your way and know it was a sin, get to confession quickly..That us one reason he instituted the Sacrament of reconciliation.

I mean…swimming in a forming sea with sharks of errors is not cool!

Ann Rice’s son is gay. That’s the reason for her disillusionment with the Catholic Church. She won’t accept that the Church will not, cannot, accept this unnatural and sinful lifestyle as normal, despite the sins of members of the church itself. The Church teaches us to love the sinner, hate the sin (the Catholic Church chose the books of the New Testament, btw). Ann Rice has chosen to lose her faith and possibly her soul in order to condone and facilitate her son’s disorder.

For the love of Christ Himself, Anne – please reconsider. Christ doesn’t make mistakes….and He didn’t when He instituted His Church. People IN the Church make mistakes – and standing in judgment of them is why most, and obviously you – are leaving… Christ gave His Church to the world to be the moral compass it so desperately needs. He guarantees it to be free of error WHEN TEACHING in matters of faith and morals….but as Peter and Judas would well attest – Christ never guaranteed THEY themselves would be free from error!
Anne, dear…if you are reading this, you are letting your feelings and emotions drive you away from the Church? You mention some passionate topics MANY people have problems with – and some are in full communion with the Church still. One thing is required for you to reconsider…….Pray for a reinforcement of the humility that brought you publicly back TO the Church. The humility Christ expects of us is in the example of His Life, Death, and Resurrection…and perfectly realized in the Holy Eucharist – where the King of the whole universe dwells….that same King came and made His baby bed in the feeding trough at Bethlehem, lived, died, rose, and ascended so as to descend at every Holy Meal we share in at the only Table God Himself foreshadowed clear back in the Old Testament. You are forsaking Christ in John Chapter 6 and creating division Christ prayed against in John 17.
Where shall you be fed the Manna? Where shall you receive the Body and Blood of the spotless Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world? Focus on the Eucharist Anne – read some St. Peter Julian Eymard – please – before you throw the towel in. Read some Early Church Fathers. Above all, know that God loves you as a child of His….and He wants you…as He does all of His children, to dine at the one Table where Christ gives Himself to us as food. As with all things though – He will only give OF HIMSELF – as much as you allow yourself to receive Him. True Holy CommUNION exists at a physical, spiritual, and mental level and ONLY in the Catholic Church can you receive Christ FULLY – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity – as your personal Lord and Savior.

How truly sad, pathetic even, that Rice has turned her back on Christ and His teachings about right and wrong. She obvously never really discovered the Grace of God offered by the Catholic (Universal) Church. Christ said that He is the way, the truth, and the life; there is no other. Why is it so difficult for people to balk at rules? It is because they, like Rice, are so very prideful and resistant to not being in charge. Only God is in charge. These people, including Rice, need prayers and lots of them. The gift of faith through my Catholicism is the greatest gift I have ever known or been given. My heart goes out to all others who know not this Grace of God. They really are losers in the truest sense of the word.

The Church must specify homosexuality as a disorder and the act of homosexuality as a sin because it is so. Men were not created to do men and women were not created to do women; this is fact. Thus disorder. And, when the men and women actually act on their disorder, it is a sin, a wrong, a bad thing, an abnormal thing. One must turn his and her back on the disorder and live right.

The Bible says alot of things. The authority from Christ to lead his Catholic Church is so plain in the Bible. But what do they do? The interpret it so they do not have to be Catholic. Why? Why? No one had Bibles until a few years ago. Who teached and preached all these years since our Lord walked the earth? You all know the answer to that. What do you think? That the Holy Spirit waited 1,500 years before he got it right? Wake up…..

Anne, accepting Christ is far more important than accepting your child’s acting on his disorder. Christ is simply more important as He is Creator; your son is not.

I’ve noted a lot of “anti” this and “anti” that in Anne’s ranting. Not to be glib, but how about anti ignorance. One wonders if Anne really know’s what she’s against.

Hate the sin but Love the sinner!

Jim Fiori where does it say that one must be Catholic. That is only the teaching of Catholism. Peter, whom Christ said he would build His church upon the Rock, was not referring to Peter (meaning rock as in pebble), but rather, Christ the Solid Rock. The sacrament of the wafer and wine cannot be the actually body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation) it is just a symbol. Plus the texts of the Bible have been around for thousands of years, yes, not in everyones hands but still used as a guide for instruction. And according to Hebrews 11 we have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, available to all. No one needs a priest to confess their sins. Plus, GABRIEL, the Catholic Church is not the Universal Church. Universal Church incorporates all true believers of Christ.

Ms. Rice lacks understanding. To proclaim that homosexuality is a sin against God, humanity and more poignantly its practitioners is not anti-homosexual. It is in fact demonstrating God’s love to those poor souls trapped by Satan in the self destructive lifestyle.
Furthermore, what does Ms. Rice think being a Christian is? It is not some club you can join or quit. You either believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, or you do not. If you believe, then you follow the abbreviated 10 Commandments (Love God and your neighbor) and thereby you fulfill the whole of the law.
What is a feminist Ms. Rice. My wife hates feminism, yet there are few women more feminine. My wife submits herself to me. Why? Because she has to? Hardly; the thought of that is laughable. She CHOOSES to. She chooses to because God told her to and she desires to honor Him. “My heart safely trusts in her” … “She does me good all the days of my life and her value is far above rubies.” There was a deplorable movie made years ago about a husband and wife who decided that the wife would spend the night with another man for a million dollars. A man could show up at my door with 10′s of millions. I would laugh heartily at his sad folly as would my wife.
And again, what does it mean to be anti-democrat? If it means to passionately hate having children ripped from their mothers’ wombs, then I indeed am anti-democrat. If it means to rail against a welfare state designed to keep the father out of the household and so create undisciplined children while providing only subsistence level survival, all the while instilling a sense of hopelessness in children; enslaving generation after generation of people in a mindset of victim-hood, well then undoubtedly, I am anti-democrat. If it means choosing the free republic based on each individual being responsible to their fellow citizen in the face of Almighty God that our founders provided for us and spurning a socialistic democracy which our founders eschewed, mark me guilty. I am anti-democrat.
Anti-science?! Here I am sure that Ms. Rice knows almost nothing about the subject. The Anthropic principle cannot be denied and the principle of Irreducible Complexity and Minimum Functionality scream, “They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities– his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Ms. Rice says she refuses to be anti-life and anti-democrat. In the immortal words of Indigo Montoya, ‘I do not think those phrases mean what she thinks they mean.’

Well said Wm Tomlinson.

Who? Never heard of her.

For I tell you, The Gospell of Thomas bears no good fruit. For if it had been works inspired by the Holy Spirit it would have been included in the canon some 1600 years ago. I am so sorry your advisor did not warn you of this.
Why would you be anti- artificial birth control? When everyone knows that “the pill” is an abortifacient? The pill still allows ovulation and is to prevent implantation of the fertalized ova. How many babies have been flushed down the toilet Anne? If your so big on the whole “women” and “liberation” issue then why would you want women to be the sex slaves that artificial contraception has befallen then? With artificial contraception morality has been thrown out the window.
God will not change. We are his creatures and we are the ones to be on bended knee to HIM … not the other way around. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling”! May God help you in your darkest hour.

To Mr. Mead, it was Jesus who said, “Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you shall not have life in you.” He didn’t say it was a symbol. At the time, many could not understand it and stopped going with him. Also, Jesus said to his apostles, “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” If you believe in Christ, you believe in His words. You don’t change them around to suit yourself.

We can be what ever we want to be. This is called Free Will that God almighty gives us.
So you say that when Christ said that this My Body….that it wasnt. And when he said to do this…Say the words…. that it is not the Body of Christ. To me it is very plain. Even in John , c 6 you cant read there about how some of his disciples didnt believe (as you do)….Wow..this is basic stuff. So plain to anyone. Sometimes the easy stuff isnt easy.

So instead she turns to Anti-Truth. It is therefore, the radical and universal denial of all divine truth and christian dogma, the primal type of heresy, and the supreme rebellion against the authority of God and his Church” (Matt 16:19). As with Lucifer, its maxim is, “I will not serve”. Don Felix Sarda

So was Jesus asking them to canabolize him. NO WAY. It was a symbol that we must take him into our life for us to have LIFE. The laws of physics says that wafers and wine do not turn into flesh and blood. Not to say the least of such a mortifying thought of eating ones flesh and blood. Matthew 26:26-29 states the Lord’s Supper – they didn’t eat his flesh and blood, He stated that the cup (wine) was a symbol of the blood of the New Testament. He said He would not drink of the fruit until we were with Him. Not the Blood! He said eat the bread “this is my body”, once again a sign of His body given for our sins.

Best of luck in your detour from the truth. Hope you come back soon.
God Bless

Standing in a church doesn’t make you a christian just like standing in a garage doesn’t make you a car.
Be good and do good deeds daily, help those less fortunate and give back when you can. Heal the world and make it a better place for us now and future generations. That is what living a god loving life is about… just sayin.

Check out the early church fathers. You need basic help fast. And you can get it there. There are down loads on the internet you can even use. Someone even said in Acts that if these men are doing the right thing, then you could even be fighting God. They were intelligent men and they didnt accept Christ as Massiah.
It seems the more intelligent someone is, the more the Lord doesnt reveal himself. Sometimes we can be just to darn smart.

Jesus wants us all to repent of our sins. To repent means we must turn away from them. Just because we have friends that may be gay, drunkards, or thieves doesn’t mean that we should just accept that it’s not a sin. We may not think its wrong but the BIBLE says it is. He still loves us and gives forgiveness if we turn our life over to him.

There is a big difference between renouncing Christianity and turning your back on organized religion. In order to stop being a Chritian, one must renounce their faith in Christ. Anne has not done this. She still believes in Jesus and in God.
Not all Christians adhere to the dogmas of the various denominations. They have their own beliefs within Christianity. While the denominations differ, they all believe in Jesus Christ and in God.
In my opinion, Anne Rice has decided she is more non-denominational in her beliefs and an outsider. We all have our dark night of the soul and come through it stronger. Wherever Anne Rice’s spiritual journey takes her, she will come through this crisis of faith stronger also.

It is truly sad to see Mrs. Rice leave Christianity, but something troubles me. Why does she invoke Christ name in her refusal to be anti-X, where X represents the elements of her rant? One of the hallmarks of being a Christian is an acknowledgment of who we are (creatures) in relationship to our creator God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Hence her statement is a contradictory one because it invokes Christ name on one hand (acknowledging him) while claiming Christians are anti-science, anti-democrat, etc which they are not. Many names come to mind. Truth by definition does not admit to liberal or conservative, democrat or republican, straight or gay, but to the one who declared he is truth himself. Pray for her.

But Christ started the Catholic Church, so one cannot be committed to Christ and not be Christian. Such foolishness to think one can separate the two. You are either for or against Christ and if you are for Him, you are a Christian. If you are against Him, you are not a Christian. And there is nothing else I would ever consider being but Catholic; our faith contains all the grace-filled Sacraments that no other church has or will ever have. I believe one day, when Christ returns, all will be Catholic; if not, you will not be part of the new Heaven.

I agree with Brent. When I first read the article, I was confused. And I know that confusion is not of God. I pray that God will guide her always in her journey to life eternal. Sometimes He allows us to wander only to brings us back by another road or avenue.

