Conservative ?

[Woody]

The following is true and a serious question.

I have often wondered what the term "conservative" means. I think I am conservative but am not sure. So ... I want to list a little about myself and have you assess if I am considered "conservative".

I personally do not wear jewelry. My tie falls in the soup because I don't use a tie tack.

I do not use slang or swear words.

I eat mostly a strict vegetarian diet.

I don't drink tea or coffee.

I pay a faithful tithe.

I do not Dance.

I went to our SDA schools clear through Loma Linda University.

I've never had a taste of Alcohol or drugs and have never smoked not even a try.

I play ROOK but not "real" cards.

I don't go to movie theaters. Well, I did go to one movie in my life. but it was in a foreign country where the SDA culture allowed it. And I did not enjoy it.

I refer to High School as Academy.

I know what HMS and JMV stands for.

I believe that Ellen White was a prophet.

I fought the tradition of clapping in church until it became a lost cause.

I guard the Sabbath with great care for instance I do not read or watch nonreligious material such as the newspaper on Sabbath. I only listen to religious music on Sabbath. I do not go out to eat at restaurants on Sabbath. I do not play games , swim or do any sports on Sabbath. I try hard to only read spiritual posts on CA during the Sabbath hours. When my son was a child I told him he could wade on the Sabbath but he could not swim.

I like the old gospel hymns. I do not care for much of the new modern music with things like drums in church. I do not feel comfortable with others showing emotion in church for instance standing up with gyrating hips swaying to the music and tossing their hands back and forth in “praise” of God.

The only problem that might disqualify me for being a conservative is that I “walk the talk but don’t talk the walk”. I witness by example not words or force. I do not tell others they need to live my conservative lifestyle.

There may be another aspect of Conservatism that I have missed. But I probably would do whatever you add. I believe I am conservative but want to make sure.

Any Help?

[olger]

You'll have to wait until my book comes out..

`oG

[Nan]

Does it matter?

Each of us is responsible for our walk with the Lord with the light He has given us.

(Using the criteria you have listed I would be mostly on the conservative side of the midline I guess, though not remotely on the fringe )

[Woody]

Quote:

Each of us is responsible for our walk with the Lord with the light He has given us.

This is the most important thing you could say Nan. Thank you. It is so true. But others here I fear would disagree with you. Some would say that is not "objective truth" and we have to follow "objective truth" rather than how we are lead !!!

[skyblue888]

When I think of the word "conservative" I am immediately reminded of those whose burden is to protect the pillars of our faith which they believe the church has compromised in order to be more acceptable to the popular churches. And this explains why the majority of these "conservatives" are operating independently of the control and authoritiy of the conference leaders in order to avoid any compromise with error. They may identify with just about everything you said in your post but they are said to be "conservatives" not so much because of their lifestyle but because of their strong desire to saveguard the pillars of the Advent faith.

But that does not mean automatically that these people possess the spirit of the Gospel. One can know the theory of the truth without having the power of it to transform the life in order to be a power for good.

Leaving the subject of the pillars of our faith aside, and the thought that they are said to have been compromised by the leaders of the church, I would say that the description you gave is probably a classic definition of what it means to be a "conservative" today.

[Dr. Shane]

Quote:

Well, I did go to one movie in my life. but it was in a foreign country where the SDA culture allowed it. And I did not enjoy it.

As long as you didn't enjoy it. Only a liberal would enjoy a movie in a theater.

[Gerr]

Wow!!! Redwood, what a true blue conservative! But then, how could our theology be so different?

Gerry

[gina i]

Conservative is a way of thinking - not your actions.

[olger]

Excerpt from my new book (Introduction)

"Hello. I’m glad you’re here today so we can talk about our lives together. God has a special plan for your life and mine. The way we see ourselves will determine how that plan works out. It is our Christian identity that we’re talking about in this book. Who are we, where have we come from, and where are we going?

As we travel through life, each of us experience good times and bad times. Both of them have the potential to affect the way we live and see ourselves. But character...character stands apart from such outside influences. Character is who we really are inside and good & bad times will only reveal the color of our hearts.

And for those of us feel trapped in feelings that we barely understand, there is hope today. Our character can be changed. We can cling to the good and let go of the bad. Some people have a melodramatic fixation on the past. You’ve probably met some of them. Others have an unquenchable passion for change, almost any change. Their focus is on the future.

It is my hope that this book can retrieve the good of the past and bring it forward into the future. That alone can change us for a better tomorrow."

`oG

[David Koot]

I want to list a little about myself and have you assess if I am considered "conservative".

I personally do not wear jewelry. My tie falls in the soup because I don't use a tie tack.

I do not use slang or swear words.

I eat mostly a strict vegetarian diet.

I don't drink tea or coffee.

I pay a faithful tithe.

I do not Dance.

I went to our SDA schools clear through Loma Linda University.

I've never had a taste of Alcohol or drugs and have never smoked not even a try.

I play ROOK but not "real" cards.

I don't go to movie theaters. Well, I did go to one movie in my life. but it was in a foreign country where the SDA culture allowed it. And I did not enjoy it.

I refer to High School as Academy.

I know what HMS and JMV stands for.

I believe that Ellen White was a prophet.

