Dear Anne Rice,
When I was young, like early high school young, I had a picture of you up in my room. I thought you were so cool, because I loved your vampires and even guiltily read your series about witches. Those books were well loved, beat up around the edges. When I had to write a character study for a creative writing class I chose Louis from your Interview with a Vampire book.
I also grew up in a fairly conservative evangelical Christian home and while my parents weren't thrilled about my fascination with vampires they tolerated it.
I moved on to other reading material and other interests. A few years ago I heard you'd written a book from the first perspective of Christ and the idea freaked me out a little to be honest. I was quickly assured you'd come to a place of faith or restored faith and the book wasn't meant to mock Jesus but I've never been able to read it. He is the one figure I can't read historical fiction about. I do have your memoir sitting in my towering pile of books waiting to be read though, and have watched with interest as you continue to write interesting books.
The other day my google reader was full of posts about your decision to "quit Christianity" I have to admit my heart sank. I understand that faith can be fluid, I do. But it feels like losing a sister. I read on and realized you weren't abandoning Christ but rather the concept of Christianity.
Truthfully, there's a huge part of me that understands this. Parts of the world have an extremely negative take on Christianity and I know many believers who choose not to use the word Christian because of how polarizing it is. There's a history there and it's not always a pretty one. But I have continued to use the word for myself because it is easy and because, I think, most people understand what I'm communicating...I believe Jesus is God.
It is so hard to be lumped together with other people who may not share your practice of faith. I can understand wanting to disassociate but I feel like in so doing you lumped the rest of us together. Many of the reasons you cited for leaving I suspect I feel the same as you and it makes me sad that you've drawn a line and said "these are things Christianity is" I don't believe that to be true and what is so beautiful and splendid about Christianity is that it's an umbrella term for a group of people from all over the world who believe Jesus is God. That's the tie that binds us together, the thread that pulls us close. We have many different theological ideas and beliefs, we practice and worship in a variety of ways, we speak different languages, and we experience life differently. Yes we argue. And yes we get things wrong and yes we need to learn how to give space to differing interpretations. But we're a family, we share a heritage, and a common Father.
One of reasons I so often defend Christian fiction is because it was through a Christian fiction book I was first introduced to the concept of owning the sins of our people. It's so tempting to assume we have nothing to do with what has happened before but it's my deepest longing that we accept that by taking the name Christian we also have the chance to admit we've been wrong. Yes we've been hateful. Yes those who have gone before us and even those with us now have done the most atrocious things in the name of faith. And I am sincerely sorry for the pain it has caused you and others.
I have often felt like I don't fit in as well. I'm a little liberal in some areas and more conservative in others. I'm single and most of the churches have nothing for me. I love reading and the arts and deep Bible study and those are so hard to come by in Christian fellowship. But despite all of this I cannot quit Christianity...I guess I hope by staying that I can begin to reclaim this term, I can be a part of this big messy glorious diverse family. I know you may not reconsider, and I respect your decision to make the choice you feel you must make now. I just want you to know that your voice will always be welcome at my table and in this little section of Christianity.
Yours,
Friday, July 30, 2010
Faith and Fiction Saturday: A Letter to Anne Rice
Logging you in...
Fantastic post. You articulated so many truly important parts about faith and Christianity. I understand Ms. Rice's frustration (believe me, I do...) but you make so many good points. You should really send this to her!
I don't know Anne Rice. I've always been scared of vampire lit, so I never read her books, even though my sister adored her. I read what she said about moving away from organized Christianity but keeping faith in Jesus, and I really appreciated that. I think it's so sad that so much of Christianity these days has gone into the intolerance camp. It makes it so much worse for those Christians out there actually practicing what Jesus said. I'm not Christian myself, but I always feel for those who are struggling to live the message - the REAL message - while so many others are out there on agendas.
lovely lovely post
i appreciate that though you have been disappointed with some churches you have chosen to still keep your faith instead of using it as a cop out
God bless!!!
i appreciate that though you have been disappointed with some churches you have chosen to still keep your faith instead of using it as a cop out
God bless!!!
