| Author | Message | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 1240 Registered: 5-2009 |
I've been putting off posting this, but motivated to do so tonight. Almost every week there is an article in our little community newspaper on the activities of the two SDA churches in our community. What I've been noticing over the past year is starting to bug me. I saved a few clippings. March 23, 2012--A nutrition/cooking class (these classes aren't new, they've been used for a long time as evangelistic tools...) is advertised as being held at the XXX Family Health Center/Family Well-Being auditorium". The public is heartily invited & translation into English is provided. Not one mention that this is being held at an actual SDA church. November 23, 2012: Another seminar on health in the XXX Adventist LIFESTYLE Center. (At least they used the word "Adventist"!) No mention in the article that the address given is actually the SDA church. December 14, 2012: "The whole community is invited to a special Christmas program. Live nativity scene this Saturday here in town. The public is cordially invited. Admission is free." The place: "XXX Valley Spanish Church auditorium. Not one mention that it is an Adventist church. January 4, 2013: Meatless Monday meetings being held & advertised as "a family event to expose parents & children to healthful eating." It is held at the "XXX Adventist Lifestyle Center". I didn't save every clipping, but believe me, this is a weekly occurrence. Why are they hiding the fact that these are, in fact, SDA churches??? Has anyone else noticed this trend in deception. Maybe soon they'll be advertising themselves to the unsuspecting community as "24 hour fitness centers"!! Oh, and in our mail today came a large glossy postcard with the word "Thrive" in fancy script, complete with curlicues, a flower & a butterfly on the front. Turning it over, you read "Discover a Life that's Full & Rewarding!" It advertises weekly classes that teach parenting, introduction to computers, exploring the gospels (how'd THAT get in there?) & English as a second language. Only $15 for 7 classes, complete with a light supper. "Thrive. It means to grow, develop, flourish--to be fortunate and successful. It's the kind of life we all want---one that impacts the world & turns us into the best version of ourselves." At least they identified themselves as an SDA church on the invite, but there will be people that really want to take those computer classes.... | ||
| Rain Registered user Username: Rain Post Number: 126 Registered: 9-2011  |
The church I used to go to is doing a health seminar right now, but not at their church of course. It's in the local convention center. When I was SDA, I felt that people misunderstood us and if they were introduced to what they believed they wouldn't think we were nuts. Truth is, people have every right to run in the other direction. | ||
| Lyrical Registered user Username: Lyrical Post Number: 129 Registered: 4-2012 |
The church we left also did things like this. They hosted a huge conference on science/creation/evolution and rented out the local community center's brand new state-of-the-art auditorium for the first half of the series of meetings. Then they ended the conference at the church so they could throw in the Adventist worldview and Sabbath being linked to creation info. This, however, was not mentioned in the advertising for the event. The community center was a large, very visible and busy place, built by a Christian organization. If an event was ever held there, it was well attended and assumed by the community to be high quality and legit. We would also regularly get mailings from another local SDA church advertising different seminars (Daniel/Revelaton, eschatology, cooking, etc.) and never once was the location identified as an SDA church. We always knew it was SDA by the graphics and language used and we recognized the address... but no non-SDA in the city would've known. In Adventism, the mind-set is "the ends justifies the means." It's ok to withhold certain information to hook them in first. Adventists believe that other people just incorrectly judge them and jump to conclusions before hearing the whole thing, so it's fine to lie through ommission to be allowed the opportunity to present the "truth" of the gospel. This tactic of deception is fitting for a denomination founded by the father of lies... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14255 Registered: 12-2003  |
EXACTLY so, Lyrical and Rain! Deception is allowed because one must trick the skeptics into experiencing Adventism so they'll discover how nice it really is... Colleen | ||
| Freedom55 Registered user Username: Freedom55 Post Number: 79 Registered: 3-2008 |
A fitting phrase to describe SDA tactics as described above is "Bait & switch". There are laws to protect consumers from unscrupulous retailers who would stoop to this deceptive practice. Too bad it couldn't apply the same standard to religious advertising. This practice I believe brings reproach to the cause of Christ. Our God is not the God of deception but of truth. | ||
| Mjcmcook Registered user Username: Mjcmcook Post Number: 903 Registered: 2-2011  |
Freedom55~ With your post in mind~ may I will say the following~ Who does Scripture tell us is the "father of lies"? answer~satan~! Scripture also tells us that GOD canNOT lie! So, if a 'religious' group, such as adventists, believe and promote the doctrines of their prophet 'egw', then it stands to reason they are promoting 'satan' and his lies~ 'egw' has been proven to be a liar, more than once! More is the pity!  ~mj~ | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14263 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hey, good to see you, Freedom! MJ, yes. You are absolutely right. If we are truly honest about what IS, we have to admit that, once we peel away all the deceptive whitewash, the core of Adventism is NOT Christianity. It is a false Jesus, a devilish scapegoat who bears human sins to the lake of fire, a non-spiritual humanity, and a completely false gospel. The "Adventist message" cannot offer eternal life to anyone. It is dangerous and destructive. Colleen | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 1973 Registered: 7-2004  |
What I find amusing is that Mormons have no issue with identifying EXACTLY who they are when seeking converts. Mormonism is considered less mainstream than SDAism (cult-watchers have mixed opinions on whether SDAs should be called a cult but are consistent in calling Mormonism one). Mormonism should have more to fear about people knowing who they are. Yet, if I'm not mistaken, they are growing faster than SDAs. I am convinced that SDAism isn't deceptive because they need that deception to overcome objections, they are deceptive because it is part of the sect's DNA. | ||
| Wiredog Registered user Username: Wiredog Post Number: 299 Registered: 8-2010  |
