Should McDonalds be allowed to erect stores in Adventist areas?

[Pythons]

It appears that the Seventh-day Adventists of Loma Linda CA are in an uproar about the Golden Arches establishing a store within the City Limits and while there is no law preventing McDonalds from opening a store in any area they can afford to open one the SDA's of the region are resisting it.

Given that there is another burger place within the city limits I also wondered if the issue wasn't that McDonalds sells beef but that the primary concern is how popular McDonalds breakfast menu happens to be - a menu that primarily sells what many SDA's call Swines flesh or unclean "flesh meats".

This also caused me to wonder what "IF" instead of this being a rebuke and reproof from SDA's about selling flesh meats it was Muslims who were rebuking a company for opening a womans clothing store that sold cloths that Islamic law forbid a woman to wear?

I noticed that the news video ( in true style ) went out of it's way to interview fat unhealthy looking people that said they like to eat burgers - that didn't go unnoticed.

I would be interested in hearing SDA's thoughts on this. Feel free to watch this news cast and speak out for what is taking place in Loma Linda.

Banning McDonald's to Keep the Faith? | Video - ABC News


Thanks for watching.

 

[Stravinsk]

Instead of protesting,

With the population being a large part Adventist -

Why not start restaurants in the area that cater to the consciences of the people who wish to follow the law in this matter?

If I lived in an area where a large percentage of the population recognized the validity of the food laws - this is what I would promote.

It is true that having fast food restaurants that serve unhealthy things as food do provide an opportunity for temptation - however - with a little planning - there is no need to go hungry when you are away from home, bringing your own things to eat.

Should the Adventists in the area take this advice - Mcd's would suffer from lack of sales and they would struggle to keep in business.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I agree with Stavinsk... if the Adventists are secure in their adherence to the health message, then whats the fuss about. We don't live in a bubble nor are we instructed to. If you can't forego Rotten Ronnies (if thats an issue for you) then that is on you and no one else.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I just wanted to add... that my observation since I joined SDA, Loma Linda is almost regarded the same as Mecca or Vatican City... whats up with that?

 

[E.T.Elijah]

If I remember correctly there is a McDonald's within walking distance of Andrews University. It was quite a popular place when I went there for SEEDS a few years ago. Although they also had a larger menu that catered to the Adventist population (salads, veggieburgers, etc.). There were many restaurants in the area that had vegetarian menus. There was a sandwich shop (I can't remember the name) but it only served the fake meat. I really loved that place wish we had one of those around my area.

As for Loma Linda being like Vatican or Mecca, I believe the town was started as an Adventist town and the majority of its population are Adventists. I know that even for a time there was no mail delivered on Sabbath. I believe though that the post office did away with that recently.

 

[JohnMarsten]

I guess they dont have to buy their food there, at least the porkers stuff...

McDonalds is unhealthy garbagge anyway, so whoever eats there SDA or not should think twice...

 

[Stryder06]

What's the point of this thread? I wonder how long it would take for something I would post on the Catholic subforum to get shutdown?

 

[Pythons]

I agree with Stavinsk... if the Adventists are secure in their adherence to the health message, then whats the fuss about. We don't live in a bubble nor are we instructed to. If you can't forego Rotten Ronnies (if thats an issue for you) then that is on you and no one else.

I agree with you & Stavinsk here.

 

[Contented]

The kingdom of God is not meat nor drink. SDA's need to focus on getting the message of salvation out and not allowing food and drink to become a matter of salvation. If you know the things that the bible condemn it should be no problem. This world is not our home. SDA's seem to be concerned with these fast food outlets, but look at the Vegetarian food shops which are owned by SDA's and they open 7 days a week (which would suggest that they do not close on the Sabbath) I read that this is practiced in Australia. SDA"s need to focus on the issues which Christ stated were important.
They have allowed food and drink to become the new gospel. This body will rot and decay, of course our body is the temple, but focussing on food and not focussing on sinful habits like adultery and fornication and other sexual sins along with the greed and conveteousness makes no sense. Rev. 21:8 outlines those who will be thrown into the lake of fire and there is no mention of those who eat meat, drink coke, coffee etc.
I am a SDA member and I know of friends who are SDA would never touch meat, drink coke BUT would see nothing wrong in sleeping with someone else's wife. This whole meat thing is a CHARADE. The time is at hand, we need to be witnesses telling the world about the love of Jesus and let them know his return is near. This whole fixation with meat is so crazy.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

