| Author | Message | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 382 Registered: 2-2010 |
After the picture taken by Alden Ho surfaced, many people mentioned this book, "NOW!". I had heard my mom talk about it many times before but she could only describe the cover because she used to stare at it and think about all the scary things it taught. I had always wished I knew which book she was remembering and finally it surfaced. I ordered the short booklet last week from www.tsibooks.com for $1.95 (I hated giving them my money) and finished it this morning. I shared my thoughts about it on the Former Adventist Facebook page and thought Id share here. I would love to hear from other formers who have read it since leaving. Especially those of you who were read it as children. The contrast between the affect it had on you then, verses now would be very interesting to me. Here is my opinion of the evil little thing: I just finished reading it yesterday. It very much helped me understand what the older generation went through growing up in SDA'ism. The details in that book are like conversations I have had time and again with dear friends who experienced a different Adventism than I did. I realize its not so much that it was a different Adventism as that it was a different method of brainwashing the same doctrine. I did get some of the same teaching, just in a more underhanded way. It is actually quite amazing that I could believe many of the things I did and at the same time tell people, “they don’t teach that!”. These things were never said outright by the SDA leaders in my life like they were to the older generation. They were more assumed truths. They were the things I learned at home and everyone else just knew in the same way that we knew the sky was blue and therefore had no need to discuss that fact- it just was. My peers and I all new that we would one day be persecuted for keeping Sabbath, we might have to die for it, we would be hunted by other Christians and the government, we wouldn't know if we were saved till Jesus came and read the book of life, Jesus would take His angels and His presence from the earth and we would be left to survive the time of trouble on our own so we better memorize scripture and find a good hiding spot and hope to God we are not pregnant or nursing and it isn't winter. I couldn't name where I learned these things from (though I think perhaps I got some of it in the 8th grade). I suppose mostly family conversations, but I can sure tell you where my parents learned it- from pastors, teachers, authors, pathfinder leaders, and fueled by the nightmares the devil placed on their mind and seared on their conscience. This book should be read by every single “cultural" and "progressive SDA” who doesn't think they believe this stuff. Those who feel its harmless to remain Adventist if you just throw out EGW (they don't know what comes from her and what doesnt). Dethroning or disrespecting their prophetess but holding to her teachings does not equate with progressing in truth or distancing themselves from the absurdities of their organization. They really need to read this book and see what the denomination has hailed as “inspiring” and published for millions to "read and read again..." This book conditions Adventists to hear the truth of scripture and reject it in the name of their jesus, and stereotypes other non-SDA Christians as blood thirsty terrorists (Im not kidding, they are giddy about murdering the SDA’s they hunt and catch)! There is a scene where Marikay is being interrogated and the interrogator takes a few of the unorthodox doctrine of Adventism and corrects them with the very appropriate scripture passages- just as many of us formers would. At the end of it, he glares at her with a cold empty stare and tells her if she doesn't believe the truth she and her family will be killed. She also calls the "law of Grace" the gospel of the anti-Christ! She depicts that the purpose of the Law of Grace is to “save everyone in the world apart from the Law” and that it was given by the anti-Christ who said that the Bible is no longer valid and we are to now believe this teaching because God “changed the plan”. Through out the entire book she is in agony over wondering if she is really going to be saved. She thinks about the Christians in her life who were not Adventist and wonders as she sits in persecution if they ever converted to "truth". I could go on and on...it is SO telling and so very sad. Those of you who were tortured by this when you were younger just might find freedom in reading it again with the truth of scripture in your heart to see how weak, deceptive, and blasphemous that story is. If it has any hold on you it won’t after reading it with the eyes of Christ. This book being described as “inspiring” also explains the reaction of the students at camp Au Sable denying any kind of long term fear from their activity. They have no idea what this indoctrination is doing to them. Talking to them won’t help them know either. We can only pray... One other thought…it is the generation who published this book, indoctrinated their children with overt fear tactics, or were tortured with nightmares from this book who are now in power at the highest level of Adventism and are pushing for a return to historic Adventism. If “progressive” and “cultural” Adventists don’t get serious about learning about what they are passively propagating, they too will be held accountable for this. I thank Jesus that we were saved from this fear mongering and that He saved our children from our sacrificing them on the alter of Adventism for the sake of our comfort and not “rocking the boat”. Sorry this is so long. I am still processing this book. It is...horrifically revealing. | ||
| Kelleigh Registered user Username: Kelleigh Post Number: 46 Registered: 7-2011 |
I haven’t read this book. It sounds horrible. I read a similar book, Project Sunlight, when I was about 12 yo. The end-time Adventist scenario upset many young people I grew up with. An online customer review for ‘Now!’ is concerning too ie the book “will help to save our young people”. Mmm. I don't think so. | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1526 Registered: 12-2007 |
I would LOVE to read this book and share with my SDA MIL. Who is the author and publisher ? I havent been able to find it doing a search with just the title "NOW !" Francie | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 384 Registered: 2-2010 |
