Adventists
And Politics
by
Clarence
Settle
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ADVENTISTS
AND POLITICS
The most outstanding example of unity with the world can
be seen in the compromise of the church with the State in totalitarian
countries, such as To
give you a general idea of the unfortunate departure from fundamental
principles and the concessions to the powers of darkness, which have marked
the church since World War I, we quote a few references hereunder: "The
period of National Socialist rule was a difficult one for German Seventh-day
Adventists, and one about which they were and are still reluctant to speak....
"With
the introduction of the compulsory military training and labor service in
1935, Adventists faced the problem of adjusting themselves to government
service.... It was difficult or virtually impossible to observe the
seventh-day Sabbath in the labor service or in the army.... "With
each succeeding year of the National Socialist regime, government
restrictions against religion became more severe. Seventh-day Adventists
realized that the authorities were watching them more closely to see that government
orders [which were often in conflict with Bible principles] were obeyed; the
church realized that it must follow these orders to save itself from
closure.... "The
prewar Nazi years were filled with trial and difficulty for Adventist
children and parents. Since the Adventist church did not operate
elementary and secondary schools, attendance at public schools six days a
week was obligatory. It was usually impossible for Adventist parents to
obtain permission to have their children excused from attendance on
Sabbath."-Spectrum, Vol. 8, No. 3. "The
G.C. 1985 session at "The
registration of a church with the Department of Cults allows the State to
control the worship services as well as collect the offerings. Such an
illicit relationship of a God-rejecting government with a God-professing
church makes a poor marriage from the start. "The
price paid reaches beyond the high cost of the State handling the money. The
real loss comes from compromising 'religious truth.' The cost of being
unequally yoked is the sacrifice of conscience.... "Churches
joined to the State are required to compromise any religious practice that
conflicts with the pursuit of the materialistic value system espoused by the
. . . government. In the case of Seventh-day Adventists, parents are
required to send their children to school on Sabbath.... Sabbath observance
is lightly regarded by the State-recognized church. It is common to see an
SDA minister lead a young person away from the church on Sabbath to a
government school to do school work. The ministers tell them: It is not a sin
to go to school on Sabbath.... "The Sabbath problem has existed since 1924, when the
State gave recognition to the churches in 'Young
men are required to 'bear arms' in compulsory military service [also on
Sabbath]. Others are often required to do routine work on Sabbath in
accordance with the situation and circumstance. The compromise of conscience
destroys the faith and the will of the members in the power of God to
challenge the State.... "The General Conference, as the administrative arm of
the church, is compounding the 'problem' by supporting the [State]-controlled
local leadership in breaking the law of God to obtain favor of the State. The [atheists] love
the G.C.'s support, because it helps cover up their
brutality against SDA's who are faithful and remain 'underground.' Many
suffer in prisons where they are not 'visited,' but denied and denounced by
their own brethren.... "The
commandments of God were designed to protect both divine and human rights,
but the church is being used by [the atheistic State] to destroy any
religious element that does not sacrifice the commandments of God to the gods
of atheism. Souls are misled in the Lord's name. "The General Conference gives recognition to the
[atheistic State]-directed church organization as the ' "Near
the end of October 1951, a special three-day meeting was convened at division
headquarters for the purpose of appointing new division officers....
Delegates appointed a new division committee.... "The delegates passed several resolutions: to pledge
allegiance to the government and the . . . Party, to support the volunteers
fighting with the North Koreans, to adopt and promulgate the Three-Self
Movement program, . . . At the banquet
celebrating the close of the meeting, alcohol, cigarettes and unclean foods
were freely served. The new division chairman freely indulged in these
things and soon had a goodly number of his colleagues at the division
headquarters following his example. The practice also spread to other places.
"Those attending the meeting condemned strict Sabbath
observance and the church's dietary restrictions as the poisonous teachings
of the American missionaries, not in harmony with the Bible. This action received
the strong support of representatives of the Three-Self Movement Committee. The
writings of Mrs. Ellen G. White and Adventist hymnbooks at the publishing
house and division headquarters were destroyed. Several of our leading
ministers gave up their copies of Mrs. White's books with their allegedly
imperialistic and poisonous teachings.... "Through
1957, the China Division continued to operate with division and union
headquarters at their traditional locations. But the unions lost most of
their former usefulness. Instead of carrying out division policy, as they
once had done, they began taking their orders from the government."-Spectrum,
Vol. 7, No. 3 (Feb. 1976). Other
Countries
a) SDA's in "At
the conference (GC delegation session held in Atlantic City, USA, June 11-20,
1970), there were 1700 delegates from 190 countries. Among them there were
also representatives of the Church from the socialist countries, such as b) SDA's and
the Poll In
an election in "Seventh-day Adventists who have not already cast
their votes for the General Election may do so on Saturday, but it will be a
matter of individual conscience. "The church does not encourage members to perform
secular tasks on Saturday, but it would not disallow its members to vote on
Saturday, said Pastor D. I. Jenkins, spokesman for the Church." Many
more examples of forbidden flirtations here and serious involvements there
could be added. In view of these facts, it is clear to us that the
denomination is united with the world. Her religion, which was a reality in
the past, has degenerated into a hollow formalism a profession of faith plus
some appearance of Christianity and a partial obedience to the word of God
whenever possible and convenient. Involvement
in politics and subservience to totalitarian States, with a consequent
reversal of values and loyalties, places the church in a position where God
cannot use her any more. This warning from the Spirit of Prophecy settles the
question: "Consider, my brethren and sisters, that the Lord has
a people, a chosen people, His church . . . and He intends that no authority
should be known in it, no laws be acknowledged by it, but His own.... His
authority should be kept distinct and plain before the world, and no laws are
to be acknowledged that come in collision with the laws of Jehovah. If in
defiance of God's arrangements the world be allowed to influence our
decisions or our actions, the purpose of God is defeated. However specious
the pretext, if the church waver here, there is written against
her in the books of heaven a betrayal of the most sacred trusts, and
treachery to the As
we are often asked why we do not vote, we explain our position by quoting
from the writings of E. G. White hereunder: "The Lord desires all who bear the message for these
last days to understand that there is a great difference between professors
of religion who are not doers of the word, and the children of God, who are
sanctified through the truth, who have that faith that works by love and
purifies the soul. The Lord speaks of those who claim to believe the truth
for this time, yet see nothing inconsistent in their taking part in politics,
mingling with the contending elements of these last days, as the circumcised
who mingle with the uncircumcised, and He declares that He will destroy both
classes together without distinction. They are doing a work that God has not
set them to do. They dishonor God by their party spirit and contention, and
He will condemn both alike. "The question may be asked, Are we to have no union
whatever with the world? The word of the Lord is to be our guide. Any
connection with infidels and unbelievers which would identify us with them is
forbidden by the word. We are to come out from them and be separate. In no
case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans or work." FE 482. N.A.D.
[North American Division] working policy #P-3015 states: “When
an employee of a conference or other organization takes a course in violation
of the laws of the country, church discipline shall be administered. Conference
officials shall cooperate in proper punishment of
such offenders.” In
Nazi-era |