The Seventh-day Adventist Religion Essay Example

on the sabbath perhaps is their most obvious practice which differentiates them from many other churches.

They bserve Saturday as their weekly Sabbath (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Preparation for the Sabbath is completed on Friday before the Sabbath begins. This includes preparing meals and any cleaning that needed to be done. Saturday worship has caused some employers to discriminate against many SDA members who feel that they cannot work on Saturday. On the other hand, some companies have found that an employee who is willing to work every Sunday can be a good thing. Many religions have different process for baptism, and Adventist are no different.

Baptism into the Seventh-day Adventist church is done by full immersion. It is preceded by instruction, a personal acceptance of the Scriptures, repentance of sins and confession of sins. Those who have reached an age of accountability and have been "born again" should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the death of the "old man" and the resurrection of the "new man" into a new life in Christ. Infantile baptisms are not done as in other religious groups.

As of mid-2000, the SDA church has about 11 million baptized members, worldwide, who are "of age" and on the "official" roles. The total number of members and adherents is perhaps double that. They have a growth rate of about 11% per year. Adventists can now be found in 205 of the 229 countries and areas of the world recognized by the United Nations, with 91. 6% of membership

living outside of North America. Seventh-day Adventist members follow a very strict diet. Members are expected to abstain from alcohol, tobacco. They were once also expected to abstain from caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, cola drinks etc.

The church has removed this from the baptismal vows, although they still recommend that people abstain from caffeine. Adventists are only allowed to eat land animals which have cloven hoofs and chew their cud (thus cows and most herbivores are acceptable, but pigs and all carnivores are not allowed). Acceptable fowl essentially include all birds except birds of prey. Acceptable marine life must have fins and scales and may not be scavengers. According to the bible, meat and dairy products may not be mixed, and traditional homes have separate dishes, silverware, cookware and utensils for meat and dairy products.

The Seventh Day Adventists diet demands that the animals be treated with respect and slaughtering must be done in a humane way. Many SDA members are vegetarians who supplement their diet with eggs and milk. Many religious figures state that people should dress conservatively however the Seventh-day Adventist state in their church doctrines that members are expected to dress simply and not adorn their bodies in jewelry or decorations. Seventh Day Adventists are told that they should only watch only uplifting entertainment.

They are not to participate in "worldly amusements" such as the theater and dance. SDA members believe similar to other faiths in that inter-faith marriages are discouraged. Divorce is strongly discouraged also. There are strict grounds under which a divorce is allowed, mainly if their spouse was guilty of adultery or fornication. Acceptable grounds are if they were abandoned

by an unbelieving spouse, physical violence. Adultery or fornication includes incest, child sexual abuse, or homosexual behavior. However, abandonment by a believing spouse would not be grounds for divorce.

A believing spouse means a fellow SDA baptized member; Catholics, Jews, or other Protestants are considered unbelievers. ) A death of a spouse or a divorce occurred; these are the only grounds for remarriage. Evolution is a huge controversy for most Christians. The SDA church has been quite active in the promotion of Creation Science in opposition to the theory of evolution. Many SDA members have published books and papers on evolution right out of college. Higher education is highly respected within the church. The rate of college graduates in SDA members is about twice the US national average.

One area that is very different from more liberal religions is the role of women. Although they have been allowed to be elders within the church for many years, none are eligible to become pastors. Similar to most churches stand on homosexuality; is that the SDA religion consistently condemns homosexuality as a sin. Gay candidates are not allowed to be ordained as pastors. Many Seventh-day Adventist have the same values as Quakers. Many Seventh-day Adventists refuse to enter the army as combatants, but participate as medics, ambulance drivers, etc.

During World War II in Germany, many SDA conscientious objectors were sent to concentration camps or mental institutions where many were executed. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the salvation of youth through Jesus Christ is the best way to prepare the future generations. They take giant efforts to help all youth, Adventist or not, to succeed in not only education but also

in their personal achievements. Seventh-day Adventists try to lead youth to understand their individual worth, and to discover and develop their spiritual gifts and abilities. Equip and empower youth for a life of service within God's church and the community.

Ensure the integration of youth into all aspects of church life and leadership in order that they will become active participants in their communities and in their church throughout their entire life. There are many famous people who just so happen to be Seventh-day Adventist (SDA). Some are famous for politic, others for religious doings, some are artist, writers, or poets. War heroes, Rap singers, and even neurosurgeons accompany this list. Some of the more recognizable names are Ellen White who is the co-founder and early prophetess of the Seventh-day Adventists.

Joseph Bates was a sailor, sea captain, and a co-founder of SDA Church. John Kellogg was a doctor who studied health, developed exercise machines, marketed granola. Later he hired his younger brother W. K. Kellogg, who invented breakfast cereal based on John's ideas and founded the cereal company. Paul Rusesabagina was a hero who saved hundreds from genocide in Rwanda and portrayed by Don Cheadle in Oscar-nominated role in movie "Hotel Rwanda". Desmond Doss received the Congressional Medal of Honor yet he who never used a weapon. Sojourner Truth is known as an abolitionist and black activist.

Little Richard and Prince who are pop singers were also proud to be Adventists. Brian McKnight is an R&B singer/songwriter. Joan Lunden a network broadcast journalist. Paul Johnson is the owner of a Christian music publishing company; first husband of TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford, and proud member of the

SDA church. Art Buchwald is a Pulitzer Prize-winning commentator and author. Richard Wright was one of first African-American writers to achieve literary fame. Arna Bontemps is thought of as an important Harlem Renaissance writer and poet. Harry Anderson is an American painter and illustrator.

Rachel Roy is a fashion designer and known greatly for her Sunday only fashion shows. Ben Carson is an accomplished neurosurgeon and is in record books as the first to successfully separate Siamese twins joined at head. Busta Rhymes who is still a well known rap singer. Admiral Barry Black became the Senate Chaplain for the U. S. Senate in August 2003 she was the first African-American and first SDA to hold this position. John Osborne is an on air televangelist. George Speight is the leader of an indigenous uprising and non-violent coup attempt in Fiji. Also, Magic Johnson who is a professional basketball player is a Seventh-day Adventists.

Seventh-day Adventists are very interesting people. They not only help run just about every type of support group you could possibly think of for their communities, but they raise money for less fortunate people and have shelters for women, children, and homeless. This group of people is known for being one of the most community motivating religious groups and is very active with different types of youth groups. These people in general not only believe in living healthy lives; mind, body and soul but believe in leaving the world better than how they found it.