I cannot believe any of you who think that Holy Scripture and what it teaches us is not the TRUTH. Being a Christian is hard, it RESPECTS ALL HUMAN LIFE! Instead of touting abortion and artificial birth control, we should be touting common sense sexual behavior…but no, our culture says its ok to have sex with anyone with out a sacrament. Christians, or should we just call a spade a spade here and say Roman Catholics, are taught that homosexuality isn’t a sin in itself, sexual relations with each other is…love is not a sin. Being a “conservative” just means taking a political stand regarding respect for humanity… euthanasia can not be particular…its killing. So Ms Rice, I have been a life long fan, I love your storytelling, and I so enjoyed your books on Christ. But you have just lost another fan…

I can see how she might be disgusted with the catholics. Between the pedophiles and all of the other anti-Christian things it allows – who wouldn’t wonder??

george,
Satan has always been trying to destroy the Catholic Church. Part of all the news you read is from the adversary of the Church. We have some Judases and always have. Thats what makes up the church…people.
We are not perfect. No one is. Except Jesus. Get that straight in your mind. Then you have a chance to tackle the issues from an intelligent standpoint. Dont let sin discourage you. It will always be here until judgement.

She is saying that she is no longer a “Christian”, and therefore no longer a follower of Christ. I think that’s pretty unambiguous. One can stop believing and repenting, and if she truly has rejected the Lord:
Hebrews Hebrews 6:4-6: “For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and[ then] fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
That is a scary proposition, but she may not have ever had a true relationship with Him. Only He knows whether He has known her. She does need prayer.
Gabriel, one doesn’t become saved by joining the church/body/bride; their “membership” into the church/body/bride is a result of that belief/repentance. What began at Pentecost was the church; not Romanism. Salvation is based on a relationship with the Lord; not a relationship with the Vatican.

I became a fan of Anne Rice after reading “Interview With The Vampire.” I liked her even more after reading “The Witching Hour”. And I became ecstatic with joy after learning that she returned to the practice of the Catholic Faith after being absent for decades. (And I became even more joy-filled when she was afterwards quoted making pro-life remarks by Catholic periodicals.) Welcome back, Anne, I remember saying to myself. She is a brilliant literary figure and, with her return to the Church, I was expecting her to be the next, say, Flannery O’Connor or Sigrid Undset. And then, this news that she left the Church once again. To say that I was disappointed is too weak an adjective. Anne Rice must be one confused, very, very confused individual. How sad. How very, very sad! (Talk about being the female counterpart of Mel Gibson!)

Actually Bob Mead, everything you said has already been shot down and then some ….Peter in greek is Petros, masculine…which also means little rock, pebble …Petra, Feminine …means boulder or big rock…you must remember that in Matthews greek version he would not have called Peter Petra because that is feminine. He used the masculine version Petros. Besides, Jesus spoke Aremaic which he Called Peter Cephas which means exactly what he said. There is no masculine or feminine in Aremiac. He also gave Peter the keys to the kingdom no one else. Jesus institued the Eucharist at the last supper, but he talked about a year before in John 6 specifically verse 54 when he said “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life…..” again in greek the word used “trogon” means to literally chew. He was serious when he said this. This also agrees with the passover seder in that the Jews had to eat the sacriced lamb to be passed over. Jesus was our sacrificed lamb. Universal church was coined by a Father of the Church…St. Ignatious….you might want to read some of his writings…..
Christ did not ask to be agreed with in his teachings he said to do it. I am not surprised Anne is faint of heart. We should pray for her
God Bless you …..

Mitch, 
This is off topic, but being that you brought it up…
When the Lord wasn’t getting thru to the multitude in John 6 about belief, and they “murmured”, it was only then that He used language which they were wanting to hear: “food”. Read it again:
John 6:33-35: “For the bread of God is that which cometh down out of heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 34 They said therefore unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 Jesus said unto them. I am the bread of life: he that COMETH to me shall not hunger, and he that BELIEVETH on me shall never thirst.”
As you can see, it was about coming to Him and believing in Him.
John 6:40- “For this is the will of my Father, that every one that BEHOLDETH the Son, and BELIEVETH on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:47- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that BELIEVETH hath eternal life.”
Notice that this IS consistent with the Gospel message that His apostles preached:
Romans 10:9-11: “because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus[ as] Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: 10 for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever BELIEVETH on him shall not be put to shame.”
Acts 16:30-31: “and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.”
Not “eat His flesh and drink His blood, and thou shalt be saved…”. I would ask you to show me where Peter ever mentions it, and this is supposedly your first “pope”, correct? You would think that he would at least allude to it, but he never does.
In Leviticus, the Lord tells us not to drink blood. He would never contradict Himself or the Father. He would not tell us one thing in Leviticus, in speaking of it as an abomination, and then tell us to do it, literally. In fact, His apostles knew that He wouldn’t contradict Himself, and so they STILL considered consuming blood to be a pagan practice:
Acts 15:19,20: “Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God; 20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from BLOOD.”
This is the half-brother of the Lord speaking. And again, while Peter never mentions the “Eucharist” or Lord’s supper, he does write of belief:
1 Peter 2:6- “Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that BELIEVETH on him shall not be put to shame.”
Where is the Lord, bodily? At the right hand of the Father; NOT in some perpetual earthly “masses” across the globe. He said:
John 16:6-8: “But because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I GO AWAY; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. 8 And he, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”
When shall He return? With the “mass”? No, at His second coming:
Acts 1:11- “who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.”
When the Lord speaks of the Lord’s Supper, He tells us to do it in REMEMBRANCE of Him; not as some “salvatory process”. Paul reiterates that in his letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 11:26-27: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.”
Notice what Paul does NOT say. He does NOT say “for as often as you eat His body, and drink His blood”. He does NOT say “Wherefore whosoever shall eat His body or drink His blood in an unworthy manner…”. These people were showing up drunk and disorderly, Patrick. They were not solemn in their “remembrance”.
Peace,
John

Speaking as a convert from paganism to the Catholic Church,I have but one duty and that is to love God without reservation. That means my eyes are on the Creator first, creation last. PERIOD!

I can understand the statement in full. Most, I will not say all because I have not had the privilege of meeting ALL Christians, but most Christians and Christian Groups use the teachings of Christ in modern context along with the old testament in order to further their own agendas. Some of the more radical groups speak out about killing gays and those who they deem are not close to Christ while other less radical groups just condemn people for their personal behaviors and habits. Jesus taught us to love our enemies, Love ourselves, his message if you read it as is without placing your own modern cultural biases on each word states that LOVE is what he taught. He stated that the law and the prophets (old testiment) boiled down to do unto other as you would have them do unto you, yet people take the messages of the old testament out of the context they were written in, add a modern day spin and use it for their own gains.
Just remember this particular quote from Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” and the modern day Pharisees and scribes are those who study the bible and then use it for their own hateful agendas and to control the members of their flocks.

Anne ,
What happens to a person when they die? Oh, wait…..they turn into Vampires.
Ever hear, “Judge not unless you be Judged”
Wait, you don’t believe that either.

You know, instead of sitting on this blog judging her for WHY she left, maybe you should wonder what actions, beliefs (that may be false), etc. you may be living or portraying that is the straw that breaks the camels back and makes another decide to quit.
I was in Christian ministry for over 10-years, with over 250K people on my mailing list. 99.99% of the time when someone tells me they are leaving the faith (myself included) it is because of Christians NOT GOD. Your all so damn pious and arrogant that you just don’t realize YOU may be the reason someone walks away.
I don’t expect even ONE of you to look within, but I do expect you’ll all attack WHY those of us who have quit are to blame, quote boatloads of scripture that most of you don’t pratice a TENTH of, blah, blah, blah… you just lose people faster and further.
And for the record, the ONLY reason I read this article is because it made national news.. and the THOUSANDS of EX Christians at various websites are sharing it like wildfire.
The world isn’t coming to an end… people are just realizing what a bunch of crap most of you have turned the faith into. You have to live with that and it is my belief you’ll be judged for it too, regardless if you believe it or not.
Signed,
AN EX Christian also fed up with the “Hypocrits” Calling themselves believers.

Just when you think your’e out, they try to pull you back in. The vampires and ghosts that is and all creatures of darkness.

She obviously needs to read Theology of the Body. That should clear everything up for her!

Anne if this is simply a cry asking for prayer – I will answer and pray for you. Anne, Jesus loves you even if you stop loving him. You don’t have to do anything for God to love you – he created you and died for your sins. I will pray that our merciful Lord Jesus Christ will send you the grace necessary for a complete comversion. You really then can renounce all of those vampire books you have written which have not added anything to God’s kingdom but I am quite positive have delighted the devil. Repent Anne and God will forgive you.

Does that mean that she’s broken up with Christ, too? Does it mean that GOD doesn’t have “rights” to tell us “mortals” what is right and what is wrong? Adam and Eve had God-given free will, but did you notice that they weren’t in charge of the consequences? Neither was Lucifer. GOD is the big boss, with ultimate Rights over His creation.
Ever notice that “the virgin birth” was prophecied right right from the first book of The Bible: Genesis 3:15? (hint: “her Seed”–instead of normal “seed of man”) Every notice that Jesus came as “the last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45) who would reverse all the curse that came thru the 1st Adam’s sin, and separation from GOD? —the explanation why GOD humbled Himself down into human form—-out of love for us–to restore what was lost! AWESOME, and I think Ms. Rice made a major error in judgment.

“Many are called and few are chosen.” Christ said “pick up your cross and follow me” He never said it would be a rose garden. But where do you want to spend eternity? God made the rules about life, homosexuality, purity among those not married. It isn’t religion that people are rejecting. They are rejecting Christ. Christ also said that when He returns, there will be few who are truly following his commandments. Sounds like our times, doesn’t it?
It is like the marines, only the tough and determined make it. Christ said the path to heaven is narrow and fraught with difficulty. Would rather have it a little rough here and not in eternity, where “many will wail and nash their teeth”

Anne Rice and I now have one thing in common. I too am a former Christian. But I renounced the faith I was raised in close to forty years ago. And unlike her, I have no need, spiritual or otherwise, for Christ.
The reasons and circumstances behind my leaving Christianity were somewhat different from hers. And since I’m no celeb, nobody but my nearest and dearest paid any attention.
But now that a high-profile author has renounced Christianity, and done so in a newsworthy manner, we have a great opportunity to discuss the matter. Why do people change their religious affiliations? Just what is it about those who do so? What’s going on in their lives?
And equally important, what is it about the religious affiliation they left? And the one they left it for?
It’s a matter that hasn’t gotten near as much public attention as it should. And Beliefnet is a great place to discuss it.

Who is Anne Rice?

Dear Anne,
You were still in a religion not a relationship with Christ with His love for you and having all the hurt and past washed away and you being set free you could not quit or leave this relationship you left a religion but he did not quit you always there to receive you back home.

While there is certainly much to be said in response to, in correction of, Rice I wish to provide her the following with regards to her statements about Christianity being “anti-feminist” (understanding that a distinction is to be drawn between the Bible and the Christian “religion” and also that the definition of the term feminist can vary):
In the Bible we find that:
Males and females were both created in the image of God.
Women had the right to own land.
Received inheritance.
Were prophetesses (in both testaments).
Were judges.
Were disciples.
Were deaconesses.
Were teachers.
Worked and owned their own businesses.
Women were present at the day of Pentecost.
Books of the Bible are named after women.
Women were the first at the empty tomb while the male apostles were hiding in fear.
For these facts, see: Genesis 1:27; Exodus 15:20; Numbers ch. 27; 2nd Kings 22:14; 2nd Chronicles 34:22; Job 42:15; Proverbs 31:16; Isaiah 8:3; Judges 4:4; Luke 2:36; Romans 16:1-2; Acts 1:12-14, 2:1, 16:14, 21:7-9, 9:36, 18:26; Titus 2:3-4.
Also note that while Pliny the Younger (Plinius Secundus) was Governor of Bithynia in Asia Minor in 112 AD he wrote to Emperor Tarjan in Epistles 10.96, referring to Christians he writes of “two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses.”
This again demonstrates a continued Christian practice of having women in leadership and teaching roles; to whatever extent.
Some dismiss these facts and refuse to be confused by facts but will dismiss them by asking about things that pertain to roles and not to ontology.