Here is a direct link to the book: http://www.teachservices.com/products/Now%21-%28Expanded-Edition%29-%7B47%7D-McLeod%2C-Merikay.html I tried to find it on Amazon so I didn't have to give my money to their website, but its not there.  | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 385 Registered: 2-2010 |
I am thinking about reading Project Sunlight, but Im not sure if I will or not. I wish I had the time to read them and take them apart with scripture for their product review sections... | ||
| Rossbondreturns Registered user Username: Rossbondreturns Post Number: 223 Registered: 10-2009  |
Don't worry Free2dance...let me make use of your copy of now and I'll gladly compare it to scripture page by page if I have to on Undercover Adventist. | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 386 Registered: 2-2010 |
You are welcome to it, Ross! I'll bring it with me to Bible study!  | ||
| Rossbondreturns Registered user Username: Rossbondreturns Post Number: 224 Registered: 10-2009 |
Great...Kinda looking forward to it. Oh by the way I found this online..probably not all of it but some of it at the very least. Part (?) I can't imagine it's all of Now! Just this much makes me ill, but I look forward to reading it if only to unveil the falsehood. (Message edited by RossBondReturns on August 01, 2011) | ||
| Skeeter Registered user Username: Skeeter Post Number: 1527 Registered: 12-2007 |
thank you for the link. I hate giving them money too but I am ordering more than one so I can share with an explanation of why it is soooo wrong. Francie | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 9333 Registered: 3-2004  |
Thanks for the link. It makes me sick to read that junk and that adventist friends and family believe that. Awesome God, be with all adventists right now and open their eyes. Take that veil off of them so they will see Jesus. I ask this in Jesus name. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12795 Registered: 12-2003  |
Free--I'm glad you read the book...somehow it resolves the "fuzziness" of the ways the indoctrination morphs over the years. Nothing has changed...it's just that the methods of indoctrination have changed. But you're right; Ted Wilson is steering the ship back toward the historic side. Nothing has changed! Colleen | ||
| Cathy2 Registered user Username: Cathy2 Post Number: 377 Registered: 2-2006 |
I recall reading and believing all of the mentioned books and we had our dramatic plays at Campion Academy based on them. I can relate to all of it. BTW, in the late 70's Mary Kay Silver left the SDA church. She wrote a book about her leaving, in the 80's, which began the process of my doubts about Adventism. I wanted no part of such a corrupt system. Then, I read Walter Rea.... Cathy2 cathoosier@gmail.com | ||
| Cloudwatcher Registered user Username: Cloudwatcher Post Number: 501 Registered: 5-2009  |
Free--- very insightful summary of the book. Still thinking about what you said here: "She also calls the "law of Grace" the gospel of the anti-Christ! She depicts that the purpose of the Law of Grace is to “save everyone in the world apart from the Law” and that it was given by the anti-Christ who said that the Bible is no longer valid and we are to now believe this teaching because God “changed the plan”. Through out the entire book she is in agony over wondering if she is really going to be saved. She thinks about the Christians in her life who were not Adventist and wonders as she sits in persecution if they ever converted to "truth"." I think this is hits the nail on the head on why the word "grace" is such a trigger word for most Adventists. This is exactly how they internalize it, even if they can't articulate it. We must remember this when we talk to them. Now I want a copy of NOW...but I refuse to pay for it. | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 391 Registered: 2-2010 |
Cloudwatcher, After Ross finishes with mine, Ill mail it on to you. I understand the conflict!! | ||
| Sharon3 Registered user Username: Sharon3 Post Number: 145 Registered: 2-2010 |
I read NOW when I was in college. I was already scared to death as a child, now in my youth I was terrified. I even looked at my teachers at AU and wondered which ones of them would be the "elect" who would deceive me. I grew up with a fear of authority figures and NOW deepened that fear. As a result of NOW, I have been fearful and skeptical of reading the LEFT BEHIND series. Some more terrifying stories. I'm glad to know recently, that we won't be here through all the tribulation and maybe I should give LEFT BEHIND a second chance. Years later teaching in the Adventist system, I read MeriKay's book on leaving the church. I believe it was called BETRAYAL. I was in shock over the way she was treated by the church, especially Neal C. Wilson. (Although, I was ever grateful to MeriKay for what she had done for us women in the system.) Looking back, I believe this contributed to my leaving Adventism, because I left over church control issues and dysfunctional behaviors I observed. Freetodance, do you know now why I was jumping in my chair at the FAF Weekend when Mark Martin presented his end times talk on the rapture???? | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 393 Registered: 2-2010 |
lol, Sharon3, I SO get it!! Especially... NOW! | ||
| Thegoldenway Registered user Username: Thegoldenway Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2011 |
I just learned that the Rapture is scriptural myself. Man!!!, that was the best news of the day for me haha No tribulation for me. However, it actually drives me even more in sharing the true gospel with others so that they won't have to go thru it either. Also, just recently learned the truth about hell. That also greatly motivates me to get the gospel of Jesus Christ out there too. I have just renounced SDAism back in May and since then witnessing has been such a "high" for me. Before as a SDA I dreaded it and avoided it. Sorry about getting off track here! lynn | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 3750 Registered: 10-2004  |
Ross, Maybe that's the original version? Free's link says "Expanded Edition"--I wonder if all of that was written by Marikay, too? Jeremy | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 399 Registered: 2-2010 |
Ross, that is all of it. Im not sure what all the other stuff was going on in there, but the story was in there too. Thats all I have... | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 400 Registered: 2-2010 |
Actually, it looks like there are insignificant sections missing. Still, I'll bring the book Friday. |
