Anne Rice FAIL 1
Anne Rice falls into a trap that many persons have fallen into: Confusing those who call themselves “Christian” with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.
Afterthought:
Sadly, those who call themselves “Christian” (and whom Andrew Sullivan calls “Christianists“) are the often the strongest argument against the teachings and example Jesus Christ.
Where he was gentle, they are harsh.
Where he was kind, they are cruel.
Where he was forgiving, they condemn.
Where he loved, they hate.
They cause me shame to profess my faith.
In a related vein, I listened to this interview Friday.
It is worth your while, if not to listen, to read the excerpts from the transcript; the subject of the interview gets the difference between Chrisitianism and Christianity, and it cost him his job.
July 31, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Going to go a little Biblical here:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15-19)
Unfortunately, people like Rice are taking notice that the Christian Church, the organization, official policies, etc. are not in line with what they would define as “good fruit”, and are making the judgement that Christianity, as delivered in the Church, is not what Christ would have, and thus, corrupt and essentially without real value.
As someone who has undergone his own spiritual quest and conflicts along with same lines as Rice, I understand her position. There’s a lot of bad fruit out there.