Common myths about Seventh-day Adventists

It’s been about three years since Adventist Health took over Lodi Memorial Hospital.

Many people do not know much about the Seventhday Adventist religion or the church’s interest in health-related fields. The following are common myths about SDAs:

Adventists are like Christian Scientists.

Not really. While church members certainly believe in the power of faith, they also are pragmatic and understand the power of modern medicine. This is why they have over 150 modern hospitals throughout the world and sponsor 10 medical schools in 10 different countries. One is Loma Linda University, located in Southern California.

Adventists are all vegetarians.

It’s true they do support a healthy diet and promote a meatless lifestyle, but not all members follow a vegetarian regimen. Adventists do, however, reject pork and shellfish, based on prohibitions found in the Old Testament.

SDAs are not newcomers to promoting healthy eating habits. They have been doing so for well over 100 years. As a matter of fact, the Adventist Mortality Study from 1960-65 concluded that Adventist men live an average of 6.2 years longer and women 3.7 years longer than nonchurch member peers.

The same study also revealed that cancer rates were 60 to 85 percent lower, depending on the patient’s gender and types of tumors. Coronary heart disease was also lower.

Whether these statistics were due strictly to a vegetarian diet or based on other Adventist practices are unclear. SDAs are also non-smokers and do not engage in alcohol consumption. They do not use street drugs nor participate in promiscuous sex.

Adventists are ‘holy rollers.’

Not true. If you were to attend a Seventh-day Adventist church service on a typical Saturday, you would find it to be very similar to most mainstream Protestant denominations.

Adventists are weird because they attend church on Saturday instead of Sunday.

Historical records show that Christ, his disciples and first-century Christians honored the seventh day Sabbath. But in A.D. 313, Roman Emperor Constantine I legalized Christianity, and at the same time, declared Sunday as the empire’s “day of rest.”

In A.D. 364, the Roman Papacy went along with this change. Some historians believe this decision was made to avoid persecution of Christians by “blending in” with Roman pagan customs. But Adventists have always believed in the original Sabbath and therefore choose to worship on the seventh day, as directed in Biblical text.

All Adventists think alike.

Perhaps this was true at one time, but — as with any church that has been around for longer than a century — diversity of opinion does emerge. Yet there are basic core beliefs that most, if not all, Adventists hold.

Their thinking ranges from those who take a strict view of Biblical interpretation, as seen by the church’s prophet, Ellen G. White, to others who are known as “cultural” Adventists. These folks have historical ties to the denomination but are not necessarily obedient to all church doctrine.

Adventists don’t celebrate Christmas or Easter.

Actually, you’ll find a number of Adventist churches, schools and universities recognizing these traditional observances. According to “Adventist Today” magazine, some events for these occasions have attracted as many as 10,000 visitors.

Adventists only care about themselves.

Adventist Health facilities are found not only in the U.S., but in many other countries. Their mission is clear, and that is to make lives better for human beings throughout the world. People of all faiths, as well as non-believers, are welcomed.

As for Lodi, in addition to hospital facilities, the community supports two large SDA churches, a Spanishspeaking congregation located on Central Avenue, and a K-12 school system found at Cherokee and Kettleman.

Approximately 3.5 percent of Lodi residents are Seventh-day Adventists. Because of their values, it would be a rare event to find a church member on a “wanted” poster or reneging on promised financial obligations.

Over the last 155 years, SDAs have been consistent, respected and positive members in any community where they reside.