Thomas, I agree with Richard. Although I have learned to overlook it when you post an objection without also offering an alternate way of seeing things. I have chosen, for my own peace of mind, to believe you are a sincere disciple of Jesus, who just happens to feel that 1) certain SDA beliefs and that 2) Sister White's insights are trusted and valued too much on MSDAOL.

Be that as it may, something that might be helpful, and improve your influence and effectiveness on MSDAOL, and that of all who enjoy posting and studying on MSDAOL, are the following principles of interpersonal communication:

John
14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Ephesians
4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

1 Corinthians
2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

2 Thessalonians
3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
3:15 Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

1 Peter
3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Jude
1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

And, if I may be so bold, here is another awesome insight, which, at least for me, sums it up nicely:

The way to dispel darkness is to admit light. The best way to deal with error is to present truth. It is the revelation of God's love that makes manifest the deformity and sin of the heart centered in self. {DA 498.5}

If everyone on MSDAOL adopted these beautiful communication skills, I suspect we could accomplish a lot of good. To this end I pray.

Keep your eyes open and you might one day find that I do offer things to eddify occationally.

That is what we must do, bring what edify's, share understanding and love with each other and let God use us for His purpose.....

Hey västergötland, you do present something to edify on occasion.

I find my self in some agreement with Mountain Man, and over look some things. My thoughts are that there is a language and cultural difference in how thing sometimes come across.

As according to your profile, you are a university student, so I am assuming you are still fairly young. Which as I recall is a time of life when we ask questions and question our beliefs.

I have a young relative who graduated suma cum laude last June, from an SDA institution of higher learning. He also graduated as an agnostic, that is what his SDA education got him. His brother-in-law, now attends a secular university and no longer believes in God, as well.

Keep asking questions, perhaps you will finds some answers.

Your not implying that västergötland is an agnostic...??

Im agnostic? I don't think anyone said that about me before. Oh well... the romans thought the early church were atheists so I would be in good company there.

I have friends and relatives who became Christians in taverns and public schools.

God does not let Himself be limmited by our sence of the appropriate.

If its raining I stay indoors and read, or go on the balcony to watch and listen to the birds doing their thing.
If its sunny I go for walks at a nature reserve and take pictures or just find a bench and sit down, read my Bible or just look at all the beautiful things God has made, and how blessed I am to know He did this.
God Bless,
Will

I saw this as being asked in the form of a question to crater, not as a statement to crater or to anybody else.