securityof-your-holdingarms asked: I don't think you need to be vegetarian to be adventist. I am an adventist, with passion and I get baptised soon, and I do eat meet.

Hey,

No, you don’t have to be vegetarian to be Adventist. I eat meat myself, I know many committed Adventist Christians that eat meat, and there is nothing in the Church Manual that says one must be a vegetarian to be a member (though it is a part of the baptismal vows that a person should avoid unclean foods). However, it is encouraged to be vegetarian because it is better for your health and closer to God’s original plan for our diets, and that’s why about 65% of the church is vegetarian.

Now, I am not fully sure why/how this question was prompted. If it was because of our posts on vegetarianism and veggie meat, I post a lot about that because vegetarianism is a huge part of our culture. Some people still know us as the vegetarian denomination. If someone told you that Adventists need to be vegetarian, well, that’s not true. If someone said something like, “Ellen G. White said that God’s people shouldn’t eat meat”, well, they’re kinda right, but she also insisted that it wasn’t a sin or a test of a true believer (source).

There you have it. I hope this helps!

~Yvonne

Answer It!-June 19th

yeahadventists:

Hey! In case you missed my earlier post, we have a new thing here called “Answer It!” where you get to answer our [reasonably light-hearted] questions. Get in a response before 9 pm EST [by submission, ask, or reblog] and we’ll post it up here!

And now for the question:

Walla Walla University was recently highlighted on Yahoo! for its incredibly high marriage rate. If ‘Western Wedding University’ decided to capitalize on this officially, what could be its new official slogan?

Answer it! Do it now!

Reblogging for the afternoon crowd. Will reblog again in a couple of hours for the evening people.

Anonymous asked: I need some advice. I was born into adventism, but left when I was fourteen years old. Recently I have been studying the Bible more and attending sermons where I met this guy also an adventist, but he is dedicating his life to God and wanting to become a missionary. I don't want distract him from his path, but I need more. What would be the right thing to do?

I’ll admit, this does seem an unusual question. But then Yvonne pointed out to me that it’s entirely possible that you’re talking about a guy you like. Like, like like. But not like, like like a Like-Like (and all the Zelda fans die of horrible punnery). Nobody likes those. For the sake of having a hopefully cohesive and helpful response, I’m going to assume this is the case.

Now, the reason I found this unusual was because I honestly wouldn’t expect a former Adventist to ask Adventists about whether or not it would be a good idea to date an Adventist. Forgive me while all these things tumble around in my head with giant amused smiles on their not-faces.

Anyways, more to the point. My advice? Multiple points, I guess.

First off, keep in mind that what a guy has in mind for their future very much should be part of what you’re looking for in a guy when making a list of necessary qualities. You can be as vague as you want, but what you want with your life and what your future spouse wants with their lives should be able to coexist.

If, however, you’re more concerned with what God wants for your life, and you’re conflicted because you feel like He’s pulling you in a direction that you’re not very confident in and aren’t sure if it’s God or your emotions, then that’s a slightly different story. In that case, I’d suggest taking some time out trying to figure things out. Don’t go dating someone if you’re torn between a compatable future and an incompatable future. If you feel like God MIGHT be calling you to join him in missionary-hood, but can’t trust yourself (this applies to guys too, dudes), then be aware of it. You can make an emotional decision, and it very well might turn out perfectly. Just be aware that the inverse is also true - it’s the risk you have to accept if you take the leap.

If, on the other hand, you’re sure in your decision to leave Adventism, then… Well, first and foremost I’d urge you to keep an open mind. I personally try to live by the rule of never assume you’re right. This is actually one reason I always say that I’m open to input at the end of an answer. If I’m wrong, I’d rather know it and change my views. And if those views are wrong, then the process continues. There’re too many ideas out there for everyone who knows they’re right to be right. Heh.

Anyways… point is, whatever your reasons for leaving the Adventist church, if your search for what the truth is leads you back this way, be open to it. Similarly, any Adventist (including Mr. Shiny-dude) should be just as open to the idea that they’re wrong on one issue or another, regardless of how large or small the item is.

But be aware - if a non-Adventist and an Adventist end up together in life, chances are high that one or both of you are going to change their views on certain things - especially if one of you are dedicated to being a missionary. 

The question is simple - who’s going to change?

My advice would be to work that particular change out before committing to a relationship or even putting yourself forward in such a manner. If he knows why he holds his beliefs, and you know why you hold yours, then dialogue should actually help, as neither of you are being blind in your faith (or lack thereof, if that’s the case) and can mutually come to a decision of who’s convictions are closer to the truth.