I’m sorry, but I don’t recall the bible saying anything about republicans/democrats or Liberals/Conservatives. Nevertheless, Anne’s rants for quitting Christianity seem driven more by political ideology than on the tenants in the bible. Ann may have been a social Christian at some time, but I don’t believe that had she ever truly given herself to Christ that she would be using Christianity as stage prop to promote her political ideology.
God bless,

Not all who “call” themselves Christian are going to be with The Lord. GOD searches our heart to see if we truly are for HIM. It is the HOLY SPIRIT Who marks the “heart” for us to belong to GOD—not we ourselves. That’s why us “mortals” cannot bring someone to the belief in Christ—has to be The Lord who reveals “Truth”, and brings a person into belief. Otherwise the “transaction is counterfeit!” (John 6:44) No proselitizing! It’s GOD HIMSELF who brings us into the KINGDOM.

I see a real Christian here (embarrassed)—name of Carol. Compassion for those who leave, and/or haven’t known Christ yet.

Does this mean that she’ll start writing good fiction again? Her work tanked once she picked up Christianity.

If Rice can not come to terms what entails to be a Christian or what christianity means , then I don’t think she has a choice but to quit christianity. It is true it is not easy to be a Christians. We tend to sacrifice even our faith/belief because of convenience. My choice, my freedom, my body etc. Quit then and become something else…like maybe going back to Paganism.

I don’t believe I CAN READ BOOKS From an Anti- Christian! Sorry Anne Rice Loved your books, but this is one reader that Wil NOT read anymore and the ones I have saved at home will dumP!!!

So little clear thinking or historical accuracy.
The Catholic Church vs. science?
Who do you think invented the scientific method? The university system? The Catholic Church. Who founded the science of genetics? Proposed the Big Bang Theory? Catholic priests. The only conflict here comes from secular fundamentalists and their blind faith in scientism. Science deals with things that can be measured empirically and its expertise ends there. If you do not believe in the soul, fine. But the fact that you cannot weigh the soul or photograph God does not disprove their existence anymore than your inability to see air, except in LA, proves its non-existence.
The Catholic Church vs. the Bible?
Who do you think gave you the Bible? The Catholic Church. The one you read is short a few books, dropped in the 16th Century because they said inconvenient things. But the Bible was assembled and disseminated by the Catholic Church. Remember, Jesus never wrote a book. He founded a Church and it existed for decades before there was a Bible. Were those Christians not Christians because they were not guided by the Bible?
And where does it say in the Bible that the only authority should be the Bible? Sola scriptura is about as non-scriptural as it gets. The Bible, in fact, says the opposite of sola scriptura. The Bible instructs us to be guided by the Tradition we are taught. Jesus left us a Church to pass along the apostolic tradition. Find a Church that is 2000 years old and you will be on the right track.

My dh and I discussed this. His first inclination was, naturally, to question her genuine faith-I mean, this is a strong statement. However, upon closer examination, we first thought to show a little grace. She is not a flat character from a novel, she is a complex beautiful creation. It sounds more to us that she is exhausted and overwhelmed.
Most of the mouthpieces for each of the causes mentioned draw a specific and hard line for their cause and call to purity. However, in most of these situations, love for the sinner is not usually well expressed. My guess is that she, like so many, have friends in situations which put them in the “other” category (ie.. they are the “other” and are admonished for being so.)
Being a public figure, overwhelmed, there must have been some “event” which pushed her to a breaking point. There is a lot of pain and frustration in her statement. A little prayer for her peace of mind would be probably be the best course.

I sympathize with Ms. Rice. Her further comments on this issue seem to indicate that she hasn’t stopped being a follower of Christ, but rather has rejected the sort political Christianity that is so loud and prominent in these poisonous days. It’s overrun many Protestant churches and is starting to infect Catholicism. A Lutheran bishop once named it “American Civil Religion,” and explained that one of its key components is a strong moralist streak that tends to be more about supporting conservative politics as opposed to encouraging increased faith. It’s the sort of faith that concerns itself more with saving marriage from the specter of gay weddings while tending to be rather mum on heterosexual adultery – not that they will say it is OK, as it is still a sin but a private matter requiring prayer, but homosexuality somehow turns the adherents choleric. Premarital sex and teen pregnancy are a crisis that requires immediate action but there’s a curious silence concerning spousal abuse – not that it is OK, but it just doesn’t have that same emotional impact. Conviction of sin is reserved for matters sexual, but greed and excessive materialism is bad, but isn’t the sort of thing one should pop a forehead vein over. Christ’s love is preached, but the enemies list is a mile long – gays, scientists, uppity women, Democrats, the insufficiently patriotic, and those people who try not to have children they know can’t afford. Of course, if one doesn’t follow the complete program Hell so surely awaits and, to be honest, if that is what Christianity and Christians are supposed to be about – I’d rather go straight to hell as it is filled with better people. Luckily, I believe that God forgives the sin, considers sin as sin without ranking them from bad to badder, and loves the sinner even as they struggle with that sin. . .

I always thought her ‘conversion’ was a little suspect. It seemed at the time and still does that this is her way of getting publicity for another book.

Ah Rice wants to set the terms of Christian faith. It’s not her’s to stipulate. The Catholic Church is what it is. I, for one, stand with Catholicism.

it is funny in the name of christ she quits christianity,she must be out of her mind or she never understood in her life meaning of christianity.

It’s too bad Anne Rice decided to break from Christianity. Looks like Satan and the vampires got to her. Hoosexuality is a sin. Artificial birth control is considered a sin (though I have a hard time with that one). And, I’m sorry, Anne, but Jesus did NOT ordain women into the priesthood. And Democrats, most of them anyway, support BABY-KILLING. Remember — the baby NEVER has a choice. And since you’ve quit Christianity, I guess I’ll have to stop reading you. I’ll read your books about jesus but I certainly won’t read vampire books – I don’t care who wrote them – because I think they’re evil. Sounds like you, Anne, have become a FemiNazi. That really is a sin.

Never heard of her…

John: When Jesus spoke in Chapter 6 there was a lot more taking place than simply trying to get people to believe in Him, but he was in fact telling them that did need to eat his body and blood: John 6:53-58
Then Jesus said to them: “Amen, amen, I say unto you: unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood has everlasting life, and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, the same also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers ate manna and are dead. He that eats this bread shall live for ever.”
The bread and wine are indeed His Body and Blood. This is not a mere rememberance and is indeed for Salvation.
And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread and blessed and broke and gave to his disciples and said: Take and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks and gave to them, saying: Drink all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins. And I say to you, I will not drink from henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I shall drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father. (Matthew 26:26-29)
In reference to Corinthian, you are right there were many drunkards who were entering the Church; however, you must consider 1Cor 11:27: “Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.” It is a transgression against body and blood of the Lord, which is truly present.
As far as the real presence, the early Church also support this belief. You can read works by Justin Martyr, Cyprian, Ignatius, Tertullian, Iranaeus and Ambose to name a few. This was early belief of the Church from its creation.

She was a Catholic Christian?

There are too many people that call themselves Christian who are Christian in name only. Whatever religion we belong to, we need to take the “whole package”. We can’t call ourselves a member of that religion without believing all of it. We cannot pick and choose what we like and leave the rest out. We cannot disbelieve what Jesus Christ taught and still call ourselves Christian. That is definitely a misnomer.

I have to applaud this. The reason since childhood I have been a practicing Pagan is because I cannot find proof within Christianity that woman are equally loved and respected. I believe that Christ walked the earth and was a healer and an amazing influence on mankind but whatever his church was going to be is not where Christianity has ended up. Control, emotional blackmail, bigotry and hatred are not his values and yet every time I meet spirited Christians they feel it necessary to preach, judge and proclaim that their belief is the one truth. And if one breaks up with Christianity that doesn’t mean that they don’t love Christ. As fore-mentioned I’m Pagan and I love Christ and what i believe are some of his most important teachings. As for some of the more vocal Christian postings might i remind you of one of your own principals- Judge Not!

Might I suggest that Christianity ceased to be about what the Jesus or the Jesuses who inspired the church that created the religion when the Emperor Constantine made it the State Religion of Rome. After that what was left of Christianity was as persecuted by the orthodox Bishops as it was before Constantine. Perhaps Ms. Rice just finally understands that.

Anne, it is a sad day for me to learn that you just up and “quit” being a Christian. Sad as it is, I’m sure you “think” you have legitimate reasons for your choice. That’s the beauty of God and Christianity. He gives us a choice, and you have made yours quite clear. But always remember, He is there to forgive and forget if you have a change of heart. God willing, you will.sorcerer

This doesn’t really surprise me. Look what happened to Mel Gibson. He created a film which helped bring many people back to the Christian faith, and then ends up behaving appallingly ever since. I think Satan put him at the top of his hit list and wanted to use Mel’s weaknesses, prejudices and addictions to bring him down and to discredit Christianity. Anne Rice switched from writing vampire novels to books about Christ and I’m sure the devil wasn’t happy about that either. So he’s found a way to disable her as well, only with her it’s through pride, the attempt to make yourself the highest moral authority, and remake Jesus in you own image, something she ironically seemed to realize that liberal Bible scholars were doing, but she doesn’t see it in herself.

Thank goodness Anne came to her senses! Christianity is a bunch of propaganda used to control the masses. Don’t become brain washed.

