Her.meneutics: An Open Letter to Anne Rice

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August 11, 2010

An Open Letter to Anne Rice

What I see when I look at the church.

Karen Spears Zacharias, guest blogger

Dear Ms. Rice:

You don't know me, so please excuse the intrusion. I hope you won't think this too forward, but I read about your recent remarks about quitting Christianity:

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.

I respect your decision. I can't even count the number of times I've felt the exact same way, but I lacked the gumption to declare it as boldly as you have done. I simply went about muttering, wishing for everything that I belonged to a different clan. A more perfect community.

I don't attend a large church, but it's large enough that I don't know everyone by name or by story. Take that lady passing out the programs at the door. I don't know her at all. I don't know if she's married or lost the love of her life to a fiery plane crash during World War II. I don't know what sufferings life has brought her way. For all I know hers could be one of the dozens of names listed weekly in the “Praying for those diagnosed with cancer.”

Sometimes it's a relief to not know people. It keeps a person from the obligation of sharing their sorrows or from the disappointment of discovering their failings.

That's the thing about being in relationship with others. I don't know about you, Ms. Rice, but I've found that to be true whether you are in relationship with people who belong to the clan of Christianity, or friends you made at the local Farmers' Market. Hang with people long enough and you're going to be disgusted by them. They'll do something that hurts so badly you'll wonder why in the world you ever considered them a friend to begin with.

You'll feel as betrayed as Jesus. On some level you'll know that's ludicrous — there's no way you can know the betrayal of the Cross. But you'll still feel that you understand his pain the way he understands yours.

That's how God designed us.

Desmond Tutu says we are created for goodness. He says that's why we feel so good when we do good things — because we are designed for it.

I believe that.

I also believe that God created us so that we are able to identify with each other. He created us to feel what others feel. That's why when a person lacks the ability to be empathetic we consider them a sociopath or narcissistic.

We are designed for relationship, created for community. The good and bad of it all.

I was thinking about all that at church today as the man three rows in front of me raised his hands in worship. For the past four weeks, he's been confined to a hospital bed at Oregon's Health Science Center University Hospital. His poor body has withstood about all the suffering a person can withstand. I don't know if it it's the cancer that will take him finally or the treatment he receives for it.

But I didn't care about that. What I cared about was that he was on his feet, arms extended, praising the Christ whose blood has cleansed us all from the inside out. The Christ whose mercies are new every morning.

I stood next to a woman whose husband has been deployed so many times to Afghanistan and Iraq that he has missed his daughter's entire high school career. Now that he's home, he no longer has any fight left in him. He's walked out on them. I hurt for that girl. I know what it's like to lose a daddy to war — whether you do it through death or through trauma matters not. She's going to have wrangle some demons for her faith one day. I pray that when that day comes, she'll come to understand as I have, that God is faithful in ways people never can be.

I hope she'll find that he will never leave nor forsake her — no matter what. He's not like us that way.

Two rows in front of that young girl sat a woman who has endured a lung transplant. To be honest, when we were praying for her as a community, I figured they'd be wheeling her out of the hospital in a body bag. That's how small my faith is sometimes. I'm a skeptic. A cynic. I'm ashamed of it, but that's the truth of it.

God proves me wrong all the time. I'm glad for that. I know people, believers and unbelievers, who care more about being right than they do about being redeemed.

Down the pew directly in front of me sat a young woman. Another single mom with another infant to raise alone. I watched as a white-haired lady walked across the aisle during the singing and took that young mother's face into her withered hands and spoke words of encouragement and love to her.

I stood there, weeping, because I belong to a flawed but courageous community. They have discovered ways to share in the sufferings and joys of one another, despite the disappointments.

The Polish have a blessing: May your soul be as strong as your people.

The thing about opting out of the clan of Christians, Ms. Rice, is that when we do that, we run the risk of missing the blessing God created us for.

I wanted to share that with you.

Humbly,
Karen Spears Zacharias

Karen Spears Zacharias is author most recently of Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide? She can be reached at karenzach.com or via Twitter @karenzach.
This post was reprinted from Karen's personal blog.

Comments

What was Ms. Rice expecting, really?

I too understand the temptation to walk out on the Christian family. But like I commented on the CT Liveblog article about Rice's statement, running away from family problems is no solution. It reminds me of the Calvin & Hobbes cartoon where Calvin gets so fed up with his parents that he decides to "secede" from his family and move to the Yukon. Of course, it only takes Calvin an afternoon to realize what a ridiculous idea that is.

This isn't the first time I've seen a Christian, particularly one concerned by or involved in social activism, leave the church over quarrels, hostility, and/or the social issues like women's rights and homosexuality that Ms. Rice also mentioned in her statement - and insist on retaining Christ, but not his church. The thing I don't understand about such a split is how a person can justify clinging to a faith built entirely on grace for undeserving sinners, while refusing to give grace to others who claim the same faith.

Aside from the fact that this attitude doesn't make much sense, according to Scripture as I understand it we cannot have the grace of Christ if we refuse it to others.

It's a sad state of affairs.

I am glad that these people have posted to Ms.Rice. I just wanted to say, you have an earthly family and then you have brothers and sisters -in Christ. The earthly biological or adoptive family may have been good or bad; but I can walk away from such a disfunctional non-believeing group. However; I cannot walk away from brothers and sisters-in Christ, they are of eternal seed. Choosing to love one another as Jesus has loved us truly will set your heart at amends. Thanks for the post.

