Holy hate mail

Posted on January 20, 2010 by elizabeth

Being a writer means getting hate mail. It's kinda fun, actually. Secular hate mail says: "Go to Hell." Christian hate mail says: "You're going to Hell."

The funny thing is that non-believers don't necessarily think I'm damned while some Christians are damn sure about my damnation. 

Which makes me realize: the Catholic Church is the most hated religious organization in the world. Because even if I dare hint that I have an appreciation for it, I get emails accusing me of being a hypocrite who is aiding and abetting "a false church leading millions of souls to Hell."

I wonder if Mother Teresa would agree.

What's interesting about these emails is that many times folks regurgitate "pseudo-knowledge." In other words, the only thing they know about the Catholic Church–or any other liturgical church, for that matter–is what they've heard second-hand. It's obvious they haven't read primary sources.

I don't blame them, necessarily. I used to say and believe the same things. Mostly because Evangelicalism is rife with sermons, pamphlets and books that propagate misunderstanding.

But the Catholic Church is not the "whore of Babylon" anymore than I'm a circus clown. I mean, my nose is red today, but only because I'm cold. Heh.

Other fiery emails informed me that Frank Schaeffer attends an "apostate church" and demanded to know why I didn't disclose that. Like I'm part of some Apostate Church Conspiracy.

Believe me, I'm not smart enough for subterfuge. What I do understand is that hyperbole is a tool of fear. And hate mail is a form of fear-mongering. 

I will not be frightened into silence. Been there. Done that.

Here's the thing: I'm not presuming to provide The Answers for anyone. I'm only sharing my story. I'm not gonna compromise that just because I don't wanna make people mad.

I believe what unites us is much stronger than what divides us. I believe this because I've stood in that place called I Have All The Right Answers and I know that it does nothing to promote the Gospel of Christ.

Not even when I throw out 15 Bible verses to back up my position.

I can be right, right, right until I'm blue in the face and guess what? I'll destroy relationships.

This is why I think being right is over-rated. Understand: I'm not saying truth is relative. But I am saying that in the chasm of what divides Christians, there are bridges that span the breach.

I choose to walk those bridges. I realize that this will make some people mad. I'm willing to take that risk.

I'm willing to make mistakes–even publicly on this blog. It's a small price to pay for the privilege and freedom of speaking out.

I'm still on this journey and I can tell you one thing for sure: this journey doesn't end in Hell.


This entry was posted in RecoveringEvangelicalsAnonymous, RecoveringFundamentalist, Religion, Writing. Bookmark the permalink.
  • http://www.JanetOber.com Janet Oberholtzer

    I like this post for a few reasons … the #1 reason is this line “I’m willing to mistakes–even publicly on this blog.”
    You are brave! And wise!

    I also like this:
    “I’ve stood in that place called I Have All The Right Answers and I know that it does nothing to promote the Gospel of Christ. Not even when I throw out 15 Bible verses to back up my position.”

  • http://www.conversiondiary.com/ Jennifer (Conversion Diary)

    I’ve been reading a bunch of secular memoir lately, and almost every single one of them makes a passing jab at the Catholic Church at some point, even if it has nothing at all to do with the subject matter. It’s getting kind of eerie how often you see it.

    My fellow convert husband remarked that the fact that the Church is such a pebble in so many people’s shoes is a great data point in favor of it containing the fullness of God’s truth.

    Anyway, funny you should mention the hatemail. I’ve gotten a few anti-Catholic ones this week too. It’s interesting that every single one of them contain major misconceptions. My experience has been, as a former anti-Catholic myself, that once people start finding out what the Church actually teaches — reading books *by Catholics* instead of just books about why Catholicism is bad — their objections start to fall away, one by one.

    Love this post!

  • http://sweetheartsinlife.blogspot.com barb

    It’s too bad that so called “Christians” can be so judgemental! I’m not Catholic, and I don’t have any bad feeling toward their faith – I think it’s wonderful that they believe and have faith . . . what happened to freedom of religion? I believe that people should be free to choose how they want to worship – it doesn’t matter what religion they are, what matters is what kind of people they are. Shame on those who judge you!

