image courtesy of gayguidetoronto.com
…but it is about your obsession with her.
Am I the only person in the world who had no idea who Anne Rice was before she decided to quit organized religion? Why does this story make such headlines? Is it because…
- Christians don’t like the idea of a (somewhat and kind of) influential public figure giving up on a large portion of their prized religion — and, therefore, want to prove her wrong?
- Christians don’t like the idea of a (somewhat and kind of) influential public figure giving up on a large portion of their prized religion — and, therefore, want to explain away her actions?
- Christians don’t like the idea of a (somewhat and kind of) influential public figure giving up on a large portion of their prized religion — and, therefore, want to use this opportunity to change the church, so this sort of thing doesn’t happen again?
- Anne Rice actually was and/or is an incredibly powerful and influential leader in Christianity (and I, along with millions of others, just happen to have never heard of her)?*
- Anne represents a large and growing number of Christians who love Christ, but have a certain disdain for church and the institution of religion?
- American media wants to make a big deal of what’s wrong with Christianity?
- there are too many of us writing blogs, and everyone’s looking for something to write about — so pretty much anything will do?
- Americans, in general, are in the middle of a big, fat, nasty love affair with all things vampire?
I’m not trying to knock Anne Rice. I’m sure her various genre books were great, the “gothic, erotic, and religious-themed” ones. I realize she is one of modern history’s most popular authors, selling over 100 million books over the past four decades. And I’m sure much of modern Christianity celebrated her arrival on the scene in 1998 just as they are now denouncing her departure (of sorts). I’m not trying to say Anne Rice’s soul isn’t important, or that she doesn’t have the ability to influence others.**
I’m just wondering if we weren’t looking for something like this to happen, because we need or want to address the issue. Are there enough of us leaving Christianity that we were longing to discuss “Jesus versus the church” — and now someone of prominence has jumped ship, and we’re finally able to do so without pointing fingers at family, friends, brothers, and sisters?
As for me, I don’t know that I’m very interested in hearing about half-way famous people quitting Christianity. However, if the Pope decides to part ways with the church, let me know. If Rick Warren trades in his faith to become a professional riverboat gambler, I’ll be looking for him on ESPN2. If Lady GaGa gives her life to Christ and performs Christian-only music videos, only later to renege on her commitment to the Lord in a tweet to all her “Little Monsters,” I’ll be the first in line to blog about it. But I’ve never heard of Anne Rice.
The conversation about the separation of Christ and his church, though, I’m more than happy to have — and I think it’s both interesting and needed. But the Anne Rice invitation and appetizer isn’t necessary. Thank you.
*My wife tells me that, indeed, everyone in the United States HAS heard of Anne Rice. My wife, however, was an English major — and is smarter than I. So I believe I represent the average American better than she. And I say the Pope and Lady GaGa are news; she says Anne Rice and Tolstoy are news. Of course she also is the president of the Stephanie Meyer and J.K. Rowling fan clubs.
** Nearly all of my information about Anne Rice has come from that distinguished and acclaimed news source, Wikipedia.
