Dear Anne~
I’ve enjoyed my acquaintance with you. Even though it wasn’t at all my usual genre, I read Interview With a Vampire with great interest. (I was born and raised in San Francisco, and loved the accurate details of that location.) Years later, I marveled over your Christian religious experience as laid out in your memoir Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession. (I am a Christian.) Now I see that you have pronounced yourself no longer a Christian because you refuse to be “anti-gay … anti-feminist, and anti-artificial birth control.” (Here I disconnect.)
Okay, I understand your objections to those “anti-s”. But… why exactly have you decided against following Christ? The one who championed out-of-the-religious-mainstream folks? Who scandalized the religious leaders of his day by eating with the ones they stamped as sinners? Who sat by the well and talked with the despised woman from Samaria, and who told his disciples to shut up about the woman who poured her expensive oil on him? The one who scandalized the religious leaders with scathing words and exposed their self-righteous hypocrisy?
But, please, let me say this one thing: Christianity is not a political issue, no matter what some would have us believe. Nor is it a position of hate. Christ gave his life for those who hate him.
That’s not to say Christians shouldn’t discuss difficult truths. Trouble is, Anne, too many seem to find it easier to yell into a megaphone than to love their neighbors quietly, one-by-one. And it’s that quiet love that gives us the right to speak.
Anne, your Christianity—your faith—is between you and God. But, please, make your decision a worthy one.
A fellow writer and a Christian,
Kay Marshall Strom
“The word Christian belongs to no political party. It’s time the quiet majority of believers took it back.”
Andrew Sullivan, Time Magazine Religion Editor
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Perhaps this is Anne’s means of acknowledging Andrew Sullivan’s statement that “The word Christian belongs to no political party. It’s time the quiet majority of believers took it back.” She has not rejected her love of Christ, only that of those (mis)organized elements of Christianity which have maligned His teachings.
Her actual statement was:
“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.”
She followed that status update up with this update an hour 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.”
God and The Universe continue to love Ms. Rice as They love us all.
Be happy.
I appreciate your fuller quote, Yakkity. Here’s my point: The word Christian means “follower of Christ.” Despite the fact that some have hijacked the term–and I agree, they have–it’s hard to see how one can at the same time be “committed to Christ” and not be a Christian. Unfortunate semantics, perhaps. I prefer to say, “Let’s take back the word Christian so that we can wear it proudly!”
Afternoon Kay, Jesus never made us christians nor called us such, but He (JESUS) did call us “sisters and brothers and friends”! Matt 12:50 ” whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same ones are my brothers, sisters and mother”…John 1:12 “But as many people will receive HIM (JESUS), to them The Spirit gave power to become the children of The Father, even to them that believe on His name (JESUS) …Acts 11:26 was the first time christian was used for “the disciples” by unbelievers.
“ an opponent was apparently the first person to use the word “Christian” to refer to them. The name stuck, and around the Fourth Century, a strict definition was given to the word.” Look this up on google. So being a follower of JESUS as nothing to do with the name from the beginning. “The Way” was another name put on HIS followers…just some facts…TRACK
Thanks, Track. You always have thoughtful input.
In Acts 11:26, where the word “Christian” was first used, it was not derogatory, but simply referred to followers of Christ. The other two times it is used in the Bible are in Acts 26:28, spoken by Herod Agrippa, again to describe a follower of Christ. The third time is in 1 Peter 4:16 where St. Peter says, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
Not once does the word cast a politcal net. That’s the point I’m trying to make here.
I see your point clearly, every church or denomination tries to cast a political side to religion. Anne Rice saying she can’t be anti-Democrat so she is not going to call herself a Christian, for example, baffles me. But TRACK has a point too. Christ Himself never called His followers Christians. Therefore, I see nothing wrong with being a follower of Christ and not wanting to be called Christian in this time and age. I belong to the Catholic Church and disagree with some of its premises, on the other hand, I am sure Jesus Christ completely understands and you point out some good examples of that. Our relationship with Jesus should be a private one, I keep it that way.