I was a little taken aback when I heard that announcement from Rice. It has been decades since I've read her books, but I recall "Memnoch the Devil" was actually very spiritual, with the vampire in question (was it Louis?) struggling with his presence in a Christian world. I was never able to read her books about Jesus either Amy...I was afraid of what it would say. Still I thought she was on firm Christian ground. The bottom line is that we have to stand up for what we believe in, despite all the bad press, and this is exactly what you have done! Brava.
Well-said, Amy.
Hey... have you heard of a book called "Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All" by Rev. Scotty McLennan? I just came across it in my local library, the other day -- I haven't read it, but it sounds interesting. I'm wondering, though, if it'll be too far afield (contain too much 'emergent' thinking, or 'off' theology, or something of the sort). I'm going to check it out, anyway, and just pray for discernment while reading.
Either way, I thought I'd mention it in case it sounded interesting to you. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.ca/Jesus-Was-Liberal-Reclaiming...
~MizB
Hey... have you heard of a book called "Jesus Was a Liberal: Reclaiming Christianity for All" by Rev. Scotty McLennan? I just came across it in my local library, the other day -- I haven't read it, but it sounds interesting. I'm wondering, though, if it'll be too far afield (contain too much 'emergent' thinking, or 'off' theology, or something of the sort). I'm going to check it out, anyway, and just pray for discernment while reading.
Either way, I thought I'd mention it in case it sounded interesting to you. Here's the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.ca/Jesus-Was-Liberal-Reclaiming...
~MizB
Anything Anne Rice says tends to be melodramatic. I read what she said and understand her misgivings- I have a lot of those feelings about religious organizations too. So many people use the term "Christian" to get what they want. But I think she's throwing the baby out with the bath water. If she could own the title of Christian and stand up for her beliefs at the same time, I think she could accomplish much more than disowning a group of people. I suspect there are many people who feel the way you and Anne do about certain aspects of Christianity. It's just the ones with the loudest mouths get all the (negative) attention.
I read her announcement. It almost sounds to me as if she rejected Christianity as a political group as opposed to Christianity as a faith or relationship. And it does seem our faith is increasingly linked to politics in this country.
As a Christian who sometimes walks a little left of center myself, I understand the sentiment behind what she said, but I don't think saying she's no longer a Christian (if indeed she still follows Christ) was a wise decision.
But I've never read her books, and I don't know her personally, so I'm as perplexed by this announcement as everyone else.
As a Christian who sometimes walks a little left of center myself, I understand the sentiment behind what she said, but I don't think saying she's no longer a Christian (if indeed she still follows Christ) was a wise decision.
But I've never read her books, and I don't know her personally, so I'm as perplexed by this announcement as everyone else.
I'm with @Chrisbookarama about the overdramatic-ness of Rice's announcement--I rolled my eyes a bit when I read it. It's such a black-and-white way of looking at the world. I struggle with the label of Christianity and all the people who fall under the umbrella of "Christians" while holding beliefs I strongly disagree with. But I also try to remember people like some of my uncles and aunts, who are very conservative Christians and say things sometimes that I think are terrible--but at the same time, there are many reasons to admire them. They are wonderful, generous, kind people of great integrity. Nobody comes out well when reduced to the least charitable of their beliefs.
This was so well written and expresses a lot of how I feel about people who "leave Christianity by not Christ." I never really understood what that truly meant. "Christian" means "little Christ." And for 2000 years, people have been screwing it up because people are sinful and have free will and can make their own choices. And for 2000 years, God has given us grace through that very Christ. Leaving seems quite pious -- It sounds like she's saying 'm better than all of you "Christians" so I'm going to go off and worship Christ without you.
Great post Amy. I am a Christian and it's frustrating to see what people do in Christ's name. There are so many people out there who choose hate over love, it's disturbing.