For John nice try but,
Jesus first repeated what he said, then summarized: “‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’” (John 6:51–52).
His listeners were stupefied because now they understood Jesus literally—and correctly. He again repeated his words, but with even greater emphasis, and introduced the statement about drinking his blood: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:53–56).
No Corrections
Notice that Jesus made no attempt to soften what he said, no attempt to correct “misunderstandings,” for there were none. Our Lord’s listeners understood him perfectly well. They no longer thought he was speaking metaphorically. If they had, if they mistook what he said, why no correction?
On other occasions when there was confusion, Christ explained just what he meant (cf. Matt. 16:5–12). Here, where any misunderstanding would be fatal, there was no effort by Jesus to correct. Instead, he repeated himself for greater emphasis.
In John 6:60 we read: “Many of his disciples, when they heard it, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’” These were his disciples, people used to his remarkable ways. He warned them not to think carnally, but spiritually: “It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63; cf. 1 Cor. 2:12–14).
But he knew some did not believe. (It is here, in the rejection of the Eucharist, that Judas fell away; look at John 6:64.) “After this, many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him” (John 6:66).
This is the only record we have of any of Christ’s followers forsaking him for purely doctrinal reasons. If it had all been a misunderstanding, if they erred in taking a metaphor in a literal sense, why didn’t he call them back and straighten things out? Both the Jews, who were suspicious of him, and his disciples, who had accepted everything up to this point, would have remained with him had he said he was speaking only symbolically.
But he did not correct these protesters. Twelve times he said he was the bread that came down from heaven; four times he said they would have “to eat my flesh and drink my blood.” John 6 was an extended promise of what would be instituted at the Last Supper—and it was a promise that could not be more explicit. Or so it would seem to a Catholic. But what do Fundamentalists say?
Merely Figurative?
They say that in John 6 Jesus was not talking about physical food and drink, but about spiritual food and drink. They quote John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.’” They claim that coming to him is bread, having faith in him is drink. Thus, eating his flesh and blood merely means believing in Christ.
But there is a problem with that interpretation. As Fr. John A. O’Brien explains, “The phrase ‘to eat the flesh and drink the blood,’ when used figuratively among the Jews, as among the Arabs of today, meant to inflict upon a person some serious injury, especially by calumny or by false accusation. To interpret the phrase figuratively then would be to make our Lord promise life everlasting to the culprit for slandering and hating him, which would reduce the whole passage to utter nonsense” (O’Brien, The Faith of Millions, 215). For an example of this use, see Micah 3:3.
Fundamentalist writers who comment on John 6 also assert that one can show Christ was speaking only metaphorically by comparing verses like John 10:9 (“I am the door”) and John 15:1 (“I am the true vine”). The problem is that there is not a connection to John 6:35, “I am the bread of life.” “I am the door” and “I am the vine” make sense as metaphors because Christ is like a door—we go to heaven through him—and he is also like a vine—we get our spiritual sap through him. But Christ takes John 6:35 far beyond symbolism by saying, “For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” (John 6:55).
He continues: “As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me” (John 6:57). The Greek word used for “eats” (trogon) is very blunt and has the sense of “chewing” or “gnawing.” This is not the language of metaphor.
Their Main Argument
For Fundamentalist writers, the scriptural argument is capped by an appeal to John 6:63: “It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” They say this means that eating real flesh is a waste. But does this make sense?
Are we to understand that Christ had just commanded his disciples to eat his flesh, then said their doing so would be pointless? Is that what “the flesh is of no avail” means? “Eat my flesh, but you’ll find it’s a waste of time”—is that what he was saying? Hardly.
The fact is that Christ’s flesh avails much! If it were of no avail, then the Son of God incarnated for no reason, he died for no reason, and he rose from the dead for no reason. Christ’s flesh profits us more than anyone else’s in the world. If it profits us nothing, so that the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ are of no avail, then “your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (1 Cor. 15:17b–18).
In John 6:63 “flesh profits nothing” refers to mankind’s inclination to think using only what their natural human reason would tell them rather than what God would tell them. Thus in John 8:15–16 Jesus tells his opponents: “You judge according to the flesh, I judge no one. Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone that judge, but I and he who sent me.” So natural human judgment, unaided by God’s grace, is unreliable; but God’s judgment is always true.
And were the disciples to understand the line “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” as nothing but a circumlocution (and a very clumsy one at that) for “symbolic”? No one can come up with such interpretations unless he first holds to the Fundamentalist position and thinks it necessary to find a rationale, no matter how forced, for evading the Catholic interpretation. In John 6:63 “flesh” does not refer to Christ’s own flesh—the context makes this clear—but to mankind’s inclination to think on a natural, human level. “The words I have spoken to you are spirit” does not mean “What I have just said is symbolic.” The word “spirit” is never used that way in the Bible. The line means that what Christ has said will be understood only through faith; only by the power of the Spirit and the drawing of the Father (cf. John 6:37, 44–45, 65).
Paul Confirms This
Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). So when we receive Communion, we actually participate in the body and blood of Christ, not just eat symbols of them. Paul also said, “Therefore whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. . . . For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Cor. 11:27, 29). “To answer for the body and blood” of someone meant to be guilty of a crime as serious as homicide. How could eating mere bread and wine “unworthily” be so serious? Paul’s comment makes sense only if the bread and wine became the real body and blood of Christ.
What Did the First Christians Say?
Anti-Catholics also claim the early Church took this chapter symbolically. Is that so? Let’s see what some early Christians thought, keeping in mind that we can learn much about how Scripture should be interpreted by examining the writings of early Christians.
Ignatius of Antioch, who had been a disciple of the apostle John and who wrote a letter to the Smyrnaeans about A.D. 110, said, referring to “those who hold heterodox opinions,” that “they abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in his goodness, raised up again” (6:2, 7:1).
Forty years later, Justin Martyr, wrote, “Not as common bread or common drink do we receive these; but since Jesus Christ our Savior was made incarnate by the word of God and had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so too, as we have been taught, the food which has been made into the Eucharist by the Eucharistic prayer set down by him, and by the change of which our blood and flesh is nourished, . . . is both the flesh and the blood of that incarnated Jesus” (First Apology 66:1–20).
Origen, in a homily written about A.D. 244, attested to belief in the Real Presence. “I wish to admonish you with examples from your religion. You are accustomed to take part in the divine mysteries, so you know how, when you have received the Body of the Lord, you reverently exercise every care lest a particle of it fall and lest anything of the consecrated gift perish. You account yourselves guilty, and rightly do you so believe, if any of it be lost through negligence” (Homilies on Exodus 13:3).
Cyril of Jerusalem, in a catechetical lecture presented in the mid-300s, said, “Do not, therefore, regard the bread and wine as simply that, for they are, according to the Master’s declaration, the body and blood of Christ. Even though the senses suggest to you the other, let faith make you firm. Do not judge in this matter by taste, but be fully assured by faith, not doubting that you have been deemed worthy
of the body and blood of Christ” (Catechetical Discourses: Mystagogic 4:22:9).
In a fifth-century homily, Theodore of Mopsuestia seemed to be speaking to today’s Evangelicals and Fundamentalists: “When [Christ] gave the bread he did not say, ‘This is the symbol of my body,’ but, ‘This is my body.’ In the same way, when he gave the cup of his blood he did not say, ‘This is the symbol of my blood,’ but, ‘This is my blood,’ for he wanted us to look upon the [Eucharistic elements], after their reception of grace and the coming of the Holy Spirit, not according to their nature, but to receive them as they are, the body and blood of our Lord” (Catechetical Homilies 5:1).
Unanimous Testimony
Whatever else might be said, the early Church took John 6 literally. In fact, there is no record from the early centuries that implies Christians doubted the constant Catholic interpretation. There exists no document in which the literal interpretation is opposed and only the metaphorical accepted.
Why do Fundamentalists and Evangelicals reject the plain, literal interpretation of John 6? For them, Catholic sacraments are out because they imply a spiritual reality—grace—being conveyed by means of matter. This seems to them to be a violation of the divine plan. For many Protestants, matter is not to be used, but overcome or avoided.
One suspects, had they been asked by the Creator their opinion of how to bring about mankind’s salvation, Fundamentalists would have advised him to adopt a different approach. How much cleaner things would be if spirit never dirtied itself with matter! But God approves of matter—he approves of it because he created it—and he approves of it so much that he comes to us under the appearances of bread and wine, just as he does in the physical form of the Incarnate Christ.

It puts me in mind of the quote created to Mohandas Gandhi:
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

If she knew Christ, she wouldn’t be able to quit. Jesus is not hype, He is quite real, but if you do not belong to Him, you will not understand. Invite Him into your heart and life, turn from wicked ways (yes we all have them) and give Him the reigns. Took me 50 years to do that, unlike Anne, I could never quit. The bond is beyond belief. The joy unfathomable. Yes, there are a lot of ‘false’ Christians, even people believing they are Christian, but are not. It is not a religion, it is belonging to Christ. Give it a try, but please, don’t knock it if you have never experience it. I thought the Bible was a story book, I found out it is far more, a living word, God speaks through it, and it addresses every issue in life, you just have to be willing to find it. Pride often keeps us from being willing, I know.

“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”.-Anne Rice…If she truly believes this is Christianity, she’s been fed a broken Gospel. If Christians were truly anti-what-have-you, we’d say, “to Hell with all of them. We’ll keep the Truth from them and let them burn in Hell for all eternity.” It is BECAUSE we are FOR all of these people and more that we stand up for them against their sin and point to them the way to JESUS! The devil’s blinded them to this. IF Jesus was against these people, He wouldn’t have died for them. I’m sorry Anne Rice had fallen in with a poor example of Christianity, a “church” that failed to teach her about the Love of Jesus. I’m sorry she’s chosen to return His gift of Salvation. It’s a harsh price she’ll pay in the end. Pray that God will send witnesses to love one her and show her what it is to truly love sinners. Let God reveal who He is to her.

To BF: You fit the description of the Christian that Ann described -
“Christians feel they have to judge others and declare “the truth”.
Hard as it might be for you to believe I love God with all my heart
and I know in my heart that I am on the right track. The Catholic
church is not the one true church and when we die God is not going
to meet me at the gates with a check-list of what religion I followed.
He’ll know I did the right thing – that I was His ambassador, that I
received the gift of grace that called me to draw near and to fall more
in love with Jesus. And most importantly, He’ll know that I know that
I am forgiven. He knows I do not need the teachings of the Catholic
church to do this. The teachings in my bible based church make it clear
that rather than being flawless and faultless, I need only to strive to
become more complete in my rightousness, to learn the tools of the
Christian trade. Love of God, love of others, prayer, giving thanks
always to the Father, serving others – these things I do with the
grace of God and He does not expect perfection the way it is defined
today. I go forth with the cloak of God’s love surrounding me !!!!
I embrace my faith, not my church!

Anne’s Profession of Faith
As many of you know, in 1998 I returned to the Catholic Church. After years of pondering and searching, the great gift of faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ, as Our Savior, came back to me on a December afternoon, and I went home to the church of my childhood, becoming a member and supporter of it with my whole soul.
In 2002, I experienced another transformation. While sitting in Church, talking to Lord, I realized that the greatest thing I could do to show my complete love for Him was to consecrate my work to Him — to use any talent I had acquired as a writer, as a storyteller, as a novelist — for Him and for Him alone.
I walked out of the church a changed person. I felt that I had consecrated myself to the Lord in whom I completely believed. Thence began my journey into intense Biblical study, intense historical research, and intense effort to write novels about the Jesus of Scripture, the Jesus of Faith, in His own vibrant First Century World.
Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt, was the first novel to appear. Christ the Lord, the Road to Cana is the second. I hope and pray there will be more.
Though well researched in every historical respect, these novels seek to bring to life for the reader Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and the God who loved us so much that He came to live amongst us for over thirty years before He died for our salvation on the Cross, and rose from the dead.
I offer these novels to all Christians. And I offer them to all those who have ever enjoyed or valued my earlier books. Please understand: they are fiction, but they are fiction that seeks to bring the reader closer to the Lord in whom my life belongs. You will find no watering down of the gospels in these novels. You will find no modern twists. I am a believer in every word of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
I also believe in Christian art — that we can paint pictures, write music, create great films, and write novels about Jesus and that these efforts can serve Our Blessed Lord.
If these novels of mine do not serve Him, if they are not for Him, then they are worthless.
This is my vocation; this is my life; this is the way in which I hope to render unto God a series of books that honors Him as Our Maker and as Our Savior. I am grateful to all of you who are willing to read these books.

She forgot to say she refuses to be an ingnoramos. Please, you have no clue about what Christians believe in. I’ll pray for you.

Just read Anne’s book “the road to Cana”. I loved it!! Went to bookstore for “out of Egypt” I was born a christian and will always be a christian. Never felt closer to the truth than when I attended church with my family. From protestant to Catholic I will continue my journey. Anne needs to shut out all the noise around her and dig deep into her Catholic faith. I just kept asking questions and still do. Yes we are all sinners. Seek out a spiritual director, ask for forgiveness and pray pray pray. I certainly will pray for Anne Rice to come into Jesus Christ’s light.

Sounds like she put too much faith in the Catholic Church. And i”m only assuming that b/c I know she was Catholic. It seems that she assumes that all christians are anti-allthethings she listed, but I’m none of those things and I believe firmly in Christ’s love. I pray that she finds his love again and in her own words realize that to love thine enemy is the hardest charge given to us by God.

….well, that is life….I have her books and love to share her poems…that is grace of God to have gifts and spirit like that…
..maybe now, she will change to be muslim… or too much money..who knows…or maybe is the old age..and illnesess that goes with that…
…she needs our prayer, not judgements..only One Judge…and He knows her the best..

Mitch,
It’s a pretty sad reality that you needed to plagiarize your post from catholic.com, and not even acknowledge your reference. Thanks for the personal response. It’s not heartfelt if you regurgitate someone else’s work, Mitch. Funny how it quotes “church fathers” whom it deemed as heretical teachers (i.e. Origen). The truth remains, however, as I’ve posted Scripture. Keep your church fathers. None of the apostles preached a Gospel which taught “salvation by Eucharist”; it was always “believe and repent”. If you have evidence to the contrary, by all means, provide Books, Chapters, and Verses.
One other point. In you zeal to respond with Matthew, you overlooked
something:
Matthew 26:27-29: “And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to
them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant,
which is poured out for many unto remission of sins. 29 But I say
unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that
day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Notice that the Lord first calls it His “blood”, but later says that He will not drink of the “fruit of the vine” again until they/we drink it anew with
Him in Heaven. Tell me, Mitch, do you think we’re going to be drinking
the Lord’s blood in Heaven?