  • Cyndy

    I like to remind folks that take jabs at the Catholic church and Catholics there are just as many non-Christian Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists…take your pick sitting in pews as there are in the Catholic church. (and vice versa) It’s not about affiliation, it’s about a relationship with Jesus Christ. (Period)

    Thank you for not being intimidated! :)

  • http://ayoungmomsmusings.blogspot.com/ Young Mom

    Misconceptions, wow are there a lot of them. a lot a lot.

  • http://mommysjourney.blogspot.com/ denise

    so well said…can’t wait to read your book (when you are ready to complete it)…my husband used to work for the first amendment coalition…huge on freedom of speech…so important but i totally agree with you on making relationships more important than being right…i love an old mary chapin carpenter song “the last word”…the lyrics are about that idea…”you can have it, i don’t want it…and when you’ve got it, i’ll be gone…it won’t matter what you’re saying when the damage has all been done…”

    glad i found you and glad you are true to yourself…

  • http://musingsofacatholiclady.blogspot.com/ Michelle aka Catholic Lady

    LOVE you post! I agree with Janet…you ARE brave and Wise! I have received a couple of anti-catholic sentiments from an anonymous poster one one of my posts that wasn’t really about being Catholic…go figure.

    Thanks for being so brave to post this because I feel like you said how I feel!

  • http://nomoredegrees.blogspot.com happy Geek

    It’s funny you should mention Mother Teresa because I recently read a blog post totally deriding her and her work.
    Gotta love “Christian” love.

  • Linda

    You were reffering to me in: “Other fiery emails informed me that Frank Schaeffer attends an “apostate church” and demanded to know why I didn’t disclose that. Like I’m part of some Apostate Church Conspiracy.”

    I never meant that you are part of a conspiracy. There are problems with all Chrisian denominations, but some teach such serious errors like baptismal regeneration, that they need to be identified.

  • http://bellwhistlemoon.blogspot.com/ mary bailey

    Elizabeth, sometimes I am amazed when I read that you find meaning in liturgical worship experiences. I spent 30 years in a liturgical Lutheran church and am now an evangelical Southern Baptist. I would never presume to argue with you, though. Instead I learn from you and am happy in how God is showing Himself to you. You are absolutely right that you are telling *your* story here on your blog.

  • http://brambleberrygrace.blogspot.com/ Katie S.

    I commend you for being brave. And I couldn’t agree more.

    Many blessings to you, my dear.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.com Elizabeth Esther

    Mary B: and I am happy in how God is showing Himself to you! :) That’s *exactly* the kind of spirit I try to cultivate on this blog. Thank you for understanding that.

    Cyndy: excellent point. It’s all about relationship, isn’t it?

    Jennifer: seriously. It’s almost as if the CC is the universal punching bag/scapegoat for, like, EVERYTHING. I mean, it’s almost an SNL skit, really. :)

    happy Geek: Someone derided Mother Teresa? Whoa. Yikes. (glancing in the sky for lightning strikes).

    Linda: thanks for clarifying and thanks for the civil comment. It’s the nicest one you’ve left in um…months! :)

  • Deborah L

    I admire your spunk, Elizabeth. I really do. I read very few blogs – they have to really GRAB me. And yours has.

