“Quitting Christianity…
…in the name of Christ.”
That’s what Anne Rice said and did recently.
The wildly popular author who embraced Christianity just a decade ago backed up servers all over the world as bloggers told her and their dozen readers what they thought about that.
I checked out her words, not the words of others.
After reading her explanation, I’d have to say, “Me too, Anne. Except that I did that years ago.”
In her own words: My faith in Christ is central to my life. But following Christ is infinitely more important than following his followers.
If you take the time to read what she actually said and you’re a devoted follower of Christ, you’ll see that she’s not giving up on Jesus. She’s tired of the opinionated, I’m against everything, shame-messaged, cloistered in the white suburbs, take me back to the fifties Leave it To Beaver-but let me keep my money and comfort version of so-called evangelical Christianity that wore me out a long time ago.
I’m too old, too tired, and too sick to keep doing stuff that doesn’t matter. I’m through with the silliness, the meanness, the fear, and the pettiness of the religious wardens.
She’ll never read this blog. But if she did, I’d say, “I get it Anne. Me too.”
Dave Burchett and I were just talking about this. Wish you were here–need somebody to make us look good.
I’ve been asked to do some impossible things in my life, and making you two look better is one of them.
Wish I were with you two!
Matt and I both heard her interviewed on NPR during our drives home last night and talked about it together when we got home. We came to the same conclusion as you did, though we found it unfortunate that all the media outlets are just jumping on the phrase “quitting Christianity” and not really giving the full story. But that was bound to happen.
NPR–you radicals you!
Yep, count me in there too, ed! (and Anne!). I don’t want to be known as a “follower of Christianity.” Seems to me “Christianity” didn’t die in my place, extend grace, mercy, and love; doesn’t hear me when I cry out from the pains and cares of this world, and give me a hope beyond all measure. But Jesus Christ did, does, and always will. Well done, Anne.
Right on! May the Lord send us another revival, where his saints rediscover their true citizenship!
“Jesus was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.
So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus…” Heb.13:11-15 (Message)
Dave Beedy and David John Eden–You two speaking the language of followers of Christ. If you’ve read my book, Reborn to Be Wild, you know I’m diggin’ it.
[...] has a problem with stating his mind. He recently wrote about the Anne Rice comments in his wonderful Jesus Movement blog. First he quoted Rice’s [...]
[...] has a problem with stating his mind. He recently wrote about the Anne Rice comments in his wonderful Jesus Movement blog. First he quoted Rice’s [...]
A friend introduced me to your blog but as I read through it I feel like the Holy Spirit is speaking the same things to others than me. Your statement “I’m too old, too tired, and too sick to keep doing stuff that doesn’t matter. I’m through with the silliness, the meanness, the fear, and the pettiness of the religious wardens” describes me.
I am looking forward to reading your book and keeping up with your blog. God is fixin’ (as we Southerns say) to shake His church in America and the refining fire will burn hot. Those who realize how lost they are without Jesus will stand firm while the “religious” folk, the finger pointers and “shame shamers” will find their foundation lacking.
Looking forward to the coming months – Jesus will be lifted high!