Coming, if voted, at the 2005 General Conference Session.

What is 28 going to be? Wont that be voted on in this coming GC?

I thought there were a few new items to be voted on. Hmm. Could there possibly be a 29th and 30th as well??

For those who, like me, are wondering about what the proposed new Fundamental Belief is, here's a discussion of it:

http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/f_b_new.pdf

It's interesting: I think in general the point is well taken, but I'd challenge their notion that 'transcendental meditation' is about getting in touch with 'spiritual(ist) powers': as I understand it meditation in Eastern traditions is about getting in touch with oneself and clearing the mind of distractions, rather than being a form of prayer/communion with other spirits. (I'm generalising and I could be wrong.)

It could be that, rather than adding a new one, we need to shake up the ones we have, collate, simplify, reorganise: as is noted in that document, parts of the intended new FB are touched on in a number of the others...

Ahhhh TM. I remember that fad from years ago. I think you are correct Bravus, that it is an inward thing. You are supposed to be able to cure all kinds of bodily problems with TM. Here is the "official" website.

http://www.tm.org/

A Scientifically Validated Program

"Transcendental Meditation opens the awareness to the infinite reservoir of energy, creativity, and intelligence that lies deep within everyone.

"By enlivening this most basic level of life, Transcendental Meditation is that one simple procedure which can raise the life of every individual and every society to its full dignity, in which problems are absent and perfect health, happiness, and a rapid pace of progress are the natural features of life."

--His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi



The Transcendental Meditation (TM®) technique is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening, while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. During this technique, the individual's awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness, Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is the self-referral state of consciousness.

The experience of Transcendental Consciousness develops the individual's latent creative potential while dissolving accumulated stress and fatigue through the deep rest gained during the practice. This experience enlivens the individual's creativity, dynamism, orderliness, and organizing power, which result in increasing effectiveness and success in daily life.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is scientific, requiring neither specific beliefs nor adoption of a particular lifestyle. The practice does not involve any effort or concentration. It is easy to learn and does not require any special ability. People of all ages, educational backgrounds, cultures, and religions in countries throughout the world practice the technique and enjoy its wide range of benefits.

Over 500 scientific research studies conducted during the past 25 years at more than 200 independent universities and research institutes in 30 countries have shown that the TM program benefits all areas of an individual's life: mind, body, behavior, and environment.

The research findings include:

Increased happiness
Reduced stress
Increased intelligence
Increased creativity
Improved memory
Improved health
Reduced high blood pressure
Improved relationships
Increased energy
Reduced insomnia
Reversal of biological aging
Reduced crime and improved quality of life in society

The research has been published in such major scientific journals as Science, the American Journal of Physiology, Scientific American, Lancet, the Journal of Counseling Psychology, the International Journal of Neuroscience, the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association, the British Journal of Educational Psychology, and the Journal of Conflict Resolution.

Research indicates that TM technique Meditators on average have the biological age of a person 5 to 12 years younger, as well as significantly reduced incidence of illness and risk of heart disease. Studies also show that TM technique Meditators have warmer interpersonal relationships, less anxiety, increased self-esteem and self-confidence, increased problem-solving ability and greater creativity. The individual spontaneously radiates a purifying and nourishing influence of positivity and harmony in society as a whole.

V. Possible Content of the Proposed New Fundamental Belief

Growing in Christ By His cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Instead of evil forces, the Holy Spirit now dwells within us and empowers us. Committed to Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are set free from the burden of past deeds and our former life with its darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, as we commune with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us sanctifies every moment and every task.

(Ps 1:1-2; 23:4; 2
Col. 1:13-14; 2:6, 14-15; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18, 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil. 3:7-14; 1 3
Thess. 5:16-18; Matt. 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal. 5:22-25; 1 John 4:4.).

Growing in Christ


VOTED, To approve the following addition to the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs:

Growing in Christ

By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (Ps 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Col 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; Luke 10:17-20; Eph 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil 3:7-14; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Matt 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal 5:22-25; Rom 8:38, 39; 1 John 4:4; Heb 10:25.)

(This fundamental belief should be numbered as #11 [after #10, The Experience of Salvation and before #11, The Church].)