If Anne had been steeped in the Theology of the Body, she would have compelling answers to all her gripes. The TOB is a beautiful synthesis of Biblical teaching and time-tested Christian philosophy and theology.

I think she is just giving up on organized religion. That is okay to do. One worships God in one’s own way. Christians come to God through Jesus, but that does not mean they have to go with any one denomination. That is what I hear in her message.

I would not describe the Church as anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-Democrat, or anti-science. It certainly is not anti-life. Yes, it is anti-artificial contraception, because that IS anti-life. Yes, it is anti-secular humanist, if that means non-theistic, but is that surprising? Ann Rice is a smart woman, but smart people can be deceived, and she has allowed herself to be deceived. I think part of the problem may be that she never fully, completely separated herself from the dark side she embraced for so many years. She is clearly in need of our prayers.

Sorry for not referencing but I don’t have alot of time so why not give the exact same thing I believe from Catholicanswers.com easier that way. Matthew 26 is a great verse, because what he was doing was not taking the fourth cup which climaxed and consumated the passover. Please note that he does drink the fourth and final cup on the cross, this consumates the new covenant afterward he gives his spirit up by saying “it is finished”. The problem is that you do not understand the Mass. At the moment the bread and wine are consecrated we are at the foot of the cross. Time is in essence folded together to where we participate in Christ’s redemption. Remember too that in revelations John turn to behold a lamb as if he was slained. Yes Jesus in Heaven is a slained lamb. I could argue forever with you on this but that will get us nowhere. I will end this by saying that I feel you have a deep love for Christ as I do…Christ would want us to come together on this at least …..Love one another…so I love you ..peace

I find it hard to believe that she believes in anything or anyone. I think her books are demonic. Can’t stand the Roman Catholic Church? Please leave it! And stop mining for writing material… haven’t you got enough yet? Chu ching….

Sadly, Christians are again misunderstood for choosing to follow the Word of God. I don’t agree that Christians are anti anything but sin, whatever Ms. Rice wants to call it. Science is not a sin if it searches for truth, so how that got in there I don’t know. We can’t serve two masters, as Our Lord Jesus Christ told us. We will either hate the one and love the other…..We all have to choose which way we wish to follow in life. It seems like Anne Rice clearly chose one way over the other, that’s her God-given right, and no one will take it from her. However, making it public, after achieving her popularity, is questionable, because some may blindly follow her public action.

She’s a nut!

Let’s see. She must have known this stuff about the Church coming in, right? The Church’s stands on issues weren’t exactly a surprise to her, right? Was she ambushed by these teachings? Why come into the Church at all if she didn’t agree with them?
I guess she didn’t really trust Christ enough. If she did, she would have trusted his Church.

@george…please cease and desist…your personal experiences!

God knows what is in Anne Rice’s heart and her mind. He alone is hers and our judge. Have any one of us ever stood in her shoes? There are people who do harm in the name of God. Each Christian grows in different ways and at a different pace. Here is a woman, deeply wounded in her life, who after a long break from faith, returned to give honor and glory to the Lord. I know Christ will hear the cries of her heart and mend those wounds. Sometimes, since we are all human and subject to error, we can push our beliefs upon others, while God is working inside of them at a different rate as He gives them understanding. My prayers are with her and that she may see a much greater example of Christian love in the community that so beautifully heals over the harshness of our judgement.

im so sad that she thinks we are anti anything. jesus says to love others as i do myself . now this can be very trying at times but never do i hate anyone or do i want to. forgive us father for we know not what we do … as far as science the truth is the truth science doesnt disagree with the bible why it supports it all the way. i must ask has she read the hole bible the only truth in this world… if so and still feel the same read it again and again i herd if u read it six times ,than the seventh time it changes and the truth is known and ur eyes and hart read a whole diffrent story it became easyer for me to understand and it was like a love letter that opened up just for me from my abba father to me. ur friend in christ ,love all veronica v.

@george@July 29, 2010 6:48 PM:
I can see how she might be disgusted with the catholics. Between the pedophiles and all of the other anti-Christian things it allows – who wouldn’t wonder??
RE: Above comments
I know I never met you…so what of the millions plus members of Catholics around the world your personal experience(s) are recalling?

Not every one that says to me, “Lord, Lord!” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doed the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. -JESUS CHRIST
Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. –JESUS CHRIST

MR. BOB MEAD
PLEASE DONT SAY THAT THE WAFER AND THE WINE AT COMMUNION ARE NOT REALLY THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF CHRIST. WHO ARE YOU TO KNOW THAT? I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOU SHOULD READ JOHN, CHAPTER 6. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH TEACHES THAT THE BREAD AND WINE ARE TURNED INTO THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF CHRIST AT THE CONSECRATION OF THE MASS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE. IT IS CALLED TRANSUBSTANTION. I KNOW BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED TO ME. ALSO THERE ARE NUMEROUS PHOTOS AND WRITINGS OF HOSTS BLEEDING. THESE ARE CALLED EUCHRISTIC MIRACLES.
IF YOU DONT KNOW FOR SURE, MR. MEAD, PLEASE SAY NOTHING AT ALL I KNOW FOR SURE.

Also sorry to hear we lost a friend in Christ. God only knows why this happen. And God can only be her judge. I too have a gay son and I believe in him 100%. He is one of the loves of my life. And as a Catholic their has never been a priest telling me to judge,love less or to change him .And our mother the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY at their side I do not worry about their salvation.

I feel sorry for this woman. She might be “intelligent”, but really does not believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. She can refuse to be anti anything, but when she dies she will find the truth and it will be too late for her to realize that all of her views are terribly wrong. I will pray for her and hope that before she dies she will have a change of heart. She should investigate the real teachings of the Catholic Church.

There are not a hundred people in America who truly hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly ‘believe’ to be the Catholic Church — which is, of course, quite a different thing.
~Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Just what is a Christian? It’s someone who follows the teachings of Christ..and stays faithful to the commandments.You don’t pick and choose which teachings to follow,you obey and follow all to the best of your ability,but because we’re human..we fail,we fall,we sin,thats why Christ established His Church here on earth and gave us the sacraments to help and strengthen us.God showed us what is right and what is wrong it is not up to us to decide..to use a tired but true cliche..its the 10 commandments not the 10 suggestions.If you decide that political correctness and the teachings of man are above God you side with Satan.People who attend mass regularly don’t do it because they’re holy…it’s because they know they’re sinners in need of God.The church is not a museum of dusty old saints and relics..it is a hospital for sinners.Those who are so quick to attack priests and the church must remember that although guided by the Holy Spirit in it’s teachings it is still run by mere humans who can and have fallen into sin.Things are allowed to happen so that our faith is tested.The abuses of some priests certainly has shaken the tree.We are not to judge but to pray and remain faithful.As for someone such as Anne Rice it’s sad to hear…but she needs to truly learn the Catholic faith..to look into the lives of saints and to research the history of the Church and see how many storms it has weathered before.Christ promised that the gates of Hell shall never prevail against it.I don’t think He would break that promise or He’d be a liar.We live in days where the lines between good and evil are more openly distinct.We must decide where and with whom we stand.There is no longer gray ares..it is either yes or no,black or white.You could be like those in John 6 who were followers of Christ who could not fathom what Jesus said about eating His Flesh and drinking His Blood and left Him to return to their old way of life,or you could stay like the 12 who in thie minds were probably thinking He was crazy but hung in there and were rewarded for remaining faithful.Just look upon a crucifix and look at Jesus…does He look comfortable on it?No..nor should we be..if we are then something is wrong.The days are coming and have in fact have already started where Christians will be persecuted,including here in the once good old USA..will you or can you follow Him to the point of death..or will you deny Him.The 12 originally ran also but then they went to their death for Him.Pray,pray pray..history repeats itself espescially biblical history.

Christianity has been persecuted for centuries and will continue to suffer in the Name Of Jesus Christ by the likes of this woman and a secular world that is void of God and His Most Divine Will for His creatures. I pray for this woman and pity her ignorance. May God have mercy on her soul and reveal His Truth, the only Truth that will persevere in these times of moral upheaval and secularism. The Catholic church and christianity in general will NEVER be destroyed, suffer, yes, but never destroyed. As Christ said, Thou are Peter and up on this rock I will be build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it! AMEN!

She sounds a bit irrational and perhaps needs counseling-she definitely needs prayers. Look, if she is unhappy with how the Church acts or its polcies on these social issues that she has outlined, why wouldn’t you want to stay within that Church and attempt to bring your POV to the forefront. What would have happened to the early Church if Paul instead of going to Peter and making his point about the Gentiles not needing circumcission to become Christian? What if Paul just left-then we would not have the Church we have today. These issues that Ms. Rice raises are certainly important to her and all of us-and they are not easily resolved. BUT,they are not CORE to Catholicism nor Christianity. It seems she is throwing the proverbial baby out with the bath water. In Catholicism, we have the very Body and Blood of Christ made available through the ministry of the priesthood and granted to us by God Himself. Why would she want to walk away from this life-saving noursihment of her soul? I hope she was just temporarily upset and realzies as Paul did that she must reamin in the Church to help build up and make better the entire Body of Christ. Peace Anne.

It is obviously more important to her to be a socialist hedonist than a true follower of Christ or His Church. Very sad.

Based on what I read, I wonder what made her think she ever came back in the first place?

I do give her credit for making this statement. Though, and thankfully, I have never been Christian, I do know how hard it is for those who have tried to break away. So much guilt is put on them if they decide these beliefs do not work for them. It is something that I have experience in my life many times, because my religious beliefs have never been those of Christianity. Being able to think for oneself is many times not well received, but kudos to those who can stand up for their beliefs, even though it might not be the same road their family, community and friends travel.
Jasmine Crystal

Catholics are not anti-gay; we just think homosexuality is a sin. We are not anti-feminist; we believe in the Virgin Mary as a role model for women. We are anti-artificial contraception; the keyword is “artificial;” Catholics practice the rhythm method as it leaves the possibility of life open for God’s designs. We are not anti-Democrat; I am an Irish-Catholic Democrat and have been for fifty years. We are anti-secular as this term takes away God from the human experience. We are not anti-science; the Church just thinks some science borders on the Frankenstein monster experiment. AND ANTI LIFE?? My God, the Church has done more to protect LIFE than any other entity! Anne’s arguments are so flawed that they’re comical. I feel she may have had a “bad hair day.”

I am rather saddened but not surprised by this. I was a big fan of her books and i was pleased when i heard she had rediscovered her faith however when i heard that she didn’t accept certain of the Church’s teachings- i knew she had a choice to make- follow her own feelings and its agenda or follow the teachings of Christ and his Church. I pray for her as i realise that the homosexual issue is painful for her because of her son being so involved in it. However one needs to not confuse the sinful action and the sinner. A catholic is called to love the person with a homosexual tendency without accepting that homosexual acts are morally ok.

Did she find out that declaring herself a Christian didn’t result in the automatic increase in book sales (to Christians) that she expected?

