Anne Rice Quits Christianity

[MarieDelta]

From her facebook page:


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.

Later on she posted her reasons:


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.

[DuckiesDarling]

I very much applaud the reasons she posted but the cynical part of me wonders if it's due to the lack of book sales after she went Christian. Perhaps she has a new Beauty novel or another in the Mayfair Witches or even more misadventures of Lestat to come.

[sephirothtx]

as a political/religious debator and a former christian myself (i was raised it) it dosen't suprise me. Many of the most famous authors are to intellegent to hang on to religion, does than mean they can't beleive in god? No! But what it means is the ideas of religion as a group of people and acompany of hirachies telling you how to live, and the majority of best sellers, are big time liberals. Telling an Intellegent person what to do dosen't fly, Telling a liberal what to do usually gets you in a world of pain, telling an intellegent liberal what to do is a bigger problem alltogether. The reasons S.King seems to hang on to socialized religion, especially with the ways he rights about them and talks about them, is uknown, to me at least, except in some books, such as "Under the Dome" he makes it seem there are good and bad in the hiarchy of religion, giving him an excuse to stay where he is.

Furthermore, anne rice "became a chrisitan". Lets say your a normal person walking down the street ,each day you see this, thing, obviously a costume of some sort, run aroiund by some wierd guy scaring children into doing what he's told.
You're told often by people that he is real, not a dude in a costume (nevermind the zipper!) and that you should beleive. ONe day you do beleive, mostly because you need to beleive that there is somthing more to it, that, that monster is real and he's here to terrorize the world less we do what he says. But having been a non-christian for so long, you've already seen the zipper, and no matter how much you want to deny it, it's shiny little metal hand stares you in the face every time you see that costumed creature, untill you wake up and say "Wait, WTF am i doing??

[Billys_gurl]

I understand her reasons for doing so. Why though did she feel the need to quit Christianity? I was raised Presbyterian, married a Baptist, and we just consider ourselves spiritual. We know there is some one or something bigger than ourselves out there in the scope of things. We call him/her God but we don't feel that we need to be categorized by the church. BTW, LOVE Lestat and have all 3 Beauty books.

[Robinium]

I can understand that Anne Rice has struggled with Christianity and rejected it, especially the way it presents in the USA, where you have the bible belt etc. I spent 2 weeks on vacation visiting a friend of mine in Boston and was shocked about all these weird temples etc. belonging to very strict churches, sects and cults who do I don't want to know what to their members's souls and brains. We don't have that much of this stuff here in Germany. And I mean, Boston still seems to be a relatively cool and liberal place to live in the USA compared to many other US regions.

Honestly, many countries of Europe are much cooler in this respect. Here in Germany, e. g., we have basically 2 denominations plus the rather non-organized muslims plus minority reborn and extremist Christian churches which are too small to have any impact on general society. Most of Germany is pretty secular anyway. The 2 main dominations are the Catholics and the Lutherans. Now the Catholics I need not explain, same convictions as everywhere. But the Lutherans tend to be extremely liberal easy-going other than in the Lutherans in the USA, even too easy-going for my taste depending on the topic.

In some regions of Germany, the Lutherans do not marry (as they may not by German law), but at least bless gay/lesbian couples when these commit to an official same-sex "marriage", for example. If Anne Rice could have seen how laid-back some of the Christians here are, she might have made a different decision.

By the way, Anne Rice wrote some of the best novels I have ever read and she really rocks. Very mature, entertaining, and they are clear but also subtile on so many levels. I love the topic of the vampires getting much older than humans and how they cope with this blessing/burden. Plus all the other psychological, philosophical and historical stuff in her stories. Very intelligent, easy read but a huge lot to think about in your mind. This is exactly how you have to write a book. Some of her books will be classics in 100 years and then be read and taught as classic books in universities, I am sure.

And I think the vampire Lestat really really rocks as I never read a novel before with such an intriguing, intelligent person torn between his human and demoniac self. And I just love the fact that he's a bi guy and that independently from him being a vampire. And that it's not because he is confused or whatever, but it's just him and that's okay, point. And when he becomes a vampire, then he is still a bi guy, but then in the vampire version. When I read her vampire novels some years ago I thought, suuure, Anne Rice must be bi herself, no one else can describe the attraction to both genders in a book in such a way as a bi author, and I did not know anything about the author then. I never had read anything like that before in this respect and it was awesome. It was fricking cool to see what you experience in terms of attraction to people reflected so well in a fictional character.

