Just Another Writer

So, Ann Rice has seen the baby blues of Jesus. A professed atheist has found the lord - Good God! Rice, who’s vampire books catapulted her to fame, has sworn off blood-sucking demons and bi-sexual vampires to reinvent herself as a Christian writer. Good timing, as the vampire market was getting a bit stiff. Her son, Christopher Rice has written a few good books (with gay themes) and I believe (for the most part) he’s a talented writer.

In an interview from her home in Rancho Mirage, California, Rice stated (in so many words) that’s she’s taking all she has learned from writing about goblins, witches and vampires (with a touch of S&M erotica thrown in) and channeling her talents (from past experience) to the good work of the Lord. She’s also looking for redemption and wants God to accept what she’s NOW writing. Ann, I don’t think you need to be redeemed for writing some great books that were not only entertaining but, rather sexy and provocative. I don’t think God views your past work as “bad” and more than likely does not hand out credit for “good” work.  In other words, I don’t think you can play catch-up with the Lord at age 67. I think your life’s work (not just your success in writing) is based upon you being a “good” person. Your son is gay and you not only accepted him, you embraced his sexuality. Now, I hope that your embracing your son being gay (after finding the Lord) does not change, as we all know the position that the “Good Book” takes on homosexuality. (Here come the Bible thumpers, thump! thump!). I think our charismatic Christians are “constant” in their beliefs and faith. I think anyone can be an atheist one day, a christian (the next day) and a Buddhist, the next. I think the “normal” (non-fanatic Christians - regular people), lose a loved one and can become an atheist on the spot. Why did God  take my loved one, why did my son die in Iraq? A month later, I think that that same person can come to believe that the Lord has called them and has given them direction to help others, become a gentle person, be kinder to others and go join the Peace Corps. In the reverse, I think a kind, gentle human being can lose ALL beliefs when they lose all of their possessions during a natural disaster and lose all faith in the Lord.

I think we ALL find our God and pray to him when we’re in trouble. How many readers never go to church (even on the holidays - like me) but, will pray to God (any God) when our family member is dying of cancer or, we’re about to lose something near and dear to us. The “acid test” in finding God is NOT changing the subject matter of your life’s work, it is found at those moments when you silently pray to a God (any God) for help, love and support.

Yes, those who never pray to God (any God) have no belief, no faith and possibly no future beyond this world. Those who profess their love of God publicly (as Ann Rice has announced) may be doing so to feel better about themselves (at age 67) or, selling others on their belief and buying a book. I’m not saying that’s Ann’s motive, however, I’m not a true believer in someones public confession that they have now found the Lord and will write good things for the Lord. That’s the stuff of PR firms churning out the “spin” for the next best seller. Yes, it’s easy to change your writing prose when you’re sitting on the top of the world in Rancho Mirage, have millions in the bank and not a care in the world. Yes, it’s also easy to sit back and then ponder if the Lord is looking down kindly upon you and then commit to write another best seller for the Lord.

There was one good vampire movie entitled ”Fright Night”. In this vampire flick, a vampire hunter is holding up a cross to the face of the vampire, as he advances - to no avail. The vampire is unaffected by the cross.

As he comes up to the face of his victim, he makes one statement (which says it all)…FOR YOUR CROSS TO WORK ON ME -YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE FAITH!

ANN - YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE FAITH!