The wider your gap in your understandings of what’s true, the harder it will be to coexist. Dialogue and a willingness to be open to the idea that one is wrong can close that gap… or at least narrow it to acceptable levels.

It’s not important to believe the same way about everything. What is important is being able to figure things out between the two of you. It doesn’t matter that there be an equal amount of concessions. You’re not working a compromise -  you’re figuring out who’s closer to being right on what.

The reason I ranted so long here was because there’s a lot to consider, and it’s always best to understand why you’re making a decision, even if that “why” doesn’t make much sense. Better if it does, but that’s neither here nor there.

Bottom line is this: talk things out. If his path is wrong, or if he’s blinded in his faith (calm down, some people are - even among Adventists), then dialogue will either help resolve that or let you know that he’s not a terribly awesome match. Conversely, if your path is wrong, or you come to a conclusion that your views aren’t very solid, dialogue and open-mindedness might very well make your differences in that respect far more manageable.

Above all else, if you take my advice, you HAVE to understand this one thing:

Just because one of you is wrong doesn’t mean the other is right.

…I just wrote an article in response to a non-Adventist request for relationship advice. O_O…

Hope this helps, Anon. God bless, and feel free to write back.

-Howie

Answer It!-June 19th

Hey! In case you missed my earlier post, we have a new thing here called “Answer It!” where you get to answer our [reasonably light-hearted] questions. Get in a response before 9 pm EST [by submission, ask, or reblog] and we’ll post it up here!

And now for the question:

Walla Walla University was recently highlighted on Yahoo! for its incredibly high marriage rate. If ‘Western Wedding University’ decided to capitalize on this officially, what could be its new official slogan?

Answer it! Do it now!

New Segment for Wednesdays: Answer it!

Hey, guys! We were thinking of all that happens on here and wanted to make our community a little more interactive (and fun). And since you ask us so many questions, we figured we’d ask you some of our own.

We’re gonna have a new [segment] called “Answer it!” where we ask you all a question and you get to send in your answers. Nothing too serious, of course, but light-hearted and sometimes even silly. Reply to the question, either by sending a submission, an ask, or reblogging the question and answering it there, and we’ll post your responses as the day goes on. On a day when a question is posted, we’ll take responses till about 9 pm and post them as we get them.

Our first day doing this is tomorrow, so keep a look-out! You hear from us all the time, now we’d like to hear from you. Answer it!

Anonymous asked: This might be a very taboo subject, so I understand if you decide against publishing this. However, according to your knowledge/sources, what is the Christian/SDA stance on masturbation?

TL;DR at the bottom

I don’t mind answering this, actually. Our Q&A bit here is here to hopefully provide what insight and wisdom we can into anything that can hopefully help with understanding what the Bible says and what Ellen White illuminates or advises. Sexuality is a real part of life, it’s a real part of Adventist life, and it’s something you’ll find SO many different opinions on that anyone’s bound to be confused if they’re looking for answers in the Church.

Here’s a huge point for you - the Seventh-Day Adventist church doesn’t HAVE an official standpoint on masturbation. There just isn’t one. Sexuality has been… well, borderline demonized by a large number of parents in the Adventist community. It’s an impulse or urge that pushes you to do things you shouldn’t (outside the proper context) - What else would you call it?

The problem is that when that above statement is drilled into you for years, and you get very used to being outside that proper context, the whole subject of sexuality ends up becoming not only taboo, but - as I said earlier - borderline demonized in your own head.

Now, as for what Ellen White has to say, I did a little research. She does speak on the matter of  a “solitary vice” that she equates with self-abuse. Now understand, this particular writing was directed at either the parents of a pair of children, or the children themselves (I didn’t look into it enough to determine that). Point being, it’s situational. Not only this, but the negative effects of this vice that she cited seem to be taken from then-modern medical standings. Since then, many of those medical doctrines have been recinded, and it’s actually been said by more modern medical professionals that occasional sexual stimulation is actually healthy.

Now keep in mind, I’m touching on the medical aspect of it right now, as it’s what Mrs. White references. She does cite a certain doctor that, correctly, mentions the role that zinc plays in male semen - specifically that a single ejaculation can remove a large amount of zinc that must be replentished. As zinc is necessary for many different and varied bodily processes, including helping the brain and immune systems to function. The point being, repeated ejaculation could result in a zinc deficiency, leaving a man somewhat cognitively impaired and susceptible to disease or illness. EGW’s words can be found in Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, pp. 269, 270.

Now, please understand that I’m getting a lot of this medical information potentially third- or fifth-hand. 