    I’m sorry you have received hate mail – there is never an excuse for this. It’s completely unfair to make generalizations about someone else’s church – whether it is Catholic, Evangelical or other. I have been a guest in Catholic services that were completely insipid – I have been in Catholic services that were overwhelmingly filled with God’s love and presence. I have been in Evangelical services that were wishy-washy and judgmental towards others. I have been in Evangelical services that were Spirit-filled and Bible-based. Hmmm… what am I trying to say? :) I guess I feel like there is a lot said on this blog – through your posts and others’ comments – where generalizations are made about Evangelical/Fundamentalist churches. Eg. “Mostly because Evangelicalism is rife with sermons, pamphlets and books that propagate misunderstanding.” I attend an Evangelical chuch and this statement couldn’t be further from the truth. I readily admit there are some batty Evangelicals out there who do “propagate misunderstanding”. I wish this wasn’t the case. It gives the rest of the Bible-believing, Jesus-serving Evangelical churches a bad name. My church is all about serving and loving Jesus and others. I have never heard so much as a hint about how Catholics are on the wrong track, etc. I wouldn’t attend if this were the case. My best friend is a beautiful, Spirit-filled Catholic lady. We worship the same God and believe in the way of salvation as is outlined in the Bible. There is no strife between us.

    There is no doubt in my mind that you grew up in a wacko church and I’m truly sorry about this. But, not all Evangelical/Fundamentalist churches are legalistic and abusive! Honest! Some of us Evangelicals are loving, kind, accepting people who just want to serve God and other people and learn from His Word. I hope this isn’t offensive to anyone. I just wanted to point out that generalizations can go both ways.

    I am eagerly awaiting my Amazon order containing “Evangelical is not Enough”. I’m very willing to see where you are coming from and perhaps dispel some of my ingrained ideas from childhood regarding Catholic beliefs.

    Thanks again for a compelling post.

  • http://www.elizabethesther.com Elizabeth Esther

    Deborah L: thank you. And you’re right. I haven’t been in every single Evangelical/fundamentalist church and I’m glad to know there are grace-filled, wonderful churches out there! YAY! I can only speak from my experience and I do readily admit that it is limited. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

  • http://restlesswanderings.com Bruce

    Growing up Baptist it was part of our DNA to hate Catholics. After all the RCC is the whore of Babylon. (Rev 17)

    As a pastor I perpetuated that kind of thinking for many years. While I am no longer a pastor I am indeed sad over the fact I taught others to hate someone based on their religion.

    The single best Church service I have ever been in was a Midnight Christmas mass a few years ago. It simply blew me away and thoroughly destroyed all I thought I knew about the Catholic Church.

    While I no longer “believe” I still fondly remember that one Midnight mass a few years ago.

    I wish you well on your journey.

  • Deb

    Elizabeth, love this post! I can’t tell you how much you inspire me and challenge me with your writing. I grew up firmly believing that the CC was evil. Probably didn’t help that all of my friends from school that were Catholic weren’t exactly the best role models. :) Oddly enough, I now work for an organization founded by a Catholic priest. I’ve come to appreciate a lot of things about the church, and while I don’t agree with everything, I have found that there is a lot I can learn. I share your fondness for liturgy, and your post awhile back where you touched on confession really hit home for me. love following you on your journey, don’t be quiet. :) Thank you for sharing. Oh, and we have a stree in our village named in honor Mother Teresa.

  • http://ifmeadowsspeak.blogspot.com/ Tammy@If Meadows Speak….

    What?!? You don’t have the right A.N.S.W.E.R.s? By golly, what has this world come to. It’s a good thing too, because actually, the only true Answers I’ve come to know are straight from scripture. Not a preacher, not a Bible-thumping do-gooder, not religion, not even a well-made movie tops it. Nope, I read it for meself in black and white, what Jesus said and all that Old Testament stuff too. It also has a lot to say about who I really am (and you too, Elizabeth), that has nothing to do with what I tell myself or worse what others tell me I am. Because surely, those would be fickle opinions between love and hate. I hope HE continues to reveal HIMSELF to you, because that’s more important than any denomination, religion, or “flavor” of church.

  • http://holyclutter.com Meredith

    Elizabeth, I don’t have much to offer except my support. The hate letters can really pull you down. It takes a special kind of courage to keep on writing.

    Keep on!