Thank you for a lovely and beautiful reminder Karen. I would add this to Anne Rice: Jesus loves these children. He laid down His life for His church, this rag-tag group of losers. And "quitting" His Church indicates that you think you are better, which is a frightening form of self-deception. "Christ died for sinners, of Whom I am chief," Paul wrote. That is the attitude we should all have. Augustine wrote that there is no salvation outside of the Church. I hope these things give you pause.

Thank you for your heartfelt and grace-filled letter, Karen. I doubt there is a single follower of Jesus who has not felt wounded or betrayed by members of His body. How could it be otherwise, when the body of Christ on earth consists of sinners redeemed by His blood? I pray that God will give Anne the grace to forgive the brethren for being fallen human beings redeemed by the Cross of Christ. "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, may we clothe ourselves with compassion, kndness, humility, gentleness and patience. May we bear with one another and forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another. May we forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. And over all these virtues may we put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" (Colossians 3:12-14, paraphrase).

When I was a dysfunctionally-churched disbeliever, I thought the same way Ms. Rice does. And while, as a Christian, I am shamed by the "God hates (your epithet here)" crowd, I think Philippians 4:8 applies. Paul says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

I believe we can eclipse the bad by magnifying the good. I also believe it's crucial to understand that the media, regardless of political persuasion, invariably focuses on the most un-Christian activities of Christians. Anyone who's getting their picture of Christianity from the media is getting a distorted picture. Sadly, it sounds like this is the case with Ms. Rice.

What a beautiful and gracious letter, Karen.

I myself have experienced Ms. Rice's disgust with the people who claim to be Christians. After watching a church split as a child, my faith was shaken; it was one reason that I nearly walked away from God as a college student. I've since watched a 2nd one, watched people that I know well treat each other with disdain & hatred, watched (and felt!) the hurt when people within a church betrayed me and others.

Still, there are many, many other people who extend grace, minister to others and work for reconciliation. Karen, I think you are one of them; your blog shows your gracious and compassionate heart. Thank you.

Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone.

Thanks for sharing your beautifully written letter. It reminds me of that old acronym that we teach our children. JOY - Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last.

Can you tell me where I can get one one of those mirrors like Ms. Rice has at her house? It apparently reflects an image of a person who doesn't sin and is therefore capable of judging all others. I remember reading (in CT, I think) when she came back to the church of her youth. I rejoiced then because she would no longer be writing her vampire books which did nothing to uplift the culture. Who could predict that she, like Bob Dylan of on-again, off-again conversion fame, would find an equally public way to hurt those she claimed to join in worship of the same Savior?

That was so well done, THANK YOU. I hope that it somehow gets into Anne Rice's hands. Her comments have made all the news shows but I haven't heard a good response to it.

As Christians, our frailties sometimes shout louder than Christ within us. God help us, please, to let YOU increase and we decrease.

Well, done Karen. You made me weep because I too belong to a church that isn't perfect, but we love each other and more importantly we love the Lord. I lost my husband last year and my church was there for me. I had a hip replacement and my pastors wife made up a schedule of people to "take" care of me. I was greatly loved and supported through each of those times, and I hope that I am able to return that love to them. Are we all perfect? NO! But we are blessed with a Savior who is and He is the hope I cling to when the dark times come. We are told to gather with other believers and to draw strength from one another and that's what we do. We all sin and unfortunately act like brats sometimes. Thank God I am not saved because of how I am, but I am saved because of Who He is.
God bless

Ms. Rice is one of many who have discovered what used to be called the "Middle Class captivity of the Church." Since that phrase was coined the trend has worsened, leading today to what might be called the politically correct captivity of the Church, the term in this case referring to a certain political cast of mind that makes little room for dissenting viewpoints that lean left of center-right.

I think here of a brilliant young man whom I baptized after he came back to a faith he lost at the hands of those who challenged his left leaning positions. It was OK to be a vegan and a Christian, I told him. And, no, Obama is not the anti-Christ. Sadly, soon after his baptism he drifted away again, as he had a hard time finding any home among the right leaning religiously correct.

This will continue to happen as long as Christianity gets defined by its political convictions. Sigh.

My husband and I are both pastors, and as such have been devastated by the judgment, criticism, quarrelings, apathy and sometimes plain meanness of fellow believers. I don't know anyone who has been a member of a church for any length of time who hasn't been hurt.

There have been times that I've wanted to quit and walk away as well. The problem is that Jesus calls us as a people, a community, to demonstrate to the world who he is. We cannot severe ourselves from the Bride of Christ without damaging our relationship with him. Christian means one who follows Christ, and our mandate is very clear that we are to follow him in community, not in isolation.

The Scripture speaks more about loving each other than it does about loving him. It tells us that if we say we love God and don't love our brothers (and sisters) in Christ that we are liars and the truth is not in us.

Ms. Rice, I understand your frustration and hurt. Please forgive us for disappointing you and causing you pain. However, your decision to follow Christ, but no longer be a Christian is an impossibility - theologically, theoretically and experientially. I pray you find a place of acceptance and love within this sometimes confusing, growing, changing organism we call the church.

A Fellow Struggler
Golden Keyes Parsons

I've been thinking and feeling so many things in regards to this.. and my OWN response to the church...

here's what God's showing me.... http://traceysolomon.wordpress.com/2010/08/09/here-comes-the-bride-i-wished-shed-died-theres-a-title-for-ya/

Well written and beautifully put. Thank you.

First of all, this was a wonderful letter that Karen wrote and Ms. Rice linked to herself.

