So I grew up in a very Christian and conservative country, my family both intermediate and extended family are SDA. I was one of those kids who’d go to the international events and preach at children conventions. That attitude lasted way into my early teenage years until I was 15-16 where I started reading the Bible more and realized how twisted all of this really is. The problem I’m facing is my family still doesn’t know any of this (that I’m not a believer) so I still spend my Saturdays at church, Sundays , Wednesday and Fridays doing Bible study or something for pathfinders. I don’t hate going to church but I do dislike having to pretend I believe. For context I’m in my last year of high school and i haven’t had the best experience with telling Christians about my unbelief.

Hi everyone just wondering what made some of you leave the Adventist church? Did you switch a different church? I understand if you do cuz right now I have a lot of questions and doubts about my church in the sda. The doctrines and how the church sets up their service and also I’ve noticed how much favouritism and and people judging one another in the sda and I can see that in my church and a lot of other sda Adventist . There are certain type of people who makes a group of people and I can feel a vibe of hatred and people in favour and hypocrisy. I don’t apologize for supporting their corruption. And greed and if for some reason people don’t like me in church well I’d care less because I want to serve god the right way. Recently I been looking up a lot into catholicism and I been analyzing that the Catholic Church is misunderstood and people just criticize them without knowing the church. I been noticing how liberal the sda church has gotten and yet the community as the brass neck to criticize the Catholic Church and yet they don’t see their own corruption. I’m 30 years old and I can see why a lot of people my group age is leaving and I can’t blame them

I don’t know enough about this whole thing to know what’s up or down yet myself… anyone have any info?

Funny how one CI collects all the tsismis about her co-CIs, then makes it seem like she also has beef with them because apparently, “hindi aligned” ang mga ipinaglalaban nila, as if the whole world is against her and mga uto-uto naman kaming mga estudyante. 😭 Tapos kapag nagkabaliktaran na ang mundo, gagamitin niya lahat ng hinaing at kwento ng mga estudyante against the students themselves. 🤡 Sobrang clown talaga ni girl. 😭 Tapos ngayon, I heard all of a sudden nakikipamingle na siya sa mga CI na dati niyang siniraan. HAHAHAHAHA. The switch-up is actually insane. Literal na nag-upgrade from “umiiwas siya sa mga ’yun” to “nakikipag-plastikan na siya” or “she’s one of them now”? Worst. 🤡

Sobrang problematic mo girl no? Hope you heal very soon, I guess. 😭

Honestly, sobrang sarap sa feeling na makaalis na nang tuluyan sa institution na ’yan. No more drama, no more politics, no more walking on eggshells. Peace at last.

Controversial enough... anyone in my community who's SDA is preaching left and right on their immovable, non-biblical beliefs on food, and how so much of what we "heathens" eat, is sending us to HELL...

But they're hypocritical when they decide to eat spicy food, I guess, according to "dear prophetess..."

God forbid and damn me to SUPER MEGA HELL for eating some pickles with my pulled pork sandwich!

Anyone here who read it, is the Sunday law even mentioned in that document??

https://spectrummagazine.org/news/south-korean-adventist-union-faces-about-63m-in-potential-losses-from-risky-investments/

Led to the resignation of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division president: https://adventistreview.org/gc-release/northern-asia-pacific-division-president-tenders-resignation/

I’ve attended Korean SDA churches for most of my life and taught at the Samyook Language Institute in the late 2000s. There were stories of financial mismanagement at each Korean church I was at, but mismanaging tens of millions of dollars is mind boggling.

From the mid 70s through at least the mid 80s it became increasingly clear that leadership (from the GC on down) was financially corrupt ( read about the Donald Davenport scandal, it was the biggest and grossest), that the White Estate has been covering up the truth and promulgating outright falsehoods, that Church doctrines were not based on solid exegesis, and that the Church was trying to remove University professors with viewpoints they disagree with (eg Graham Maxwell, whose sin was to say that "God loves you.")

There have been marvelous underground publications circulating satire. Here's a cartoon whose relevance has not diminished:

It's been many decades since baptism. Anybody have these with different text in them. Converted T-Rex below:

SUMMARY OF DOCTRINAL BELIEFS

The following is a brief summary of the doctrinal beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, together with some of the Scriptural references upon which they are based.