What a wonderful letter! I particularly liked the concept of Christians being 'part of this big messy glorious diverse family'.
Thank you for this beautifully written post. I have to say that I just rolled my eyes at Anne Rice's declaration and was a little amused by her statement that Christians--as a whole were--a "quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous." Does she realize that writing off an entire group of people based only on limited experience in one sect of the organization makes her the one who is everything she accuses Christians to be?
In the end, I may be amused, but I don't care. I've never been an Anne Rice fan and, frankly, found "Christ our Lord, Out of Egypt" (her only "Christian" book that I've read) to be beyond disappointing. Towards the end, I was hoping a vampire would come on the scene and liven things up!
In the end, I may be amused, but I don't care. I've never been an Anne Rice fan and, frankly, found "Christ our Lord, Out of Egypt" (her only "Christian" book that I've read) to be beyond disappointing. Towards the end, I was hoping a vampire would come on the scene and liven things up!
I guess I'll have to go read Rice's letter to see what she has to say.
I like your thoughts on Christianity being a single common thread of Jesus is God. It simplifies things and that is supposed to be the core belief, right? I am not religious by any means. I am actually semi-searching for religion, although that is not quite right either. I guess I am currently in limbo with organized religion. Complicated, I know, but I just try to live my life in a good way like a good person. Your post is very thought provoking and interesting. hmmm.....
I like your thoughts on Christianity being a single common thread of Jesus is God. It simplifies things and that is supposed to be the core belief, right? I am not religious by any means. I am actually semi-searching for religion, although that is not quite right either. I guess I am currently in limbo with organized religion. Complicated, I know, but I just try to live my life in a good way like a good person. Your post is very thought provoking and interesting. hmmm.....
Alright, I just read what she had to say. I understand her reasons however she should have just said she chooses to leave organized religion. Does she have a book coming out soon or something and is trying to make press for herself?
I am not anti-gay, or women, or all of those crazy things but I still believe in God, just not Roman Catholicism. Rice is an idiot and lumping people together when she shouldn't. (shaking my head at the wackiness)
I am not anti-gay, or women, or all of those crazy things but I still believe in God, just not Roman Catholicism. Rice is an idiot and lumping people together when she shouldn't. (shaking my head at the wackiness)
I'd heard about Anne Rice's "declaration" but hadn't followed up by actually reading it, so thanks for summing it up - my own position these days isn't all that different from hers, to be honest. However, what I really appreciate is your response to it, Amy, which is a genuine expression of Christian behavior, as I believe Christ meant for us.
Let me agree with those that point out Rice tends to be overly dramatic. And let me say that I doubt we have heard the last of this story.
If I am being kind, I see a woman struggling with her own questions of faith...if I am being a little less kind I see someone looking for publicity. Can we say lagging book sales, or a new post-Christian series.
And in her case, I have to go with the little less than kind, because I read her letter and it is really pretty ridiculous. Totally illogical, full of half..or less...truths, a childish, simplistic view of Christianity.
See, I am not nearly as kind as Amy.
If I am being kind, I see a woman struggling with her own questions of faith...if I am being a little less kind I see someone looking for publicity. Can we say lagging book sales, or a new post-Christian series.
And in her case, I have to go with the little less than kind, because I read her letter and it is really pretty ridiculous. Totally illogical, full of half..or less...truths, a childish, simplistic view of Christianity.
See, I am not nearly as kind as Amy.
Nicely put Amy, I teared up here. I was unaware of Ann's decision and my heart is saddened.
I love this post! Reading the blog posts about it really made me sad, and you've articulated why so well. Thank you!
Hi Amy, I just got turned on to this article regarding Ms Rice's announcement. Thought you might be interested in it. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/02/my-take-... Great post by the way!
Andi
Andi
I saw this on twitter today and thought about this blog post.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2010/08/i-qu...
http://blog.beliefnet.com/redletters/2010/08/i-qu...