I fought the tradition of clapping in church until it became a lost cause.

I guard the Sabbath with great care for instance I do not read or watch nonreligious material such as the newspaper on Sabbath. I only listen to religious music on Sabbath. I do not go out to eat at restaurants on Sabbath. I do not play games , swim or do any sports on Sabbath. I try hard to only read spiritual posts on CA during the Sabbath hours. When my son was a child I told him he could wade on the Sabbath but he could not swim.

I like the old gospel hymns. I do not care for much of the new modern music with things like drums in church. I do not feel comfortable with others showing emotion in church for instance standing up with gyrating hips swaying to the music and tossing their hands back and forth in “praise” of God.

Hmmmmm . . . looking at your list, looks like I would fall short of the mark, at least in the past. Never was interested in jewelry, but there was a time when I swore with the best (or worst) of them. I ate meat, drank coffee, got drunk (especially on New Year's Eve), smoked, danced, played poker, went to 'R' movies and worse, worked on Sabbath, and various other activities not suitable to mention here.

HOWEVER, the miracle-working power of the Holy Spirit has transformed me. I now have NO interest in those things. Not only that, I have no interest in getting close to such activities--for example, 'vege-poker,' the Adventist rook; movies to go on TV, which I find disgusting because of their worldliness.

Long ago, I concluded that in many cases, the Adventist 'conservative' is a counterpart of the Pharisee in Jesus' day. By that, I do not mean because of strictness. I mean adherence to a certain list of behaviors, while instead participating in 'substitute' behaviors. Gotta have 'some' worldliness, just not those activities on the 'proscribed' list. Detestable IMO.

Dave

[Parade Orange]

and I am a radical liberal democrat and anti Bush Family homosexual with a 100 barbies on my shelf!

I dont wear jewelry.

I am almost a vegetarian.

I dont drink tea or coffee.

I tithe.

I dont go out and dance anymore.

I dont drink or smoke anymore.

I dont play cards.

God convicted me to throw out all my wordly music cause it divides my heart.

I dont clap and wish the others around me didnt.

I believe Ellen G. White is a prophet.

And If I had the guts I would raise my hands more when They declare JESUS as their Saviour and talk of His Matchless Love and Grace from the pulpit.

however..

I have done unseemly things in dark parks and woods and grape vineyards never seeing faces or knowing their names.

I have drank and smoked pot with straights just to successfully seduce them.

I have danced to the beat at gay clubs, parties, and parades in San Francisco.

i am almost as good as Redwood!

[Gail]

LOL...

Believe me, PO, we all have a past

[Woody]

Quote:

i am almost as good as Redwood!

Sorry ... Almost is clearly not good enough. !!!!

In order to be a part of the conservative class ... you have to go all the way.

Maybe I should start a club of conservatives who measure up.

[Nan]

Quote:

i am almost as good as Redwood!

Sorry ... Almost is clearly not good enough. !!!!

In order to be a part of the conservative class ... you have to go all the way.

Maybe I should start a club of conservative who measure up.

OK we can all make one suggestion about what you have to do to be conservative, then it will really be a club!

[Woody]

Great Suggestion Nan.

What shall the dues be?

[Parade Orange]

almost is not good enough?

u said a mouth full!

Thank God Jesus conservativness stands in my place of my liberalness!

so cause of what JESUS has done on the cross for me 2000 years ago- I stand just as I have never been a filthy liberal!

[Dr. Shane]

One can be politically liberal and religiously conservative and I don't think that combination is all that uncommon.

When I am among my Adventist friends from North America, they tend to view me as a conservative. When I slip south of the border, into Mexico, my Adventist friends there tend to view me as a liberal.

So much depends on the perspective of those around you.

[skyblue888]

And the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Conservatives and Liberals) finally got together and agreed to combine their influence to fight a common foe, Christ Himself. Could this be that in these last days history will be repeated? Could it be that both conservatives and liberals in the church today will finally unite to oppose the light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory?

What do you think?

[David Koot]

What do you think?

Without a doubt. In fact, I have seen it happen.

[skyblue888]

Mind sharing what you have seen?

[Woody]

Quote:

Thank God Jesus conservativness stands in my place of my liberalness!

so cause of what JESUS has done on the cross for me 2000 years ago- I stand just as I have never been a filthy liberal!

Praise God.

Isn't it wonderful that He does that. But I believe He goes a step further and forgives even those ugly judgmental conservatives ... stands in THEIR place as if they were never "HOLY" Conservatives. Then places His Liberalness in their place and to their account.

[Parade Orange]

amen! u know it

[Woody]

Glad you liked that !!!

The sooner we realize that we are all in the same boat .... (we all sin) the sooner we will attract sinners rather than repel them.

Our church needs to be a hospital for sinners. Rather than a place of saints.

Instead ... we have chosen to shoot the wounded rather than invite them to the hospital.

[olger]

"Instead ... we have chosen to shoot the wounded rather than invite them to the hospital." Such wholesale generalizations might indicate that a person is operating from an unhealed personal experience.

rejoice always,

oG

[Woody]

Actually Olger ... the quote you referenced was from the Adventist Review.

Personally I have decided to make a difference. Let it begin with me.