Kay, I appreciate your wise words. It’s really sad when anyone makes being a Christ-follower about issues or agendas rather than a RELATIONSHIP. Thanks for showing the balance!
Thank you, Kathy.
Thanks, yakkity1, for using the whole quote. I agree with Ms Rice. As a young woman I ceased being Christian in the fullest sense of the word after learning and seeing too many sorry ‘Christians’ and Christian activitites that failed to address Christ’s admonitions and teachings. As the years have progressed I regret the decision not at all. The original teachings of Jesus (let’s use the words in red in my King James Bible as my basis here, knowing that even they were probably radically changed by church and secular leaders trying to move the masses to their own will and political position) are largely ignored by many Christians; they prefer to take the word of their pastors, radio pundits, and hatemongers rather than to meditate on Christ’s words’ meanings and how they can work those teachings into their lives. Until the ‘quiet majority’ take Christianity back, it will continue to devolve into a political, anti-acceptance based organization run by zealots. I stay happily Buddhist; I don’t believe that the day will ever come where America’s Christians will take back their inheritance of peace and universal love.
Don’t be too sure, Auralyte. The groundswell to do exactly this is growing, especially among the younger generations. Unfortunately, the radio pundits and those with a political agenda drown out the millions who speak and act in love. But you and Anne may be happily surprised.
Hi Auralyte: I couldn’t agree more !!!!! I too have never regretted my decison to stay away from so called Sorry Christian’s. Many years ago I decided that (mis)organized religion was not for me, too many people seem to have forgotten this KINDNESS IS RELGION IN IT’S WORKING CLOTHES !!!!!!! After having someone I thought was a friend, stop speaking to me because I asked her and her pastor, (what I thought)…was an intelligent question that I felt anyone truly seeking answers would ask….that finished me…blind faith without questions !!! Not on your life !!!
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Mahatma Gandhi
Sad commentary.
Not all of them, Mister Gandhi. Not by a long shot.
To be or not to be a Christian? It’s more than a question. When political clap-trap hooks on to a faith, that’s when trouble brews. Look at Islam–another beautiful form of personal spirituality taken away by those with a political agenda–and a hateful agenda. I understand Ms. Rice’s frustration with the current state of Christianity in America. It saddens me to hear hateful and untrue statements (based on my years of parochial training) made by those with a political agenda who have made a determination of what is or is not “Christian.” Seems like The Beatitudes are ignored these days. And to my way of thinking those words that Jesus spoke would be the true essence of Jesus Christ–and all great spiritual leaders–but ignored by political and power-based agendas.
“Those words that Jesus spoke would be the true essence of Jesus Christ–and all great spiritual leaders–but ignored by political and power-based agendas.”
I am Jewish but I think Charmaine said it beautifully. I also have NO tolerance for people who aren’t loving and kind to their fellow man. Every one of us is special and worthy of G-d’s love.
…regardless of religion, race, nationality, etc.
Which is why I feel it vital to challenge the faithful followers of Jesus to speak up.
Yes, yes, yes, believers must speak up. That said, a later post here clearly demonstrates, from my point of view, that there are people of the Christian way of thinking (and may or may not attend Sunday church), and there are folks who see Christianity as a black or white way of thinking.(To clarify, this happens in all faiths.) Sometimes I wanna scream, “It’s the precepts of Jesus Christ!” If Jesus had not been a good Jew trained in the 10 Commandments of the Old Testament I wonder (disallowing divine intervention) how our conversations would go today.
