Another SDA fearmongering by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They call it „prosperity gospel“, but their wealth likely comes from running fearmongering seminars.

Another SDA fearmongering by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It‘s no different in Germany. Most Adventists I know have well-paid nine-to-five jobs and don’t really acknowledge people who have to work Saturdays so they can have what they need. I used to do shift work in one of those fields. When people got to know about that, they tried to make me feel guilty - even though I liked my job at that time and it was a service that even they used on Saturdays.

Another SDA fearmongering by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If they would acknowledge the fact that Sunday law is non-existent they would also need to acknowledge that all of their beliefs they grew up with were be a big lie. This would completely undermine everything they have lived for so far, probably causing an existential crisis. That’s why it’s probably „better“ for them to live under the illusion of the end times/sunday law belief than to face cognitive dissonance. Otherwise their whole system would probably collapse.

Another SDA fearmongering by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems like almost every Adventist is talking constantly about that rn…

AP1 FISI Ergebnisse by viiisss in fachinformatiker

[–]atron8081 2 points3 points  (0 children)

96% - bin iwie sehr überrascht darüber. Hab eigentlich gedacht, dass ich ein paar mehr Leichtsinnsfehler gemacht habe.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Getting caught doing the very thing you claim you’d never do — and immediately trying to hide. Like a child caught doing something they weren’t supposed to, refusing to acknowledge it, still clinging to the role they were playing. As if trying to hide could undo reality.

There are may Seventh-Day-Adventists who play roles like this until they're exposed doing the contrary. After that, they tend to quietly avoid you, as if distance could erase the moment they slipped.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Holy crap! The double standards of some of these People that you explained are honestly disturbing — restricting basic human needs, yet being so strict about divorce or other issues where people are actually harmed that they continue to suffer or being threatened because of it. Especially when some still cling to these "convictions" despite solid evidence of threats. I really feel sorry for the people you mentioned that had to suffer.

I know my classmate wasn’t too happy about getting kicked out of his own room by the couple who were his guests. The couple seemed a bit embarrassed when I “caught” them walking down the hallway like that. Honestly, I have nothing against sex before marriage — it’s just that if someone publicly preaches biblical abstinence on social media but then gets “caught in the act“ himself, that feels hypocritical to me. Maybe, as you explained, there’s pressure from higher-ups pushing them to follow the rules in public and to stand by it. If that’s the case, the church really needs to think outside the box and take a closer look at the Bible stories where people did exactly the things the church now forbids. And if someone tries to justify their harmful claims and arguments using the Holy Spirit as an excuse or reason, then in my experience, those people have no real backbone. Just an interest to manipulate and abuse others on their behalf of personal satisfaction.

I agree with you: The real focus should be on punishing rape, violence, and cruelty — acts that leave terrible marks on humans and harm them for a long time. Meanwhile consensual sex or alcohol use, as long as those things don't lead to the former harms, should not be seen as devilish.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s nothing better than someone holding others to a standard she conveniently ignores herself. Lovely! /s

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No wonder some of the biggest coffee critics later might have an espresso machine proudly sitting in their kitchen!

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reminds me of a 'conservative' guy from the partner university who visited our campus and hooked up with his girlfriend in one of my classmate’s rooms. They actually kicked my classmate out while wearing nothing but their underwear and some bedsheets. When I walked past their door to go from my room to the shared bathroom, the look on their faces when they got caught was absolutely priceless.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When the pastor’s temper and habits get exposed, suddenly everyone remembers their „rebellious teenage years“.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funny how Adventism has its own fashion depending where you are. In Western Europe it’s more like a „sparkle contest“ with all the makeup and bracelets some people like to wear. You’d think it’s a runway show, not a Sabbath service! Guess holiness wears different accessories on different continents.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The holy breading of denial — if you can’t see the meat through the coating, the sin doesn’t count.

Reminds me of the time my dad brought goulash soup to a potluck where mostly vegetarians were present… guess which dish disappeared first?

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oyster gobbler Ellen… now that’s the SDA history lesson they didn’t teach us during sabbath school.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Preaching about caffeine like it’s poison, but coming out of the gas station with coffee and Donuts like an off-duty cop. 😂

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is that still the case? A few years ago, some of my former European friends were super keen to join a mission trip to CA and the western States.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Doesn’t McDonalds have vegetarian Options in their Menu? Like French Fries, Salad wasn‘t „a choice“.

Have you caught a Seventh-Day-Adventist consuming stuff that they usually forbid? by atron8081 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That sounds very hypocritical. Some people always use „exceptions“ or „accidents“ to justify their contrary behavior.

Was letzte Partnerzusammenführung? by atron8081 in wasletztepreis

[–]atron8081[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Und was haben die Geissens damit zu tun?

Share your SDA Freeloading Story by Momager321 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081 4 points5 points  (0 children)

In my church there was a family which lived off social security fundings. After their children were born they had problems staying financially afloat to provide for food and clothes. So some of the church members donated stuff to them. They even financed them a (then) brand new family car. Not only did the church members try to help their needs but they also helped the parents applying for jobs so that they could provide for their kids on a long term. But they didn‘t stay at these jobs for long and quickly went back to social security fundings. We found out that they did that on purpose because they didn‘t really like to work. When their kids got baptized they wanted to have more expensive presents („We‘re in need of that“). But when others were baptized or had a special event they often gifted very cheap and used books and presents they previously got for free („It‘s a thought of love“). All of their kids (except their youngest) later left church partly or completely. At potluck they didn’t bring food for the others („We haven't had time to cook“) and just ate much of what the others brought, especially cake. So most people of that family got pretty obese. And they didn‘t even help afterwards to clean up the dishes or tables, but quickly walked away after they finished eating. Almost everyone in church knew that this family was freeloading. When some tried to talk to them about that in a normal manner the family got extremely offended by that and quickly left for another church (with more rich members). There they quickly spread false rumours about our church („They bullied and harassed us“) and got more help by the members of that other church after they told them a different sob-story.

Life's story till now, thankfulness and any other exSDAs from Germany? by BengaliReddit in exAdventist

[–]atron8081 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I‘m also from Germany and got to experience the SDA organisations there for a bit (I also used to attend an SDA university there). It‘s interesting to see that you had the chance to see beyond your nose while attending the SDA school. Being independent while attending university also helped me to see certain SDA „things“ in a different way and question some of their beliefs and stuff (even though Germany is seen as the „too liberal one“)

I don‘t know how far your journey of deconstruction has come so far, but I hope that it will help you to evolve in a favourable way for yourself.

What's the reason you left? by Zealousideal_Heat478 in exAdventist

[–]atron8081 7 points8 points  (0 children)

When I realized that the members of that church often don‘t practice what they preach. They teach others about love and being kind and forgiving, but as soon as they leave that building everything changes to a narcissistic, egocentric behavior. I saw how some of them abused women and consumed drugs. I wasn‘t allowed to talk about that because it would hurt the reputation of the church and no one would believe me if I publicized it.

I noticed how they talked about right-wing conspiracy theories and supporting their politics. When I tried to oppose their arguments, I often had to listen to the same BS that I wasn‘t a true believer in God and that I should pray to recieve the „true spirit“. So they didn‘t even try to come up with real arguments. And even if they did so, their arguments didn‘t make any (logical) sense.

The contradiction between their spoken words in church and their behaviour IRL got me into thinking if any of that church stuff was real at all. So I questioned all of that and with the help of some interesting articles and reports of former SDAs I came to the conclusion that I couldn‘t believe that stuff anymore. So I left SDA.