100 times better than the typical female horny bi vampire shit you get anywhere and which just sucks.

Back to topic: I think it is sad she threw away her belief because of the bigots she met, although I can understand it well. I am a Christian myself, by the way.

[yubaspirit]

Organized religion of any type is a mental, spiritual and political trap. I shun the dogmas of religion entirely and consider my self to be spiritual instead.

Namaste.

[Lenore]

I am a HUGE Anne Rice Fan! I have read the Vampire Chronicles (most of them more then once), The Beauty books (twice), Exit to Eden, (Twice), Etc. I became a huge fan at about 15 or 16 and haven't stopped reading her work, however, I did refused to read the books about Christ that she began to put out. I am not surprised by her decision to "Quit" Christianity and I'm glad to hear she has come to her senses. I know that it is not a popular opinion to have, but it is mine to have I suppose. :)

[Robinium]

Organized religion of any type is a mental, spiritual and political trap. I shun the dogmas of religion entirely and consider my self to be spiritual instead.

Namaste.

Well I would rather say, as soon as a religion gets organized, it attracts the wrong kind of persons to be its leaders, people who just want to have power and be admired and care a sh*t about the followers or even abuse them. But organization always needs some kind of hierarchy to work, so you cannot completely avoid this effect. And so you always end up with crappy, authoritarian and close-minded organizations, but nasty to a different degree depending on which organization and branch office you deal with - and dependient of their convictions. That's not what Jesus wanted.

[Falke]

Many I have known abandoned Christianity for the exact same reason as Rice has. Some of the stories of those who did leave were kinda scary on the stuff they preached.

[H0wardmoon]

Yes it does seem like she did it just for attention or for a marketing ploy. ;)

She did the same thing when she converted to Born again Christianity and wrote fictional books about it just to boost her book sales and market her new books.

Why make it public since it's someone's personal and private religion or belief in God?

Not all Christians are the way she described and you can argue that all religions and spiritualities are against GLBT people, anti-science, against secular humanism, and against equality for women.


You can argue that, but you'd be wrong.

[Bicuriousity]

I agree christians are the enemy i think its time to embrace a religion more tolerant of gays and bis like islam:)

Seriously religion should be like sexuality, a personal matter. I really dont care what religion or lack of religion someone practices and i definitely dont care what they do sexually as long as its legal and noone gets harmed!

[TaylorMade]

Yes it does seem like she did it just for attention or for a marketing ploy. ;)

She did the same thing when she converted to Born again Christianity and wrote fictional books about it just to boost her book sales and market her new books.

Why make it public since it's someone's personal and private religion or belief in God?

Not all Christians are the way she described and you can argue that all religions and spiritualities are against GLBT people, anti-science, against secular humanism, and against equality for women.

I'll go with this.

Just when I think about being comfortable again, I think, never mind. It's the blanket anti-Christian thought that really keeps me from participating, going to meetings or doing social events for the LBGT community like I would at church.
I never feel this marginalized or hated at church. Ever. Lonely? Yeah, but I felt that way when I was in a "straight" frame of mind as a kid. And they're supposed to be the intolerant ones. It's like, I can find a single church body friendly to my way of life. . . but I have yet to find a single social group of LBGT that are friendly to the church.

*Taylor*

[citystyleguy]

I very much applaud the reasons she posted but the cynical part of me wonders if it's due to the lack of book sales after she went Christian. Perhaps she has a new Beauty novel or another in the Mayfair Witches or even more misadventures of Lestat to come.

i'm with you, dd; applaud the decision, but somehow, the timing makes me wonder??? ...but, i'll go with support for the decision, and leave the other to time will tell!

lost my beauty series; not a big fiction fan, but, damn those books were mighty fine!

[darkeyes]

I'll go with this.