Nowisee, The tactics are nothing new sad to say. The medium or venues have only changed. Instead of the big tents they replace them with cooking classes, Daniel Revelation Seminars, & CHIP. "Tent Camp Meetings" even during the Millerite's times always were an attraction for both the devotes and those who were curious to see spectacles that they heard rumored about would occur. Instead of the big tents they replace them with cooking classes, Daniel Revelation Seminars, & CHIP. Even as early as 1889 these were described this way-- "Their Methods of Work Tent Meetings. Largely they use tents to enter new fields. Being a novelty, they attract attention. At first they present subjects which will offend no one till they gain the confidence of the people. Gradually they introduce their peculiar dogmas, then come out more boldly, till at length they denounce all other churches as Babylon, and their pastors as hirelings and deceivers. They say these pastors cannot defend their doctrines; dare not try. They offer rewards to any who will prove so and so; boast how they have scared this one, defeated that one, and silenced another. If in sermons the least reference is made to them, they call it persecution, give out a review, and do everything to provoke controversy. When the resident pastors are compelled to defend themselves, the Adventists claim to be greatly abused. If a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or business man should enter a town and denounce all others of his profession as quacks, fools, or deceivers, how would he be treated? All would combine against him as a common enemy. This is the way the pastors and churches meet the attacks of the Adventists, because compelled to. Like Ishmael of old, the hand of the Adventist is against every man, and hence every man’s hand is against them. Gen 16:12. It is useless for them to deny this, for all know it to be true. They all do it. I was taught that way and followed it, and taught others to do the same. Camp meeting. Adventists hold many camp-meetings yearly. Here their ablest speakers preach their doctrines to thousands, and distribute their literature widely. They hire the papers to print lengthy flattering reports of their meetings, which they write themselves. Their reporters are trained for this special work. They gain wide attention, and impress many in this way." One only has to compare that to what Apostle Paul preached on his mission trips and you will see the marked contrast. (Message edited by wiredog on February 03, 2013) | ||
| Nowisee Registered user Username: Nowisee Post Number: 1252 Registered: 5-2009 |
Wow, Wiredog! Amazing quote. Who wrote it? In 1903-4, this describes exactly how my maternal great-grandmother was converted to SDAism--a meeting with charts of "fearsome beasts" on them...(in Los Angeles as far as I know.) She, an immigrant, was vulnerable as her husband had been recently murdered & she was left with 4 small children. One of her little boys got in big trouble because he wanted to (& maybe did) eat a pork chop prepared by his his Christian aunt...they were very poor & he was hungry. He was considered rebellious & got a whipping. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 2962 Registered: 7-2007 |
Adventists hook in the masses by starting out with something that's true. For example, anyone who knows their Bible knows that the four beasts of Daniel represent the four earthly powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. However, most people don't know their Bibles so they're wowed when they learn that and see that it's straight from the Bible. Then they're much more inclined to believe when the Adventist preacher moves on to specific Adventist doctrines and much more inclined to accept whatever he says no matter how badly the verses after that point are taken out of context. By the time he gets to preaching about Ellen White and then used that verse in Revelation that says: "...the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy..." they're already cued to believe that's referring to Ellen White. However anyone who knows their Bible knows that verse simply says that all the prophets throughout the Old Testament foretold Jesus. I guess it's kinda like the frog in the pot of water. First the frog stays there because the water isn't hot and then as the water heats up, he doesn't notice because it's gradual. If the SDA preacher had pointed out that verse in Revelation at the first and tried to tell people that it referred to Ellen White, they'd laugh at him because it obviously refers to all the Old Testament prophets pointing to Jesus. It's really sad how that works and I guess it's how all the cults work. First they start with something that is or feels true and the people easily get hooked. | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 651 Registered: 2-2010 |
Love the frog example, Asurprise. "Every good lie has a little bit of truth in it." Nowisee, that is so sad... Wiredog, I would love to know where that quote came from too. Very interesting! | ||
| Dt Registered user Username: Dt Post Number: 154 Registered: 4-2005 |
Ric_b: Actually, Mormons are quite deceptive in presenting their message. They call it "milk before meat". Most new converts have no idea about polygamy in the afterlife, becoming gods etc. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 3015 Registered: 7-2007 |
One trick they use that deceives all that don't REALLY know their Bibles is to say something like: "REWARD for anyone who can prove that the Bible says Sabbath was changed to Sunday." The thing is, it WASN'T changed. The day was fulfilled by Jesus Himself. The day was just a shadow along with all the various kinds of Sabbaths. He's our Sabbath now! Colossians 2:16-17 Hmmm... verse 18 seems to be referring in part to Adventism... I'll put down all three verses... "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind," Colossians 2:16-18 "asceticism?" "visions?" asceticism a severe self-deprivation for ethical, religious, or intellectual ends. — ascetic, n., adj. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 3017 Registered: 7-2007 |
There's a couple more verses that I know of that deals with asceticism which pertains to Adventism: "If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— 21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” 22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? 23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." Colossians 2:20-23 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now, of course ALL the cults do this to some degree or another, but it's obvious in Adventism! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14336 Registered: 12-2003 |
Asurprise you are SO right. Adventism prides itself in asceticism. And over the past few years the push toward veganism and even raw foods, the pride in being known as part of the "blue zone", the preoccupation with being "healthy" is such a "whitewash". Under the surface Adventists tend to be anxiety-riddled and OCD. One can never be good enough. Colleen | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 3018 Registered: 7-2007 |
Yes, it's as if they think they can save themselves by eating/not eating! If they don't think they can save themselves by that, then they think they'll be lost if they don't keep the Sabbath! They don't realize that "they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God." Romans 10:3 The next verse says: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." They won't believe the Bible where it says that believers have been saved and that salvation is not "of yourselves," that it's a gift (Ephesians 2:8); because EGW said that no one should say or feel that they are saved. |
