An Evangelical leader's open letter to Anne Rice

Well said; keep the writing up brother. But, might I say, "Anne Rice can't follow Christ when she doesn't believe-support his word." Its totally contradictory and it makes her a hypocrite. We're supposed to believe Gods word in its entirety. Picking and choosing what you agree or don't agree with doesn't work. As Christians, we don't have to support-agree with a certain lifestyle that is against our beliefs, but we should never hate the person because they're different. We push people away with hate. The only way we're ever going to lead anyone down the right road is by showing them love, unconditional love, even if we don't support them. We can hate the actions, but we should never hate the person. And by loving the person, despite there actions, Christ will truely shine through us. We must love and find common ground with people first. And instead of forcing and hating our beliefs upon someone, we should encourage in a bold, loving and peaceful manner. As Christ handled himself.... And if that person still remains lost, so be it. We all have free will and we will all have to face judgement in the end. But, we must remember, If its Gods will, surely it will be taken care of. Christ loves everyone, but he doesn't love the sin that consumes our lives. Thanks for the article.

Good for you 08SYS...I too tire of the narcisstic style of lib religion picking and choosing what the "feel" is good in the moral buffet line. It is supposed to be hard to be religious and moral, not easy. Ms Rice found it all too hard to be religious. Boo-hoo. My pity meter barely moved. But what scares me more are the moonbats out there who feel Christianity is the evil force out there, being too demanding and critical of sin and lifestyles unbound by any limits or decency. God help us.

I'm with Anne. But I wonder if she's as critical of social scientology as a religion, for the same reasons?

"Society is God, and the state is its proper church" is also a freedom eating religion in a secular nation. Is it -- and all of its splinter protestant variants -- the True Religion in our new American Theocracy-- the one that is permitted to run roughshod over the machinery of state?

"Wimpy", "Pathetic", "no Christian leader", "God no longer blesses our nation"
These are the words and judgements typical of the type of "Christians" that drive people from churches. I look for fellowship(s) where people are positive, forgiving, friendly and open minded. And, they're out there. I cannot imagine Jesus Christ using these types of words and passing this type of judgement on people. If he had we would have never heard of him.

I find it humorous how the media accepts the claim from liberal churches that they are "Evangelical."

Far from it but with the overwhelming majority of "journalists"a being unchurched, how would they know!

Looks like the editor is human too. Please correct the spelling of the name Corrie ten Boom.

Although the Right Wing of the "Church" doesn't like to consider the constant evolution of religion and of the Christian church (in a very broad sense), Rice's comments and observations are just the most visible evidence of the evolutionary process that keeps the church in tune with the needs of church people.

I wholeheartedly agree with "dougbare". Having been divorced 10+ years, the Baptist church where I was a member, became so hostile, that I left and have not been back. I still pray and believe in Jesus, just not so-called religious people. I feel I am spiritual and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but I am really sick of the hypocritical, holier than thou people who hide behide the Word, yet are as "black as sack cloth" in there hearts and their actions. I have very little faith in people when they spout scripture and then do exactly the opposite. I don't need a building to worship, just my alone time with God.

Heh heh... "Irregardless". Did he purposely use that to highlight his human flaws?

REVDOC:

You have not read Rev. Salguero's whole list of articles closely. He's dong much work on immigration, peace, etc. It's regrettable that you make assumptions about his behavior with knowing about his work and or advocacy on many issues. Again, this is the problem alluded to in this article lack of dialogue or real care to research or understand people's positions.

Well, both (the current article and Ann's comments) of these posts are very interesting. What us folks who are still 'in' the Church are loath to admit is that more people are making Ann's decision every day then go to church on Sunday! And while I appreciate the sentiment of Gabriel's letter, there is little in it of substance in terms of how he plans to change his behavior, or advocate for changes of behavior of the so-called 'evangelical' community who have been the largest supporters of war, anti-immigrant, anti-gay, etc etc behavior in this country over the past many years. Frankly, there is much in the whole 'love but keep our truth' rhetoric that is not genuine love nor helpful for change.
I am much more interested in what God seems to be doing in leading so many people into the 'wilderness' beyond religion. It's a place of many perils but also, perhaps also a place of profound transformation. And frankly, the more I read the gospels, the less 'religious' Jesus seems to me.

Having spent most of my adult life as a very devout and dedicated lay leader and lay minister in the Episcopal Church and having theologically viewed it as "the body of Christ," I was shocked to say the least at how my relationship to the church changed upon getting a divorce at age 61.
I thought a lot about this wondering whether it was a paranoid perception brought about by my own guilt or personal sense of loss. Upon checking my experience against that of other divorced people, men and women, I found that virtually all had experienced the same or almost identical change.

First and foremost you are reclassified as a "radical element" in the body of Christ, somewhat like a pre-cancerous or cancerous cell in a mortal person's body. You find yourself relegated to dismal singles' group social experiences. In a sense, I feel like I have become irrelevant to church, although I do not feel like the church is irrelevant to my life. I keep attending church but much as a leper because I don't fit the "Ozzie and Harriet" mold any longer.

I can only imagine what someone who has AIDS, is gay or lesbian, or has suffered some socially aversive circumstance must feel. I would say that my experience, only makes my heart sad for how "the body of Christ" has made itself into a temple of conformance to the social norms of this day. I cannot help but believe the "first body of Chirst" was not that way but offered the unconditional love of Christ.

As Christians we are to lift each other up with brotherly love. Your response to Ms. Rice was very touching. Standing up and demonstrating your love for other brothers and sisters in Christ is what is all about; you've made very valid points regarding the unfortunate lack of love within the body of Christ and this raises a concern with all of us who want to live and not just exist in a very deteriorated world. God's grace, love and mercy is beyond the human comprehension and covers a multitude of sin; He said we would encounter persecution and that through all things he will never leave us. There is an enemy lurking placing the lie of discouragement in the minds and hearts of Christians today and we need to stand to the face of it and pick up our sword (the word of God) and begin to slain all the lies he sets before us. We need to be on alert and so with that said, we can only take it to the cross and believe in our minds and heart that justice will be done.

love the sinner hate the sin is the equal to the most hatred, oppression, of self righteousness and judgment. If as Christians we believe love. period. Love the sinner then. but do not call out my sin and say you hate it. if it is something i do not believe is a sin, you are then saying you hate me. who are we to place that judgement? one calls homosexuality sin, another doesn't. what about your sin? what about that something about you that you do not believe is a sin, but another does. dancing? drinking? diamond rings? watching television? turn your words of hatred on yourself. then leave it there. God does bless our nation. God blesses every day in vast and wonderful ways. so sad that we are stopping to sniff out the hate, and forgetting to smell the roses. Wimpy and pathetic no. Calm. Graceful. Loving. Christ-like in amazing ways. God bless Anne Rice and believers in Gods grace, love and peace. amen.

I think Mr. Salguero's comment to Anne Rice was very loving and respectful. Love the sinner, but hate the sin. I don't believe that means open, blatant sin should be approved of in the church.

Wimpy and pathetic approval of Anne Rice's liberal hatred for the Bible. This guy is no Christian leader. Hey folks, our country is in trouble because of week wimpy preaching like this. Homosexuality is not the only sin in the Bible, but it is a sin. Our society is reprobate and has lost it's moral compass. No wonder God no longer blesses our nation.