_______________

58th General Conference Session, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, July 4, 2005.


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It's interesting: I think in general the point is well taken, but I'd challenge their notion that 'transcendental meditation' is about getting in touch with 'spiritual(ist) powers': as I understand it meditation in Eastern traditions is about getting in touch with oneself and clearing the mind of distractions, rather than being a form of prayer/communion with other spirits. (I'm generalising and I could be wrong.)

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You are exactly right. Its about awareness of the present moment. Its about the focus of one's attention, freeing the mind from fear, expectations, plans. Its the ultimate form of listening. One could use the phrase, "Be still and know that I am God" as one description of this in a Western view. Only in the eastern view, while there is a belief in a great unknowable spirit, creator, or OM, one does not create a personification because that would limit one's awareness of the transcendent quality of that experience. This is much like the Jewish tradition of not writing the name of God because to give God a name would be to reduce God.

This type of 28th fundamental belief shows ignorance and propagates myths about eastern belief systems. It also reveals the great amount of fear that many Christians have about the "outside" world.

If the Kingdom of God is something that is within us, shouldn't we be learning ways to access this kingdom? Rather, we make up these silly statements of belief that fence us in, closing our minds to much greater experiences of the Divine.

As it is written, it doesn't show ignorance, nor does it propagate any myths. Perhaps the reasoning behind it shows those myths; but as it is written, it is a good, strong statement of belief.

It is a statement that gives good guidance on how to grow in Christ.

Agreed, Chrys: the statement as it stands is a good one. Slightly muddled in intent, perhaps - is it about growth or is it about affirming the existence and malevolent intent of evil spirits and reminding us of victory over them? But as a statement about growth and how that happens, including through service, it makes a lot of sense.

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As it is written, it doesn't show ignorance, nor does it propagate any myths. Perhaps the reasoning behind it shows those myths;

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Well, here is the reasoning behind it. If the reasoning is based on false information then I'm not sure why we need another fundamental belief.

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Here we confront two main areas of great concern for us among non-Christian religions, namely transcendental meditation and the power of demons. Transcendental meditation is a search for contact with spiritual powers in order to enrich the individual. In place of that spiritualistic practice we offer them contact with God through prayer, Bible study, service, and meditation on the Word of God and His providential leadings. These subjects, as will be demonstrated later on, are hardly addressed in the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs. This deficiency has been pointed out by church members from different parts of the world.

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The proposed new fundamental belief has two main purposes. First it explicitly addresses Christian growth in order to exclude eastern transcendental meditation as a spiritual exercise that is incompatible with the gospel of salvation through Christ. Second, it proclaims freedom through Christ from demonic powers to demonstrate that seeking help and guidance from them in our spiritual growth is not only unnecessary but totally incompatible with the work of Jesus on our behalf.

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Here is the actual statement....

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9
By His cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus' victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Instead of evil forces, the Holy Spirit now dwells within us and empowers us. Committed to Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are set free from the burden of past deeds and our former life with its darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, as we commune with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the church. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us sanctifies every moment and every task. (Ps 1:1-2; 23:4; Col. 1:13-14; 2:6, 14-15; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18, 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Phil. 3:7-14; 1 Thess. 5:16-18; Matt. 20:25-28; John 20:21; Gal. 5:22-25; 1 John 4:4.). 4

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I'm not sure the terminology really reflects what Jesus was doing within our understanding of medicine. Evil spirits often looked like many things today we would call by other names. Epilepsy, mental disease, emotional breakdowns, anxiety attacks, etc..

If we were really going to exhibit the gifts of the spirit, we would see these types of things healed in much the same way that Jesus facilitated healing. This need to define everything "bad" as coming from some evil spirit really gives far too much credit to evil spirits. This fear of meditation in an eastern style is really unfounded in reality. I have seen no evidence that people who practice Hindu or Bhuddist medatation become evil people. In fact, quite the opposite.

I see no evidence what so ever that they are becoming open to demons. It would do us all good to clear our minds of most of the chatter that goes on. The reason is because most of it is either about judgement or its about fears.

Anyway, all I see this moving toward is a document to be used for church discipline. If this is not a creed, I don't know what is.


Richard