Sounds like she never was a born again follower of Jesus. A Christian in name but not in Spirit. John said that they went out from us but they were not of us. Sounds like her.
John

Dearest Fellow Christians;
I would ask that we all pray for this soul that her heart/mind will realize that she CAN “quite” God; however, God CAN NOT “quit” her and will send his Angels to “hound” her back. May she know that she can not “quit” life and expect, at her life’s end, to be raised to God’s presence! Sin is not negotiable, denying it or not!
God Bless Anne Rice!
God Bless America and America bless God.
lja/JMJ

She’s anti Christ…

all we can do is pray for anne rice’s soul. many times, i’ve seen her take communion in both forms in the catholic mass. i prayed for her then and i pray for her now. she is saying so many anti-christian things but yet she wrote so many ‘evil’ things that are anti-christian – vampires, blatant s&m sex stories. what is going through her so-called mind? pray pray pray for her.

The church is like every other dysfunctional family. We often lose sight of God and look for blame to put on someone for our own problems. Be God-centered and forgive Holy Mother Church. We all fall short of the Glory of God. Please Ann, return Home, confess, and receive Our Lord at the Table of Life. God Bless. Remember not to judge, people…..Just Love one another….it’s difficult, but we must try.

Lest any of my brothers and sisters in Christ forget, and yes, Anne Rice is most certainly our sister in Christ. It is no sin for her to reject the demands of certain Christian groups who are much to busy judging others rather then being examples of the Love of God. Anne has certainly not given up her faith in Christ.
1 Corinthians 13:
1If I speak in the tonguesa of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,b but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I agree with John. If she really knew Christ, she wouldn’t be so conflicted. She’s more about the drama rather than having a real relationship with Him.

The idea that people can “quit God”, but God cannot “quit them” probably doesn’t have much Scriptural premise. First of all, God does the calling, but people can reject Him. They can also stop believing and repenting. The more I read what she actually said, the less it seems that she actually rejects the Lord. I do think, however, that she is confused. We’re clearly called to holiness. We’re exhorted over and over to be faithful regarding the battle between spirit and the flesh. The Lord Himself told the prostitute to “go and sin no more”. Truly, the Lord said:
Matthew 7:21-23: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my
Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out
demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23 And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.”
Those are chilling words, but proof that holiness does matter, and the key word there is “work”. Those who continue to practice sin. To continue the lifestyles they lived prior to their calling on Him. We must repent, and realize that it’s not wrong to preach repentance.

so glad to see some one in the public eye not afraid of public opinion. The church has handed down it’s ideas of sin to people who are then forced into lives of shame. The christ I pray to never offered fear and shame but forgiveness and grace. Judge not lest ye be judged This applies to us all. He had two commands. We need to love our brother not be his judge. encourage all growth and learning. The church seems to think artificial birth control blocks God..

We are all a ‘work in progress’ as we come into a closer relationship with the Lord. Let us encourage each other, rather then seeking to judge and condemn those with whom we, as flawed human beings, find it so easy to find fault. It is a truth that some Christians turn others away by their rigidity and judgemental attitudes. However, when one is seeking Christ, He will never forsake them. We are not to follow man, we are to follow God. I have faith that God is leading Anne, and she is using her talent in His service. Anne did not ‘quit’ Christ, quite the opposite. Her ‘quitting’ of Christianity’ is merely her rejection of sharing the same beliefs as some Christians who believe that their beliefs must be shared by all or they are condemned as not being Christian. Let us view others in the light of love rather then condemnation.

The good news is that Anne refuses to be anti-life. This can only mean that she is pro-life! Thanks Anne. Babies in the womb are appreciative and their cause needs a public advocate. You are indeed Christ-like! PLease make all the media aware of your kind heart!

All of our paths to the “high places of love” (Hannah Hurnard) differ. Only Anne knows if she has truly met Christ within her heart and truly knows His love, or not.
Being wrong and outspoken about it is definitely not the way to demonstrate any understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. She does not yet understand the depth of love, the breadth of power, the strength of will, the reality of knowing the pure and loving truth.
If she does she will not rest until she again unites herself to the Lover of her soul. Either way we must pray for her for her battle against the Prince of Darkness is great, and she is losing some battles and is being seriously wounded.

A worthy disciple of Judas.

Not everyone who calls him Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of God. Why? Because sin offends our Lord.
There is retribution for sin. Either Hell or pay for it with our lives now and if that isnt enough what ever we owe, it will be purgated out before we can enter the Kingdom after we die. Only the Lord knows what that is. If one condons abortion and dies in that state, without confession and sorrow for the act before they die, guess where that soul most likely will end up for all eternity. Then throw all the Ten Commandants in there. I mean all of them. Mess up with offending our Lord with one of those in a serious manner and guess where one ends up.? This is serious stuff, folks. Our Lord does not play games with us. Wake up and get serious with salvation.

What I think Anne Rice meant when she said she is giving up on “Christianity” is that she’s giving up on “religion”. She isn’t giving up on Christ. She wants to follow Jesus, not man-made rules and regulations that tell you what you MUST or MUST NOT do to follow Jesus. “They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:7-8). True Christianity is believing in the Gospel and having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, believing that He died on the cross and took away our sins, and rose to new life where He opened the way for us to follow (John 14:6). We’re saved by the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, not by our own works (Eph 2:8). It’s all about our faith in Him – He deserves all the glory and honor! Membership to a certain church doesn’t automatically make you a Christian. Wearing certain jewelry around your neck doesn’t automatically make you a Christian. Saying a certain prayer or performing a certain ritual doesn’t automatically make you a Christian. God sees through any phoniness straight to our hearts. Let’s all grab a hold of Jesus and follow Him! p.s. Open your Bibles friends – His Word is Truth!

J+M+J
She was never a true and faithful Christian to start with. There are too many of those, that bring discredit. If she knew who is Jesus, she would never be able to take off. He is Alive, and help those who put there confidence in Him. The road is too narrow for her.
We must pray for her.

Seenthelite—
Dont forget the Ten Commandants. Dont forget what Jesus told the rich young man,.Keep MY COMMANDMENTS.
Say all the sinners prayers you want to (which is good) but your future sins are not all automatically forgiven from then on because of that prayer. There must be repentance for our acts of sin. Look up your Bible where punishment was demanded for our evil acts.
Look it up where Jesus appeared on the night of his ressurection and told the Apostles, whos sins you forgive, they are forgiven, whos sins you retain are retained. Only in the Catholic and Orthodox church will you find the sacrament of reconcilliation by going to a Priest. But of course if your denomination does not have this sacrament, I am sure the Lord forgives all who are repentent. Enough catachesim.
Make sure you understand John, chapter 6. And may God bless us.

Well, here’s a prayer that she finds her way back. It’s much worse to find the truth and reject it then it is to have never found it.

I wish people would stop persecuting the “Christian” because of their social agendas of what they think they believe. Rice is not a “Christian” and never was.Why doesn’t she just admit she is a humanist, pro abortionist, pro homosexual, and leave “Christianity” out of it. The rest of her statement about pro science is just silly.

Ann,
I’m totally amazed at your ignorance of Roman Catholic values, beliefs and doctrine. I strongly suggest you thoughtfully read The Catechism of the Catholic Church and I guarantee you will not find one single proof for all your reasons for quitting Christianity. On the contrary, my ardent hope is that you will rediscover therin the “pearl of great price” that is Jesus Christ, our one Lord and Savior.
I will prayerfully rejoice with you when all arrogance will be replaced by a deep spirit of humility as you, the prodigal daughter, once again return to the faith of Our Fathers in the loving embrace and forgiveness of the Most Blessed Trinity.
With love and sincerity in Christ,
Angela

I believe a Quote from a great Christian applies here:
“The problem with Christianity, is not that it has been tried & found wanting, BUT, that it has been found difficult & Not Tried At All” !!
- GK. Chesterton.
______________________________
Ahh ! The Gauntlet has been Thrown !
Very well……
To all the WASPs & Hill-Billy Bible Thumpers out there !
No doubt most of your views about the Catholic Faith are formed by the “trustworthy” MSM, & fueled by the Anti-Catholic Rantings by the likes of mormans, jehovah witness & SDA, Jack Chick, & all other professional anti-catholic cults / activists !
If any of U on this blog, wish to debate the veracity of the Holy Catholic Church & her Love for Jesus Christ our God & King, & Head of our Church (not the Pope ! – as some of U think)
- then by all means come & either debate us, or find out the TRUTH of what we actually DO believe & Teach – & not what some other deluded 10th-hand protestant says about us !
If I wanted to know about Judaism – would I consult the Muslims ?
If I wanted to know about Hinduism would I consult the Budhists ?
If I was an agnostic seeker, & wanted to know about Protestantism, would I consult the Orthodox Churches ?
NO !
So please do US the same courtesy & come & check out what we actually do believe & teach !
goto:
BIBLICAL EVIDENCE FOR CATHOLICISM:
socrates58.blogspot.com
lumenverum.org
ourcatholicfaith.org/
vatican.va/phome_en.htm
Please Come & Debate us, – if U have the intellectual & intestinal fortitude ! goto:
forums.catholic-convert.com/index.php
BRING IT ON !
To Quote Bishop Fulton Sheen:
“There are not over a hundred people in the United States (World) who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church, —which is of course, quite a different thing….”

Other than God’s word on homosexuality, I don’t see where she’s getting this equation of Christians being anit-(fill in the blank). Sounds to me like she’s in the wrong church and hasn’t been reading God’s Word, but having it read, and misinterpreted, to her by others. God says we should ALL be readers and doers of His word and to study to show ourselves approved. Maybe she was too busy writing her books to read the Good Book. Whatever her reasons, she will have to answer to God for this soon. I pray she realizes where she went wrong and finds a church home that is Bible based 100% and finds a Pastor who emphasizes the importance of studying the Word for yourself.

I knew all along she was a fraud

Amen Jim! A follower of Christ will desire to follow His commandments. “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Heb. 8:10-12 and Jer. 31:33). When we become a believer in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts who helps us live in and for Christ (Luke 9:23) – He will change us through our relationship with Him and being hearers and doers of the Word. Jesus said you will recognize a Christian by their fruit (Matt 7:16&20). Although He wants us to be obedient to Him, we are human beings and will sin because we aren’t perfect, but through Jesus and His shed blood, when we confess our sins with a truly repentant heart, He’s promised us that we are forgiven (1 John 1:5-10). It’s all about having faith in what Jesus already did – There was only one sacrifice. “It is finished”. Thank you Jesus!

Apostasy? Note, 1 John 2:19. The real Chiristian can never really leave Christ nor His Incarnate Church. One may be angry and withdraw for awhile, but the real Church is like a loving Mother. Her embrace is gentle, but strong.. and ever ready to love!

Lord, I pray that You will console Ann and open her heart to Your love and understanding.
Amen.

The most beautiful, kind, loving people I know are Christiams. The harshest are those liberals who hate someone with a moral stance different from the one they hold. I believe the laws of God and His church are given out of love for mankind, not to curb our freedom but as protection for the individual, family and nation. I have lived a long time and really believe we reap what we sow, law of nature the same as gravity. I wonder what our world would be like if we all truly tried to live as God asks us. I hope Ann finds the joy and peace she is searching for. Faith can sometimes be a struggle. Carol

May Ann Rice know and follow the truth of Christ, conforming to God and not the world and being transformed by the renewing of her mind in reading God’s word. May the peace of Christ rule richly in her and bring her to a place of contentment in knowing truth and following after it and may the truth set her free to be all that she can be in Christ and doing what she aught and not what she thinks according to the world. May the Spirit of God help and guide her.

Who is Anne Rice? I guess while I was busy praying in my “inner room”, Anne Rice never came up. Hmmmmm….

Your are confused and following after the crowd…because right down the road things will change again…but seek….the soul and you will find your true self through Christ…not self….made in god’s image he is the puzzle maker…Christ is the Good son…and the redeemer..

Sorry about her confusion…but God never condones sins. The Greatest is to deny the Church that Jesus Christ founded. I am certain she will be missed by her family. RIP

Being a Christian requires guts and strength. I guess Anna doesn’t have what it takes.

