Anne Rice: from Catholic to atheist to Catholic to ex-Catholic

[erichael]

This is a different issue than her departure from Catholicism after her reversion. She was, after all, an atheist when she wrote that stuff, no?

Of course we do. Otherwise, why the need for the confessional?

So it is not her “bouncing” but her public proclamation of such to which you object?

Yes, she was an atheist when she wrote erotica. The facts are a great many atheists have more integrity than some catholics. They can show extreme integrity in their humanistic, secular views and lifestyles. They cling to their integrity as a marker of their personal worthiness as we cling to the cross. Her husband Stan was a die-hard atheist. He was also well-known for his integrity. I would, therefore, argue with you when you say that she did not have integrity while living apart from the faith. She most certainly did, yet she still wrote erotica.

Anne Rice commands a public soapbox and she chooses to use that power by slinging mud at the Church and she is getting away with it and will continue to do so. It is the publicity of her remarks that rankles so. Apart from taking a stand for the sake of her gay son Christopher, there must be something more. To call the Church a liar is to call me a liar. I am not. Church history can speak for itself.

 

[PRmerger]

Yes, she was an atheist when she wrote erotica. The facts are a great many atheists have more integrity than some catholics. They can show extreme integrity in their humanistic, secular views and lifestyles. They cling to their integrity as a marker of their personal worthiness as we cling to the cross.

This is true.

I would, therefore, argue with you when you say that she did not have integrity while living apart from the faith. She most certainly did, yet she still wrote erotica.

Ok. I wouldn’t know.

Anne Rice commands a public soapbox and she chooses to use that power by slinging mud at the Church and she is getting away with it and will continue to do so. It is the publicity of her remarks that rankles so.

Well, it seems that there is only a difference in degree between what you are doing here on a public forum and what she is doing. And, as her public profile is much greater, it is quite justifiable that her voice is much louder.

 

[Ariobarzanes]

Rice is her own worst enemy. She already knew the Catholic Church’s stance of homosexuality and other issues but she rejoined anyway. I’ve never read any of her books and I am certain there is a 0% chance I ever will, especially since the First and Last vampire novel was Stoker’s Dracula.

 

[Ariobarzanes]

I realize this. By First and Last, i meant it is the greatest vampire novel ever written, and that almost all other material about vampires is not worth reading in my opinion. Dracula is my all time favorite work of fiction. EVER!

 

[erichael]

This is true.

Ok. I wouldn’t know.

Well, it seems that there is only a difference in degree between what you are doing here on a public forum and what she is doing. And, as her public profile is much greater, it is quite justifiable that her voice is much louder.

Quite right! In my defense I would offer that I am not slinging arrows at the Church I love and in my own pitiful way am defending it.

 

[PRmerger]

Quite right! In my defense I would offer that I am not slinging arrows at the Church I love and in my own pitiful way am defending it.

Well, then, it seems that your objection is NOT to the question of whether she has integrity, NOT that she has “bounce(s) back and forth like a red rubber ball”, NOT to the fact that she has done this publicly, but to the fact that she slings arrows at the Church that you love?

If so, why bring up all the other points?

 

[erichael]

Well, then, it seems that your objection is NOT to the question of whether she has integrity, NOT that she has “bounce(s) back and forth like a red rubber ball”, NOT to the fact that she has done this publicly, but to the fact that she slings arrows at the Church that you love?

If so, why bring up all the other points?

Okay, you win. Cancel out everything I’ve ever said about Anne Rice as being utterly invalid, pointless and without merit. I must be confused. I thought I was talking authoritatively on a subject I know well and in a way that might interest other people on this blog such as the contributor who wrote, “Anne Rice is her own worst enemy.” I merely expanded on that sentiment with my own take.

I am confused as to why you are taking everything I’ve posted line by line and dissecting it to find a deeper meaning beyond the fact I am an exfan. You make me feel so welcome here. Thank you!

 

[Poco]

Dracula is my all time favorite work of fiction. EVER!

“Ah! Leesten to dem. Children of de night. What music dey make!”

I’m not sure if that is in the book but it is my favorite line from the movie.

 

[PRmerger]

Okay, you win.

Perhaps you’re responding this way because you see that your original points have been refuted.

Cancel out everything I’ve ever said about Anne Rice as being utterly invalid, pointless and without merit.

Well, your points may not have been invalid, but you definitely kept changing your objections.

I must be confused.

I thought I was talking authoritatively on a subject I know well and in a way that might interest other people on this blog such as the contributor who wrote, “Anne Rice is her own worst enemy.” I merely expanded on that sentiment with my own take

Which, of course, this being a public forum, you are free to do.