The kingdom of God is not meat nor drink. SDA's need to focus on getting the message of salvation out and not allowing food and drink to become a matter of salvation. If you know the things that the bible condemn it should be no problem. This world is not our home. SDA's seem to be concerned with these fast food outlets, but look at the Vegetarian food shops which are owned by SDA's and they open 7 days a week (which would suggest that they do not close on the Sabbath) I read that this is practiced in Australia. SDA"s need to focus on the issues which Christ stated were important.
They have allowed food and drink to become the new gospel. This body will rot and decay, of course our body is the temple, but focussing on food and not focussing on sinful habits like adultery and fornication and other sexual sins along with the greed and conveteousness makes no sense. Rev. 21:8 outlines those who will be thrown into the lake of fire and there is no mention of those who eat meat, drink coke, coffee etc.
I am a SDA member and I know of friends who are SDA would never touch meat, drink coke BUT would see nothing wrong in sleeping with someone else's wife. This whole meat thing is a CHARADE. The time is at hand, we need to be witnesses telling the world about the love of Jesus and let them know his return is near. This whole fixation with meat is so crazy.

I agree 100%... the health message has become a religion unto itself. As my friend from Australia calls them, 'the cheese police', are self righteous about their veganism.

 

[ricker]

I agree 100%... the health message has become a religion unto itself. As my friend from Australia calls them, 'the cheese police', are self righteous about their veganism.

So much for the land of milk and honey. Wasn't that supposed to be a good thing?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

So much for the land of milk and honey. Wasn't that supposed to be a good thing?

I'm not saying the premise of the health message is wrong, but the militant 'do it or die' mentality is whats wrong...

 

[Stravinsk]

The kingdom of God is not meat nor drink. SDA's need to focus on getting the message of salvation out and not allowing food and drink to become a matter of salvation. If you know the things that the bible condemn it should be no problem. This world is not our home. SDA's seem to be concerned with these fast food outlets, but look at the Vegetarian food shops which are owned by SDA's and they open 7 days a week (which would suggest that they do not close on the Sabbath) I read that this is practiced in Australia. SDA"s need to focus on the issues which Christ stated were important.
They have allowed food and drink to become the new gospel. This body will rot and decay, of course our body is the temple, but focussing on food and not focussing on sinful habits like adultery and fornication and other sexual sins along with the greed and conveteousness makes no sense. Rev. 21:8 outlines those who will be thrown into the lake of fire and there is no mention of those who eat meat, drink coke, coffee etc.
I am a SDA member and I know of friends who are SDA would never touch meat, drink coke BUT would see nothing wrong in sleeping with someone else's wife. This whole meat thing is a CHARADE. The time is at hand, we need to be witnesses telling the world about the love of Jesus and let them know his return is near. This whole fixation with meat is so crazy.

Well we are getting a little off topic here - but I think what you've done is take something that is good (ie: The Food Laws) and set it up as some sort of opposition to other righteous law.

It may be true that some people make their whole religion out of, or largely contained within a few laws - but that in itself doesn't invalidate the law itself.

Some SDA's seem to take vegan or vegetarianism as biblical law. It isn't. Pork, shellfish and other unclean things are still law - so too the laws against eating blood or animal fat - and there's important reasons for this. Trichinosis from pork. Paralytic Shellfish poisoning from shellfish (amongst others) - as well as the dangers of eating blood and loading up on saturated animal fat.

But Passover - mmm....what would it be without lamb?

 

[JohnMarsten]

I agree 100%... the health message has become a religion unto itself. As my friend from Australia calls them, 'the cheese police', are self righteous about their veganism.

Is that right?


I was told very often that EGW wrote meat eaters will not get into heaven, never saw the scriptures myself, though

 

[Stryder06]

Is that right?


I was told very often that EGW wrote meat eaters will not get into heaven, never saw the scriptures myself, though

Can you quote that?

 

[JohnMarsten]

Can you quote that?

Like I said, I never saw the scripture myself, but it was proclaimed by a steadfast believer in her writings, so I am sure it is there somewhere...

whats wrong? are you a meateater? shivers running down your spine at the moment?

 

[Stryder06]

Like I said, I never saw the scripture myself, but it was proclaimed by a steadfast believer in her writings, so I am sure it is there somewhere...

whats wrong? are you a meateater? shivers running down your spine at the moment?

Eat meat. No shivers. Just wondering if you'd be able to furnish the quote from Sr White which says meat eaters are going to hell. If you haven't read it, you'd be better served not talking about it.

 

[jpcedotal]

Isn't there an episode of "Hidden Bosses" or whatever that show is that there is a Subway in a church?