Ann’s struggles reminded me of Barry McGuire a 60′s singer who was really attracted to Jesus but did not like Christians! He eventually became a Christian anyway! But it wasnt because of the Christians he knew. He did not like them!
Ann is not the first nor last “popular” figure to get chewed up by the
body of Christ. I hope Ann is able to distance herself from the hurtful aspects of the church and take time out to get closer to God and His Son Jesus. We expect way too much from Christian “celebrities!” I have seen it before. I seem to recall that we expected only Christian songs from BJ Thomas when he came to know Jesus. Some Christians gave him terrible grief. U2 resisted the “Christian band” label knowing they could never please all the Christian factions. Give Ann some space and time. I also sense that she felt the tug on social issues and some evangelicals seem to think of only a few. And it seems to me that maybe Ann wasn’t Republican enough for some. Here is a shocker there are Christians who are democrats.
Ann, you are in my prayers and please accept my apologies for my brothers and sisters and their Christian cookie cutter ways.
May God bless you with a deeper relationship with Jesus inspite of us!
John

Matthew 7
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Who ever said she was a Christian? She was simply Catholic, that’s a big difference.

Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, but not your Christians.” Ms. Rice said something similar, but with more heat than light.
I completely understand her heat, though. I also refuse to add being a right-wing Republican capitalist to the requirements for being in right relationship with God. I love God, I have served as a missionary and led hundreds of people to God, but I refuse to go along with the hateful, stingy, and downright stupid political propaganda my Christian friends constantly email to me.
The great mass of Christians are knee-jerking to a right wing political agenda, and its alarming. Our country is in trouble-what are we supposed to do? Blamestorm? Mock the President? Or humble our SELVES and pray. Our SELVES.
After WWI, the German nation was humiliated and broke; unemployment and hunger were raging. They found someone to blame-the “Jewish parasites.” I wonder what would have happened if they had humbled themselves and prayed?
Wake up Church.

As a Christian, I fervently agree with Anne’s being anti- a lot of anti-things. However, most of Christianity has adopted non-Biblical approaches to life, for whatever reason. If Biblical Christianity was actually seen and experienced by Anne, I believe her story, and the story of many others, would be vastly different, more effective, and happy. Here’s an example. Most of Christianity teaches that people either burn in hell or go to heaven when they die. From the Bible, this hideous concept cannot be true for many reasons. First of all, of all people, Jesus did not go to heaven when he died. Second, though there is a lake of fire, it begins at the end of the world, not now. And thirdly, if all the historically-good people are in heaven already, why would the Second Coming of Christ be the consummating focus of scripture? For more info, here are some places to look, straight from the Bible. bibleinfo.com, or amazingfacts.org. I would love to see Anne Rice write a novel that bridges this. When honest, thinking people reject a crippled, crippling Christianity, it may be because that Christianity is no longer Biblical.

First of all, I believe Anne is having a crisis of faith, not uncommon to any domination you may belong. Faith is the most powerful thing to had by man however, it is the most delicate. It can be lost in a moment without the perseverance in daily and even moment by moment prayer, where faith is sustained. Lastly, I take issue with Jorge, who seems to think Catholics are not Christians apparently. Who might you be to judge? Judge not lest thee be judged. Only, Our Heavenly Father knows what is in the heart of man. One could look to any Christian other than Catholic and find sinners, hypocrites and the likes. Be careful sir, it may well be a Catholic who comes to your dire need one day! Prayers for you and all who feel as you do. Remember, we ALL are sinners. Catholics acknowedge that and stay Catholic to recieve special graces through our Sacrament of Reconciliation.
In Charity & Love
Miriam

Jorge:
Catholicism IS Christianity. In fact, it is the oldest form of Christianity. DO you accept the Trinity? Do you believe that Jesus is filly divine and yet fully man? These came form early ecumenical councils. Before you counter that they were not Catholic, I must remind you that a central figure was St. Cyril. Another was St. Justin Martyr. DO you go to Church on Sunday? Catholic Tradition. Celebrate Christmas and Easter? Those are Catholic too. If anything, Catholic are more fully Christian than the Protestant traditions, particularly the neoevangelical, non-denominational upstarts that have no grounding in history.

Kaylin:
Your first mistake is that you assume that Heaven and Hell are bound in time. They are not. They are eternal. Eternal does not mean “everlasting” but rather “separate from time”. Second, Hell is spoken of in Scriptures by Jesus, quite directly. (Matthew 5:22 is one example) I think the error here is that you have an understanding of God’s mercy that is inconsistent with Scripture. At the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus said “Drink of it all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is pured out for man yfor the forgiveness of sins”(Matt 26:27-26 cf. Mk 14:24)

Seems evident from these comments that there’s not much agreement among you about what a Christian IS. And if the level of hatred and contempt so many of you express about each other’s beliefs is any indication, Christ would disown you, not for your beliefs, but for not loving each other.

I am glad someone is standing up to these people. While I agree not all Christians are like that, all the rules and antispiritual things in Christianity make it not worth anyones time.

What we are seeing here is corrupt fruit of the enlightenment. God is to be made in man’s image. Guess what? There is not a single “rule” in authentic Christianity that does not make sense. What it comes down to is man’s inability to mortify the flesh for the greater good, or even his own good.

Wow, Carl, I really agree with you about Christianity’s ‘rules’. Great statement!
What made me start collecting scripture on the hell subject was a brief CNN article that quoted a study in North America — the study said that the more often a person went to church, the more likely they were to approve of torture . . .
One point about scriptural mercy might be this: As Christians we are supposed to emulate the Father, Jesus, etc. If one takes the ever-burning hell position, that would mean that as a follower of God, it would be wisdom for me to burn my children endlessly if I pattern myself after God. We are not so unkind even to our animals, and I am certain we are not better than God!
There is a hell, true, as mentioned in Scripture, but we need to define it as Scripture does. And everlasting — even Sodom experienced everlasting fire, and is not still burning. Your point of heaven/hell not being bound in time is interesting, but I do not find it in Scripture. Or at least haven’t found it yet!
The ever-burning hell ‘doctrine’ crept into church apologetics long after Christ was here. Interesting words to study are gehenna, sheol, hades, etc.
My best wishes to you as you seek truth about the goodness of God. Another book I can recommend is “The Fire That Consumes” by Fudge, an evangelical. Most of the scriptures on the subject are there.
Here is my own narrative on the subject:
INTRO
When I was in South Africa, a story caught my ear of a little boy with a drunken father. The father had asked the boy to do a chore, and the boy had disobeyed. The father tied grass around the boy’s hands, soaked them in gasoline, and lit them. The boy lost both of his hands. Would anyone call that father a good parent, or a Godly one?
After reading the CNN article, I decided to look again, to see if God and the Bible are actually Good News (CNN article is Survey: Support for terror suspect torture differs among the faithful updated 5:47 p.m. EDT, Thu April 30, 2009)
Is God only merciful if we obey? Is He horrible to sinners?
If we are determined to be wicked, what will happen to us?
Is there ever an end to Satan, sin, and suffering?
3 angles to this discussion:
I. A logical approach – if one text is true, can the other be?
II. What the Bible says about death, dying, and the destination of the wicked
III. What these things, put together, say about God, His goodness and credibility
The WORLD’s favorite scripture: John 3:16 We have a choice between eternal life and perishing
And, what would eternity be like in heaven if God is bad, and if our relatives are burning?
What happened to Jesus? Who goes to heaven when they die?
Jesus is our EXAMPLE
John 20:17 Jesus didn’t go to heaven. He said he had not yet seen His Father, and that was
AFTER the resurrection. If Jesus doesn’t go to heaven at death, who does? Not me!
Job 14:14 Job didn’t – he awaits immortality, and he was ‘perfect’.
Acts 2:34 David didn’t ascend to heaven at death, but awaits the coming of Jesus
David was a wonderful man – the “man after God’s own heart”
He “slept with his fathers” Why not take David if you were going to take someone?
2 Tim. 4:7,8 Paul didn’t. He awaits his final reward when Jesus comes.
John 11, 12 Lazarus said nothing about heaven, nor changed the viewpoint
Rev. 22:12 Jesus brings His reward with Him – not now. What happens in between?
Gospels Jesus took my death — what was it? Everburning hell fire?
Where is man and what is he doing when he is dead?
John 11:11-14 Jesus compares death to a sleep – unconscious
1 Thess. 4:15,16 Those asleep in Jesus rise at His 2nd Coming. They don’t rise at death.
The Second Coming is the culmination of all history.
What would Jesus come back for if most of the ‘good’ are in heaven?
John 5:28, 29 There are 2 resurrections – one to life, and one to death.
(Not one to life everlasting, and one to hell everlasting)
Ecclesiastes 12:7 The body returns to dust and the Spirit returns to God.
The Spirit is God’s breath of life.
Psalm 146:3,4 When the breath (Spirit) returns to God, the thoughts perish.
(No thinking occurs after death.)
1 Timothy 6:16 Human beings are not immortal, only God.
Romans 2:7 We seek immortality. The Bible, in 1600 references to the
soul, never uses the term “immortal soul.”
1 Cor. 15:51-54 We receive immortality when Jesus comes again, not before.
Psalms 115:17 The dead do not praise God.
Psalm 6:5 In the grave there is no remembrance of God – good or bad.
Ezekiel 18:4 The soul that sins, dies, not suffers forever!!! (Person)
What about ‘Hell Fire’?
Jer. 31:3 God’s character is one of love.
Malachi 3:6 “I am the Lord, I change not.” He is always loving.
Matt 5:48 We are to be Christlike, have characters like God
(Does this mean we can burn our own children forever if they disobey?)
Psalm 91:4 He is nurturing, will “cover us with His feathers!”
Matt 23:37 He gathers us to Him, like a hen.
Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death, NOT eternal torment.
How are the wicked destroyed? And how long is forever?
Rev.19:20 There is a lake of fire in the end of time.
2 Pet. 3:9 God doesn’t want ANY to perish (perish, not suffer forever)
Heb. 12:29 God is a consuming fire toward sin.
Malachi 4:3 Sinners will be burnt up or turned to ashes.
Psalm 37:10 The wicked will not be any more.
Matt. 25:46 The punishment is everlasting. (As in permanent cure)
Jude 7 Sodom is burning with unquenchable fire (not put out – just burns until done)
Jer.17:19-27 Jerusalem burned with unquenchable fire, but isn’t burning today.
2 Pet. 2:6 These cities are in ruins under part of the Dead Sea. They’re ashes.
They have suffered ‘everlasting fire’, and are not burning now.
Matt 3:11,12 The fire cannot be put out until it completely eradicates sin.
Rev 20:10 The wicked are destroyed forever.
Ezek.28:17,18 Satan himself will be consumed to ashes.
This is GOOD NEWS – he will be ‘burned up’! Even HE will not burn forever.
This is the everlasting mercy and kindness of God.
Even those who cause suffering and rebellion snuffed out, not tormented.
We will not be treated even worse than Satan.
The soul that sinneth it shall die.
BIBLE — The Original Lie
Genesis What did God say? What did Satan say? Credibility an issue.
Genesis 2:7 When God breathed into man, he became a living soul at creation
He wasn’t given a living soul.
Acts 2:41 The New Testament talks about souls/people being baptized – definitely not
wisps of something coming down out of the sky to be baptized.)
Where’s the Fire???
Isa. 47:14 There will not even be a coal to warm at.
Obadiah 16 The wicked will be as though they had not been. Unaware?
2 Pet 3:12,13 God will create a new earth.
Rev. 21 The New Jerusalem will be here on earth, where the fire was!!!!!
There will be no more sorrow, death, crying.
Rev 22:12 When do we get our reward??? Jesus brings i with Him when He comes!
The Conclusion:
God is kind, caring, trustworthy, reasonable (Isa 1:18) and consistent, loving parent.
There would be no point to eternal torment – all have chosen by then.
God does not try to scare us into serving him.
I hope you will church to believe God as he truly is, not the lies about him.
Jesus said, “Love your enemies.”
Satan is an untrustworthy liar.
God is always FOR us, not AGAINST us. Isa 42:3 and Matthew 12:20.
God is worthy of our worship and praise. TRUTH about HIM is always Good News
The KINDNESS of Jesus is the kindness of God John 14:9
We often make Jesus out as protecting us from a stern God – He IS God!
Some Christian writers say if God had come instead, history would be the same.
Christians, if they understood this doctrine, would not be more likely to torture.
The Second Coming of Christ is the climax and focus of history.
The hope of Christianity
Death/heaven is not the hope of the Christian.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND MATERIALS recommended
Websites
http://www.bibleinfo.com
amazingfacts.org
Book
“Searching for a God to Love” by Chris Blake
Chapter 7 explains about the lie of immortality/eternal fire and friendship with God
Pamphlets & DVD’s on Death and Hell
Does God Love Sinners Forever? by Danny Shelton
Are the dead really dead? amazingfacts.org
Is the devil in charge of hell? amazingfacts.org
DVD set – The Truth About Death http://www.pmchurch.tv
DVD set – The Truth About Hell http://www.pmchurch.tv
Other recommended materials
“The Fire that Consumes” (by Fudge)
(A Christian source on this topic that many evangelicals are currently using)
Three Words for Hell:
gehenna – filth, place of destruction by fire, final death
sheol – the grave (31 times), death, pit, dust
Psalm 49:15 God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave.
2 Sam 22:6 The snares of death
hades – death, grave, place of the lost
Great trading ideas with you, Carl.