  • http://MeditativeMeanderings.blogspot.com Susanne Barrett

    As a practicing evangelical who attends a liturgical Anglo-Catholic Church for weekday Mass, I find a great deal of judgment against liturgical churches in my own church (especially since the choir director and her husband, a longtime elder and teacher, left our EV Free Church for the Roman Catholic Church). I try to gently educate people about the misconceptions most evangelicals have been taught about Catholics, and on a few Catholic forums, I’ve done the same about evangelical beliefs.

    My prayer is for the entire Church of Christ to be as Jesus prayed for it in John 17: loving one another as a testament to His love. We need to “major on the majors” (i.e., the Nicene Creed) and let minor stuff leave us unruffled. As an evangelical, I used to pray each morning with the nun who was my faculty advisor in grad school. That’s the way the Christian faith should be — praying together, no matter the denomination.

  • http://thedcookshouse.blogspot.com Rebecca

    I admit I was surprised you are getting hate mail, then I read the comments and thought ‘oh dear.’ BUt, I think you should keep it up! Those haters just need to deal.

    As a side note the first time I ever heard about the whore of Babylon was when I was 14 in a bible study class. I was shocked. I didn’t believe that concept was in the scriptures and I still think what I was ‘taught’ was incorrect and not truth. I happen to like many Catholics. Even though several of them have told me I am going to hell. I guess I will see you there.

  • http://www.kathleenbasi.com Kathleen

    I’m glad Deborah pointed out that generalizations and misrepresentations go both ways. As a cradle Catholic (and a committed, enthusiastic one), I nonetheless feel compelled to admit the same: that Catholics are as guilty of half-informed judgment as anyone else. I think the main difference is that the Catholic Church is a really big target, since it is a worldwide collection of churches that band together under one head–not just an umbrella of kissin’ cousins, but siblings sharing the same religious “DNA.” An attack against evangelical or fundamentalist churches is fundamentally against a loose group of churches sharing some beliefs, but not a central nervous system. IOW, it’s not an attack on a person’s individual church, the way an attack on the Catholic Church is.

  • http://www.thefrahmfam.blogspot.com april

    Long time reader, first time commenter. In Acts there was only one denomination. The Way. People who devoted themselves to the scriptures and people who devoted themselves to each other. There was church discipline, there was love, and you could tell the fake from the real. Titus 2 existed where younger people were being mentored by older ones in the faith. When did it go wrong?
    I think the stem of all denomination hate is the sin of pride (we all think we are right) and history. Every single denomination has history that points to something horrible. Catholic, Church of England, Protestant, whatever. People have screwed up. A lot of people can’t understand based on history and the reformation why people are still Catholic. The same way people can’t understand why people can still be protestant when a lot of super pastors water down the truth with seeker friendly words. Or like you were raised in strict fundamentalist churches.
    Now, we can take the attitude of hating each other, or we can say yes, people are sinners, but I choose to examine the bible and find a church that is the closest to the biblical structure of church and worship there. We are never told anywhere in the Bible to criticize the church. As women, the two things we are called to do specifically as a whole is pray for and encourage the church.
    Hate mail, or complaining or whatever people do does nothing but diminish the people who are still following the Way. It gives people who do not believe reason not to. Why be a part of something where everyone hates each other and everyone thinks they are right but they say there is only one truth? It makes a lot of christians leave the church. Thinking that they can do it on their own. (Worship God)
    While you can, you can’t forever. Scripture teaches the importance of getting together whether small or large, Catholic or Non Denominational. God works through people.
    We can be frustrated, and angered by church, but we take that to God and not to one another. We pray that HE fixes the mess, and he promises that if a church is unrepentant he will remove the lampstand. I leave it in his hands, and I tend to lean on what John says in the bible. We are to love, and if we can’t love our brother, than the love of God is not in us. Sorry so long! I love reading your thoughts!

  • http://www.heidijowhatdoyouknow.blogspot.com Heidi Jo

    hate mail is usually a sign that you are treading a bit too close to the truth.

    it’s your story. your blog. period.

  • http://ifmeadowsspeak.blogspot.com/ Tammy@If Meadows Speak….

