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As a practicing Seventh day Adventist it is difficult to think of a valid effective medical treatment that would violate my faith. Not denying Christ when demanded to by a radical extremist is the most likely scenario that comes to mind. During the time of trouble I remember reading we would not starve. So maybe during a local time of famine one could have this scenario or some radical extremist could imprison us and say eat pork or starve but Muslims do not eat pork so this is unlikely. Religious persecuting powers could do this and have in others countries but never here to my knowledge. Most likely they would threaten us with death only if we did not repudiate our beliefs during the time of ttouble.

Miriam, a registered nurse, once fussed over every pain or mishap that came her new husband Moishe’s way. Recently, however, Moishe got an indication that the honeymoon is over. Moishe was about to fix the attic fan, and as he lifted himself from the ladder in the attic, he scratched his forehead on a crossbeam. Crawling along, he picked up splinters in both hands, and cut one hand replacing the fan belt. On the way down the ladder, he missed the last two rungs and turned his ankle. When he limped into the kitchen, his wife Miriam took one look and said, "Are those your good pants?"

The above post focus is on 'sin' rather than the focus of the article, which is looking at how people perceive their belief systems and the world around them. Some view 'conservative' as all about the 'sin' in others, and 'liberal' as seeing the value in others. Christ life was about both but mostly about about the value in others and presenting a better hope and life. Pointing out the 'sin' around Him was not a primary focus. The Jewish religious leaders were rather adept at that. We have plenty of 'sin' pointers, what we need is more pointers of 'hope'. Probably makes me a 'liberal' in some circles...but thats okay with me!!

Most interesting, but you also need to find and post the links to the actual research. Makes for less upfront argument as to the validity of the article. If they are suggesting that the Bible reading teaches us that life is not about ourselves but others, than there is alot of rhetoric out there about 'values' that is leaning the wrong way!!

All these theories of creation besides what the Bible states are pure speculations. Human knowledge and capabilities are limited. God's are beyond our capability of understanding. I have no reason to believe or add more complicated theories to the 7 day creation stated in the Bible.

Naomi: It is a sign of mental health when one can laugh at themselves. We humans are quite complex and often mixed up and inconsistent. To be able to laugh at ourselves is good for us and is shows we are willing to take a look at how we may come across to the world at large. it is much different from laughing at another person.

That's one of my favorite hymns!

Yes, this is what my retired pastor presented to us as the agenda and purpose of the One Project in his view. I went and sat down with him after Wednesday night prayer meeting and asked him on this issue. He said the church in Colorado had become nothing but another version of the Willow Creek model/emergent church type worship to attract and retain with entertainment and music rather than with truth and the gospel. The windows were covered and it was darkened with a spotlight on the stage and the band behind the speaker with its drums and electric instruments. Form had taken over substance and platitudes over real truth or doctrine, and my retired pastor went and asked the older members what had happened to their lovely church and what they were going to do about it and they knew but felt they just couldn't leave their church as they felt they didn't have anywhere to go, convenience and familiarity had become more important. He went to the conference and tried to raise the alarm and they didn't believe his warnings or worse didn't want to believe and he let them know should be ashamed for what was happening. Here is a good description I came across that fits what my retire pastor was telling me of what it is: "I had made no plans to attend the One Project scheduled for February 10 and 11 in Seattle, but a mid-morning phone call stirred me from my intended Sunday morning sleep-in. A friend on the phone urged, "I've been given two tickets to the One Project. They’re free! Do you want to go? Let's go! Free tickets!" That got me up and going. Within four hours we had both put the next three days of our lives on hold and prayerfully began the drive across our freshly snow-blanketed state, eager to hear and find out what the One Project was all about. I had heard the slogans "Supremacy of Jesus" and "Jesus. All." but knew little else. As the elevator doors opened on the Seattle Westin Hotel’s fourth floor, we were greeted with the sound of live rock music coming from the adjacent ballroom---guitars, electronic keyboard, full trap set with drums---all on overload. My first thought was, "We’ve got to be on the wrong floor." But no, these were our own homegrown Adventist rock musicians. And they continued with their ‘rock,’ before, after and in between each activity during the next two days. During registration, we were informed that all the attendees had been encouraged to read The Desire of Ages and the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John before coming. Initially I felt unprepared, not having reread these books recently. However, throughout the conference there was little reference to any of these books again. The hotel ballroom, arranged with large round tables and a stage at one end, quickly filled with over 750 people. The 2014 Seattle One Project, titled Jesus. All., subtitled "Present Truth." Discovering “Present Truth” was to be the topic, so I began reviewing in my mind those unique beliefs revealed during the founding of our church--the sanctuary, the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the second coming of Christ--all within the context of the three angels messages, the foundational Adventist truths I learned as a child. I began to listen for “Present Truth.” The structure of the event included lecturers, video clips, discussion groups, and an occasional “open mic.” I quickly saw that each of these activities were overtly urging the notion of “change,” no defined change, simply change. Each video clip (about a minute in length) depicted a different person walking through beautiful nature scenes with a voiceover revealing their “dreams” for our church. During the group discussions called "recalibration," there were “trained” facilitators, guiding and refocusing conversation only toward the prepared questions assigned to each group. Even the group discussion name “recalibration” implied “change” since only a malfunctioning machine needs recalibration. I continued listening for an Adventist version of “Present Truth,” but instead heard a revised truth--a nebulous truth that focused on “conversation” and “dialogue,” with consensus determining direction. I heard people disillusioned with the established church structure, some seeking to deconstruct traditional worship. I heard an urging that a “narrative” truth be interpreted by “current culture.” I heard an advocacy for a social gospel with no mention of evangelism. I heard an urgency that we dip into “other streams” and “streams that flow both ways” for truth. And I heard mockery of our church both in word and in tone from the platform and attendees. I heard an emergent truth..."