Secondly, I think what Anne Rice wants to leave behind are specific beliefs put forth by the Catholic Church. Her issue is with the majority of "Christian" faiths that use scripture to preach hate and to justify certain practices. Anne posted and wrote several times about the Catholic nun who was ex-communicated for allowing an abortion to happen at a Catholic hospital in order to save the 23 year old mother of five's life. Without this, both would have perished.

While I see how simple it is for some to overlook these things, Anne simply can't do that. She is extraordinarily knowledgeable about religion.

Also...unlike one commenter wrote, her vampire books spoke to thousands of young adults struggling to find themselves. I was one. It was HER BOOKS that saved me, not a pastor or preacher or prayer. Her characters are more human than any of the "ladies who lunch" I found in any church.

Reformed Born Again Bible Thumping "Christian",

Jennifer Curran
Granby, MA

Thank you. Thank you for this. Thank you for reminding us all why our community of believers is so important. I thank the commenters here as well. I did not read through them all but I skimmed to humble reminders in their own thoughts about your blog and Anne Rice's news that I find so nice to hear from my fellow ragamuffin near-do-well Christian brothers and sisters. I will also be proud to be Christian, even when we are at our worst. Thank you for this reminder our beautiful community and why I return to join them in prayer and worship week after week.

I am with Ms Rice 190%. Running from the so -called Christian clan is far from running away from Christ, God or the blessing of God. Jesus never started a religion or a church. He started a way of life base on love. In fact he proclaimed that the sum of the law was love- period. Christendom toady has become a religion of ANTI. anti just about everything. I worship a God of FOR - it is not my place to judge others- as a follower of christ I support and love all without judgement.

And worship is indeed a way of life- not a religious service.

Thanks Ann Rice for saying what this clergyman has been saying for decades.

I just want to say that while i respect karen's letter and what she had to say I whole heartedly agree with Anne Rice 200%. I believe in christ and walk with the lord every day of my life. But the way these religious "leaders" have twisted & mangled christianity it is no longer about love thy neighbor. It is about what is good and benefitial for the church. I was raised to be good to those around you. To treat people with respect and love. to honor others as you would have them honor you. Walk with the lord, and when you look in the mirror see yourself in his eyes. I understand what Anne Rice is saying. She is so well educated. And her books, all her books, her vampire chronicles, her witching hour series, they touched my life. Her stories brought me peace & comfort in a time when I had nothing but caos. They showed me how to be strong and independant. They taught me there was a better way. She is a brilliant woman.

Thanks, Karen. I was so pleased and proud to read what you wrote to Anne Rice. Honest, yet compassionate and measured and humble words characteristically mark your writings. As a fellow Oregon writer, let me applaud you.

I like this note to Anne Rice. I adore this author and honor her artistic talent and decision. I wish I knew of a church that this poster describes. My experience in the canned overhead projecting churches of today's society are not the same as poster Karen. She knows alot of very personal business of those around her in church and makes the choice, to be empathetic. Alot of us that have decided to not be a part of what I describe as plastic churches, do not see this empathy. They endure judgement and redicule. I have found christians to be the most judgement and unkind people. I am in the same boat as Anne. I love Christ but I am NOT religious anymore. I share my heart and kindness with my patients and those that I love and I have a Christ centered life full of songs that are not projected on some screen. Again, God gave us this choice and Thank God for that.

Lovely letter but WHY oh WHY does anyone have to "clan" up. Even Jesus criticized Judaism albeit he never left it. It's funny how after people die, they become larger than life. Jesus was intelligent, a prophet and a philosopher. He didn't want people forcing themselves to clan up under his name. Go off into the world, do good and clan up to mobilize and change the world because Lord knows it's a royal mess. Sitting in a pew and popping hands up to the sky cannot feed hungry children, sad, broken and abused children and all the ills of the world too many to name. Why don't we as humans do something about the sad human condition here and now instead of dreaming of just getting to an imaginary "paradise" as that seems to be the end game for all.

If I may quote Pastor Robby Dawkins from an article in "Today's Christian" Jan/Feb 2009: "Since I've become a pastor, I've sinned, but I don't quit. The whole of the Old Testament is about failures who didn't quit. God can use a failure, but a quitter is someone He can't use."

Beautiful letter, Karen. Thank you!

Anonymous, I just read through all these comments and can't find a single one that even remotely qualifies as "hateful." What in the world are you talking about?

If I may, I must say that all of these comments and your original post are assuming something the Bible doesn't say and something Anne Rice didn't say. You assume that the church is that building on the corner that opens its doors for a group of people to meet in once or twice a week. You assume that the church is a group of spiritual activities that are performed collectively by a group of people who claim allegiance to Jesus. That is not the church. The Church is the body of humans called by the Father and empowered by the Spirit to live life as Jesus in all of their relationships. And as such, they live in a community of all other members of His body throughout all ages, in all countries, and across all socio-economic borders. When people like Anne Rice say they quit the church, they have not quit the Church--just the modern version of it that is unbiblical. There is a difference. I don't know Anne. What I do know is that her accusations and problems with the modern church are spot on and deserve to be "broken-up with." Pews and pastors a church do not make.

It is good to see so many people think deeply about what "the church" is. I have seen churches or congregations that felt like family,and I have heard people actually preach hatred. I have left the church a long time ago, feeling like Anne Rice. I just went back to the source and looked at what we actually know about Jesus and his teachings. I can follow him, but with all the different rules and beliefs that different churches insist we have to follow, it does not make sense that they are all true and based in Christ. They are man-made and have to do more with power than with scripture. I don't want to be called a Christian, because the term has been hijacked and abused. It has become a label that has no clear meaning anymore. God knows my heart, without labels.