Anne Rice made a fortune selling vampire novels and paraphernalia -promoting darkness in other words.
Now she is ‘leaving Christianity’?
Was she ever really a follower of Christ or just a fifth column?
Sounds twisted and bitter from the article. Guess her fans can either leave her to follow the truth, or go on drinking blood. Ugh!

Hi Anne,
You don’t know me but, I’m a Christian. If you love God, when you die, you will be with Him. Not only with Him, but also with His family, “Other Believers”. Sometimes Christians get on my nerves and get on God’s nerves too. Even you get on His nerves sometimes, but He will never stop loving you, or me, or His other children. He loves us unconditionally! His most important commandment is that we love Him with all of our hearts, soul, mind and body. The second is like unto that, in that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.
When we get to heaven we will all be perfect because we will all be like Him. He won’t give up on you, don’t give up on all your sister’s and brother’s. One day we will all be family in God’s house. I sure would like to see you there without you being ashamed of having turned your back on all of us.

Clearly, sadly, Ann Rice has not ever had the benefit of sound catechesis regarding what it actually, truly would have meant to BE Christian in the first place…or second, rather….

I’m guessing perhaps if Anne’s posted list of complaints is her legitimate reasons for wanting to quit Christianity maybe she didn’t really have a good understanding of the gospel. Is she maybe saying instead she wants to quit Catholicism or practicing Christianity as a joyless set of religious rules? Maybe she is actually coming to a deeper understanding of God’s love for us apart from our political or social views.

I completly understand, the loudest part of the Christan community is almost as radical and judgemental as the taliban. It will take people like Anne Rice speaking out about this hate filled redoric and judgemental attitudes to make a differance.

Anne who?

I was overjoyed when I learned Anne has become a Christian and turned to write for the Lord. I know in my heart, that the Lord indeed rescued Anne. And the Lord has been giving her much work to do for Him. The Lord will never forsake any of us, and that includes Anne. Whether Anne chooses to renounce the unfortunate ugly side of some elements of Christianity, she has not renounced Christ. Christ requires us to believe in HIM, not to believe in what everyone within the body of Christ has to say. As long as Anne is continuing to seek the Lord, she will keep in His company and grow in her faith. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Indeed, open the eyes of our heart Lord so that we may see You more clearly and be Christ-like toward one another. May God bless all of you, your families and loved ones. And, Anne, may the Lord bless you and yours, and comfort you and yours.

True Christianity is not someone’s personal worldview which the Bible is made to fit in place. It is the Bible(God’s own words) as the Christian’s worldview and nothing else. True Christians do not hate homosexuals for example, but do hate the sin, as does God. We are told by God to warn sinners of what’s in store for them if they don’t believe and repent. True Christians will confess that they are sinners like anyone else. They are not “better” than anyone. The difference is that they are saved. Saved from what you say? From God’s judgement to come. By ourselves, we all fall short. All. A great book that explains the Biblical message is: A Stranger on the Road to Emmaus” by John Cross. The issue is not what you think or wish or believe about weighty matters such as eternity, heaven or hell. It’s what is True, and to live your life in this Truth.

Who is this person and why do we care about her announcement? I’m not being critical – I just don’t know who she is.
In response to what is being said, I still believe in the Body of Christ, flaws and all – and most of us are aware of our failure! It’s so much easier to criticize than it is to hang in there and work life out with all different kinds of people. It’s easier to point out the shortcomings and just walk away, like this woman did. I don’t consider her announcement very noble.

Yeah, because I know loads of Christians who would go around hacking womens’ noses off as per the time magazine cover. Nadina, get a grip on reality. Christians like the Taliban? Think about it.

It’s unfortunate that she seems to have heard some of these views without, it seems, some better explanation, etc..Also needed for her I think is that Catholicism is just one section of Christendom.
The truth is that homosexuality IS wrong, but God still loves and died for homosexuals as much as any other sinner. God is not “anti homosexual” but He does say that homosexuality is a sin. the “birth control” issue is a weird one unique to Catholicism and I think they are wrong on that.
A big issue is the abortion issue though, and oddly enough she talks about not wanting to be “anti life” anymore and yet sounds like she also supports the Democrats. Considering the pro choice stance of democrats and how willing they are to let babies be murdered, this seems like an odd point of view.

i beleive it was ted turner who said all religeons have been test tried and failed. ravi zacherias told him christianity was tested found to be difficult and left un tried. Jesus said a man after setting his hands to the plow and looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God. at times none of us are. it is a difficult travel. but one that is well worth it. the real problem hewre is accountability and who is in charge of the rules.it seems we want to tell God all the time what He can say and do and think, doesnt that mean we are exaulting ourselves and our morals and beliefs above God’s
? Some time we have to accept what God says without understanding, knowing that God wants and knows what is best for us all. If he isnt LOrd over everything we see say and do then he really isnt lord at all. Faith has to fill in the voids where our knowledge fails.

Good For Anne, the blinders have been removed and she is now truly free. No longer constrained by the views and beleifs of others, she is free to be herself, to follow the values she loves and stand by her moral compass. There are some chruches that spout nothing but hate for anyone that does not conform to that same hate. Entire Christian organizations that boycott businesses that support gay and lesbian groups. How many pro-lifers fire bomb clinics and murder abortion doctors?
The real kicker is most of the holidays and rituals performed in churches don’t even have anything to do with God. Christmas and Easter for example, they are Pagan holidays stolen by the church to manipulate the masses to conform. And when that didnt work they just murdered and mamed.
It baffles me how so many can worship manipulated stories that are built on fear and terror. People are Free to love, hope and worship whom they like, but to judge those that do not feel they way do is dispicable and cruel. Good for Anne for finally figuring that out on her own.

For the rest of you who might share her confusion: She was never a true Christian. The catholic church isn’t mentioned in the Bible. To become a Christian, people we told to simply
BELIEVE that Jesus is God’s Son.Gal.3:26
REPENT of their past sins.Acts 17:30
CONFESS to others that you believe: Rom. 10:10
BE BAPTIZED, going down into water, being immersed
for the forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:28, following.
RISING TO WALK A NEW LIFE.
These things do matter or God would not have bothered
to give us instructions.

@Your Namezelda:
Does it bother you at all that your adaptation of Christianity didn’t even exist before like 500 years ago, and before that pretty much all of western Christendom was controlled by the Catholic church? Does it also bother you that Jesus said over and over again in his gospels that you will be judged for what you do and not what you believe in? To say that Catholics aren’t ‘real’ Christians is to say that virtually everyone Christian who ever lived during the first 1500 years of Christianity were not ‘real’ Christians. To say that only Evangelical Christians are real Christians and going to heaven (which is pretty much what you are saying) is to say that about 95 percent of people in heaven are fat, rich, stupid, conservative Americans, and the rest of the world is going to hell. Does this sound like Jesus’ target for saving grace? What does Jesus say about the rich and the poor in his gospels?

well, for her to reject Christianity she may as well quit using Christ’s name too! You can’t say you know Him & refuse to believe the bible. God warns us in His Word, “there is a way to man that seems right.” She is relying on her own her own thoughts & feelings on what she thinks is right. You can’t like what God hates & still be ok with the Lord.

.
If I could meet her in person, I would
love to say “Thank you Anne Rice –
for so very articulately stating what
I have felt in my heart for years” !!!!
One’s ‘Faith-in-Christ’ should IN NO WAY
be tied into the man-controlled ‘Religion’
that so many refer to as “Christianity”
(especially that apostate, psuedo-religious
political-movement called ‘evangelicalism’)
It took me forever to realize that my
relationship with God (as established
through Christ Jesus, God The Son) was
IN NO WAY dependent on the apostate
psuedo-religious movement sweeping
America in the name of the “church”.
If Christ were walking the earth today,
a lot of these same “religious” types
would be the first to demand that He
be ‘crucified’ — and based merely on
who He chose as FRIENDS (women,
gays, foreigners, immigrants, the poor,
the rejected, the downtrodden, the rich,
men, old, young, happy, sad, and so on).
The “evangelicals” (not to be mistaken
for TRUE FOLLOWERS of Christ) and
other “church” types have essentially
hijacked the Christian ‘Faith’ in order to
turn it into a mammon-worshipping,
power-mongering, “Religion” of hate.
These people are more akin to a system of
ANTI-CHRIST (i.e. “against”-Christ) than
to anything tied into WHO CHRIST IS.
Their evil has reached such profound levels
that even people who know and love Christ
are turned off from them and their words
(again proving these “church” types are
really nothing more than anti-Christ,
self-righteous Pharisees and are not
even remotely related to Jesus Christ).
Never again will I waste my time stepping
into the psuedo-religious social-club that
is known as “church” or associate myself
with the political-clique that is known as
‘christianity’ — because FROM NOW ON
– I realize that I do NOT “need” either
in order to have a relationship with MY
LORD JESUS CHRIST (in fact, those
two entities were actually ‘interfering’
with my relationship with God)
THROUGH CHRIST — GOD HAS OPENLY
EXPRESSED HIS LOVE TO ‘EVERYONE’
(no matter if rich, poor, gay, straight, male,
female, sickly, healthy and so on) — AND
CHRIST (not the so-called”church”) IS
‘THE DOOR’ and ‘THE WAY’ TO GOD!!
ALL ARE WELCOME TO APPROACH AND
TO ENTER THROUGH ‘THE DOOR’ TO GOD!!
NO ONE IS REJECTED BY JESUS CHRIST !!!
JESUS LOVED AND LOVES EVERYONE !!!
LET’S ALL TRY TO REMEMBER
THE BIBLE VERSE OF ‘JOHN 3:17’:
“For God did NOT send His Son
into the world – to condemn
the world, BUT that the world,
THROUGH HIM, might be SAVED !!!!”
JESUS CHIST – and *not* the institution known
as “the church” or the religion called “christianity”
— IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!!!
LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE – I AM DONE
WITH THE CHURCH & WITH CHRISTIANITY
– AND FROM HERE ON OUT – MY FOCUS IS
ON (AND FAITH IN GOD RELIES IN) JESUS
CHRIST AND JESUS CHRIST ALONE !!!
.