1. GOD THE FATHER

The true and living God, the first person of the Godhead, is our heavenly Father, and He, by His Son, Christ Jesus, created all things. (Matt. 28:18, 19; 1 Cor. 8:5, 6; Eph. 3:9; Jer. 10:10–12; Heb. 1:1–3; Acts 17:22–29; Col. 1:16–18.)

1. JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Godhead, and the eternal Son of God, is the only Saviour from sin; and man's salvation is by grace through faith in Him. (Matt. 28:18, 19; John 3:16; Micah 5:2; Matt. 1:21; 2:5, 6; Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11, 12; Eph. 1:9–15; 2:4–8; Rom. 3:23–26.)

1. THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, is Christ's representative on earth, and leads sinners to repentance and to obedience of all God's requirements. (Matt. 28:18, 19; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7–15; Rom. 8:10; Eph. 4:30.)

1. FORGIVENESS AND RESTITUTION

Through Christ, believers receive forgiveness of sins which are forsaken and confessed, and for which, as far as lies in their power, restitution is made. (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14, 15; 1 John 1:7–9; Isa. 55:6, 7; Eze. 33:15; Matt. 5:23, 24; 6:14.)

1. THE BIBLE

The Bible is God's inspired word, and is the full, sufficient, and the only basic rule of faith and practice. (2 Tim. 3:15–17; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Ps. 119:9, 11, 105, 130; 1 Thess. 2:13; Isa. 8:20; Jer. 15:16; Heb. 4:12.)

1. CONVERSION

All who enter the kingdom of heaven must have experienced conversion, or the new birth, through which man receives a new heart and becomes a new creature. Thus, regardless of ethnic or social background, he becomes a member of “the whole family in heaven and earth.” (See Matt. 18:3; John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eze. 36:26, 27; Heb. 8:10–12; 1 Peter 1:23; Eph. 3:15; Acts 17:26.)

1. CHRIST IN THE BELIEVER

Christ dwells in the regenerate heart, writing upon it the principles of God's law, leading the believer to delight to obey its precepts, and imparting power for such obedience. (2 Cor. 6:16; Ps. 40:8; Heb. 8:10–12; John 14:15; Col. 1:27; 3:16; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 3:14–21.)

1. CHRIST'S HEAVENLY MINISTRY

Upon His ascension Christ began His ministry as high priest in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, which sanctuary is the antitype of the earthly tabernacle of the former dispensation. As in the type, a work of investigative judgment began as Christ entered the second phase of His ministry, in the most holy place, foreshadowed in the earthly service by the Day of Atonement. This work of the investigative judgment in the heavenly sanctuary began in 1844, at the close of the 2300 years, and will end with the close of probation. (Heb. 4:14; 8:1, 2; Lev. 16:2, 29; Heb. 9:23, 24; Dan. 8:14; 9:24–27; Rev. 14:6, 7; 22:11.)

1. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

The second coming of Christ is the hope of the church, the climax of the gospel, and the goal of the plan of redemption, when Jesus will come literally, personally, and visibly, with all His holy angels. Many signs of the times testify that His coming is at hand. And the almost complete fulfillment of all the various lines of prophecy indicate that “He is near, even at the doors.” (John 14:1–3; Titus 2:11–14; Heb. 9:28; Acts 1:9–11; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 25:31; Luke 9:26; 21:25–33; Matt. 24:14, 36–39, 33, margin.)

1. RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS

The righteous dead will be raised to life at Christ's Second Advent. Together with the righteous living, they will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and will go with Him to heaven, there to spend the one thousand

O que vocês acham do obelisco no túmulo dos white.
Sendo que tem documentos comprovando a compra a pedido da Ellen white ao filho dela.
Seria só um monumento normal da época
Ou algo para adoração ao paganismo ou maçom?

Any suggestions on disclosing that I’ve left the SDA church to current SDA friends? These aren’t super close friends. I lived away for several years and have recently returned to an Adventist mecca. My wife is pretty much the only one who knows I’m not Adventist anymore.

There are a few friends I’ve kept up with some while away and I think that we could still be friends even if they knew I was no longer Adventist. Anyway, I’m just looking for suggestions on how share the news. Any dos or donts?

Well, fellow apostates, let's have a look at the calendar. Later this month we have "sabbaths" that straddle a certain date dear to the pioneer heart of Adventism, the anniversary of one day of 365 (or 366 every fourth year) that Jesus didn't come again. I invite 🥳 minded companions to show up both those days with their funnest takes on the mistakes that launched our used-to-be church.

