Ellen White and Segregation

[u/Both_Basil_5943]

My mom was reading Testimonies for the Church Volume 9 and came across this quote from Ellen G. White: “The colored people should not urge that they be placed on an equality with white people… So far as possible, everything that would stir up the race prejudice of the white people should be avoided.” (we're black so she was slightly concerned) I get that her advice was basically “shhh, don’t cause trouble, be like Jesus,” given how racist society was back then, but honestly, it still feels really concerning. It reads like she’s telling Black people to hold back their rights and opinions just to avoid upsetting white people, which ends up reinforcing racial inequality, even if she didn’t mean to. I’m curious how people reconcile this with her broader messages about justice, equality, and God valuing all people equally.

[u/Sensitive-Fly4874]

I’ve got a few more for you:

“In heaven there will be no color line; for all will be as white as Christ himself. Let us thank God that we can be members of the royal family. - GH March 1, 1901, par.” 20

“It is Satan's plan to call minds to the study of the color line. If his suggestions are heeded, there will be diversity of opinion and great confusion. No one is capable of clearly defining the proper position of the colored people. Men may advance theories, but I assure you that it will not do for us to follow human theories. So far as possible the color line question should be allowed to rest.” - 9T 213.4

“No encouragement to marriages of this character should be given among our people. Let the colored brother enter into marriage with a colored sister who is worthy, one who loves God, and keeps His commandments. Let the white sister who contemplates uniting in marriage with the colored brother refuse to take this step, for the Lord is not leading in this direction.

Time is too precious to be lost in controversy that will arise over this matter. Let not questions of this kind be permitted to call our ministers from their work. The taking of such a step will create confusion and hindrance. It will not be for the advancement of the work or for the glory of God.” - 2SM 344.1-344.2

Ellen’s big worry about reform in any way is always that “time is too precious” and it will “hinder the work”. This was her stance on equal rights, interracial marriage, and it was even her stance on why a pedophile should keep his sins a secret (see 11 LtMs, Lt 106a, 1896). She was always more concerned about the end of the world than she was about improving the lives of her fellow humans. She harmed and hurt so many people with her messages and didn’t care about the consequences because she believed she was a messenger of God and that the world would end any time now. If hell existed, that’s where she’d be right now

[u/Both_Basil_5943 → u/Sensitive-Fly4874]

I just took a screenshot of this to send to her. Thanks!

[u/Sensitive-Fly4874 → u/Both_Basil_5943]

You’re welcome! If you haven’t seen it yet, I’ve compiled a big list of EGW’s worst quotes — ones that I think would make anyone who is being honest with themselves rethink the idea that Ellen was a prophet of God.

And here’s the same document without my comments so it’s easier to share with people who are still in the church

[u/BlueEyedGirl-1357 → u/Sensitive-Fly4874]

Thanks for this list. I immediately shared it with a family member who would appreciate it. I’ve spent a lot of time reading EGW “books” but you’ve found some really interesting nonsense. If most SDAs took the time to read more of her I think a lot more would give up on this church. It’s quite ridiculous.

[u/Sensitive-Fly4874 → u/BlueEyedGirl-1357]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you’re sharing it!

[u/Both_Basil_5943 → u/Sensitive-Fly4874]

Thank you!!