The process of de-humanization

I always read with interest the reactions and attitudes my fellow Adventists manifest in regards to the formers.

(Pardon for the overused term 'formers'. I realize 'Christians' would be more acceptable, but it just helps to clarify whom is under discussion here.)

What I often see playing out is a process of de-humanization. No longer are formers regarded as human beings with thoughts, feelings and personalities. They are now lumped into one homogenized mass comprised of what I will call THOSE WHO LEFT US . I don't know what prompts this fear or paranoia on the part of the accusers. Perhaps it is the rubber-neck, car wreck phenomenah playing out. Maybe it is the foreboding fear of 'there but for the grace of God go I'. Regardless of the source, it is embrassing to see happen. THOSE WHO LEFT US have no hope you see, and are, essentially, the walking damned. Let's just be honest and come right out and say it. That is the understanding many Adventists hold.

Vsions of the lepers of Bible times come to mind, shut out from the city, having to ring a bell and cry out 'unclean' to warn the approaching Israelite, chosen few, remnant populace.

I recieve the magazine Proclamation in the mail and read it from cover to cover:

http://64.226.233.122/proclamationBack.html

But I always flip to the back and read the letters Dale Ratzlaff recieves first. It never fails to make me cringe when I read the hateful responses of Adventists. No reasonable, well thought out rebuttals, no responses of 'I disagree, but I still consider you a person made in the image of God.'

For the most part, it is just scathing condemnations of hate and offers of a one way ticket to Hell. Many are not even coherent letters with proper spelling, almost as if the person was trying to type through a fog of rage. Sometimes, unbelievably, they include a condemning EGW quote in thier letter.

Remind me again of what sort of effect this is supposed to have on a man who has rejected her completely??? Think a little bit people...

Is this the best our church can do? Emotional, knee-jerk reactions? Occasionally I will come across a letter that does not make me ashamed to be an Adventist, and for that I am thankful.

The ironic thing is that I see Ratzlaff showing more concern for Adventists. Maybe you disagree, but read for yourselves the general tenor and mood of his words and the letters of the SDA's. I notice a vast difference myself.

Perhaps it is time that THOSE WHO LEFT US instead became fellow Christians who's journey of faith has led them in a different direction.

Please note, TrustAndObey, that I said there were a few letters that were not like that.

Of course not EVERYONE in the church falls under this category. Do I really need to always clarify that I am speaking only of a certain segment? I usually formulate my topics with the assumption that people already understand it is not the whole SDA church down to the last person under discussion.

I am happy for those here who don't regard formers this way.