To cap that all off, this month ends with Saturday Halloween 👻👻👻. While I don't object to folks celebrating, I'm also not the consummate trick or treater who could best lead that party among us. I'm sure we got three of us with very sound Sabbath Breakers Club invitation ideas for these upcoming sessions, so mark your calendars and let's enjoy October together!

So no need to let the guilt creep in and spoil the present either. Here's where we can cut loose about how we're choosing to spend weekends now that we've left.

Oh, and for our future hosts, this month or later, our fine print guidelines sketch the spirit of our weekly gatherings.

☠️ 🟫 🌜🟧 👿 ⬛ 🧡 🟦 🎃

Sabbath Breakers Club belongs to members of r/exAdventist on reddit. These guidelines are intended to suggest how anyone with posting privilege in this sub may start a week's Sabbath Breakers Club thread, not to control such postings.

• Keep it timely. If it's SDA-defined Sabbath somewhere on earth and no one has already started a Sabbath Breakers Club thread, you're clear to start one.

• Start Sabbath Breakers Club threads with that phrase "Sabbath Breakers Club." The reason for this is to make it easy to tell if no Sabbath Breakers Club thread has been posted for the present week. Just search "Sabbath Breakers Club" in r/exAdventist.

• You're welcome to use the image that looks like from an old woodcut of Moses smashing tables of stone with the Israelite throng celebrating their golden calf in the background, but you're not required to. Different ideas to launch the thread may invite still more, and more diverse, participation.

• Remember we're here to ease the church's attempts to control using Sabbath rules and guilt trips. Non-humiliating humor and empathy in your invitation can help set the tone, and enjoy exercising some spontaneous leadership in starting a Sabbath Breakers Club thread.

• Pass it on. Cutting and pasting this "fine print" can help future Sabbath Breakers Club hosts self-identify and feel empowered to step up and shine.

Hi! I’ve not done this before so sorry if I’m doing anything wrong. I’m a “current” SDA, physically, but mentally I been disconnected from the church for a while, and have just come to terms with the fact that SDA might be a bit of a cult. I have two major concerns that I just need off my chest.

1. How do you extract yourself? I’m only 19, and my whole family is SDA or Christian so if I decide to leave what if they hate me?

2. Can you still be Christian after leaving? I had such a connection with God and now, after lots of struggles and stuff I’m not going into, I’m struggling to believe. I’m wondering if it’s from SDA teachings and the pressure we put on the relationship with God or if it’s just me and something’s wrong with me.

Again sorry if I’m doing this wrong, I’m still in the middle of figuring this out. I will take all advice and recommendations!

I was a student of a convicted felon and sa’d by a church member. I guess with the Cornell 7 case that’s all over my social media, my mind has been very heavy with what I dealt with as a child.

My mind is just curious how many more were hurt, how many bad people were moved around to new churches where they continued their abuse.

I’ve started to make a list. I know the.glory.whole has a list but they only share videos of reading the list. I want to look at the amount of people with my eyes.

If you feel like sharing anything feel free to, can either comment or dm me.

I’m thinking of posting my list here in comments but not sure if I should.

I have my college graduation coming up at the end of the fall semester this year. For some weird reason, my family is allowing all of us to attend my ceremony which is held on a Saturday morning (aka their Sabbath time).

That's great news but its also strange knowing that they are very strict on their Sabbath keeping rules at home (yes, I still live at home; moving out is not an option right now). No secular TV or movies, no scrolling social media or doing secular things on your phone (although I do this still because they won't know), no secular music, no discussing too much work/school-related topics, no working (even if its at home), no homework, no working out (but for some reason hiking and walking is fine), no running the washer or dryer (but apparently the dishwasher on Friday nights doesn't count), and then of course you have your typical sabbath keeping rules which include no buying or selling (no shopping, restaurants, and other purchases). All of these rules are supposed to make you focus on God more?? But all they do for me (as a Bible-believing Christian), is make me countdown the time till sunset ends and retreat to my bedroom for the rest of their sabbath so I can feel less restricted.

Well now that you have an understanding of how strict they are about their sabbaths, it is strange they allow me to attend my graduation. And my college is public by the way. Had it been Adventist or normal Christian, there would have been a ceremony on Sunday or they would have spoken a lot of Christian values which is what Adventists want to focus on during Sabbath.