Fantastic post. I too was a little taken back by her "letter". Like a few others, I almost instantly rolled my eyes at it, because of her often melodramatic ways.
If I could ask her to change anything though about what she said it would be that she is no longer a fan of "organized religion", because to me this is more of her issue than anything. To be honest, at times, I too have huge problems with this. I often have to take a step back and realize that it's what I believe and not the people who run the organization that determine my faith or beliefs. Yes, they can enhance and possibly influence them, but truly it's up to me to decide what I "agree" with.
I truthfully just don't think she handled it well, but that's not anything new unfortunately.
If I could ask her to change anything though about what she said it would be that she is no longer a fan of "organized religion", because to me this is more of her issue than anything. To be honest, at times, I too have huge problems with this. I often have to take a step back and realize that it's what I believe and not the people who run the organization that determine my faith or beliefs. Yes, they can enhance and possibly influence them, but truly it's up to me to decide what I "agree" with.
I truthfully just don't think she handled it well, but that's not anything new unfortunately.
I kind of hesitate to say this, I really don't mean to start an argument on your blog or anything, Ms Amy, I promise, but I have to say very quietly, that I'm not sure I agree with the prevailing sentiment here in the comments. I don't think the tone Ms Rice employed was melodramatic at all, though I understand why people would say so. Religion, depending on how one thinks, is such a difficult thing to have an honest discussion about, simply because we are trained to see the stakes as so high. If Ms Rice is to go, say, to a Catholic Priest and have a conversation about the points in which she disagrees with the church, this is, bona fide, not to the priest necessarily a chance for mutually open-minded conversation. The priest's very role is to say 'no, you are wrong, I am the local representative of Christ, and I must direct you back to the path.' And to have the conversation with others, is equally difficult, depending on one's personality. Most organized faith (not all, but most) have an underlying tenet either implied or explicit, of orthodoxy, some line that says - you do not know, God knows, and God has revealed certain things. You do not disagree with these things because they are the word of God - you humble yourself to accept that they are wrong. That's a difficult starting place for open conversation - that's one of the reasons religion is such an effective tool for societal cohesion and moral socialization.
Having left religion (at least twice, more depending on how you count) myself, I can say that there comes a point where one realizes one has had all the conversation one can, and that one has found something that they wish to say. PErhaps it comes out clumsy, perhaps it comes out incomplete, but one feels as if one must say a thing, express the reason they are leaving. It sounds out of the blue to people, melodramatic, etc - but it isn't. It's that we isolate these conversations into these liminal spaces, compressing expression into a point of emotional intensity - on a subject that we are taught determines the life and death of our souls. So, yes, of course she sounds suddenly fervid and pointed, that seems completely reasonable to me, if she is honest in her grappling with the issue. Others might react differently of course, this isn't to say that someone that leaves church quietly hasn't really committed or taken themselves seriously. IT is just to say that we don't HAVE a socially accepted way to discuss deepest matters of the heart that also happen to intersect with our most social, public life. So, they will always feel awkward for most of us. Does that make sense?
Having left religion (at least twice, more depending on how you count) myself, I can say that there comes a point where one realizes one has had all the conversation one can, and that one has found something that they wish to say. PErhaps it comes out clumsy, perhaps it comes out incomplete, but one feels as if one must say a thing, express the reason they are leaving. It sounds out of the blue to people, melodramatic, etc - but it isn't. It's that we isolate these conversations into these liminal spaces, compressing expression into a point of emotional intensity - on a subject that we are taught determines the life and death of our souls. So, yes, of course she sounds suddenly fervid and pointed, that seems completely reasonable to me, if she is honest in her grappling with the issue. Others might react differently of course, this isn't to say that someone that leaves church quietly hasn't really committed or taken themselves seriously. IT is just to say that we don't HAVE a socially accepted way to discuss deepest matters of the heart that also happen to intersect with our most social, public life. So, they will always feel awkward for most of us. Does that make sense?
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