My point is that, medically speaking, masturbation seems to be healthy as long as you don’t go overboard. Moderation - it’s true of a lot of things. This considered, the kids (teenagers?) EGW was writing in regards to were brought to her attention because of a specific case where there was concern of at least one of the two kids masturbating in excess to the point of self-abuse. On this matter, remember that the Bible refers to the body as the temple of God - treat it with care, and don’t be destructive towards it.

The Bible never actually speaks directly on masturbation, though - not even in other words that can be clearly pinned to the subject. What it does say, however, seems to revolve around two points.

First is the fact that the Bible never mentions anything that can be regarded as masturbation in the list of forbidden sexual practices in Leviticus 18. This is probably the strongest case for masturbation that can be found in the Bible.

Second, the strongest (and only, far as I know) case against masturbation is in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. In the New Living Translation:

“You have heard the commandment that says ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

-Matthew 5:27,28 (NLT)

Now, this can be interpreted or diffused in many different directions, depending on a person’s opinions or personal understanding of the verses mentioned. Is it technically adultery if you’re not married? Does it count if you’re only using a mental image, or if you don’t need one at all? Or does this more apply to the realm of pornography? Does it mean that you’re not allowed to look at another person and admire their sexual attraction? Was Jesus being dramatic for effect? Are the answers to these questions different depending on a person’s individual situation?

These are answers I actually don’t have. I have my own thoughts on the matter, my personal thoughts on how each of those questions should be answered… but you asked for the Christian/SDA standing on the matter. Simply put… there isn’t one. If you ask a hundred people, I’d be surprised if you got less than thirty different answers.

To those of you who read this, if you have any input on the matter that helps with an answer to this question, feel free to send it in. Please note, however, that I’d be looking for information I’ve missed - not personal opinions, though I’ve no issue with responses that have both. I know that I’m likely going to spark something with this topic, being taboo as it is, so I’ve declined to provide my own views. This is something you, Anon, will probably want to think and pray about. 

I pray that I’ve helped with this post. God bless, Anon.

-Howie

TL;DR - EGW seems to condemn self-destructive masturbation, and the Bible’s input seems to be extremely open to interpretation. Do your own research and prayer on the matter - I can’t give you an answer.

Yvonne here adding on a small bit to that:

A similar question was asked some time ago, and back when I wrote the answer I did not realize that the Adventist Church (as in, the General Conference) never put out an official stance on it, so I was wrong on that. However, a lot of people in the church disagree with masturbation and that, I believe, is due to the potential lust and self-centered behavior attached with the act. Howie did touch upon lust slightly and mentioned pornography which the church has condemned. Most of the issues listed in this statement end up applying themselves to masturbation as well. Either way, I hope that helps you on your journey for truth.

~Yvonne

Anonymous asked: My whole life, I've been taught that magic is wrong. I don't agree though. Magic is just illusions, anyone can do magic. I do believe that witchcraft is wrong though because it involves 'dark powers'. Does the bible say anything about that? Or should I treat magic the way I treat witchcraft?

You know, I’ve been brought up being told that magic is wrong, too - though from a different standpoint. First, let me tell you what the Bible says in regards to witchcraft.

Leviticus 19:26b - “Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft.” (Note that this is a law for the Israelites as a nation. Still, He must have had a reason.)

Deuteronomy 18:10 - “And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, 11 or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.”

Revelation 21:7,8 - “All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Okay, pretty harsh words there, especially at the end. Now, to discuss what “witchcraft” and “magic” have to do with each other, and the meanings of such words.

First off, magic/witchcraft in the Bible is commonly agreed to originate from Satan or his cronies. It’s simple deduction, really - if unnatural forces are changing something, then those forces must be supernatural. And as I understand, God isn’t one for staging parlor tricks. I’m sure you’ve probably heard all sorts of horror stories about Ouija boards, for example - boards where the idea is that you summon a dead spirit and have everyone put your hands on the cup or stone or whatever it is and it will move over different letters and spell out a message. I can personally attest to having heard, spoken, two first-hand accounts with these horror stories - one of them being from my own mother’s experience.

But it seems to me as though you’re specifically asking about magic tricks, as performed by a master illusionist. In this matter, I see absolutely no problem. People are quick to jump to the conclusion that supernatural forces must be at work when they don’t understand what natural forces are acting upon a situation - just look at the Salem witch trials. I’m not sure how that all started, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one woman with a knowledge of herbal remedies learned from the natives used her skills to help someone who didn’t understand, and things kinda exploding from there. Of course, magicians deliberately hide their methods, some even professing to have supernatural powers, for the entertainment of their audience. The thing is that there are people, probably like your parents, who are very wary and suspicious of the influence that Satan’s forces have over reality.