SHERMAN OAKS, CA (ANS) -- Last Wednesday, best selling author Anne Rice stunned fans by telling them she is turning her back on Christianity.

Author Anne Rice

On her Facebook page she posted: "For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out."

She continued: "I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being 'Christian' or to being part of Christianity. 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 followed her post with, "In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."

The writer, whose 1976 gothic novel, "Interview with the Vampire", inspired the 1994 film of the same name, has been a follower of the faith for years, and discussed these beliefs in her memoir, "Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession."

"Interview with the Vampire" would be Rice’s first novel of more than a dozen in the widely popular 'Vampire Chronicles' series including "The Vampire Lestat" and "The Queen of the Damned." She has also written three novels as part of the 'Lives of the Mayfair Witches' series; several non-series works; and three erotic novels under the pseudonym A.N Roquelaure.

Anne Rice will discuss her controversies surrounding the church on Friday, August 6, 2010 at 6pm PST during 'On Air with Tony Sweet', Broadcast over LA Talk Radio, an Internet radio station that "offers entertaining programming while making dreams come true for aspiring broadcasters around the globe."

“We are very pleased and honored that Anne Rice has decided to discuss her announcement on one of our shows,” said LA Talk Radio founder, Sam Hasson.

“The station continues to attract guests of Anne’s caliber because they can reach a worldwide audience while free to speak without the barriers of traditional radio stations and our numerous talented hosts really set the bar high,” he said.

LA Talk Radio Logo

According to a media release obtained by ASSIST News, LA Talk Radio has been building its reputation as the station that provides its listeners, hosts and show guests like Rice, the most original radio experience available since its inception in 2008.

The release says: "In contrast to other Internet radio talk stations, LA Talk Radio provides its hosts a professional, state-of-the-art studio from which to broadcast their shows to the world. With a #1 ranking on Google for “talk radio,” LA Talk Radio broadcasts shows for every taste and interest to millions around the world."

The release goes on to say: "LA Talk Radio has created a truly exciting destination for radio listeners who want real, honest talk without the confines of government regulation. The station continues to offer prospective hosts the means to produce and broadcast their own shows easily and affordably.

It adds: "Many of the stations shows have attracted celebrity guests including: Melissa Etheridge, Debbie Reynolds, Rip Taylor, comedienne Margaret Cho, former Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti, musician Curt Smith of 'Tears for Fears,' race car legend Mario Andretti -- to name a few. The state-of-the-art studios are centrally located in Sherman Oaks, CA. For more information, call 818-298-2040 or visit www.latalkradio.com .

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** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649,at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Chief Reporter