| Author | Message | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 538 Registered: 2-2006 |
It's "The Adventist Church", "Adventist", "Adventism". Folks, I am resentful of SDA commandeering the common word "adventist" to use as their exclusive property. I am even more annoyed that we, as Formers, adopt this practice. I Am An Adventist! I have never been more of an adventist in my entire life. My Lord God lives within my soul and I look with anticipation to the day when I will touch His hand. I do not know any Christian who does not. So why are we participating in calling SDA "The Adventist Church", or "Adventism", or saying "Adventists believe this or that"? I just don't understand it. I am an adventist and I don't believe those this or that thingys!  Using SDA instead works perfectly in every one of these instances. In fact, I have never found a situation where I was compelled to refer to SDA as Adventism/Adventists. Okay! Maybe I Just Got Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed This Morning. Cut Me A Wide Swath. Pegg | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 2268 Registered: 8-2004  |
 I agree. Saying SDAism makes more sense than saying Adventist. But then linguistics often confuse matters. The word 'Spiritualism' means something that I think 'Spiritism' would fit better, but there ya go. English just doesn't always serve. | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1316 Registered: 11-2007  |
sda... I don't even capitlize it anymore.. thanks to Surfy. =) unless I forget. Using adventist - just like other labels - get used without people thinking. You obviously think too much.. or you would still be sda! ha. In a facebook discussion with an sda - I was using sda.. and he asked me to refrain from that abbreviation because it was too easily confused with lds. I'm thinking... if you weren't a cult.. people wouldn't confuse the two!! The problem isn't with the name.. it's with the truth! Hope your day gets cheerier Pegg. =) But you have a valid point. Sondra | ||
| Bb Registered user Username: Bb Post Number: 592 Registered: 7-2004 |
It's a bit of being lazy I guess, by shortening it instead of the loooonnngg seventh-day adventist. (I also refuse to capitalize it) I think sda is the best way to refer to it. Didn't really think about it, but we Christians ARE all looking for the advent of Jesus' return!! | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 539 Registered: 2-2006 |
Here's a Change Chart: Adventist Church = SDASDA is a proper noun folks. It makes sense to capitalize it as such so that the reader knows the proper noun (not something else) is being referred to. Capitalizing a proper noun does not confir honor. It helps the reader to know what you are talking about... ...And It Is Just Good Grammar. Pegg (Message edited by pegg on November 06, 2009) | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 540 Registered: 2-2006 |
It is simply a misnomer to call SDAs "Adventists"! It slanders other Christians - as if we're not. (This was one of Ellen's original accusations, remember?) While I was SDA the very LAST thing I (privately) wanted was for Jesus to hurry up and come. I knew I wasn't ready. Heck! I didn't even want Him to get to my name in IJ, let alone appear in the clouds. You talk about the rocks and the mountains! I know very few SDAs who, by their actions, do not appear to feel this way. I'm not denying that there are some. I'm Saying "Adventist" Is Not An Even Remotely Accurate Description Of Most SDAs. Pegg (Message edited by pegg on November 06, 2009) | ||
| Seekinglight Registered user Username: Seekinglight Post Number: 463 Registered: 3-2009 |
Good point, Pegg. Thanks for the reminder. | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 877 Registered: 10-2008 |
Hope I can have a wide swath, too. Habits die hard and vernacular, the use of words, also die hard. I understand, I think, what you are saying, Pegg (and correct me if I'm wrong). As a Christian, that is born-again, you look forward to Christ coming again (2nd coming) and therefore consider yourself an "adventist". I'm afraid I have never heard Christians talk about Christ's second coming as "adventist" or "advent" or "adventism". Indeed, I have heard them refer to Christ's first coming as "advent" (I think that is why we have "advent" calendars around Christmas time). But have never heard outside of "SDAism" the word "advent" used to refer to the second coming. Maybe, I'm just not so widely versed either. Forgive me, Pegg, in advance for the times I will inadvertently use the word(s) that seem(s) to cause you so much angst. It might be wise to give a wide swath to those that are transitioning out of "sdaism" who will also use the word(s) on this forum. For me, I'm a run-of-the-mill, born-again Christian. And since the word "adventist" is used widely by the