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bobbieinok

(12,858 posts) Sat May 4, 2019, 11:14 PM May 2019

Just learned that Rachel Held Evan's died today at 37

She was a well-known progressive Christian blogger who left the Evangelical tribe

She wrote a book about her experieces growing up in the town that was the center of the Scopes trial.

A later book was about 12 months of trying to follow the Religious Right rules about how a woman is supposed to act and believe.

She is a is voice that will be sorely missed.

Google has links to news of her death, discussion of her life and work at NYT and CNN.

I learned of her death at the blog theinternetmonk, that relayed a message from her husband.

6 replies

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Just learned that Rachel Held Evan's died today at 37 (Original Post) bobbieinok May 2019 OP

Posts from husband on her worsening condition from mid April at her blog bobbieinok May 2019 #1

I know how Fundamentalists think. Collimator May 2019 #2

Many truly hated her and her positive view of women. Some nasty stuff at twitter bobbieinok May 2019 #4

Of course they did. susanna May 2019 #6

This is so sad. liberalmuse May 2019 #3

I found her on Twitter, too...followed her immediately. susanna May 2019 #5

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)

1. Posts from husband on her worsening condition from mid April at her blog

Reply to bobbieinok (Original post)

Sat May 4, 2019, 11:23 PM

May 2019

His posts are at rachelheldevans.com/blog/health-updates

Collimator

(1,639 posts)

2. I know how Fundamentalists think.

Reply to bobbieinok (Original post)

Sat May 4, 2019, 11:28 PM

May 2019

If they believe that she was "truly" saved, but "fell away from The Lord", then they will believe that Jesus "called her home early" to keep her from causing more trouble.

If they believe that she was never "really" saved, but deluded when identified as a Christian, then they will think that God punished her and that she is in hell.

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)

4. Many truly hated her and her positive view of women. Some nasty stuff at twitter

Reply to Collimator (Reply #2)

Sun May 5, 2019, 01:05 AM

May 2019

Sarah Bessey at Twitter

#RemeberingRachel

Not sure if last is right.

There are articles about her twork and influence at Slate, ReligionNewsService

susanna

(5,231 posts)

6. Of course they did.

Reply to bobbieinok (Reply #4)

Sun May 5, 2019, 01:48 AM

May 2019

She questioned their very belief in their own self-righteousness.

liberalmuse

(18,672 posts)

3. This is so sad.

Reply to bobbieinok (Original post)

Sun May 5, 2019, 12:04 AM

May 2019

I've been following her on Twitter for awhile. She was so young! I hope her family has a lot of support. Heartbreaking.

susanna

(5,231 posts)

5. I found her on Twitter, too...followed her immediately.

Reply to liberalmuse (Reply #3)

Sun May 5, 2019, 01:44 AM

May 2019

She helped me find my voice to discuss my beliefs with family who are still in thrall to their God of vengeance and arbitrary judgment.

I will miss her thoughtful and deeply insightful questions about the religion I was raised in. I appreciated her most because her questions always came from the framework of love, not condemnation.

I hope for strength for her family as they begin to endure the unendurable.

On edit: clarity

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