Anne Rice Issues Mixed Signals About Leaving Christianity

Famous author Anne Rice has announced that she’s quitting Christianity.

The “Interview with a Vampire” author, who wrote a book about her spirituality titled "Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession" in 2008, said Wednesday that she refuses to be “anti-gay,” “anti-feminist," “anti-science” and “anti-Democrat.”

Rice wrote on Facebook,

“For those who care, and I understand if you don't: Today I quit being a Christian ... It's simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I've tried. I've failed. I'm an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.”

Rice then added a somewhat contradictory post explaining her decision on Thursday:

“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," Rice wrote. "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.”

Dove Awards Move to Atlanta

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) recently announced the renewal of its partnership with GMC to broadcast the Dove Awards.

With the 2010 Dove Awards this past April delivering more than 300K viewers and outperforming the 2009 premiere HH rating by +54%, the GMA is also taking a bold step and hosting the 42nd Annual Dove Awards in Atlanta, GA., the first time the show has taken place outside of Nashville.

GMA's Chairman of the Board Ed Leonard comments, "the experience of attending the Dove Awards in person, with our artists and fans gathered together in the Atlanta community to celebrate the Gospel, is incredible. We want to share that excitement with the people of Atlanta in 2011."

The 2011 Dove Awards will be held in Atlanta's historic Fox Theatre on April 20, 2011, GMA is working in conjunction with the city of Atlanta to host the broadcast, where its television partner, GMC is also headquartered. Atlanta is the home of many of the industry's biggest names including Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin and Third Day.

"GMC is thrilled to present the Dove Awards for another year to Gospel and Christian music fans," said Charley Humbard, President and CEO of GMC. He added, "As the leading television provider of Gospel music, we are dedicated to making GMC the television home of Gospel and Christian music's biggest events."

Brandon Heath Performs At Carrie Underwood’s Wedding

Brandon Heath recently performed his “Love Never Fails” at country music superstar Carrie Underwood’s wedding to Canadian hockey player Mike Fisher. Noted as the couple’s song, Brandon performed “Love Never Fails” which also served as the couple’s first dance, and was a surprise from Carrie to her new husband Mike. Brandon had this to say about being a part of their special day…

I was blessed to be part of Carrie and Mike’s big day. Being among their family and friends, I was honored to have been a witness to something so sacred and special. Performing at weddings can be nerve racking, but I felt right at home. And it was especially cool to be in on Carrie’s surprise for her groom and their first dance.

After their lavish wedding at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia they honeymooned in Tahiti.

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Newsboys Born Again at #4

Newsboys notches its best showing ever on the Billboard 200 as its "Born Again" album bows at No. 4 with 45,000 -- the act's highest sales week since SoundScan began tracking data in 1991. The set is the first from the quartet to feature dc Talk's Michael Tait as its lead vocalist, who steps in for Peter Furler. Newsboys have been charting on the Billboard 200 since 1996, when "Take Me to Your Leader" debuted and peaked at No. 35, but, the act has never risen higher than No. 28 with "In the Hands of Good" in 2009. The new "Born Again" album also naturally debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums -- the act's fourth No. 1 there.

The title had decent competition, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting and M.I.A. The excitement of a new lead singer as well as outlets such as FOX News, Rhapsody, Billboard, gmclife.com, CCM, Charisma, TitleTrakk.com, CBN, and more have promoted Born Again helping it launch well.

Candace Cameron Bure Loves Bob Saget, Not His Comedy

Candace Cameron Bure has a new ABC Family hit show on her hands and a Christian spiritual outlook since her 'Full House' days (her site is titled "Growing in God with Candace").

So there is not a lot of room for 'Full House' co-star's Bob Saget's comedy these days in Bure's life. And Saget understands.

"When there is a [comedy] show he tells me, 'I love you, you're invited, but don't come,'" Bure tells PopEater. "He says, 'You're not going to laugh and you're not going to think it's funny.'"

"[It's a no go] for me and my husband," she adds, talking about her hubby, former NHL star Valeri Bure. "Bob says he doesn't want to offend me or Val."

The actress is busy filming 'Make It Or Break It,' the hit show about gymnastics, which is heading into its second season, and raising three children with Val (proudly without a nanny). So it's not like she has much time to head to comedy clubs.