sda church, I refrain from using the word "adventist" when referring to my current Christian position or beliefs, so there isn't any confusion. And since habits die hard I have used the word "adventist" when referring to someone who attends the sda church/institution, since it is so ingrained in me and we all know what I might be referring to. Language is important and words do trigger reactions very quickly - especially in a forum format where non-verbal cues/clues can not be seen. I have heard around 80% of communication is non-verbal. So I guess we all need a wide "swath" when communicating on this forum. Just random thoughts ... thanks for a "swath" for me, too. Keri | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 3075 Registered: 10-2004  |
Pegg, The terms "Adventist" and "Adventism" refer specifically to the Millerite movement and the "churches" it spawned. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventism Here is a list of "Adventist churches":
You are correct, however, that the SDAs should not appropriate the term "Adventist" solely for themselves. The SDAs have even officially stated that they want everyone to use the abbreviation "Adventist" instead of "SDA" so that people will not confuse them with LDS! Jeremy (Message edited by Jeremy on November 06, 2009) | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 716 Registered: 3-2009 |
USA = United States of America APA = American Psychological Association DOT = Department of Transportation FYI = For Your Information These and hundreds/thousands of other acronyms have specific meanings. If I say USA or say United States of America makes no difference, people know exactly what I'm referring too. SDA = Seventh-day Adventist It doesn't matter if I say SDA or Seventh-day Adventist or just Adventist it's still the same thing. I'm referring to the same institution. Example: People in other countries resent people form the USA because we call ourselves "Americans". They argue that everybody from the American continent is an American so we are usurping the name. What they don't take into account is that while all people from the continent are Americans, that is not a nationality. Since USA has the name of America in its name, then it becomes its nationality. Just like the people of the United States of Mexico are called Mexicans, the people from the United States of America are called Americans. This can be applied to SDA. Everybody who believes in the "advent" of Jesus is an Adventist. However, as an ID the religion called SDA by its name, its adherents are called Adventists. Is just a matter of language and law. Hec | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7685 Registered: 3-2004  |
It is a habit/carry over from my sda days. It is something I have not thought and prayed about. I know I quit putting a capital A in adventist. I have also called that church, "that church" and no one questioned me here. I resent it when the adventists on CARM tell us that because we believe in the second coming of Jesus we are adventists, just like them. I have not heard that for a long time there. I will have to give that more thought and prayer. Diana L | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5702 Registered: 9-2006  |
Boy thats really something to worry about, lets see, where did I put my worrying hat. Oops, I think Jeremy took my worry hat. Jeremy, have you got my worry hat? River | ||
| Hec Registered user Username: Hec Post Number: 718 Registered: 3-2009 |
River, I saw your hat flying out of your car window. Another car went over it, a possum came to check it out, and a truck just flatten the possum to the ground. I was going to stop and bring it to you for cooking, but it was to encrusted in the road. Hec Sorry guys for the gross description, but I had to tell river what happened to his hat. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10603 Registered: 12-2003  |
Pegg, I agree totally in principle. Moreover, SDA is so much easier to type! When I was working for the magazine Adventist Today, that was when I began using "Adventist" instead of "SDA"—and it was for the very reason Jeremy stated above: the Adventist organization has adopted an internal "preference" if not a "policy" so there is no confusion with LDS (!). Here's why I have continued to go with that preference whenever I deal with printed material (of course, on here, SDA is fine with me!): if I don't actually stay updated enough to know their official preference and practice, my own criticism will appear to be less valid or up-to-date. A comparison: most people here realize that the correct, official way to spell Seventh-day Adventist is with a hyphen after "Seventh" and using a lower case "d" for "day". When I see publications that use Seventh Day Adventist or Seventh-Day Adventist, I know I'm dealing with someone who doesn't completely