Personally, I’m a lousy lamb but a stalwart believer that good is as good does (to twist a phrase from pop-culture). I could stand on a hilltop and shout I AM A CHRISTIAN, or I AM A HINDU, JEW, MUSLIM, BUDDHIST and none of that makes a difference. What makes the differences are my actions, thoughts and goals. This all making spirituality from the heart and soul (which comes in many different formats) the key to help carry and spill goodness from my overflowing jar to some one else’s empty jar. (Again, for clarification, my good jar has yet to overflow
. )
Compassion speaks louder than my already boisterous voice. Sadly, and back to Ms. Rice’s letter, compassion, it appears, is the forgotten element of fundamental/politically based faith–any faith. Jesus Christ was a master of compassion.
Charmaine, I don’t think compassion is a forgotten element for the majority. I’ve traveled widely through some of the world’s most deprived and catastrophic countries and have see Christian compassion at its lifesaving best. I’ve seen it at work here in this country, too, from inner city LA to New Orleans to Birmingham to Maine. Unfortunately, it’s not what we hear in the media, and it isn’t coming from the ones who drown everyone else out with their judgemental proclamations.
Amen, and henceforth the Daily Good posts. Humans of all faiths do give and act with compassion and love every day. Just seems like the biz of alleged journalism (but that’s a whole other subject matter) stressed with producing a 24/7 news cycle and the need for us to just look at the bloody accident on the roadsidee, pushes aside the daily good.
Back to Ms. Rice. I think that after a conversion (or a kiss from the Holy Spirit) that fills one with wonder and joy we float high with what we think might be grace. After a while that joy discolors a bit and dissallusionment follows. So we question and doubt. (I’ve been there, done that.) Then another event follows and the truth stands and reinforces the faith that we temporarily questioned. Perhaps Ms. Rice is in this quagmire. And as a writer, it’s a challenge for her to not tell the world where she “is at.” Let’s see what happens.
Good point, Charmaine.
This is a thought provoking post. I work in a small southern town. The word Christian implies more than just following the word of Christ. It has come to mean a host of things, mostly political. A woman came to me and asked me if I were a Christian. I explained how uncomfortable I was with that word and why. We had a long talk about my views. She later told a group that I was a better Christian than most people who called themselves that. Kay, I hadn’t thought about the quiet masses taking back word Christian. It has usurped by a clamorous group and the truth is I don’t want to be lumped in with them. I kind of understand how some Muslims must feel.
So sad. And so unfair!
Brilliant Kay!
I am a follower of Christ for the very same reasons you laid out above. I also like aspects of other religions, such as Buddhism. Some “Christians” give Christ a bad name. Religion should not be intertwined with politics. Politics should not be driven by religious groups. Will votes be influenced by our beliefs? Absolutely. But, we are a country that represents numerous religious groups. Perhaps Christianity is the largest faction, but look how we separate ourselves from other “Christians” by spinning off into another church family because of our perceived differences! Christ is about unity and compassion and unconditional love. How can I turn away from that?
This subject is both tender and interesting to me…My son whom accepted Christ as his Savior as a young man has come back to me with some questions lately. He is now 30 and has many problems with Christians that fill our churches that he feels are hypocrites.. and didn’t know if he liked being called a Christian because of that…..I actually agreed with him because churches, as in anywhere in the world religions, are made up of people, and becoming a Christian does not make us perfect. I stressed to him that it is a personal relationship with Christ as a believer that is what God wants from us. And, to continue to study, as he has been doing , so that he might find his answers. I agreed with him, though as his Mother, I would love for him to safely live in my box, but, also as his Mother, I want him more to believe because he has found his answers for himself, not because I taught them to him. He is a very smart young man, and I have no doubt that he will find the truth. We often talk and discuss, theology, and world problems together. It is a delight of my heart to have such an open relationship with him. He came back one day with some answers that he has found for himself….He has decided that he still believes in God. He believes that Jesus’s words are what we should follow. He still hates the labels that people put on each other, though he understands that there are good and bad examples of both. He has decided to study the words of Jesus and quoted what Jesus had answered to one of the Pharisees of His time. The question ” “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replies ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, This is the first and greatest commandment.’ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” I am telling you this because I believe that everyone should question for them selves , what do I believe. Christianity is made of the followers of Christ. And these followers or believers are not perfect. If that is what Anne Rice was assuming when she became a Christian, no wonder she was disappointed. I for one, have found quarrelsome, hostile people in the Christian life as well as in other religions and non religions. I have also found wonderful, loving, kind, sincere Christians and none Christians. What sets Christians apart, is not being perfect but is in the acceptance of Christ through Faith and complete BELIEF of those two scriptures and the DESIRE to fulfill them….not the ability to do so….I am sorry that Ms Rice did not further pursue the fellowship of other Christians. There are many, Christians , and Christian churches out there that have believers that agree with some of her list of non-anti’s. You don’t have to have the same political, biological, or social opinions to also be a ‘Christian’. And I am sorry, that where ever she attended or met together, the Christians did not give her the love and understanding she desired,or needed. That is not a good, or Christian thing. She needed more love and guidance, as a baby needs more milk to grow. Growth is not measured by time spent, but by the changes brought about in the persons life due to a desire to follow Christ’s teachings not man’s. Growth comes from personal study, prayer and fellowship with Godly examples of His people. My Parents always taught me to keep my eyes on God and not on man, or I will always be disappointed. Men and Women will fail us, but God never will.
Yes, Gramma, men and women will fail us, but God never does. Thank you for that reminder.
I keep coming back to this topic in my own mind. I am a follower of Christ. I am not an orthodox Christian, however and Christianity has come to mean just that, radical conservatism. The idea of I’m right and you’re wrong if you don’t think like me, just breaks my heart. I often think that Christ is here on earth and among us and I make every effort to treat people as though they were Christ that is unrecognized. I have wondered if we would recognize Christ or would we crucify him again because he doesn’t look like we think he should.
I asked an orthodox Christian once what the purpose was of preaching condemnation. It seems to me to go against the very principals of Christ, which when you come down to it is Love. Are your thoughts, words, and actions loving?
I have treated Christianity as though one faction of it speaks for us all. They don’t. Maybe what is needed is for less of us to opt out and more of us to step back in. To those who would tell me what it means to be a Christian, don’t. You don’t have all the answers. You are not Christ and your understanding of his words are just as flawed as mine because they come from a very human mind.
Let’s do this, let’s practice Love, loving thoughts, loving words, loving deeds. Let’s keep our minds open to the idea that none of us knows everything. Let’s stop warring over religion and get down to the business of living and creating a life that reflects the glory of God in the way He presents Himself to you. We are all Children of God, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, all of us. Let us Love one another in His name which is Love.
As always, the voice of reason!
I do love the voice of reason, the sensible, logical, rational approach. Those who have to condemn Anne Rice or anyone else for whatever religious belief s/he holds are somehow missing the point, huh? But she DID put herself out there. I’m grateful to her for stirring up the controversy, though. She’s making people think, which is great. I’m Jewish, but don’t practice. I’m really sort of atheistic until the chips are down. I was deeply religious on 9/11 until I found out that my son was still alive, and remained grateful to G-d for some time afterward.
The same people who hijacked Christianity, those of the One True Christianity, born-again-in-Jesus Christianity, everyone else is going to burn in hell Christianity, are those who wave the American flag as if their patriotism was the only way to love the USA. I bought a great big flag and display it proudly while being loudly opposed to the Iraq war, to Congressional inertia, to the hideous mess that is our immigration policy, etc.
The passages in Leviticus that people quote all the time that refer to the “abominations,” including homosexuality, also list the kosher laws. Can someone please take a moment and explain to me how one is now so terribly important to people who cheerfully and without sin eat barbeque and cheeseburgers?
Thank you Kgramda.. We should think, ”If I was a follower of Christ simply because if you really follow the Bible you would keep the “Sabbath” not eat pork and there are a total of 7 Holy days to keep…to make a long story short…. People change what they don’t like and make rules to cover what they want.