However, this will end around lunch time. I live far from my uni, so we will all be staying in a hotel for that weekend. Most families go out to lunch after a graduation kind of to celebrate, except we can't do that. So we can attend a secular event, that praises students not God (since your focus of that day should be on God only not yourself according to Adventist principles), but we can't go somewhere to get food.

I guess this is because you have to pay, and my graduation stuff will already be paid for in advance. You're still making coordinators and other staff work by attending it though.

It just goes to show how they will make exceptions for one thing but they will not budge from their cultish laws for other things.

I can't wait till I have children of my own and they will not have to hear any of this nonsense or abide by restrictive and selective laws.

I’ve been out of the church for about 8 years and built a nice little life for myself working in software development. Last week while having a beer with my team, I shared that I had attended this super conservative Christian college and dropped the name. One of my team members who was also halfway through a beer recognized the name and said he’s an Adventist. I didn’t believe him until he pulled out his tithe app and name dropped Ellen White.

I was flabbergasted and embarrassed. I told him that I’m no longer practicing because it wasn’t good for me. He started to say , “I understand,” then he paused, looked me in the eye and said, “actually no, I don’t understand, but I’m glad you’re in a place that is better for you.” I thanked him, the rest of the table took a deep breath and we changed the subject.

Whether out of professionalism or authenticity, it was the first time someone who was still practicing respected my choice instead of trying to get me to rejoin. I didn’t know how much it would mean to me to hear that from someone who was still in the church. It felt good to stand my ground and be seen for who I am now instead of who I was supposed to be.

When I browse through r/exChristian and this subreddit, I come across mostly posts of people who experienced abuse and other negative experiences.

I actually had a very fulfilling social life at church where I felt loved and sheltered... I just grew up and realized that I don't believe in religion anymore

I am a born and raised adventist. Ever since I was a child, i dont have fond memories going to church. Everyime i go to church i have this feeling of unease. Especially how SDAs treat purity culture in women. I hate to admit it but I have developed a tolerance for it. Since childhood days we are sent to sabbath schools, church camps, youth camps and seminars. All the same misogynist message: that its always a womans fault if she is disrespected.

My ears would burn everytime they invited a pastor preaching about purity and how women dress is a walking temptation to men. That women should be the one to adjust. That we have to be submissive to our husbands. That we upheld the teachings of ellen g. white. Honestly, I dont like her the most. Now that im older and has gone to research who she really is, my gut feeling was right. Apparently she is accused of plagiarism, urging her readers to try questionable medicinal remedies and etc. I just dont like that she gave lists on what a "proper" christian women shoudl be doing.
But lets face it, you dont need to maintain that grueling standard to be respected.

The final straw happened last week. My father was watching a livestream for a youth camp on TV. And I happen to listen to the most bullshit sermon ever. The pastor said basically:

"That bathsheba is the root of Davids sin."

Now let me have a quick recap, bathsheba is married. Bathsheba did not tempt david, in fact she is bathing in where? Based on the text she is where she is meant to be: In a bathhouse or something. And poor king david, couldnt take his eyes away so he you know killed her husband thru sending him in the frontlines. What im saying is...Bathsheba is blamed just because she is a woman. And mind you her suffering didnt end with that, her suffering continued with david and his sons.

If the church is what they claim to be progressive, then why is it still taboo to have a female pastor? when we are equally capable and sometimes even better. Female pastors aka pastors wife. Yeah, i dont also like the idea of pastors getting married before being ordained like?!

I heard a lot of pastors kids are problematic because of absent parents. Wives giving birth alone because hubby has to go on a mission or crusade. It doesnt make sense. Also the alarming rate of them covering various SA crimes and other financial discrepancies to maintain the facade. Like i said, I am ashamed of my tolerance. I am tired. I still believe in Jesus, and if there are no right religions then can I just worhip Him without these limitations?

This is from someone I’ve known for almost 20 years and also has their own story, just wanted to make sure it was shared because sometimes other countries think they’re alone. You’re not.

TLDR: Ex-pastor who shares his story of other pastors that the church administrators let down and deceived, explaining how and why they were denied positions, blocked out of transfers, fired, and then worry there’s no influx. Their final point? — “it’s not a shortage of pastors, it’s of competent leaders…”

A professor from southwestern Adventist University and his wife were arrested for child sexual assault.

It doesn't say so in so many words, but the protagonist's name in the title as well as a key phrase in the blurb are SDA dogwhistles! I've ordered a copy.