I can empathize with Miss Rice, which is why I am saddened that she no longer wants to be called by the NAME above all names. I cannot count the number of times people, from the pastor and his wife to those sitting next to me in the congregation, reviled me and mistreated me. There were times when I wanted to walk away too.
However, there is one PERSON WHO kept me among the saints of GOD....the HOLY SPIRIT HIMSELF. HE reminded me that it is my duty to allow the 'iron' of others who are in the faith to sharpen the iron in me, to rely on HIM to get me through those times when I felt most downhearted. It is the constant rubbing against the rough edges of others that my own are smoothed out. I learn all the things that will make me like the LORD by being in close association with those who are on the same journey. After all, this walk is not for our sake, but for HIS, so that others may see HIM in us and be drawn to the perfecting that can only come from adversity. As our senior elder has taught, pain produces power. And from power comes great joy.
HE is CHRIST WHO loves me and I am a CHRISTian because of HIM. And that makes me glad, because of the challenges that cause me to grow in HIM.

How can any of you willfully inundate the maimed hearts of spiritually dead Christians? Some of us have attempted to sit in your churches. A few of us are afflicted with OCD and a range of other stigmatized mental disorders. Calling us narcissistic is purely wrong and very unchristian. I left the church due to the many comments made on here. These only prove my point that the only experience some people truly understand is the insular world of the immaculate Christian walk. For others, we are born with aberrant qualities which cause us to be ostracized. We are the victims of your world of pretenses and facades.

I'm glad that Anne Rice has found serenity outside the institution that wreaked havoc on her sanity. Personally, I'm thankful I no longer have to be involved with this infamous, disputatious group. I've had far too many instances of walking away from church with a developing panic attack. The church followers will always wrongfully call me "selfish," or "narcissistic."

Individuals who are outsiders: social anxiety sufferers, introverts, artists, liberals, gay individuals, and others have no need to abuse their spirits in order to abide by your rules. We've had enough denigration. And, we're tired of feeling disconsolate because we do not meet your terms and conditions for being in a relationship with Jesus.

I ask as an OCD sufferer who worries about every living soul at nearly every precise minute to consider Anne Rice's situation. Understand our situation and stop abusing us in efforts to preserve fallacious doctrines. Some of us have finally found peace in ourselves by vacating the church. Because we do not need to be socially adept in order to receive salvation.

While a lovely, heartfelt essay, the responses leave me a bit confused and angry and have given me more reason to support Anne Rice. I hear and feel judgment in most of the responders here. Anne still has Christ in her life so what's the problem ? She has NOT claimed superiority over anyone, ORGANIZED RELIGION is the problem she has. A place, the church, that deems others undeserved of acceptance or love just for being that which God has created!! The God I was born and raised with loved us all PERIOD!!!!! No Hell, no Purgatory, or any of those other 'evils' that man created to control others, ex: Inquisition!! Those of us who have a more personal relationship with God, not attending church, choose simply not to be associated with hate mongers and those that would further a separation of those people in society that are different. And that's whT it all boils down to, we don't worship as you and will now be 'outcast'. Gid gave us Life to love one another so why does so much Hate dwell within the church?? This is one of the reasons I left the church , I am a gay man, God gave me life yet Humans seem to have a problem with that! And noone can give me a valid reason for such discrimination and hate!! So until the volatile hate within the church is vanquished I will refrain from being part of it! As Justin posted, I also find many of the reasons I left reflected in these posts.

Thank you, Karen, for your heartfelt and honest letter to Ms. Rice. It saddens me when I read about people who have left Christianity to come up with their own a la carte version of who Christ is and what His gospel is.

As for those who have faced opposition within certain local churches, I must remind them that those are indeed just church buildings, and that there ARE other churches out there that will not revile and persecute you. However, if we are unwilling to repent of sins that are plainly forbidden in the Word of God, then we must expect that no local church group is likely to accept that we "love Christ." I use that term in quotes because although Jesus did indeed boil down the whole issue to Love, He also pointed out that love of GOD is the first and greatest commandment. And He also said that if we loved Him, then we would obey His commandments. So which is it going to be: love our fellow man (which anyone can do) or love God in Christ by obeying His Word (which is the mark of a true Christian)?

I, too, admire Ms. Rice's talent and the mark she has left on society with her works, but such talent does not necessarily make her a good judge of the church of Jesus Christ. Her admittedly liberal views on some issues may not line up with her childhood Catholic Church--nor, for that matter, line up with the Bible--but that doesn't mean she needs to just drop out and worship on her own. She has made the same assumption many have made: that she understands Christ better than others do, and that she doesn't need to learn more about this God she worships. If she WERE to stay in the fold and seek knowledge of God (perhaps even in another Christian church body), then I do believe she'd find we are not nearly as dysfunctional as she thinks. Besides, she might learn that her own liberal views are more a product of modern secularism than any true love of mankind or love of God.

I pray that Ms. Rice and all others who have been offended by their local churches or denominations will remember this bit of Scripture:

Hebrews 10:23-25
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Karen Z. misses the whole point. This issue isn't about the choice to continue loving an imperfect family who follows Christ together. I think Anne doesn't wish to support the way organized religion interprets and teaches Christ's words.

Many organized religions still adhere to antiquated ideals derived from the bible, including the idea that homosexuality is wrong. I don't believe Christ ever said that, nor do I believe Christ wanted to keep women out of the church (for example). I think things such as these are what affected Anne's decision. They are certainly what affect my own decision not to belong to any Christian organization. And while many organizations are pro-women today, there are far too many organizations that judge and preach against "sins" that well....I just don't see as being sinful (such as homosexuality). And no, I am not gay. not that there's anything wrong with that.