    Ditto to Kathleen! I left church after being wounded in it and for years did it on my own. “Doing” it on my own, actually meant my life crumbled around me, on my own. I went running back to HIM and to some good fellowship with other Christians. Now, I know the critical balance we need in gathering with others and mine happen to be Non-denominational types. I worship corporately in large settings on occasion, but regurlary I gather with my small groups. Although we humans are flawed by sin and flesh is constantly striving to rein, we still need Jesus with skin too. Bottom line, we need fellow Christians and above all we need HIM.

  • http://ifmeadowsspeak.blogspot.com/ Tammy@If Meadows Speak….

    Sorry, me again, I meant to say “Ditto, April!”

  • Mrs. Rachel

    Dear Elizabeth,

    I thought you could like this 2-minute video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Id_rUYAV00&feature=related

    When I was at university, I felt a bit confused and it helped me a lot knowing this movement and some incredible Christians who were Catholic too (Nobody´s perfect! :) )
    Well, I hope you may find it useful in your seeking of a clearer perspective.

    Rachel.-

  • http://jenngrant.blogspot.com jenn grant

    love you liz!! and you know what i like about you?

    is you tell me,’ Jenn, no one is all good or all bad’.

    i really love that about you. it has inspired me in so many situations to really look for the good. wether its, we will just say, the catholic church or someone i know.

    dont listen to all the haters! :)

  • hope t.

    I’ve attended a number of different churches: non-denom., Baptist, Lutheran (loved that church but I can’t bring myself to go to a church that claims on their website that the pope is the anti-Christ), Presbyterian, and small denominations that no one here has ever heard of. Every one of them has spoken against the Catholic church. One of them questioned how Mother Theresa could possibly be “saved”. It could very well be argued that I have really, really bad luck in picking churches and it is certainly not limited to Catholic-bashing. For example, I visited an
    Anglican church one Sunday and the sermon just happened to be a dress-down of their fellow Anglicans. Maybe this is human nature to criticize “the other” but I just can’t go to church to hear that anymore.
    Keep on keeping on EE – love your blog and your moxie!

  • http://www.laurissalynn.blogspot.com Laurissa

    Elizabeth- I think you’re brave and authentic. I’m Catholic, I love being Catholic, and I love it when ANYONE loves Christ in any way shape or form. If you have hate mail, count it a blessing. You know you’re doing something right!!!

  • http://www.sarahmarkley.com Sarah Markley

    you go girl.

    yeah. so here’s my fiddy cent.

    i’m not the originator of this idea, but by talking first you give the rest of us the permission (and the relief) to go SECOND.

    so, thank you for that.

    And sorry about the hate mail (not that it was from me…) but i’ve gotten my share. i know how it feels.

    love you and i love how you aren’t afraid.

    i’m proud to call you friend. =)

  • http://reidklos.com Reid Klos

    Elizabeth you go girl! This was my favorite line: Secular hate mail says: “Go to Hell.” Christian hate mail says: “You’re going to Hell.”

    It amazes me how much Christians speak out against other Christians when Jesus the Christ clearly told His disciples (us) that if someone is promoting the cause to leave them be (in so many words). We’re Christian Cannibals forever feasting on the living if they don’t agree with us.

    The problem is pride. We always think we’re right. Proverbs tells us that the fear of the LORD is to hate evil, pride, arrogancy and a perverse tongue the LORD abhors.

    what’s the saying kids use when someone calls them names: takes one to no one. Well perhaps those Christians that can so readily detect your journey to hell is because they’re headed there as well, lol. God tells us to be fruit inspectors and judge accordingly. Elizabeth your fruit seems ripe to me. ;-D

  • Stephanie Shurance

    I love your blogs~~ It’s like I tell my kids, I wouldn’t wish Hitler in all his evil to hell… We never should ever hope or wish anyone to go to hell. It is self-righteousness that forgets that when we stand before God, we all guilty and deserving. And we can’t forget how God feels about self-righteousness…