Just when I think about being comfortable again, I think, never mind. It's the blanket anti-Christian thought that really keeps me from participating, going to meetings or doing social events for the LBGT community like I would at church.
I never feel this marginalized or hated at church. Ever. Lonely? Yeah, but I felt that way when I was in a "straight" frame of mind as a kid. And they're supposed to be the intolerant ones. It's like, I can find a single church body friendly to my way of life. . . but I have yet to find a single social group of LBGT that are friendly to the church.

*Taylor*

It is not lgbt that declared war on the church, Taylor.. be fair here.. many Christians have been hounded by the Church, condemned by the church and even put to death by the Church throughout history for being abominations.. lgbt people are still condemned as abominations.. thank Christ society as a whole in most western countries has moved far ahead of the Church in compassion and tolerance of when it comes to us... however, we could never have made the progress we have in the last half century toward gay rights without many Christians of all denominations, predominantly straight, being with society and not with their Church..

I dislike the Church intensely. I am no Christian and have no God.. but at least I accept the right of Christians and the Churches to exist and to practice their beliefs in peace.

[Long Duck Dong]

is she quiting religion style christianity.... or walking away from christ... I am a lil unclear ....as it appears she is saying that she is staying with christ, but walking away from the attitudes of some christian beliefs and stances

a christ like christian will accept you as a person and not judge you or dictate the way you should live...... and I know many of them walked with us in NZ with the fight for the civil union bill..... as they had the stance, all gods children deserve the right to may their love acknowledged and recognized....
they are the type of christian people that have the stance that its not for them to judge others, only god judges.....

a religion style christian will judge you according to the bible.... and that is the anti gay, anti science, structures of society etc type people.....

it is possible to walk with christ, without walking with followers of christ and christianity......

[darkeyes]

Reading her words, Duckie she has left organised Christianity, for very sound reasons I may add. She still believes in Christ, as many who are members of no church do, and will believe in him and her God in a personal way. Being a celebrity this can sound pretentious and opportunist, but I will give her the benefit of the doubt. I have several friends such as her, who have left their Church because of its intolerance and because it no longer met with their view of their saviour and their God. I do not think them either pretentious or opportunist..

[Long Duck Dong]

nods, I agree....and yes her reasons are very sound..... I felt the same way when I walked away from christianity..... but I retain a friendship with many christians and churches that teach the ways of christ..... just not the way of judgment and condemnation

[void()]

"after she went Christian. "


*ROFLMAO*

Anne was always a Catholic, therefore always Christian. That was a large part of the inspiration for her work on The Vampire Chronicles. That and alcoholism which nearly destroyed her relationship with husband Stan, who was a superb poet by the way. Sadly he has now past on.

I used to speak to both him and her in Books & Lit rooms on Yahoo. She now has nothing to do with on-line. Stan is missed, and that is a vast understatement. Her son Christopher writes homosexual stories. Not read any of his stuff yet, just not gotten to it.

At one time there was an email mailing list hosted in PA. I used to read it a while. Once posted a poem that struck her eye, she shared it with Stan. That's how we became acquainted. And yes, that's all we are. I do consider her a friend on many levels, but I'm not in those circles. So we're just acquaintances.


"christians are the enemy i think its time to embrace a religion more tolerant of gays and bis like islam"

*ROFLMFAO&PMSL*

Idiocy! That's all you got? C'mon you can do better.

Christianity nor Islam are 'the enemy'. The enemy is bigoted idiots like you that sit back on the sidelines decrying any other walk of life because it's different. Xenophobic much?

Just because it is different does not imply it is in error, or otherwise ill or maliciously natured toward you / your ideas. You be human just like us. You put on pants one leg at a time, unless you're Supes. Even then Supes committed suicide out of the pressure of being Superman. You got dark and light the world over. Try to be more of the light, please?

And yeah, I had a lover that was Muslim. He was nice, cute and great in bed. Got a lover that's a Christian, now. He's the same as the Muslim guy in many respects.

I grow weary of war. This site is supposed the be a haven from The World but people continually trash it with The World's woes and aches. Screw it I just as well be out. You folks don't get it, probably won't either. No more us and them, just us, that's justice. Grow up and deal with it.