It begs the question: Is organized religion necessary to lead a happy and satisfying life, one that includes helping others and being a positive role model and contributor t society? I say no.

What an excellent, Christ-like response to Ms Rice! Although I must say that I understand Ms Rice's feelings very well. I believe in Jesus. I believe he is the Savior of all humanity. That being said I hate what many are doing in his name and the actions of many so-called Christians disturbs me deeply. I have been to far too many churches where gays, Muslims, liberals, etc are demonized. They have an us vs them mentality that has NOTHING to do with real Christianity in my opinion. Jesus was about love, forgiveness and standing up for the outcasts in society. I see little of this--sad to say--in many modern Christian churches. That is why I currently belong to no church. So yes, I understand Anne Rice position since it is similar to my own. Unfortunately I don't know what to do about it.

Am I a hate-monger if I believe the Bible teaches that God has created a person with an immortal soul while yet unborn, and that to purposefully end the life of this unborn person is murder?
Am I a hate-monger if I believe that God has not created any person whom he intends to engage in what his word calls an abomination?
Am I a hate-monger if I trust what the Bible tells me about the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, my salvation and also what it teaches about sin--my own and those sins which are prevalent in society?
If the word of the King is hateful to you, perhaps the hatred does not emanate from His word but is a reflection the enmity of your natural man toward Him.
The political realm is largely prudential: people of good will may differ on the ways and means to achieve a just and civil society. But even here the Bible brings profound wisdom to bear. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." The utopianism of the left is a fatal misreading of man's nature and a myopic vision of history. To resist the trajectories which have led in the past to the deaths of hundreds of millions seems not a hateful thing.
The Left plays the compassion card, but statistics show that conservative Christians are the ones most likely to give aid to the oppressed and afflicted.
People of artistic attainment like Anne Rice (and Bob Dylan and Jane Fonda) who have come to some sort of faith in Christ also inhabit a world whose contempt for the church is articulate and sometimes venomous. It is a natural temptation to want to separate themselves from that part of the Body which seems to invite the scorn of all their friends. They imagine that in doing so they are not separating themselves from Christ, maybe even drawing closer to Him. I think that imagination is illusory.

I enjoyed this heart-felt response. But realistically, Anne Rice is taking issue with doctrine which ironically comes from the Bible and the very person of Christ that she says she loves. At a certain point, you really have to wonder, if you are willing to deny every major doctrine of a certain (or every) religious system, are you actually a follower?

I don't assume to know the state of Anne Rice's heart, but if you are willing to go so far as to say you don't need God for morality (secular humanism), you are not actually a Christi follower (or a very good religious person for that matter).

Reading the comments on this thread, I can't help seeing a common theme: the need to forgive, specifically to forgive God's people when they fail to be the life-giving community He has called them to be. As someone who has been horribly wounded, betrayed, and rejected by people in the church, I can relate to Anne's sentiments and those in this discussion who have affirmed her decision to cut herself off from the body of believers. There were times when I sat in churches or small-group meetings feeling completely condemned, judged, and worthless. And, yes, there have been times when I had to leave a particular church or fellowship because it had descended into legalism, religiosity, and control. Through my own experience, I learned that I would never heal from those wounds unless I made a deliberate choice to forgive those who had hurt me. This was far from easy, especially when the accuser of the brethren would constantly assail me with feelings of bitterness and the desire to nurse my wounds. Whenever this happened, I immediately told the Lord that I CHOOSE to forgive these people, and I asked for His grace to let go of the offense that I had been carrying against them. Today, I thank God for leading me to a community of believers that, though imperfect, fully exemplifies the life-giving love of Jesus. It is my prayer that Anne Rice, along with others who have been wounded by the church, will receive the grace to forgive, just as Christ has freely forgiven all who receive Him as Savior.

Richard, I didn't see your post till after I posted mine, but I did want to respond. I think it demonstrates a great deal of humility to say that you don't know what to do about being in a position similar to Anne Rice. I do pray that you will seek out a fellowship of believers that preaches the truth of God's Word without demonizing those who are most in need of His grace. I have gone to two churches that demonized people who don't tithe. I even had a Bible study teacher who told me I was demon possessed. Believe me when I say that I have seen the absolute worse that the body of Christ has to offer. But I also know that I need the body despite the fact that it consists of sinful, fallen human beings just like me. We all need accountability, and God knows that. That's why He tells us in His Word not to forsake assembling together. I am grateful that God eventually led me to a Spirit-filled, life-giving church that teaches the Word without compromise while always extending God's grace to sinners. I pray that you will find a community of believers that boldly preaches the Word of God while affirming Christ's infinite love, grace, forgiveness and mercy.

It is [expletive] to say there is no salvation outside the church. That basically is an attempt to say my way is the only way. Anybody who seriously believes there is only one way to salvation is wrong and acting from the needs of their own ego. It is this flaw in the Book religions that will render them disappeared in the next millenium. Truth is stronger than political need. Rice is right in the larger context. All human institutions fail because Paul was indeed the Chief Sinner. Don't believe what he had to say. So the church, and really all churches, are inherently flawed. That has nothing to do with your relationship to the Divine. Get over all those inherently ridiculous rules meant to give power to one group or another.

