What's the official Adventist position on Christmas, competition, homosexuality, and racism? Where do I find resources for Bible study groups? What are the 27 fundamental beliefs? Answers to these and more questions are provided in a special Adventist Review report entitled "Ask the Church." You'll want to bookmark this page. The article provides many valuable resources and web links. Read the report on the Adventist Review website at
http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1509/story2.html

Carlos Medley
ADVENTIST REVIEW

Surely, Carlos, the Review is not proposing that there is only one "official" church position on topics such as Christmas celebration, competition, homosexuality, racism and other issues, such as women and ministry, are you? If so, there will have to be a lot of new denominations formed. Right on this forum there was exhibited a wide spectrum of ideas of how to celebrate Christmas and Santa Claus. There are a wide difference of reaction in our church operated schools regarding competitive sports. Even in the area of homosexuality there is a divergence of opinion, as exhibited in the ethics committee when this subject was discussed by it. And believe it or not, I have seen evidence of race prejudice among SDA church members, while others condemn such prejudice as a sin.

I understand the necessity of promoting a position on some of these issues as moral Christians, but when you set forth an official church position, are you in fact stating that those who do not agree with that "official" position are less than first rate church members? And are you further making a subtle suggestion that those who do not agree may be placing their soul's salvation in jeopardy?

Why don't you read it before you start judging it, Wedntgp? You might be surprised at what you find. Sometimes the "official" church position is that we all need to study the matter for ourselves and follow our own convictions.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.

Well put Cathy. I would challenge anyone to read the article first before reacting.

Carlos

I read the web page suggested, and I tend to agree with Wedntgp. There is an atmosphere of limitation on belief that gives the impression of an "official" standard of belief, and if you deviate, you are less of a member in good standing.

Cathy, I hope your response to Wedntgp and the reply of Carlos is what was intended, but it does not read that way to me from its overall tone. Especially when read with the introductory post by Carlos.

This type of atmosphere gives fuel to those who would limit membership in good standing to those who believe just like them in all matters. We as Seventh-day Adventists do have room for a difference in belief and relationship in areas not deninitively set forth in the baptismal vows. Yet there are those who would not allow that, and I am afraid, like Wedntgp, that too much reference to the "official position" leads to an enhancement of that attitude.

I wish my members could read it. Many have their roots in Adventist offshoots that have gone kaput and they're now finding their way back into the "main" church.

Being raised in the church and having attended "our" schools, I'm looking for common ground when it comes to beliefs--even with those in my own church.

Thank you for the resource!

I'll spread the word (after I read it).

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Cheer up ye pilgrims,
Be joyful and sing.
Jesus is Coming Again!

Pastor Andrew

DrD, I am not sure what your question is in regards to my reply. I have not read the article in question myself, but as Wedntgp did not say anything about having read the article, it appeared to me that he was making assumptions and objecting to it without even knowing what it said. That might not actually be the case, but that is the only issue I was addressing.

One thing I have always appreciated about the SDA church is that it has never tried to force all members into the same mold. Apart from the most important doctrinal points that define this church and give it its identity, I have always felt an encouragement by the church of individual study and growth as God leads each of us. Otherwise, I would not be here.

That is what I most appreciate about this forum as well. Although at the present time, most of the members of this forum tend toward more conservative interpretations, the official position as I understand it is that all are welcome, so long as they will treat the beliefs of those with whom they disagree with respect. I look forward to the day when we will have a wider spectrum of viewpoints represented here, in order that each of us may continually be challenged to examine our own beliefs, and to gain a better understanding of the experience and reasoning of those who see things differently than we do.

There is not a one of us imperfect human beings who has a perfect understanding of every issue. We all have learning and growing to do, and if we only associate with those who already see things just as we do, we have no growth, only stagnation. We each need to accept the fact that God does not lead us all in exactly the same way.

I will try to read that article, if I can find the time. Yet even if it does give some specific position on each issue, going by my own experience with the church, I would tend to interpret that as an attempt at being helpful, rather than at trying to turn us all into carbon copies of each other. Sometimes what you get out of what you read has more to do with the attitude you start out with than with what the author meant.

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The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever.