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Adventists: Partisan Politics & Religion Don't Mix

BY BETTINA KRAUSE,
General Conference news director

eventh-day Adventists in the United States have voiced opposition to legislation that would allow religious groups to engage in partisan political lobbying. In a letter sent late last month to key congressional leaders, Clarence Hodges (below), a North American Division vice president, said Adventists want to keep restrictions on direct endorsement of federal candidates by religious groups.

"We want our church to be strong, but one that is strong spiritually, not politically," said Hodges in an interview with Adventist News Network. "The Adventist Church steers clear of partisan politics. We do not support candidates, and we do not oppose candidates."

Under a bill pending in U.S. congress, churches and religious groups would be allowed to spend up to five percent of their gross revenue on political campaigns in support of specific candidates without compromising their tax-exempt status.

But according to Hodges, churches are simply inappropriate forums for this type of activity. "Political messages in worship services do no feed the soul," his letter reads. "Individuals come to church for such food, and for relief from the cares and burdens of life."

Proponents of the legislation say religious leaders should be free to advise members on which candidates will be favorable to the group's moral or social concerns. On the other hand, opponents say such legislation could transform pastors into political operatives, and compromise the spiritual mission of religious groups.

In his letter, Hodges also spoke out against a constitutional amendment that would enshrine the right to hold prayers in public places and at public events. "Prayer is a good thing, and there is no problem with individuals praying in schools and other public places," explains Hodges. "But we don't need a constitutional amendment to provide for what is already occurring." He points out that students in public schools are already free to have prayer before examinations or at special presentations. He says the danger comes when these prayers take on a more formal aspect; where religious exercises are officially endorsed by public officials; or, where participation in prayer is imposed on those of other faiths, and on those who have no faith.

"As Adventists we believe that each individual must be free to worship however he or she chooses, and that individuals should be free to not worship at all," says Hodges. "State-sanctioned prayer endangers this freedom of religious expression, and corrupts the very nature of prayer as an individual, from-the-heart expression of faith." -Adventist News Network

Death of Child Demonstrates Dangers of Health Fanaticism
A New Zealand couple, whose six-month-old son died last year due to complications from vitamin B12 deficiency, were convicted in early June of manslaughter. Caleb Moorhead, whose parents are strict vegans, died of bronchopneumonia associated with anemia and brain damage. Roby and Deborah Moorhead refused to vary their son's diet and resisted medical treatment for his vitamin deficiency. They told the court that their actions were based on their religious beliefs and their interpretation of the writings of Ellen White, a founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dr. Allan Handysides, General Conference health ministries director, calls the New Zealand case "a dreadful tragedy." Such a distorted view of health practices comes about through a "manipulation of the writings of Mrs. White," he says. Dr. Peter Landless, associate health ministries director, agrees, saying that fanaticism has caused some individuals to "wrench portions of Mrs. White's writings out of context."

"The church, through its health ministries department, promotes a well-balanced, lacto-ova vegetarian diet [the form of vegetarianism that includes eggs and dairy products]," says Landless. "And even then, not when this goes against medical advice in individual cases."

More than two years ago, the General Conference Nutrition Council, made up of some 25 doctors, nutritionists and other health professionals published a document warning about the dangers of B12 deficiency. The statement emphasizes the importance of the vitamin, describes signs and consequences of deficiency, lists dietary sources, and urges all vegetarians--but especially individuals who choose a vegan diet--to ensure they get the daily recommended intake. --Adventist News Network

Adventist Chorale Sings for Queen Elizabeth II
The London Adventist Chorale (LAC) performed as part of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee celebrations in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, London, England, on June 1.

The Chorale performed two pieces a cappella--"In that Great Gettin' Up Morning" and "Great Day"--to a capacity audience of 12,000. "It was evident that this event was an international spectacle with more than 40,000 people watching from Royal Parks around London and a live broadcast to more than 40 countries via satellite," says Trevor Johnson, LAC publicity and marketing director.

The evening was graced with 18 members of the Royal Family, VIPs, and members of parliament. Both pieces were chosen especially to reflect the sentiments of the jubilee. "Great Day" was arranged as a tribute to the Queen by Ken Burton, LAC principal conductor.

Burton was also invited to join the Queen and other performers on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the culmination of the concert. Immediately following the performance Burton participated in television and radio interviews explaining, "The message we were singing about is about better days to come. We believe in the Bible, in the return of Christ, the resurrection and heaven-–the perfect place to be."

"This was indeed a special and definitive moment in the life of the Chorale and the world church that will remain in our memories for years to come," concluded Johnson. "All in all, this weekend was not only a celebration for the Queen's 50th Anniversary, but also a time of celebration for Adventists around the world to see how God can elevate His servants to highest realms, if our trust is put in Him."

Adventist Review Goes Back to Basics
The Adventist Review will launch a new edition next month aimed at reaching out to the more than 1.5 million church members in the 10/40 Window [those nations found within the 10 and 40 degree latitude lines on the globe], the vast majority of whom do not have access to any Adventist publications. The Adventist Review Limited Edition is a one-page, front-and-back newsletter that introduces basic Adventist concepts and information in an easy-to-understand style.

"As the Adventist Church's work in the 10/40 Window grows, the need to embrace and nurture new believers is absolutely critical," says Dr. Michael Ryan, director of Global Mission, who first proposed the concept. "The future health of the church in these parts of the world depends in part on how well we communicate key values and ideas to people who may have only a limited understanding of the international family of believers they have joined."

Dr. William Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review, says the Limited Edition project reflects goals that are "true to the way the Adventist Review began."

"From the very first, the Adventist Review has existed to nurture and build up the Adventist people; to keep us together in a common hope and common purpose," says Dr. Johnsson. "No matter how sophisticated we become in our various publications, this goal remains absolutely core to the mission of the Adventist Review."

In its first issue, Adventist Review Limited Edition gives a simple introduction to the history of Adventism. It also deals with the meaning of the name "Seventh-day Adventist," and gives some statistics about the church around the world. The short sentences and simple language of the articles make concepts easy to understand and will aid translation, says Dr. Johnsson.

Adventist Review Limited Edition will be an electronic, rather than print publication. It will be sent to all Adventist centers in the 10/40 Window, translated into local languages and dialects, then printed and distributed to church pastors and members. It will begin as a monthly publication, but will move to a weekly edition should there be sufficient demand, says Dr. Johnsson.

To preview the first issue of Adventist Review Limited Edition, go to http://www.adventistreview.org/2002-1525/sample.pdf

La Sierra University SIFE Team Wins National Title
The La Sierra University Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team was named national champion for the fifth time at the SIFE USA National Competition held in Kansas City, Missouri, May 12-14 out of a field of more than 700 SIFE teams nationwide. La Sierra SIFE is the only team from a Seventh-day Adventist school to ever earn such an honor.

SIFE is an international organization started in 1975 as a way to offer college students an opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills while teaching others about free enterprise. This year's team impacted more than 4,600 people with its 24 educational outreach projects.

This year's win qualifies the team to compete at the SIFE World Cup International Competition to be held in Amsterdam in September, where national champion teams from some 20 other countries will also compete.

News Notes

*As part of the North American Division's plan to revive the Sabbath School Mission Investment program, Ed Reid, stewardship department director for the North American Division, has initiated a new agreement with the Kellogg Company increasing reimbursement for product labels. Sabbath school members should save labels with the bar code from the nearly 150 products produced by Worthington, Loma Linda, Morningstar, and Natural Touch. In exchange, Kellogg will reimburse the Division Investment Fund for US$.05 per label. This is 2.5 times the amount that has been in effect for the past 40 years.

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