I enjoy commenting. Christianity Today has never printed
a letter to the editor I have written. That says a lot,
though, meaning your magazine is so well read you get
thousands of comments. I am one in great ocean of letters
to the editor writers. Anne Rice is one of millions
world wide who do not go regularly to a Bible study, church
service, or church choir practice. I heve heard that
the church world wide is a mess. Whether we are more
educated than the pastor or go just because our wife likes
his or her messages, I say, "KEEP GOING, world, to church."
Keep giving, even, ten dollars wk. Ms. Rice thinks writing
her vampire novels is more of an adventure that church.
From her own laptop she is saying the local church is a jungle. No better place to be in these dog days of August.
Robert Durham, PHILADELPHIA

Tim O, Jesus seriously believed that He is the only way to the Father, yet very few people (even those who reject His lordship) have accused Him of acting from the needs of His own ego. It is interesting that many of those who accuse followers of Christ of being too dogmatic and absolutist tend to be very dogmatic and absolutist themselves. The statement, "Anybody who seriously believes there is only one way to salvation is wrong," is a case in point. In any case, Christianity is not about rules and never was. It's about a relationship with the Redeemer who died to set us free from the law.

Um...I'm a believer in Christ.

But whether I'm a Christian or not (or whether Anne Rice is a Christian or not) is not really for me (or Anne Rice) to decide, in my view. It's yours, my sisters and brothers.

The early disciples were dubbed "Christians" because they acted like Christ. I would be honored if you thought so of me. I suspect Anne would be too.

Thank you for writing this beautiful letter that reflects what the body of Christ is about. Religion may be flawed and have aspirations for power and politics but the body of Christ meets you when the Dr. says, "I'm sorry but there's nothing more we can do.", when that wayward child runs away to find fulfillment in drugs or alcohol, when that spouse leaves you with a broken heart and children to feed, when you are struggling with a heavy blanket of depression and despair, or when your company has been downsized and you are about to lose your house. Walk into any church and you will see Christ in action in the lives of broken, sin struggling, believers. That's what Christ is about. That's what the universal Church is about. "You will know them by their love."

Jamie's comment remind me of some of the visible examples of Christian love I've seen in the church. Once in a Sunday School class I taught (which embraced doctrines Ms. Rice would probably disapprove of) a woman said tearfully in the prayer request segment that she would not be able to make her mortgage payment. I saw a woman take her aside after class and write out a check. I found out later it was for the whole payment. In this church a couple also adopted and raised three children of a different race with severe behavioral problems. They and many others I know act on Christ's teachings and faithfully stay in local churches despite, I'm sure, having to face and forgive those who can't understand their motives or their love. I wish Ms. Rice could know some of these people.

This letter completely misses the point and dodges the main issue. Do you really think that bringing up some examples of "good" Christians is going to offset the "bad" ones that Ms. Rice struggles with? Do you really think she hasn't met enough good ones yet? The problem is with the group, or the institution. This isn't a tirade against institutions, but let's be honest, institutional Christianity has sucked the life out of what it means to follow Christ. I'm pretty sure it's through encountering people who have been victims of this that drove Ms. Rice away. But the problem is that nobody who acknowledges this as an issue and remains in institutional churches does anything about it. I belive 100% that this denial of the group, for Ms. Rice, is an essential part of her conversion process. And really, most of us should be jealous that she had the guts to do it.

I met and had lunch with a man once who represents a well-known Christian evangelical radio ministry yet refuses to call himself a Christian. He prefers to be known as a "Christ-follower."

Personally, I have no problems with that seeing it is simply a matter of semantics. However, I have heard that in some parts of the world the word "Christian" is associated with everything negative including the Crusades and with America which is called "the great Satan". In some places the cross is most definitely an "offense".

We must however be careful about asking "what's in a name", or about allowing others to define our terms. We must also be careful when persons reduce Christianity to its lowest common denominators and then define all of us who believe in Christ by it.

The immortal Shakespeare said "some people judge others by the lofty ideals of their own imaginary excellencies and find them wanting." I concur, and I have only sympathy for those, especially believers in Christ by whatever title they may want to be named, who believe that true or genuine Christian experience is to be found solely with them and their understanding of the Bible,or that they are the only ones striving to live and lead Christ-honouring lives. This may simply be a form of pride masquerading as sincerity or righteous indignation.

To "follow Christ" but not be a part of His Church may have a "spiritual" ring to it in some circles but as far as truth is concerned it may be no more than "sounding brass and tinkling cymbal".

For those looking for a pure and a "safe" Church to join I commend to them the words of the wise man who said "the reason why I would not join the perfect Church, if I could find it, is that it would cease to be such the moment I joined."

I have been a Christian long enough to know that most believers could do with a little bit more humility, which if or when we got it, would enable us to see that ours is neither the only or the last word on the Church of Jesus Christ or what it means to be Christian.

Anne Rice returns to the sepulchre of her mind:

http://conversationwithcrombette.blogspot.com/2010/08/anne-rice-returns-to-seplechure-of-her.html

this is a wonderfully gracious letter. thank-you so much for sharing it.

a couple of years ago, i was badly wounded by my church. in fact, it drove me away from church for quite a while. and while i didn't attend a church, and did not want to be identified with "christians," i built myself a community of other believers and maintained and grew my faith that way. so i believe it is possible to continue one's faith without an organized church or religion.

i have since returned to church, though not the one that attacked and shunned me. i simply cannot return there. i have left that denomination entirely, actually, though when my children attend that church with their father, i have no issues.