  • Canadian Leanne

    I’ve been reading your blog for some time now and am very curious about your story. Am wondering if you can answer some questions. They might seem simplistic, and if so, I’m hoping that are not ignorant. What is the difference between Catholic and Christian? I’m French canadian catholic. HIstorically, the church has played a big role in French Canadians’ lives~ from dictating when to marry, wifely duties, to the questionning of why one was not having more children. However, since the 70′s and what they call a “quiet revolution”, the church has lost it’s place of importance in many peoples’ lives.
    We are practicing but not devout. I’m wondering how you would qualify yourself. What does one have to do to be devout? Are Christians seen as more practicing that Catholics?
    As for the haters, they are afraid of your truth. Keep posting as it makes me reflect daily.
    Bonne chance.

  • Maggie Dee

    Well…As a slow reforming “people pleaser” I know that if everyone likes you, you aren’t really being yourself or standing for anything.

    I found your blog through Conversion Diary a few months ago and I really appreciate your authenticiy. It’s really brave to put your thoughts out there for the world to critize. Thank you! Like a previous commenter said, it gives us permission to go second.

    I was raised as a “fundie” but I am becoming a Catholic this Easter. Because of the way I was raised, the first time I attended a Mass I was shocked to find God there. For anyone wanting to understand what Catholics believe about the Mass a great book is “The Lambs Supper” by Scott Hahn.

    I would also like to take this opportunity to apologize for my judgements of other churches. The only one who can see into the soul of another person is God. And I am so thankful that His opinion is what counts, not other people.

    Here’s a quote from a song I heard a while back…”God is great. Beer is good. People are crazy.” I think I might cross stitch that on a pillow. :-)

  • http://www.reflectionsofaprincess.com Jessica

    Nicely put. My husband and I are becoming more and more liturgical in our practices and traditions, simply because we appreciate incorporating God into our lives, traditions, and homes in that way…so now we get the occasional eyebrow raise from friends and family.

    It’s all about Jesus anyway…or at least it should be.

  • http://MeditativeMeanderings.blogspot.com Susanne Barrett

    I like this quotation that I read this morning on Liturgy.co.nz (an Anglican site):

    “In necessariis unitas, in non-necessariis libertas, in utrisque caritas.”
    – which is Latin for: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

  • http://agministries.org Sisterlisa

    The animosity of the protestants against the Catholic church has spanned all these generations. If they really stopped to think about it, all those denominations have so much in common. Agree on Jesus and let God handle the rest. Hate mail comes when truth is spoken. ;O)

  • http://www.sadiemotta.typepad.com JoAnn

    Dude, my dad actually told me that my family wasn’t going to see him in Heaven. Seriously? Not the christianity I was taught. Really. Have I ever told you about the sermon I experienced at his church on our trip? WOW. Everything I feared I heard with my own ears. Eye opening.

  • http://linda-walkingintheword.blogspot.com walking in the word

    Maybe you get the responses you do because your tone has an edge to it. I do have to deal with the big, bad, scary government every year because I homeschool. I live in the state with the strictest homeschool laws bar none. I have to be candid and say that I bristled when you made the comment that even homeschool isn’t necessarily a safe place. My reaction was that I already deal with enough red tape to raise and educate my children to be women after God’s own heart and I don’t need a blogger making rougher surfing with off-handed comments like that. You have much of value to say, but there’s speaking the truth and then there’s speaking the truth in love. Don’t back off the truth, but love those to whom you speak.

  • http://www.southernplate.com Christy Jordan

    Dearly loved this post and am so glad I was sent here by http://www.twitter.com/reidklos

    This is my first time visiting your blog but It’s given me one of those “WOW! I’m not alone!” moments.

    Thank you. I know it is difficult to be brave and I understand all too well the types of emails you will likely get as a result.

    I also respect you for saying “I don’t know all the answers”. I think that shows wisdom more than any other statement.

