Buddha was a member of the Saka, Scythian tribe. His people (Saka) were known to throw hemp seeds on steam hut fires and enjoy the aromatic effects. The Scythians were a Siberian people who traveled down through Asia (note the hook-nosed, red headed demons in some Asian folklore) naming the Turkish people (Turq is a Scythian word) and settling in modern Scotland. Thus, the people who raised Buddha were the same who opposed Catholic influx into Druid territory and harbored protestants.
Some Christians believe that everyone walks a different path and what makes your religion is in purity of intent and thought.
Different strokes for different folks...we all go to the same happy hunting grounds.
Sorry, Oceans; I logged out for a while. SDA's were what happened when a group of people from numerous faiths started inviting other denominations together to find which version of the Bible was most accurate (the Vulgate being the main source for most Bibles, influenced heavily by it's single translator, Origin, who was still partly pagan), they settled on the KJV, to a degree, this has changed. Now some SDA's accept the New King James Version or even the Vulgate-derived New International Version. The main group has gone in several directions, illustrating how differing backgrounds and interpretations can affect people, some of the larger denominations that formed are SDA, Davidians and the Jehovahs Witnesses...though from what I've heard their teachings are currently being rethought.
As a rule, Adventists don't support war or bloodshed of any kind but the Conference is an institutution, so they're run by lawyers...
Anyway, back to your questions.
The merger, was limited to one church, I met one of the SDA's from the church and they seemed very happy about it. I believe it happened about three to five years ago.
As to the views on Israel, it differs from person to person. I personally believe that the land is no longer sacred and will not be until the second coming (Advent). I harbor no ill will toward the Isreilis or their neighbors because I believe we're all related anyway, they're both fighting for what they believe in (though the "thou shalt not kill" thing seems to be out the window) and I've met both and they both groups hold good people and bad...just like Christians...hmmm. Like they're human or something...
The Seventh Day Adventist Church (at large, like any church, there are shades and differences) is a protestant Christian church whose beliefs are similar to Judaism in that we keep Saturday as the sabbath. We believe in the Christ, eat as clean a diet as possible vegetarian where possible but especially trying to educate the public about health. We started Loma Londa, have been associated with the founder of Kelloggs (though he had mental problems and wasn't SDA), The Black Hills Institute and ADRA, which is the protestant version of the Red Cross. A church of Messianic Jews merged with one of ours when both (small) churches realized how similar we are, not sure about the Messianic Jews end time beliefs but we seem to get along just fine. The most successful Islamic missionary that I know of (I'm not posting his name on this board for security reasons) has entered the Islamic community in Africa and has compared notes with several leaders (again, for security reasons, I'll be a little vague). It seems that the leader was so impressed by the doctrine and the fact that our missionary was willing to learn and cooperate, that he ordered his people to study Adventism. If his entire following (a large portion of Africa) do what he says, as is customary, then there will be more Islamic Christians than classical Christians in the world population.
As someone with a small bit of middle eastern blood, whose denomination has merged with both Messianic Jews and Islamics, I'd have to concur with everything the good man says.
***Steps to the podium like a toddler's first recital***taps the mic.
I believe that God has different names across the world, YHWH; Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Mother Earth; Great Spirit; Allah; The Source; The Universe, The Others...the list goes on but the motive remains the same. My belief is that God (I'll use the term on the thread) created us to be part of a utopian world. I believe that it is our decision-making ability that was our very purpose for being and that in the future we will serve as ambassadors to the other worlds to teach them what self-destruction darkness brings. (That's my view of heaven, not naked babies and clouds)
transientmind Forum Posts (1,252)
RE: Do you have a donated...
Same here, only it'd be my luck. Not planning.