my comment here is more for those who believe that Ms Rice lacks grace and forgiveness and made this decision out of pride and "self-deception": several years ago, a friend spoke some words into my life that resonate to this day. we were talking about trust and forgiveness, and she said, "just because you forgive them doesn't mean you have to trust them." think of what paul wrote in romans, "as much as it depends on you, live at peace with one another." i have forgiven the people in my previous church who hurt me so deeply. that doesn't mean i need to return to them, welcome them back into my life, re-enter into relationship with them, and re-identify myself with them or their denomination. it means that i am now free to continue on my journey peacefully, away from the staring eyes and gossiping mouths and "friends" who turned on me. i have not left "the church" as Ms Rice has done, but i have moved on from that church. it is not out of pride or self-deception or lack of grace; rather, it is my way of living at peace with them. i have given them second and third chances, and each time i was refused grace. and while i believe that God can and does work miracles and heal hearts and un-break relationships, He also does not wish to hurt us: "i know the plans i have for you," He declares, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." when one is so wounded by fellow believers, the relationship becomes painful and harmful, and one loses hope. when i left that church, it was, in fact, to preserve my faith, and my relationship with God is stronger for it.

while Ms Rice's statement explained her decision to a point, she did not reveal everything. nor should she have to. and while in a human and fallen world, we judge and opine based on what we see on the outside (even i do, i admit; i'm not perfect), God sees what is inside. He knows her heart, and He knows her motives, and really, in the end, that's all that matters.

Hope Ms.Rice gets to read these comments, esp. the later, more prayerful ones, the wiser, more insightful, reflective & heartfelt ones. I also think that she has only left the Institution of the Church, & quit as a public Christian. I think she still has fellowship with some Christian family & friends, at least privately. &, I hope, she does not feel cut off & not become embittered by recent hurtful attacks. But I think conscientious rifts [& now convalescent retreats] like hers are how new churches are often formed [or reformed]. I don't know if it's a matter of forgiveness. But I do believe she's still praying, loving, giving, in Christ.
She has said she enjoyed returning to Communion, the riches of the rites & rituals of her Church. She also said she can't in good conscience stay - right now. Beyond the semantics, I just pray she'll soon find a way to enjoy sharing communion praying, loving, giving, in church fellowship again. Don't we all?
Thanks Ms. Rice, if you read this.

Ms.Zacharias, et al: Hope by now you've read her more recent remarks, postings & interviews, expanding & explaining her decision. [e.g., @ http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/augustweb-only/43-21.0.html?start=2]
I don't think Ms.Rice cared to 'walk out' the 'clan', even the sinners, the losers, the sick, the hurt, the crippled, the suffering, the mourning. I agree, 'We are designed for relationship, created for community.' But sometimes that conflicts with, 'We must speak truth to power.'
I don't think Ms.Rice means [or wants!] to be 'opting out of the clan of Christians' for long, if she indeed already found some fellowship, sharing 'the blessing God created us for.'
I don't think she judges the Church or she's better [more spiritual, intellectual, etc.] than the Church or seeks 'a more perfect community', 'a pure & safe church'. Right now she sees corruption institutionalized in an abusive organization; & you can forgive individual sinners, not institutions & organizations.
I do believe she's merely[!?!] being 'protestant'! That's cost her, as other public protesters in history who left or were 'excommunicated'. I'm not saying she's anything like them, that she's founding a new church! But we now praise them for leaving, whether they meant to or not. [Even as we now also revere those colonial protesters against mother England & ended up revolting.] Sometimes, don't we have to leave, to flee, to protest? To expect more? Am I wrong?

I think maybe Anne may start the reform the definition of "Christianity". Sounds to me like a call to turn our eyes back to the Son and the Father.

Remember while Jesus walked Isreal was under persecution and strict rule by the Romans but, Jesus did not concern himself with all that crap. He just did the Father's will. Now if nothing is new under the sun then we should not be touting signs about, Obama, abortion, prayer in schools etc... These are all distractions from the enemy and we must use our power! Our power is prayer not carrying signs.

God is what will change things not signs etc.........

You Go Anne!! Help us take the name Christianity back and make it known as a people that are humble and holy not bickering and meddlers!

How it shows lack of faith in God to change our circumstances if we have to get out and scream and shout to the secular world with our protests.

just my abbreviated .02 worth..............

The Parable of the Spiritual Pharisee and the Republican

And a person in the crowd spoke unto Jesus and said, "Master, I love Thee and would be Thy Follower. But so many of Thy disciples are unworthy of Thy Name and they scandalize me exceedingly with their views of holiness and faith. I fear to be lumped with such as these."

And Jesus in answer didst give this parable:

There once was a Spiritual Pharisee and a Republican who both went up to the Temple of Faith.

The Spiritual Pharisee stood outside of the Temple and began to pray:

"I thank Thee Oh Lord that I am not as other believers,conservatives, fundamentalists, literal Bible Thumpers, like this Republican over there. Because of them I must stand outside of the Temple because I will not be defined or defiled by that structure.

You see, I pray in private so as not to offend my non believing friends. I fast from anything that would do harm the environment. I cause no hurt to any animal, whether endangered or not. I give half the income from my politically correct job to Green Peace and I wear my Anti Proposition 8 T-shirt in rainbow colors three times a week.

That is why I must stand outside of this Temple-so that I will remain pure for Your sake and an example to the world of what a follower of Yours must be. Thank You, God for me."

The Republican stood in the back of the Temple with his eyes downcast and all he would say is, "Lord, have mercy on me through the Blood of Jesus for I am an imperfect sinner. I dare not leave this Temple fellowship lest I sin even more!"

Now, whom do you think went home justified before God?"

The speaker pondered a moment and then said, "The man who admitted he was a sinner in the Temple of God."