However, your position as being “authoritative” on this subject is curious indeed!

I am confused as to why you are taking everything I’ve posted line by line and dissecting it to find a deeper meaning beyond the fact I am an exfan.

That’s the nature of a forum. Sometimes we respond to one large body of the post. Sometimes we respond to only one line. Sometimes we do go, line by line, and “dissect” the post.

There are many ways to dialogue on a forum.

You make me feel so welcome here. Thank you!

Sarcasm is the protest of the weak, erichael. I rarely use it.

 

[Willy_Jose]

PRmerger, erichael,
Sorry, but I am amused at you two
I guess no one can judge the integrity of the person, otherwise you can read consciences.
However you can say that what Anne is saying is utterly wrong. Fair enough?

 

[PRmerger]

I guess no one can judge the integrity of the person, otherwise you can read consciences.

This, Willy, is simply absurd. * Of course* one can judge whether a person has integrity or not.

 

[Willy_Jose]

This, Willy, is simply absurd. * Of course* one can judge whether a person has integrity or not.

How is that so? On the issue at hand, can you judge whether Anne Rice is being honest and truthful to her conscience? That is the essence of integrity in this case. If you say yes, then you are right.

 

[PRmerger]

How is that so? On the issue at hand, can you judge whether Anne Rice is being honest and truthful to her conscience? That is the essence of integrity in this case. If you say yes, then you are right.

It demonstrates integrity to leave a church that you cannot agree with its teachings. Much more integrity than to say, “Well, I’m a Catholic but I’m pro-choice.”

 

[Willy_Jose]

It demonstrates integrity to leave a church that you cannot agree with its teachings. Much more integrity than to say, “Well, I’m a Catholic but I’m pro-choice.”

Ok, I get your point. What you are saying is that Anne Rice’s integrity is shown by the consistency of her decision to leave the Church in consistency with her disagreement with it. She disagrees mightily, so she leaves - she has shown integrity in leaving.

What I am referring to is that in the first place, is her disagreement borne out of integrity with her conscience. The decision to leave comes much later.

 

[PRmerger]

Ok, I get your point. What you are saying is that Anne Rice’s integrity is shown by the consistency of her decision to leave the Church in consistency with her disagreement with it. She disagrees mightily, so she leaves - she has shown integrity in leaving.

'zactly.

What I am referring to is that in the first place, is her disagreement borne out of integrity with her conscience. The decision to leave comes much later.

I wouldn’t know what her conscience states–it would *seem *that her conscience is telling her that she cannot stay in a church that does not respect women or gays.

 

[Willy_Jose]

'zactly.

I wouldn’t know what her conscience states–it would *seem *that her conscience is telling her that she cannot stay in a church that does not respect women or gays.

Yes --it would seem that her conscience tells her she cannot stay in a church that does not respect gays. However it also seems that she completely ignored the fact that the church does NOT disrespect gays. Do you also see my point?

 

[PRmerger]

Yes --it would seem that her conscience tells her she cannot stay in a church that does not respect gays. However it also seems that she completely ignored the fact that the church does NOT disrespect gays. Do you also see my point?

Right. I said I don’t know what her conscience tells her. I have never proclaimed such.

Not sure what your point is, really, Willy.

 

[Willy_Jose]

Right. I said I don’t know what her conscience tells her. I have never proclaimed such.

Not sure what your point is, really, Willy.

Then read back our exchanges again. I want to be sure we get this right. I said in post

72 that:​

“I guess no one can judge the integrity of the person, otherwise you can read consciences.”

which you said was “absurd”. I accepted your view from your perspective, and then I explained I am coming from another perspective on “integrity” but now you are saying that:

“I said I don’t know what her conscience tells her”

 

[PRmerger]

Then read back our exchanges again. I want to be sure we get this right. I said in post

72 that:​

“I guess no one can judge the integrity of the person, otherwise you can read consciences.”

which you said was “absurd”. I accepted your view from your perspective, and then I explained I am coming from another perspective on “integrity” but now you are saying that:

“I said I don’t know what her conscience tells her”

Right. I don’t know what her conscience tells her.

Why is that so puzzling to you?

 

[Willy_Jose]

Right. I don’t know what her conscience tells her.

Why is that so puzzling to you?

Yes I am puzzled by you, but maybe it’s just me. I am sorry I am at a loss to explain further without repeating what I said in my last few posts. Thank you for engaging me, you can have the last word.

Peace!