| Author | Message | ||
| Berit Registered user Username: Berit Post Number: 4 Registered: 7-2007 |
When I was at the accademy one of my favourite subjects was social politics. Latre I never got political active or voted at any election because of EGW. If I remember correctly she has said something like if we give our vote to a politician or party we are responsible of the evil they do(!!!!), so this kept me away from engaging on any level. However, this week I received my paper for the election (local) this year and my first thought was to dump it. Then I thought I keep it and give it a seccond thought even if I'm not much updated, maybe I vote anyway. What about you, has your political engagement changed since you left the church? I dont't think it is wrong for a Christian to vote nor be political active, my problem is more to find some party to agree with (here in Norway we have several parties). | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1194 Registered: 4-2000  |
Berit, Unfortunately, sometimes we have to choose the lesser of two evils. The isssues are not always clear cut. Certainly, Daniel and Joseph were exercising their political clout for God's glory. God expects us to take care is our garden (world)in the best way we can. Our vote definitely can make a worthwhile difference--at least in legitimate democracies. It is a part of good citzenship to vote. Admittedly, it seems that the privilege of voting is becoming more and more complex and challenging when we don't see clear and decisive differences. I just don't vote for a person on a ballot that I don't know much about. There are usually enough other issues or persons on the ballot to make it worthwhile to cast my vote. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Insearchof Registered user Username: Insearchof Post Number: 140 Registered: 8-2005 |
I understand what you mean regarding voting. Sometimes I find that 'none of the above' would be the best choice! EGW's comments regarding voting just seem foolish to me. I know that for many SDAs it is a conflict to follow what she says and not vote when the know they need to vote. I never followed that particular advice. I have always voted every chance I could. That is not to say, however, that I did not conform to other foolish advice like not having life insurance, etc. Oh, the things we used to do! ISO | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 57 Registered: 5-2007 |
This egw voting-issue is just another piece of her trying to recreate the old covenant for us in our own time. She also says that chewing our food too fast dishonors God. Like the old covenant, there is nothing off limits to this guilt-producing woman who advocates many works to make yourself acceptable to God. | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 492 Registered: 5-2007 |
I always voted and even belong to a labor union. My politics have changed since I am no longer an Adventist. When I was an Adventist, fear of the Sunday Laws, and the Evangelical Christians and Republican Party that I believed would implement them drove me to the Far Left of the Democratic Party. I was as far to Left as a Democrat that one could get without being an out and out Socialist and this was driven mainly by fear of the Sunday Laws. I actually believed in 2000 that if Bush were elected the Sunday Laws would happen before he left office. Since I no longer believe in Adventism and realise the Sunday Law stuff is a bunch of hooey, I have moved from the Far Left to the Center of the Democratic Party. And let me tell you, I am MUCH HAPPIER as a Moderate than I ever was as a Leftist. I don't think there is such a thing as a happy Leftist. (Message edited by Reb on August 03, 2007) | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 662 Registered: 4-2006  |
Hi Berit, grace and peace from our Lord, Jesus Christ. If you like I can put you in contact with some Norwegian former adventists. You can write me at exadventist@gmail.com Hope you will find out what to do on election day, In His grace, Martin | ||
| Berit Registered user Username: Berit Post Number: 5 Registered: 7-2007 |
Yes, I agree with you that EGW's statement is nonsens, I acctually thought so even as and SDA, but since I believed she was a prophet I followed her on this aswell, just to make sure... When I received this in the mail it started me thinking and I'll see if I take the time to inform myself befor the election (have a lot to do at the moment with a newborn in the house + one more kid..) Having the chance to vote is a privelige and a responisbility, and not to vote also affects the outcome... Yes, this sure is complex, but I feel SOOO good about choosing for myself now and not follow the "prophets" instruction of all details of life anymore! Dennis, yes, of course, to give a vote to someone you don't know much about is not the smartest thing. To vote just in order "to do it" is not what I would go for eighter. Martin, Thanks, I'm happy for the danish web page, I'll contact you! | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 60 Registered: 5-2007 |
Another way to look at the issue of voting... If you lived in a voting country of only 3 people, wouldn't you vote? Your one vote could really influence the outcome. So why is it that when the number of people in a country grows to millions, then it is an offense to God to vote? egw really shoulda done some retrospective mathematics before issuing her dictums. Coulda held me in bondage for longer had she done that! | ||
| Jdpascal Registered user Username: Jdpascal Post Number: 53 Registered: 10-2003 |
It does not make sense to me that, should we vote in a "political" election, we will be responsible for any wrongs done by those elected when the SDA church adamantly insists that its members “vote for” their church by giving the tithe and tell them that they, as givers, have no further responsibility in how the money is used. Our civic responsibility doesn’t end with voting. We are to hold those elected responsible for what they were elected to do. The SDA church members responsibility ends as the offering plate moves past you with your tithe envelope dutifully placed there in (according to the leaders). Don’t question – just give!!! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4076 Registered: 3-2004  |
I did not know EGW gave the advice not to vote, so I have voted since I was 18. In VA I joined a union also. Diana | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 64 Registered: 5-2007 |
You were soooo naughty Diana! | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4078 Registered: 3-2004 |
LOL!!! Diana | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 49 Registered: 1-2007 |
What was the deal with the not joining a union thing? What was the reason? I used to be part of a union on one of my jobs and an SDA friend said something about EGW saying we shouldn't join a union. Does anyone know of any quotes? | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1237 Registered: 9-2006  |
If we are are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. River | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 407 Registered: 8-2006 |
"These unions are one of the signs of the last days. Men are binding up in bundles ready to be burned. They may be church members, but while they belong to these unions, they cannot possibly keep the commandments of God; for to belong to these unions means to disregard the entire Decalogue." (Country Living, p. 11) "Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us?" (Letter 201, 1902) | ||
| Godssonjp Registered user Username: Godssonjp Post Number: 50 Registered: 1-2007 |
Just curious - Did EGW supply any proof texts to support that or was this just a "I was shown" nonsense? | ||
| Jay_g Registered user Username: Jay_g Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2007 |
I went to Adventist Schools for most of grade school all of acadamy and 4 years of college and never heard anyone say voting was bad or even not compleatly nessissary. I assume it's a regonal idea. I have however had this conversation with a Jehova's Witness and I was really puzzled by his idea. It seems that they do not vote because they want God to pick our leaders, but who better to have God influence than his people? The logical thing would be to ask God who to vote for, not avoid voting. Let the influence of others decide because you don't trust your own judgment? Seems like the kind of logic that Captain Kirk would use to blow up computers in Star Trek. |