 

[tall73]

Like I said, I never saw the scripture myself, but it was proclaimed by a steadfast believer in her writings, so I am sure it is there somewhere...

whats wrong? are you a meateater? shivers running down your spine at the moment?

Some selections that show Ellen White's views on flesh eating:

Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people. {9T 153.4}


Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body?
How can they take the life of God's creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them, rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning, and themselves practice, and teach their children to practice, mercy toward the dumb creatures that God has made and has placed under our dominion. {MH 317.2}


Spiritual Effects.
468. O, if every one could discern these matters as they have been presented to me, those who are so careless, so indifferent in regard to their character building, those who plead for indulgence in a fleshmeat diet, would never open their lips in justification of an appetite for the flesh of dead animals.--U. T., Jan. 11, 1897. {HL 102.3}


A religious life can be more successfully attained and maintained if meat is discarded; for this diet stimulates into intense activity the lustful propensities, and enfeebles the moral and spiritual nature.--U. T., Nov. 5, 1896. {HL 102.4}


God requires of His people continual advancement. We need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification. With all our profession of health reform, many of us eat improperly. Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility, and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death. Let the individual who is seeking to possess purity of spirit bear in mind that in Christ there is power to control the appetite. {9T 156.2}

If we could be benefited by indulging the desire for flesh foods, I would not make this appeal to you; but I know we cannot. Flesh foods are injurious to the physical well-being, and we should learn to do without them. Those who are in a position where it is possible to secure a vegetarian diet, but who choose to follow their own preferences in this matter, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instruction the Lord has given regarding other phases of the present truth and will lose their perception of what is truth; they will surely reap as they have sown. {9T 156.3}



I am instructed to say to parents: Place yourselves, soul and spirit, on the Lord's side of this question. We need ever to bear in mind that in these days of probation we are on trial before the Lord of the universe. Will you not give up indulgences that are doing you injury? Words of profession are cheap; let your acts of self-denial testify that you will be obedient to the demands that God makes of His peculiar people. Then put into the treasury a portion of the means you save by your acts of self-denial, and there will be that with which to carry on the work of God. {9T 157.3}




We are not to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship, but we should consider the influence that professed believers who use flesh foods have over others. As God's messengers, shall we not say to the people: "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God"? 1 Corinthians 10:31. Shall we not bear a decided testimony against the indulgence of perverted appetite? Will any who are ministers of the gospel, proclaiming the most solemn truth ever
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given to mortals, set an example in returning to the fleshpots of Egypt? Will those who are supported by the tithe from God's storehouse permit themselves by self-indulgence to poison the life-giving current flowing through their veins? Will they disregard the light and warnings that God has given them? The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright, moral character will be hindered. The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach. Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting. {9T 159.3}
All are now being tested and proved. We have been baptized into Christ, and if we will act our part by separating from everything that would drag us down and make us what we ought not to be, there will be given us strength to grow up into Christ, who is our living head, and we shall see the salvation of God. {9T 160.1}



It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian perfection. The moral sensibilities of your children cannot be easily aroused, unless you are careful in the selection of their food. Many a mother sets a table that is a snare to her family. Flesh-meats, butter, cheese, rich pastry, spiced foods, and condiments are freely partaken of by both old and young. These things do their work in deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves, and enfeebling the intellect. The
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blood-making organs cannot convert such things into good blood. The grease cooked in the food renders it difficult of digestion. The effect of cheese is deleterious. Fine-flour bread does not impart to the system the nourishment that is to be found in unbolted wheat bread. Its common use will not keep the system in the best condition. Spices at first irritate the tender coating of the stomach, but finally destroy the natural sensitiveness of this delicate membrane. The blood becomes fevered, the animal propensities are aroused, while the moral and intellectual powers are weakened, and become servants to the baser passions. The mother should study to set a simple yet nutritious diet before her family. . . . {CTBH 46.3}


It is not the chief end of man to gratify his appetite. There are physical wants to be supplied; but because of this is it necessary that man shall be controlled by appetite? Will the people who are seeking to become holy, pure, refined, that they may be introduced into the society of heavenly angels, continue to take the life of God's creatures, and enjoy their flesh as a luxury? From what the Lord has shown me, this order of things will be changed, and God's peculiar people will exercise temperance in all things. {CTBH 48.2}

 

[Pythons]

It's been established that Ellen White said "flesh foods" ( I take it that means the same thing as flesh meats )...
...Become intrinsically evil once injested into the human body.
...Or is she saying the flesh meats apart from the animal they came from is evil?

Either way it's understood why the good people of Loma Linda are in an up-roar over McDonalds...
...Given the prophetic utterance of Ellen White on this subject.