Jesus doesn’t need anyone to fight for Him ..where does this killing and hatred really come from?
I began to feel like some Christiana have become a “organization Vampires”as they explain everything that they do wrong only take the Blood Of Jesus to wash their sins away.
I believe if we followed the life of Christ we would all live a better life, He helped the sick , He dined with the poor. he talked and consoled the prostitutes, he went to a wedding and turned the water to wine…WHO could not like this man ?…but if he was here today He would be called a SOCIALIST,
The only label I want to wear is a CHILD of GOD and Jesus promise the things he did We could do greater… I have a personal joke for me if I would take on a name for religion it would be MUTTLISM , Yes I Take Truth and goodness from wherever I find it …And was told to seek the truth and the truth will set you free. I don’t have to judge anyone for their personal life style…God gave them the right to choose, whom am I to punish people like our major religions of the world through war and devastation..God Jesus did not reap all the wealth upon himself and since the poor will always be among us so will those who will hate us for our faith whatever that be. Io this day I join no church , and would compare my compassion and belief in Doing unto Others that I would have them do to me as the Golden Rule of Life.
My brother once said “ You can kill me …but you can’t make me die”…I think that is one of the most profound things He may leave me with ..it holds so much dept and truth to real life and freedom .
correction who am I?
I did my 34 years in one church ….and it took two years of studying and praying to decide I would walk out and maintain my relationship with God in my personal life and gain my freedom , my dignity and my Life.
Maybe we should form the Tea party Christians.
Maybe we should! But let’s call it something else.
I, for one, am not willing to relinquish the name “Christian.” It means “follower of Christ.” Let us who truly wish to follow him, and model our lives after his teachings, take it back!
That ‘s my motto I am a child of God and I a practicing ” Mutt-slim.”…( taking the good and the love from all religions and respecting each to do his own)
I love your last paragraph my sentiment aren’t people wonderful and unique and God allows that. so whom am I to push my idealism on anyone?
FayetetteSIPP I love what you have written. What you went through when you walked away from your church, I am going through now. i am a Catholic who believes in social justice. As a Catholic growing up we cared about the poor, the elderly, the disabled. We loved God with our whole heart and soul. I love so much about what used to be the Catholic Church. Our bishops, and I have one of the most radical ones, care only about pay, pray and obey. They are all about the anti’s. Anti-abortion even in the case of rape, incest or the life of the mother. Anti-homosexuality. I feel gays and lesbians were made by God to be gay and lesbian. I haven’t been to Mass in several years but I am still drawn to the Catholic Church the way it was. A loving, caring faith. I know there are many good priests and nuns, but they aren’t the ones in charge. Walking away from it hasn’t been easy and I’m not through this process yet. I can’t stay in the Catholic Church the way it is now. I feel betrayed and I am miserable. But I know it isn’t going to change anytime soon and I need to have (as fayette said) my freedom, dignity and my own relationship with God. Watermusic, my husband says his faith is tolerance, forgiveness and love. I agree with him. I too would love to find a loving church, a spiritual community. Faith isn’t about radical obedience to a bunch of power hungry men. Gramma, I try to keep in mind the two greatest commandments because they are the ones that count. They keep me grounded when so many are so hateful. I love the Serenity Prayer:
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.
In various places and at different times of my life, I have been in churches that crush and churches that nurture. In “me first” churches” and in churches with a goal to follow the model of Christ. I am pleased to say my husband and I are now in a church that fits the latter–far better–descriptions. I pray the same will be true for you, Azul. And the rest of you who cared enough to share your experiences. Thank you so much.
Kay, thank you for starting this thread. I would love to find a church that truly models Christ. I don’t know if you would care to share the church (religious denomination) that you have found either on this thread or in a private message. If you would rather not, I understand. I am grateful for the thoughts expressed here. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!
Send me a private message~