know the internal practices of the organization. When people don't know the actual way to spell the group's name, I assume (rightly or wrongly--I admit) that there are other things that are less obvious that they also will not know. Recently I wrote an article for a pending publication. It included the name "Seventh Day Baptist". I spelled it, "Seventh-day Baptist". One of the people who read it before final submission corrected me...and I was truly grateful, because I know how much that sort of detail can undermine one's credibility. I also dislike the fact that the SDAs have trademarked the name "Adventist". They've trademarked a lot of other names, too, including "Ellen G. White". It's annoying--but we have to live with it. So, I will continue to use "Adventist" in print because of the above reasons. But here's where I am now drawing my personal line in the sand: if at all possible, I avoid calling it a "church". I actually became focussed on this idea when my elder son told me he refused to refer to "Adventism" as a "church" when he gave his baptismal testimony. "It's not a church," he said; "it's a cult." The more I though about it, the more I agreed; it doesn't teach the biblical gospel or hold the foundational doctrines of the apostolic church. As an organization, it's not part of the larger Church. So I call it the "Adventist organization". That's my personal mark of discrimination! Colleen | ||
| Lars Registered user Username: Lars Post Number: 29 Registered: 7-2005 |
I'm not sure what heading to put this under, so if it doesn't fit here, just chalk it up to me still being under the influence of pain killing drugs :-) I got home from the hospital yesterday after having a total hip replacement, which went well. I will be on crutches for about 6 weeks as it's the press fit kind and not cemented because of my activity level and relatively "young age". That's beside the point. Can't remember which night it was, but the nurse caring for my needs and I got to talking (2:30 a.m.) as she was originally from my home town. Of course, the talk got around to the Bible and different beliefs. I mentioned I had come out of a very legalistic sect several years ago, and was discovering God and the Bible in a way I had never experienced before! Her eyes lit up and she said " which sect was that, if I may ask" and I said "seventh day adventist" She agreed it was a cult and it was listed with all of the other cults including catholicism. We talked for a long time, just enjoying every minute. Finally she said I really needed to get some rest, so I reluctantly went back to bed. The really thrilling part was that some people are now "getting it"!!! So exciting. Can't remember her name, which I'm sorry about; but just the fact that the word is getting around was so very exciting. I probably am still kind of fuzzy today, but wanted to share. Praise God, Ardyj | ||
| Lars Registered user Username: Lars Post Number: 30 Registered: 7-2005 |
My sweet wife, Ardyj, was accidentally signed in under my userid. Ardy is doing well, but still under the influence of much needed pain relieving medication. Larry | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5705 Registered: 9-2006 |
I finally caught on to who had the hip replacement. I wasn't aware of Ardy having a hip replacement, I miss her posts for whichever one reads this. Get well quick and come on back,praying for Arty. River P.S. Be sure and let me know how the hip replacement helps, I think my wife is going to have to have one on both hips to be able to walk again. Also, she needs relief from my cowboy beef and beans. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 10610 Registered: 12-2003 |
Ardyj. I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well! And you're quite forgiven for signing in under Larry's name...those things blur with drugs, huh?! Good to see you, Larry! With prayers for you both, Colleen | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 597 Registered: 11-2007 |
You wil have to forgive me for not using capitalization for sda or adventists. It's just not worth the extra trouble to find the shift key. My other reason has to do with how we use the word God. Capital G and we know we are referring to THE GOD. We are talking about the utmost in respect and reverence. Lower case g and we are referring to the run of the mill, common variety useless type god. Don't hate me. I just don't see the sda denomination as worthy of my respect and don't want to associate them, in any way, with my God. (And I threw proper grammer and spelling under the bus a long time ago.) Surfy | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 598 Registered: 11-2007 |
And technically, wouldn't it be S.D.A. for the abbreviation and not SDA? Or since it is hyphenated, wouldn't it really be S.A.? Correct me if I am wrong here. I can take it. Surfy |
