Who is here and where do we start?

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

One of the major diffs between formers/progs and trads would be simply what bes considered an important issue at all, versus what bes not.

With regard to Dean's questions:

I'm curious about a few things. Do you observe the sabbath on Saturdays still? Do you celebrate birthdays and Christmas in a different fashion than other Christians?

(1) Moriah does not, beyond simply not working that day.
(2) Probably not. Birthdays bes celebrating for the person with cake or favorite food and gifts just like everyone else. Xmas we do a tree and presents and stockings with little toiletries & fruit & choccies and stuff in it. We have a big Xmas dinner with extended family, usually kids & ex #2 come over.

When does baptism take place? How is it done?

Baptism Moriah believes should be by immersion and as a ratification of the firsthand experience of coming to "saving Faith."

Do you believe in Hell?

Yes and no. in the metaphoric sense we all bes born there. in the eternal torture chamber sense? get real. this bes a loving God we bes talksy about, not some sick extortionist jerk.

Are there more than one level in Heaven? Are we predestined to go to Heaven or Hell? Can non-SDA go to heaven?

Does not know about "levels" and does not care. Heaven bes in presence of God and intimacy with Him, that bes all what matters. We all bes predestined for reconciliation with Him through Christ. Non-SDAs can MOST definitely go to heaven and will.

Sorry to unleash so many questions at once, but i really have no idea how the SDA church works, or how a Progressive, Moderate, or Former SDA would answer these questions.

You should probably get the trad SDA POV on this stuff at least for comparison's sake. They would not necessarily view it all the same way and having formerly been one of them Moriah can say more likely than not they would answer one way whilst secretly holding in reserve certain info they feel you bes not "prepared" to hear yet.

You don't have to answer all of them, but I'd like to know what makes you all different than other Christians.

Well for Moriah, nothing pertaining to this stuff. It only identifies as former SDA because it spent some time in the SDA church as a convert thereunto, primarily due to their eschatology. Moriah bes unlike anyone else though. Clearly normal humans bes best suited to answer your inquiries.

 

[Adventist Dissident]

Ice dragon reporting for duty

 

[DeanM]

Thanks for the answers, my friends. I have learned a great deal from your posts. With your permission, i'd like to fellowship with you in your new forum, so I can learn more.

I hope that's okay with you all.

 

[freeindeed2]

Thanks for the answers, my friends. I have learned a great deal from your posts. With your permission, i'd like to fellowship with you in your new forum, so I can learn more.

I hope that's okay with you all.

Welcome! No problems here.

 

[foofighter]

I'm here, hopefully to start in something from the ground up, so to speak, and see where this thing goes I hope Night isn't banned, but it sounds as if that is the case. I like the idea of telling our stories and getting acquainted or reacquainted as the case may be. It is nice to chat with people who have been where you have been. Other friends or other Christians just can't relate to what you have experienced at all. I haven't posted on here a lot, but maybe since this will be a fresh start so to speak, I will chat more. Looking forward to it.

Carol

 

[sentipente]

I guess the first question is Just how progressive is progressive?

 

[sentipente]

I'm curious about a few things. Do you observe the sabbath on Saturdays still?

I don't observe the Sabbath but I do engage in corporate worship on the seventh day of the week.

Do you celebrate birthdays and Christmas in a different fashion than other Christians?

My celebratios of those are entirely secular -- no religious component.

When does baptism take place? How is it done?

I don't think baptism is necessary but it is a great ritual.

Do you believe in Hell?

I don't take the descriptions in the book of Revelation literally. I think the Christians church has entirely misinterpreted the question of heaven and hell.

Are there more than one level in Heaven? Are we predestined to go to Heaven or Hell? Can non-SDA go to heaven?

There is really no heaven or hell to look forward to. There is simply existence. When we come to understand our creator as He is we will have "heaven." The notion that we were created on earth in preparation for heaven is now ludicrous to me.

 

[Sophia7]

Thanks for the answers, my friends. I have learned a great deal from your posts. With your permission, i'd like to fellowship with you in your new forum, so I can learn more.

I hope that's okay with you all.

