New trends in Adventist education

[B/W Photodude]

Does it really make any difference any more whether you sacrifice to send your children to Adventist church school?

http://adventmessenger.org/seventh-day-adventist-teachers-and-administrators-get-educated-in-rainbow-theology/

[Gustave]

Just an observation / question:  I've come to understand that SDAism is really a "big tent" Church where many different views are tolerated. Currently a militant anti-Trinitarian is just as welcome as an SDA person is who claims to be Trinitarian - and both within the denomination are viewed as equally correct. There are many individuals (in all Churches) who believe Buggery can be wholesome and good provided it's done in a loving manner. How does gay rainbow theology differ from the anti-Trinity doctrine within the SDA Church?  Does not the gay agenda fit under the big tent concept? 

[JoeMo]

Gustave,

You ask some very difficult questions; many of which have only subjective answers (IMHO).  I personally don't see the comparison between tolerating non-trinitarians  with LGBT+ people.  Being non-trinitarian is a conscious faith choice.  I believe at least the LG part of LGBT+ is a matter of how a person is wired.  As a dedicated heterosexual, the idea of "being intimate" with another man thoroughly disgusts me - gimme a woman every time.  But I know several gays who feel just the opposite - the idea of being intimate with a member of the opposite sex is disgusting.  Several of these individuals consider themselves to be Christians; and claim to have reconciled their homosexuality with being a Christian.  Who am I to judge?  I also know many Christians  who sometimes drink to excess, smoke pot, gossip, "live together" without being married, who don't keep the sabbath, and who pray to dead people.  Which sin is worse?  What about the long-term junkie who wants to become a Christian?  He/she will probably have almost as difficult a time kicking his/her habit as a gay man learning to enjoy intimacy with a woman.  Yes, there are miraculous "cures for both homosexuality and drug addiction; but from what I've seen they are the exception rather than the rule.

Just my opinion - Anyone who wants to come to Christ should be allowed to attend a Christian Church.  They should be accepted by the congregation as long as they are not disruptive or "celebrating" their issues.  Should they be baptized? That should be up to the individual church.  Should they be church leaders? No - just my opinion.

[Gustave]

I'm a conservative myself but did agree with Clinton's "don't ask don't tell" policy - part of my Military service was under Clinton.  I think that's the policy that should be supported in schools. LGBT parades in my view is like celebrating Spina Bifida. 

I've been to many parades in my life (4th of July, various harvest parades, etc.) and one can immediately see the difference between those types of parades and an LGBT one - the gay parades are ALL ABOUT sex or buggery - it's so obvious one can't miss it. I don't think parades like that are good for society. 

I'm all for the freedom for people to live like they want and with who they want but when it turns into a ideology that's pumped into little Children its disgusting and I believe morally wrong. I've personally known gay people who agree with what I just said. 

[Gregory Matthews]

I do not have time right now to say much.  I am checking the URL provided in the first post.  It looks to me like the author of that article has not been accurate in waht is said about Adventism and the "Guiding Families" boos.  Yes, I have a copy of that book.

[Gregory Matthews]

The URL link at the beginning of this thread is to a copy of Advent Messenger, which is an independent publication produced by Andrew Roman.  The purpose of this publication, as I understand it, seems to be to point out ways in which the SDA Church has departed from what God would want it to be.  It seems to be to have a focus on the Romah Catholic Church.

The citations in the article listed at the start, actually refer to other sources.  In short, they suggest that the "Guiding Families" publication for Adventists promotes the "gay agenda," and Roman Catholic theology.

I have a major problem with the position presented in the Advent Messenger article, that is common to the thinking of both SDAs and other Christians.  That issues relates to how one defines a homosexual.  People today generally operate from two very different understandings as to how to define the word "homosexual."

One group that often includes SDAs and other Christians, considers homosexuality to e defined by whether or not one engages in sexuality with persons of the same gender.  From this perspective, if one ceases to engage in sexuality with a person of the same gender, one is no longer a homosexual.   IOW, one has been cured, and is no longer a homosexual.

A second understanding suggests that one is a homosexual based upon their preference for sexual activity.  This perspective says that a person may be celibate, and homosexual.  From my background, I have worked with people who were celibate and clearly considered themselves to be homosexual.  This is generally the perspective of the clinical community.

I first became aware of this distinction when I read the 1988book, by Ronald Springett, Homosexuality in History and the Scriptures, see chapter 1.    I find this book to be of value, even if dated.  It remains in print today.

For a more recent book, see the 2012, 578-page book, Homosexuality, Marriage, and the Church: Biblical, Counseling, and Religious Liberty Issues.

I consider the Adventist Edition of "Guiding families of LGBT+ Loved Ones to be of value.

[Gregory Matthews]

For reviews of Guiding Families see:

https://atoday.org/guiding-families-of-lgbt-loved-ones/