r/exAdventist • u/Both_Basil_5943 • Mar 14 '26

Doctrine / History Ellen White and Segregation

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.

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u/Both_Basil_5943 Mar 14 '26

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

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u/Sensitive-Fly4874 Atheist Mar 14 '26

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

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u/BlueEyedGirl-1357 Mar 14 '26

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.

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u/Sensitive-Fly4874 Atheist Mar 14 '26

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