"In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity." --Anne Rice

[Azmodan]

Here's the full quote:

I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity.

You might remember that Anne Rice publicly announced her conversion to Christianity a few years ago and decided to "write every word for Christ". She'd probably be happy in Larry's Church since she appears to still be a believer but I think it's very positive someone has well known as her denounces all the bigots.

[Gymnos42]

Here's the full quote:

I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity.

You might remember that Anne Rice publicly announced her conversion to Christianity a few years ago and decided to "write every word for Christ". She'd probably be happy in Larry's Church since she appears to still be a believer but I think it's very positive someone has well known as her denounces all the bigots.

This is a fantastic find, Dan. You're right that she would be very welcomed in our church. I "liked" her on Facebook and she wrote the following two hours ago.

My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn't understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been, or might become.

~ Larry

[nudewalker]

I often wonder how Christianity has gotten so skewed from what Christs' actual teachings were. Someone posted that 2/3 of Christs ministry was to help the sick and handicapped but only 5% of churches do any sort of this ministry. As one looks back, the church and science have always seemed to be at odds. Those that were denounced as heretics because they taught that the Earth revolved around the sun! Enough of my ranting as I could go on for hours, I just want to add 'you go girl!!"

[Doug H]

This was said to me by a friend that considered herself a frustrated Christian: "There is Christ-ianity and there is Church-ianity" Most of what non-Christians complain about when dealing with Christians is in the latter category. I'm real glad that there is someone reasonably well known who has seen this distinction, and is willing to say so publicly to a large audience.

Doug H.

[Azmodan]

Most of what non-Christians complain about when dealing with Christians is in the latter category.

I actually don't like either. But one certainly way less harmful than the other.

[sanua_chap]

I often wonder how Christianity has gotten so skewed from what Christs' actual teachings were. Someone posted that 2/3 of Christs ministry was to help the sick and handicapped but only 5% of churches do any sort of this ministry.

In this part of the world, it's a lot more than that.

i work for a Christian charity helping homeless people, and through my job I get to see a great deal of the work in this field. Christians and churches are involved in the vast majority of it, but most of the time they are not explicitly identified, so nobody knows. And few people know about the churches that support me and the ministry I work for. I don't know where you are, but it's possible there is a great deal going on that you don't know about.

As one looks back, the church and science have always seemed to be at odds. Those that were denounced as heretics because they taught that the Earth revolved around the sun!

You are referring to one particular dispute with one particular branch of the church. In fact, if you look back, science was invented by Christians. And many Christians are still working in science, despite the popular idea that the two are somehow opposed.

Just to take one example at random... you have heard of the scientific theory that the universe was created in a 'big bang'? This theory was developed by a Georges Lemaître, who was exploring the implications of Einstein's theory of general relativity. Georges was a leading scientist, and also a Catholic Priest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Lema%C3%AEtre

[Gymnos42]

It's good what you do sauna. But one of the many problems Christianity has today is that while there are many Christians like you who are actively doing good deeds, such as feeding the poor and finding shelter for the homeless, the Church, with a few exceptions, is doing little to nothing to change the system that creates poverty and hunger. It's as though the medical field had only centered on finding a cure for polio but never striven to find a vaccine to prevent it.

While I have many disagreements with the Apostle Paul one of his better moments was when he wrote, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

The Church needs to stop conforming to the pattern of the world and start confronting it.
~ Larry

“We believe in loving our brothers regardless of race, color or creed and we believe in showing this love by working for better conditions immediately and the ultimate owning by the workers of their means of production.”

[Azmodan]

You are referring to one particular dispute with one particular branch of the church. In fact, if you look back, science was invented by Christians. And many Christians are still working in science, despite the popular idea that the two are somehow opposed.

Science wasn't invented. And neither was art or mathematics.

[SigmaTau]

Science wasn't invented. And neither was art or mathematics.

errrrrrmm...

to be fair, science is a creation of man, nonetheless. It evolved almost completely out of our belief in magic and our desire to turn lead into gold...

[Soleil Nu]

Science wasn't invented.

Oh yes it was. Science is a method. A method to distinguish reality from perception. And this method (the scientific method) was definitely invented.

[sandy_beach_cat]

Er, no. It was developed. As in someone didn't invent science, like the telephone or television. A series of people over a period developed the scientific method. Granted, modern tv & telephone are developments of the original, and in fact work on rather different principles.

[Blizz]

science is a creation of man, nonetheless. It evolved almost completely out of our belief in magic and our desire to turn lead into gold...

So, basically alchemy.

[Azmodan]

Science wasn't invented.

Oh yes it was. Science is a method. A method to distinguish reality from perception. And this method (the scientific method) was definitely invented.

Science, like math, is discovered. Not invented.

[Superpan]

Well, I guess you can discover tools. I always saw science and math as tools to explain the essence of life just like philosophy, fiction, history, religion, etc.

Frankly, I'm a Christian, and I don't see how most churches even teach Christ's message, since it always seems to be "WE ARE THE BEST VERSION OF CHRISTIANITY!" and "WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO COME TO OUR CHURCH." The problem is that alot of modern churches only emphazise the written word of the Bible, and not the meaning. My church does alot of outreach programs, but sometimes I feel that these programs need to be brought more to the attention of the weekly churchgoers.

[Azmodan]

You mean like when an understaffed food bank refuses non-Christian volunteers citing reasons like that?:

"I know it sounds really, really stupid, but you've got to understand how we're set up."

He said the aim was to increase church involvement, and having the food delivered by non-religious volunteers would defeat the purpose.

Sill me, I thought the aim was to feed the hungry.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/c ... -organiser