John R. Rice

[seenthelight]

I just want to say that a very close relative of mine worked at the Bill Rice Ranch for a short time. The pay was almost non-existent. They were not allowed to use their skills to help others at the ranch. For example, the man who worked on the ranch's vehicles was not allowed to work on the other employee's vehicles unless they paid him. The man who did basic household repairs could not work in another employee's ranch-owned home without being paid by that person. I thought that was really tacky. I can see not taking advantage of someone but to have a rule forbading (my big word of the day) it seems not so nice.

I attended the ranch many times as a kid. Of course it was ultra-strict about coulottes and swimming and such but nothing my fundy church didn't already do.

My parents got the Sword delivered to our house and like other fundy things, they read and believed.

[Greg from Utopia]

You may want to get your hands on the book 'The Sword of the Lord - the Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family', written by Rice's grandson Andrew Himes. I first came Andrew Himes here.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thepangeabl...rew-himes/

Andrew Himes is at once critical and kind toward his grandfather's memory. hth.

[Tennessee Gal]

I am no longer an Independent Baptist, but I grew up in a church that had Dr. Rice speak every year. I personally loved Dr and Mrs. Rice and have even to this day respect for their memory. They were the real deal.

There are issues that we would not agree with him on, but they were above reproach in their personal lives. I wish I could say the same for Hyles and Hutson.