Jesus answered, "Truly, for I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Pharisee literally means "pure one" and there is no one as "pure" as someone who is too spiritual to identify with the Church-the Body of Christ. You don't agree with the doctrine, fine, go to some place that teaches Biblically sound, tested by time, doctrine. But to dump the Church because YOU are offended by what other people do or don't do is asking for Christ to judge you by that same measure. I'm sorry, Anne Rice are you SURE people aren't running out of the Church because of YOU? If they leave to avoid you does that mean they are pure and spiritual too? Or is that just you? Seems to me if you don't like what people DO, then maybe you should DO something to balance the books.

That's what family does. They argue, correct each other or make up for the gaps in what's needed. They don't dump their family. I hate to be your friend. First time I don't measure up to YOUR standards, I'm out.

How about cutting the Church family the same slack you want for the people you quit to defend?

Just a thought.

I can identify with Anne Rice. I have been struggling for some years to determine the purpose of the organized church. In a few short years I lost my parents, all my siblings, and a son to various things. I had expectations that my church would be supportive. They were not. My pastor told me things like I had too many needs, buck up and deal with it and whether or not you get help depends on who you are. We figured out we weren't "important" enough. Since the last death 21/2 years ago we have been wandering. We chose to forgive the church for their failures and have asked for reconciliation. Both have been denied,repeatedly. THAT I don't understand. The church where our membership resides has had no further contact with us. We have visited over 30 area churches, some regularly, and NOT ONE has shown any interest in inviting us to be a part of their fellowship. No one at any chruch is the least bit interested in what gifts we might have to offer (so we volunteer elsewhere in the community),and we have weathered some "storms" quite well on our own. Soon I will be having surgery which will leave me housebound and fairly immobile (with children) for four months. I have no family to help and I have no illusions that any church "family" will be there to assist. It will be quite interesting to see how we "buck up and deal with it". Tell me again why I need to be a memember of a church?

When first I heard of her declaration to leave the institution of what Christianity has become, alarm bells went off in my head. I've heard the "I can be a Christian without going to church" argument before, and I can understand why it would be attractive. I've just always thought that, yes, of course you can be a Christian without going to church - you're just missing something. Christ calls us to be in community with one another; we need people. The greatest commandments are to love God and love others, right? If you're not in community with other believers, you're missing out, even if it's tough sometimes and you don't always agree with what other members of the body do. We should bear with one another in love - not leave as soon as something makes us upset. How can we love Jesus and not love his Body and Bride? But something I read that she said in an interview made a lot of sense to me: "I feel called to declare that I'm a believer. I have my Bible, and I'm deeply committed to Christ. I don't contest people who do it the other way. There may be a time in the future when I'll feel the necessity to join a community. Keep in mind that I am 68 years old. I live in a Christian household. My two assistants, members of my family, are believers, so I'm not isolated at all. I am with people for whom Christ is the center of their life. I also have a community online."

This is interesting to me. Clearly she isn't seeking to isolate herself from believers, nor to walk away from Scripture or truth or Jesus. She's not even walking away from the Church - just the churches. And truly, if you have a community of believers for support and mutual edification, you read and study your Bible, and you pursue an honest relationship with the Lord - what exactly is the problem? I've heard it said: "Sitting in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car." It's all about how we're living and where our hearts are.

I've read all of the comments and the vast majority were full of the love of Christ, a sad minority, such as the link posted to 'Red Bane's blog post, were so very, very sad.

Anne Rice doesn't hold herself above others. Please show me where Christ said, "you shall go and sit in a pew every Sunday or else you're not following Me."

What a brave, brave woman. She has stood up for her beliefs and she has more knowledge of the Bible and theology than most of the people in an average congregation PUT TOGETHER.

I've had a lot of experience with people who 'selectively read'. They don't read everything that's written, they choose to jump on a small portion of what was said or written and ignore the rest.

The very negative comments I've seen in the minority opinions were from people who very likely did not read everything that Ms. Rice said.

Some people choose to stay in their group and that is their right. Others feel the need to leave and that also is their right.

Ms. Rice said, "Christ charged us with loving our enemies as much as we love our friends". To those who stooped to name calling and indeed, setting themselves up as superior to Ms. Rice: Did you read that? Did you understand it?

Ms. Rice didn't leave Christ or His Church, she left organized religions, they're two different things.

I believe Ms. Rice has the greatest intentions. Not to shun anyone, but however, being around people, you tend to pick up traits. She probably does not want the characteristics she is seeing. You know the theory of a how when you are in a crowd, the people tend to follow what everyone else is doing. She didn't want to get caught up in that "wave" so to speak..God bless you on your Spiritual walk, Ms. Rice.
God bless all of you.

I think a good read for all those posting here would be "Mere Churchianity" written by "The Internet Monk" Michael Spencer.

I believe Ann is protesting the traditions of men. While I can see the heart in Karen's writing I also see judgement. We are living stones, each believer who makes up the body of Christ. His bride is not a building, program or a specific way of believeing other than what the inherent, living Word teaches us. Who can disagree that we are all sinners? The Word does not dictate that we be patsies for abuse either. As far as possible we are to be at peace with all men, believers and non believers alike. You can love your family even when they are cruel to you but that does not mean you must suffer from that dysfunction. As long as one's heart is wholey given up for His glory then the ministry He gives you is where ever you are. It is perfectly acceptable to seek out a church or body to belong to or a place of missions. We are the church! Rise to the occasion and love with all of your heart. Lets stop this bickering and get busy.

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