| Author | Message | ||
| Marysroses Registered user Username: Marysroses Post Number: 293 Registered: 4-2007 |
Desmond Doss was an SDA drafted into the military in 1942. He was the first conscientious objector ever to win the congressional medal of honor. http://www.atoday.org/article/1205/news/headlines-for-may/desmond-doss-story-to-be-made-into-a-major-hollywood-movie As this link points out, this could cause controversy among Adventists. The Adventist Church currently does not seem to object to military service. We live in a military town, and many local Adventists serve in our all volunteer military that no longer allows conscientious objector status. They are not medics, either. They carry guns, get deployed, and work on Saturday at routine tasks as any other soldier. Am I being my usual cynical self in noting that this change of attitude accompanied the change to an all volunteer military? Drafted SDAs had to make choices about their faith and service to their country. Now, its all volunteer. Yet, many Adventists enlist without the protections given conscientious objectors conscripted into service. Personally, while I wish it wasn't needed, I do see the necessity of a strong military and believe in the concept of a just war to defend and protect the innocent. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 9768 Registered: 3-2004  |
Marysroses, I did research on this within the past week. What I read is that the sda church does not take a stand on what should be done. At least that is the way I understand them. They more or less leave it to the person. They encourage their pastors to become chaplains and get on the government payroll also. My memory may be wrong. Diana | ||
| Punababe808 Registered user Username: Punababe808 Post Number: 35 Registered: 4-2012 |
The SDA denomination actually trys to get it's newly ordained ministers in as military chaplins. I forgot the name of the magazine but the denomination prints a magazine that it sends for free to all SDA members who are active duty. In the early years of the last century the denomination had its own medical cadet corp so that when the young men got drafted It would be easier for them to be a medic. Even Pathfinders goes back to that mind set as a duel purpose of getting the SDA young prepared for military service and preparation for Armagedden, aka, the last days, the time of trouble. But, back to the military, the SDA church's official positian is non-combatent but in actual practice the church is the opposit. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 13738 Registered: 12-2003  |
Interesting observations, Marysroses. I'm bettin' you're onto something connecting the current SDAs in the military with the demise of the draft. You know that the central tenet of Adventism is "free choice"...I know they don't use that term to apply to military service, but in a more postmodern society, I can see it fitting together. Colleen | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 221 Registered: 5-2011  |
I heard that young SDAs used to be encouraged to be conscientious objectors. Youth leaders handed out pamphlets on the subject. The way SDAs regard military service today is a new phenomenon. | ||
| Punababe808 Registered user Username: Punababe808 Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2012 |
Colleen, didn't I send you & Richard some of the early SDA stuff about not getting involved in military or political activity? I still have númerous SDA kin who won't vote for people but vote on issues. | ||
| Animal Registered user Username: Animal Post Number: 1010 Registered: 7-2008  |
I had the priviledge of preaching in the church Doss was a member of back in the early 1980's. Afterwards we shared lunch together. It was an honor to meet him. Animal | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 402 Registered: 5-2009 |
The documentary about Desmond Doss was well done. It portrays a man of conviction who became courageous & fearless, & who stood for what he believed. He was in every sense a true & worthy hero. My SIL & DD watched the documentary & had some criticisms of things he did - my SIL as a man in the service but not sda, could not agree with some things DD did from the perspective of a military man. He believed some of DD's actions jeapardised his own comrades. I was surprised to hear that but his points were worth considering. My grandfather was the sda pastor who advised DD & went with him to the draft board. DD was instrumental in my parents meeting. I had some communication with Terry Benedict after seeing the documentary. He has for years wanted a movie to be made. My input is that the movie not glorify sdaism & the sabbath but rather the character & heroism & courage in the story of a man of convictions. I will be interested to see how a movie portrays this man's life. | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 223 Registered: 5-2011 |
I saw a Desmond Doss documentary a few years ago. He was a good and courageous man. I do wish I could have met him. |