Some of us got no choice but to do that. And when we break and say "ouch", you all give us lectures filled with empty platitudes about gratitude. What, we're supposed to be thankful for hate, fear, stupidity? Gee, lovely party gifts for the temporary fools of the world, huh? Yeah, go look up The Fool in a Tarot deck. He was once Aleph, The Magician.

We all go round the same cycle, namaste seems apt. But we can't even get that here now. No, just drag in politics, religion, travesties, ... ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

"I don't have enough middle fingers!"

Any wonder a person gets tense, anxious, frustrated, depressed, suicidal? "Thank you Easter (http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract1.html)/ Ēostre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter) Bunny!"

I find the notion of Baal as used in the first link to mean Satan hi-larious at best. Baal was an ancient word that meant lord, as in lord of the hills, or landlord as in modern usage. Besides that Satan as a word in Hebrew actually just meant a dissenting advocate, or adversary. Much like today's usage of the term lawyer. Of course I'm just a dumb Appalachian Hillbilly that ought not know such things, c'os I was publik edumacated to hi skool. Shoot I'm lucky I kin reedz this here word that say bye.

"Bah! People! I really ought to be a misanthrope. *sigh*"

[WhenTold]

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.

So, that was just a dramatic way for her to say "I mostly agree with the Episcopalians"? They're the friendly fuzzy branch of religion, they're down with all of that. Though I guess "Anne Rice changes denomination" would be less attention grabbing for her.

[TaylorMade]

So, that was just a dramatic way for her to say "I mostly agree with the Episcopalians"? They're the friendly fuzzy branch of religion, they're down with all of that. Though I guess "Anne Rice changes denomination" would be less attention grabbing for her.

That made too much sense for some on the forum. Quit it.

*Taylor*

[darkeyes]

That made too much sense for some on the forum. Quit it.

*Taylor*

It makes sense but not much that matters. Better the fuzzy than the hysterical vindictive branch.. but being cynical about someones motives is a healthy thing, but sometimes Taylor, people do things because they believe them.

I just thank kismet that I was raised by people that thought fairy tales were.. well.. fairy tales..

[H0wardmoon]

Why doesn't she become a Unitarian, or a Quaker? Or heck, even the MCC?

[darkeyes]

Why doesn't she become a Unitarian, or a Quaker? Or heck, even the MCC?

We leave organisations, churches and many other things because they no longer, may never did, meet what we feel we need or wanted from them. Similarly, unless born into it as in the case of a church or branch of religion, we pick something because we believe it meets our needs.. not because its there and may believe in some of the things we do. If she chooses to she may well join some other organisation which believes in Christ in the way she does.. or even out of opportunism as some seem to believe..she may never do so.. simply because we believe in something does not necessarily mean we have to belong to an organisation.. in the case of religion I reckon she is well out of it...

[IanBorthwick]

I was wondering when she would snap out of this latest attempt at reconciliation with her estranged religion. It's not like the religion changed any, so what in the world she was hoping for I cannot imagine.

[MarieDelta]

Why doesn't she become a Unitarian, or a Quaker? Or heck, even the MCC?

Unitarians and quakers may be, but are not neccesarily, christian. That is they dont hold belief in Christ as a central tennant of their religion.

[Robinium]

Is there really no liberal, laid-back Christian church/denomination in the USA?

[DuckiesDarling]

Robinium,

A lot depends on what part of the US you are in, there are several denominations spread throughout the country but how they are "practiced" varies in locations.

What is a strict congregation in a small town might be nothing but a lazy wave to Christian principles in a big city.

We have some churches like Church of Christ that don't allow music in church and we have some that actually practice snake handling, we call them the "Holy Rollers".

Reminds me of a joke Justin Wilson once told on his cooking show.


A Baptist boy and a Catholic boy got to be friends and one Sunday the Catholic boy invited the Baptist boy to church. He patiently explained each part of the service and all the prayers in Latin.

The following Sunday the Baptist boy invited the Catholic boy to his church and said that's the preacher as the man stood up behind the pulpit. The man took off his watch and laid to the side on top the podium.

"What does that mean", the Catholic boy asked.
"That", the Baptist boy said... "Don't mean a damned thing".