That would be great.

 

[Sophia7]

I'm here, hopefully to start in something from the ground up, so to speak, and see where this thing goes I hope Night isn't banned, but it sounds as if that is the case. I like the idea of telling our stories and getting acquainted or reacquainted as the case may be. It is nice to chat with people who have been where you have been. Other friends or other Christians just can't relate to what you have experienced at all. I haven't posted on here a lot, but maybe since this will be a fresh start so to speak, I will chat more. Looking forward to it.

Carol

Looking forward to it, too.

 

[Mankin]

Hola everyone. How u doing Moriah?

 

[Sophia7]

Hi, Mankin.

 

[Pythons]

Pythons? Here!

 

[Mankin]

Hey Sophie and Pythons.

Your posts are very thought provoking Pythons. I was just wondering, are you a former Adventist?

If so that must have rough for you joining the Catholic Church considering many Adventists believe it to be the harlot church and brush off those who join it.

 

[Sophia7]

Pythons? Here!

Welcome, Pythons.

 

[Pythons]

Hey Sophie and Pythons.

Your posts are very thought provoking Pythons. I was just wondering, are you a former Adventist?

If so that must have rough for you joining the Catholic Church considering many Adventists believe it to be the harlot church and brush off those who join it.

WOW! That was nice of you to say Mankin, I didn't know my blatherings were thought provoking. Would it qualify if I have some SDA's in my Family?

I first cut my teeth on theological discussions by entering a debate in 1995 with a Walter Mcgill at something called Creations SDA (I think that was the name of it) I did this on a Web t.v. unit if you can believe that. I next had a lengthy debate with the Paster of OSU Christian club and after that a very nice man by the name of Ted Noel who runs a website (very sharp guy) and his Father. Actually on a couple of things Ted got the better of me and I got a for real apologist John P. to come bail me out which he certainly did.

I had a Trinity debate at the Amazing Discovery website which sells DVD's and it was at that site I realized SDA's generally reject the Trinity (Didn't know those guys were SDA's) but they closed the forum down after I emailed the General Conference to confirm or deny certain teachings they insisted were factual.

In all reality despite my readings for most of my life I've been a 230lbs machine of self serving greed, lust and everything other rotten thing. I fall off the road from time to time and find that the more I read the Bible and enter religious discussion the more I keep my mind where it should be. So I'm nothing special at all.

 

[Mankin]

Lol probably the same with me minus the 230 pounds. I'm lucky to have a riduculously fast metabolism.

 

[Pythons]

Lol probably the same with me minus the 230 pounds. I'm lucky to have a riduculously fast metabolism.

I carry it well given my height... Did you read my Trinity exchange with RND or what caught your attention?

 

[Mankin]

Could you give me the link to the thread? I only caught bits and pieces from your posts

 

[Telaquapacky]

The title includes "moderates," so that includes me. I used to think I was traditional, but I learned that I have tended to turn a blind eye to some of the extremes of traditional SDA views, and have re-interpreted them for myself. I'm probably the closest to traditional of anyone here. In the traditional forum I would be the closest to progressive of anyone there. So I can probably find plenty to disagree with in both fora, and I will probably on occasion rescue babies thrown out with the bathwater from both camps. Don't expect a lot of posts from me. I'm as busy as a one-legged man in a behind-kicking contest.

I didn't like the way the traditionals crushed all dissent, like Tiananmen Square. They are afraid progressives' dissent will cause newly converted Adventists to leave the church. I think the hostility is more likely to do that than exposure to different points of view.

Night was perma-banned, whatever that is. I hope someone knows how to reach him and tell him I said hello, and sent my regards and thanks.

 

[freeindeed2]

I also didn't like the way the traditionals crushed all dissent, like Tiananmen Square. They are afraid progressives' dissent will cause newly converted Adventists to leave the church. I think the hostility is more likely to do that than exposure to different points of view.

Their problems are way beyond any PROG influence.

Night was perma-banned, whatever that is. I hope someone knows how to reach him and tell him I said hello, and sent my regards and thanks.

I will put this in a place where he will see it.

In CHRIST alone...