What Have You Heard About Seventh-Day Adventist

[Shubee]

My understanding is that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has seven faces. Is the number exactly seven, slightly more or slightly less?

[barts]

I'm a I'm a Seventh-day Adventist some people don't acknowledge that we are a christian denomination, but I assure you we are a christian denomination. I would like to clear up any Misconceptions Please answer my post.

Unfortunately, Indaliceo, your sincere offer was abused by some for their own perverse and childish amusement. At any rate, kudos to you for making the effort.

[Deadeye]

I attended a 7th Day Adventist college once. Nice school. Funny history classes.

They didn't eat meat, but they made all kinds of foods that looked like meat. Faux meat. Why the hell not eat meat if they went to such ends to create meat looking non-meat? They didn't drink either. No meat, no booze; how boring. They made up for it by eating the best donuts that I ever sunk a hung over tooth into. They got pretty hefty too. No booze, no meat, pig out on donuts and go to church on Saturday. That's weird too. They tended to have large families, so "doing what comes naturally" came naturally to them. We called them "cracker eaters" since their fake meat was made out of bread stuffs. They aren't bad people. Just kinda strange. You know, kinda like Mormons.

[notthecheatr]

I was raised a SDA. I grew up, realized that (while SDAs are a little different from conventional Christians) they're pretty much the same nonsense as the rest of Christianity, and went on to begin enjoying a life free from superstition and superstitious choices (such as vegetarianism or not working on particular days of the week).

Edit: I think it's ironic for any Christian (such as Walter Martin) to call any other Christian a "cult," but I suppose that's one of the big ways Christianity maintains its grip on people. Just say "everyone else is wrong and you go to hell if you stop believing" and you'll have them forever. Well, the ones who don't eventually come around to logic, that is.

SDAs are a little unconventional, but they're no more "cultish" than the entire rest of Christianity.

[Ender]

I was raised a SDA. I grew up, realized that (while SDAs are a little different from conventional Christians) they're pretty much the same nonsense as the rest of Christianity, and went on to begin enjoying a life free from superstition and superstitious choices (such as vegetarianism or not working on particular days of the week).

Edit: I think it's ironic for any Christian (such as Walter Martin) to call any other Christian a "cult," but I suppose that's one of the big ways Christianity maintains its grip on people. Just say "everyone else is wrong and you go to hell if you stop believing" and you'll have them forever. Well, the ones who don't eventually come around to logic, that is.

SDAs are a little unconventional, but they're no more "cultish" than the entire rest of Christianity.

I find it strange that a person raised amongst the religious would have such a shallow understanding of the nature of religious belief and the reasons individuals possess those beliefs.

[notthecheatr]

I find it strange that a person raised amongst the religious would have such a shallow understanding of the nature of religious belief and the reasons individuals possess those beliefs.

First off, I wasn't raised "amongst" the religious, I was raised religious.

Secondly, I have a very deep understanding of the nature of religious belief and the reasons individuals possess those beliefs, as a result of that upbringing.

[Ender]

Then perhaps you were raised in an unusual situation. Because I know very few religious individuals who think or speak the way your post parodies them.

[Trojan_Ripper]

Saturday worship and other subcultural oddities as matters of faith and practice. However, I can recognize the presence of God's Spirit...

I found it intresting that the 4th commandment goes along with your belief of Saturday worship. Why do most churches worship on Sunday?

Do you have to be a vegatarian to be a seventh-day-adventist?

[notthecheatr]

Then perhaps you were raised in an unusual situation. Because I know very few religious individuals who think or speak the way your post parodies them.

From what I've learned about other forms of Christianity, it was about as typical as could be aside from the particular oddities of SDAism.

I said I was raised religious. That doesn't mean I am religious now, nor am I parodying anyone. I learned to see religion in a more realistic light and have moved on. Most grown-ups do this, but religion tends to keep people from growing up in the first place, at least with respect to religion.

[Ender]

You have a fundamental disrespect for beliefs that differ from your own. Perhaps those are the reasons you were religious, but to pretend to understand the motivations and feelings of others with such a broad brush is obviously disingenuous. I wouldn't say your attitude is particularly grown up at all. Arrogance is a rather childish trait.

[Deadeye]

I found it intresting that the 4th commandment goes along with your belief of Saturday worship. Why do most churches worship on Sunday?

Do you have to be a vegatarian to be a seventh-day-adventist?

It's called "The Sabbeth". Sunday is supposed to be the day that God took a break from creating the Universe, mankind, etc...and spend the day watching football. Just like we do today. Some people go to church, and then watch football.

Some people go to church on Saturday. That way they don't miss any football.

Any other questions?

[notthecheatr]

You have a fundamental disrespect for beliefs that differ from your own.

Disagreement and disrespect are not the same thing. It's possible to express disagreement and still respect other people.

Perhaps those are the reasons you were religious, but to pretend to understand the motivations and feelings of others with such a broad brush is obviously disingenuous.

I don't claim to understand everyone, but having believed once myself, I have an idea of how it generally works out. I've heard and read enough, and experienced enough on my own. I respect people's religious beliefs and their rights to have them, but I can also recognize bull when I see it and there's nothing wrong with my pointing it out either. I don't mean to be disingenuous, and I'm sorry if it came off that way.

I wouldn't say your attitude is particularly grown up at all. Arrogance is a rather childish trait.

Describing a system that encourages people not to think for themselves or question authority as "childish" does not constitute arrogance on my part. I never claimed to be perfect, or even better. That doesn't mean I don't know bull when I see it.