    Gratefully,
    Christy Jordan

  • http://www.elizabethesther.com Elizabeth Esther

    Walking in the word: If you truly believe in what you’re doing, then don’t be discouraged by an off-handed comment from a regular ol’ blogger like me. My opinions are not really that important. :) I admire a mom who can do homeschooling well. I can’t do it, but I’m glad there are moms who can. You go girl!

    Christy: Welcome! And thank you!

    JoAnn: welcome to my world. :)

    Canadian Leanne: to my mind, a practicing Christian is someone who acknowledges Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is evidenced by a life lived in a way that bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, etc.). Devout CHristians can be found in every denomination whether Catholic, Protestant or non-denominational.

    Susanne Barrett: that is one of my favorite quotes!!

    Maggie Dee: yes, indeed. His opinion is the most important

    TO ALL: i just want to thank everyone for an inspiring, civil discussion. this was awesome. you guys rock!

  • Rosita

    Thanks for walking those bridges.

    I am part of a denomination that has some very anti-Catholic individuals in it as well. I am constantly challenging people on these views. Thanks for your blog.

  • http://www.morningstarr.typepad.com Dina

    I was just chatting with my sister yesterday of how I am so over being “right” and trying to hold it all together! I love the sincerity that honesty portrays…we are all seeking our God, through His word primarily, but we are all still so flawed, so human even in our pursuit. Please, continue walking those bridges!

  • http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com Aimee

    keeping speaking, girl. religious freedom is a beautiful thing that I will never let go of again (a recovering evangelical who found her way into a cult). God’s sovereignty and goodness is big enough to handle all of our musings, wanderings, questionings.

  • http://justmomsmusings.blogspot.com Just Mom

    Just popping out of lurk mode to tell you,

    YOU TOTALLY ROCK!

  • http://www.thejoyofhome.blogspot.com Dianna

    I hope you don’t consider me one of the people who sends “holy hate email.” I do disagree with you (often it seems!), but hope that I do it in a respectful way. This isn’t necessarily related to this post, but what do you consider a fundamental church? By the way, I found your blog through Molly Piper a few months ago. Would you consider her father-in-law, John Piper, a fundamentalist? My beliefs line up with most of his. I do really enjoy reading your blog because you make me think, give me a different perspective, and often make me laugh (especially your post a few months ago on going to the gym – it fits my husband perfectly!).

  • http://twitter.com/jasonorth Jason

    Wow! You nailed it! Nice job, EE!

  • Gracie

    I’m sorry that I’ve not been reading that long, so may be asking questions that have already been answered – but I have to ask the questions to you in order to get the correct answers (as you speak of people being misinformed.)
    I attended a funeral for a Roman Catholic neighbour and the first hymn we sang referred to Mary as redemptrix. Do you believe that?
    If so, I’m wondering why Jesus needed to die.
    Do you believe that our works are salvific? I have had a discussion with a co-worker who was pursuing the priesthood at one point and that is what he had been taught.
    Do you believe that church tradition and personal conscience has equal weight with scripture? That is what he was taught during his pre-seminary studies.
    I am not trying to be contentious, I want to understand.
    Thank you for your patience

  • http://lukegillespie.blogspot.com/ Luke Gillespie

    Thank you, Elizabeth, for your excellent post above (“Holy hate mail”). I’m glad it has provoked some positive response.

    It’s so refreshing to have voices of passionate reason like you and Frank Schaeffer speaking out and sharing strong insights, and with a caring tone. I just wish there were more folks like you.

    The hate mail is surely stressful for you, but please know that there are many who absolutely appreciate you. You are bringing spiritual edification to your readers.

  • http://www.minthegap.com MInTheGap

    I can definitely sympathize with this. I run a Modesty blog (http://isthismodest.com) and for a while there I had all types of e-mail, but I was thankful for some of the criticism and I think it’s made the whole thing better.

    Best to follow Tozer’s advice– take the criticism and if it’s valid, make changes. If it’s not, discard it. Let God deal with it.

    Blessings to you.