Anne Rice: "Of Love and Evil"
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-11-29/anne-rice-love-and-evil
Author Anne Rice
Matthias Scheer
In the new book, "Of Love and Evil,” Tobey O’Dare is a former government assassin who changes his life by working for angels. The story is part of Anne Rice’s series “Songs of Seraphim.” Rice changed her own life when she devoted herself to Catholicism twelve years ago. She suddenly renounced organized religion last summer and left the church. A look at the role faith now plays in Rice's life and writing and how she made the transition from vampires and witches to writing about angels.
Guests
Anne Rice
author of thirty books, including "Interview with The Vampire" and "The Vampire Lestat." Her new novel is "Of Love and Evil."
Comments
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When Ms. Rice "renounced" religion last summer, a lot of the progressive denominations (like the Episcopal church, and my denomination, the United Church of Christ) pointed out that her depiction of religion did not fit us. Has she spent any time considering progressive denominations and churches in her spiritual quest? If not I invite her to do so. I am a seminarian, and I would be appalled if my congregation behaved in any of the ways that she highlighted! I hope she would become more educated about progressive Christianity, which is loving, inclusive and justice-centered, and come and experience a new way of understanding God in the world!
Many women read Ann Rice to gain insight into the sexo-spiritual dimension not easily accessible by men. We're all witches at heart and I doubt there are any girls who don't indulge in magical thinking. (It seems to work sometimes.) Some of her historical stuff is funny, and would be Disneyesque, did it not contain forbidden acts and beliefs. I consider Rice a female counterpart of Tom Wolfe in the way she disrobes underpinnings of human spirituality. I have often sought a contemporary political critique or allegory in her writings, but have given that up now because I have come to believe she is a sincere spiritual seeker. The really gross stuff she handles so well shows intense research into human perversions and earlier pornographic writing. Maybe her flirtation with Catholicism has only been participant observation. Did you learn anything while you were in there Ann? I await your version of DaVinci Code or Foucault's Pendulum. I'm ready for your mature work.
I wonder if Ms. Rice would comment on her understanding of the distinction between organized religion and the Church. I understand her dissatisfaction with organized religion. But clearly Scripture calls all beleivers to be in fellowship with the Body of Christ in this world which is His Church. How does she fellowship with the Church apart from some association with organized religion?
Ms Rice - My family is Methodist & was born in a Catholic hospital, (1952). During my mother's difficult deliervy of mw, we nearly died b/c of the hospital's stance to 'save the child' instead of the mother. Meantime, there were 3 siblings @ home. It was God's grace that both of us made it! Totally understand you disappointment w/ your former church. God is the main thing - not man-made religion. Best Wishes, Patricia from Central NYS
Since Anne Rice was unable to find any scriptural basis for opposing gay marriage, I would like to assist her in her scriptural research. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. [NIV]"
Mercifully and thankfully, verse 11 goes on to say, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
Ms. Rice may choose to deny the truth and authority of this scriptural passage, but it is intellectually dishonest to deny that it exists.
I cannot condone our Catholic Church telling us that war is okay with soldiers killing innocents and themselves, but abhor abortion.
Has your guest studied A Course In Miracles? If yes, what are her thoughts.
Isn't it always just great to see how "Christians" love to quote their particular version of the Bible to justify the prejudice against gays. In my Bible (King James version-James being a gay by the way, something we're not told growing up) in Corinthians there is no mention of any condemnation of gays. AND IF THERE WAS, EXPLICITLY STATED EVEN, it would be WRONG. But you gotta just be amazed at the bigots out there--they will go to any lengths, seek out any version with any tortured logic to justify their disdain for gay (the last group that it's still acceptable in bigoted circles to dare to openly show hatred for). And for the record, Anne Rice doesn't need any "assistance" in Biblical quotes. She has more knowledge of the Bible in her little finger than her critics do in their entire bodies.
A caller commented on his desire to continue with his membership in the Catholic church notwithstanding his concerns with the church's positions on many social issues (similar to Anne's concerns) due to the sacraments. Anne then commented that many people have essentially ignored the church's teachings on these controversial positions that are not (or arguably not) supported by the scriptures, as the sacraments are the key issue for them. My question is this: Do these people continue to support the church financially, such that they are in effect supporting the church's efforts, for example, to fight against the civil right to marry a person of the same sex or supporting the ex-communication of the Phoenix-based nun who performed an abortion on a pregnant mother of four in order to save the motgher's life? If the financial support from these individuals continues, the church, and not love or compassion, has won, hasn't it?
Anne,
I want to thank you for your books and please don't stop writting. Thank you for being on facebook, I love your updates and it makes me feel like I have really get to know you, someone who I have read and looked up to since I was a young girl.
Thank you
Trinity Steffensen
Heard you on Diane's show today, Thank You for a breath of fresh air blowing through the claustrophic air of so called Christianity! I was born into a family of mediocre "Church of England" church goers, converted to Catholism to get married, converted again to the " born again" believing community and am now at peace worshipping my Lord Jesus Christ by being the best I can be, at my work , my life, and by example.
I am not perfect, never will be but will never stop trying to be.
Thank you for your encouragement to continue and to know I am not alone in thinking that mankind has corrupted something perfect into something far from that.
Diane, would you have allowed such comments as Anne Rice made about the Catholic Church were she talking about Buddist, Muslims, Jewish or any other religion? The Catholic Church remains the one religion where it is politically correct to attack. For the sake of fair journalism and your show's integrity you owe it to your listeners to invite a Catholic apologist to respond to Ms. Rice's comments. I would recommend Matthew Kelly.
anne rice was never a Christian. she is a liberal and shares that outlook with other stereotypical liberals which means that she shares a unitarian spiritual bent. she just loved the 'smells and bells' ritual of the catholic church. well, the easy remedy is to join the episcopal church. they have all the pomp and none of the theological substance, so should suit her just fine.
following Christ means following the moral rules that were laid out by His Father. and... Jesus didn't condone sin no matter how libs try to spin it. He said go and sin no more, not go and sin all you want as long as it gives you warm fuzzy feelings.
don't believe it or agree with it, no problem. no one forcing you into anything. it's just sad that it's become so socially acceptable to hate on Christianity and the Catholic church in particular.
i'm not catholic but i know they are against abortion and against the death penalty. at least they are consistant. by contrast the dean of a seminary episcopal school proclaimed that 'abortion is a blessing'. that's 'progressive' christianity for you.
It is much easier to negate something than to support it. It is easier to criticize than correct.
It seems to me that she has joined the many contemporary persons who find it easier to adapt their religion to contemporary opinion than to adapt their behavior to the traditional religion.
The harder, higher road is to look at timeless truth and transform society to it.