I have been in the Adventist church for 12 years now since I first discovered the church in '96.

In my home town I didn't have people my age to fellowship with. It was all old people. No one wanted to share this powerful message. So I got together with a Literature Evangelist group.

There was a young man and young lady who wanted to go to Peru together on a mission trip. So they went to various churches to gather money for it. They asked me to go with them on a trip a few hours out of town. The girl asked because she didn't want it to look like they where courting. I didn't refuse them because Jesus says if someone compels you to walk a mile, walk with them twain.

It was Friday and we where to spend that night and the next there.

We had a walk on the Sabbath and had normal Sabbath conversation with the old man who was putting us up at his house. He started expressing his contempt for polygamists in Utah. He said polygamist families should be broken up. If they want to be baptized, the man would have to divorce all his wives accept one.

I really had trouble accepting that. I pointed out how Jesus said divorce was adultery. I said what about the children? Then I even started looking at things from a polygamist's perspective and asked what he suggested to do with all the extra women on the world. So many men die in war and such that the population is about 60% women and 40% men. Should they become nuns? Or prostitutes? Single moms? If you had your choice, would you be raised by a single mom, or in a polygamist family with a dad and several moms? Did you really know what a child goes through with a single mom with the basest of men coming and going?

I pointed out that polygamy is never condemned in the Bible, it's just not recommended for bishops. "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife", (1 Tim. 3:2). That's pure Bible. No culture or tradition. It was the Catholic Church which said polygamy was one of the unpardonable sins.

Well I guess I went too far there. The man said to the young man, "Our friend, rush should move to Utah." I said I'm not a polygamist, but how can you require people to get divorced when Jesus condemned divorce? Well the issue went unsettled.

When I got back, I was betrayed by these kids I went out of my way to help. They said I got into an argument with a man on the Sabbath. How many arguments did Jesus get into with people on the Sabbath? Well I didn't think about that then.

They also made an issue about me talking to a 14 year old girl. This girl wanted to tell me her whole life story and I just listened. That's all. I thought I was doing the right thing by being a good listener. Was I supposed to tell her it was not proper and maker her feel bad? Should I say, "Tell it to someone who cares. Please leave me alone."

So they make me out to be some kind of sicko.

I also told the head leader I couldn't accept pacifism. He was teaching that soldiers and policemen where "vessels of dishonor", (2 Tim. 2:20). They lay down their lives to protect our religious freedom, but they have to sin to do it, so they are like doing the dirty work that God's people are not allowed to do. We should not join the military or the police force because then you'll have to kill someone and that's a sin.

Jesus talked to many soldiers and he never told them to give up their profession for a new one.


I don't find the disciples doing that either.


So what do you think this guy will do? Reconsider his views? Overlook our differences? Have me exiled?

What do you think happened?

There was no one to say a word on my behalf. I guess I wasn't friends with any of those students. There was only one other person who had no family in the church, and he also got kicked out. We where the only ones. Coincidence?


I didn't even tell anyone because of this verse:


This man somehow arranged it so I was not allowed to go with any Literature Evangelism program in North America. I was sent away with nothing and had to live with my mom. My mom and my brother smoked dope at that time and where very bad influences on me. I was never able to even search for God until I had left their demonic influence, when I moved out on my own when I was 19.

One night they had a drinking party and invited the drunks from all over. I didn't feel I could be a part of that, so I stayed in my room. At 3 AM my brother kicks down my door and attacks me with his drunk friend so I have to fight both of them in my underwear. They destroyed my mom's antique mirror and almost trashed my computer and printer which is the only thing I had left in the world.

When the devil has control over everyone but you, what do you think he's going to do? Leave you in peace?

This is not a happy story. But we need to treat each other better or something.

If I ever get my head above water, I will seek out lonely souls and do whatever I can to help them. If God sends me someone I will not send him away.


Now accuse me of blasphemy because I apply that verse to myself. I would say all of us are to follow that example:


So now I feel burdened about some misinterpretations I see in Amazing Facts so I try to contact them, but they ignore me so I share my burdens on a forum such as this. Then the head admin accuses me of trying to seduce Adventists into keeping the feast days. That's not what the post was about. He didn't even read it. I just said Romans 14:6 is about pagan holidays, not Jewish feast days. I said Gal. 4:10 is about observing times which is astrology, not feast days. Only Col. 2:16-17 is about feast days. I agree they where a shadow and we don't have to keep them.

So he thinks I want people to keep the feast days. That reminds me of the old man that thought I was a polygamist.

I tried to change some things to avoid misunderstanding and re-post to see if I would yet get some feedback for my burden. But he deleted it. How much would I have to change it so it won't get censored? And why would it be censored in the first place? I'm not telling people to keep feast days? He still doesn't understand that?

Now I will probably be banned. Will the Lord comfort me?

2 Sam 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.

I guess I better say good-bye then. I didn't get a chance to those other times because I didn't have the foresight. Now I know the signs.

I love you all. God bless. I hope to see some of you in Heaven.

Something I am still learning is this: Just because the world is full of stupid people doesn't mean you have to correct every one of them. If you don't correct them, that doesn't mean you agree with them. Sometimes it's ok to let people spout off their ridiculous opinions and say nothing.

If it doesn't have to do with their salvation, there's no need to make a big deal out of it, especially with people you hardly know. If you have to say something, you can always say, "Well, that's an interesting thought."

I am sorry for your pain. There is not always justice. I like what Carolaa said. I only wish you well in life wherever you go. And it would be nice if you could stay. But, I'm not in control of that.

Carolaa has some wise words - if you do stay I hope you can find some good fellowship here. That is available if you look round the forum.

Thank you. I hope you enjoyed the story. It's a real tear jerker imo.

But the Lord heals the pain, so that's not really the issue.

In Judges 19 and 20 we read about a serious injustice done in the jurisdiction of Benjamin. They surrounded the man's house like in Sodom and he gave his concubine and they raped her all night long and she died. So he sent pieces of her to the 12 tribes of Israel to tell them about it:

Judges 19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak [your minds].

It doesn't say they ever comforted the man for his loss. They investigated the matter and then set out to correct the injustice. They went to Benjamin and demanded the guilty party be turned over. Benjamin refused so there was war.

If we see such evil, heinous acts in Israel today, should we not take action?

Here's what you should do. Be watchful. Make sure everyone who attends your church gives their address somewhere. Take note if someone stops going to church then go to visit that person and find out what's wrong. Maybe he fell to some sin and is ashamed.


That's one scenario, but there are so many you might be able to think of.

Just show an interest in people's lives. Be a friend!


There are too many verses that command us to love each other. What we see in these cases is the opposite of doing that. Not a single soul cared about me when I got kicked out of that program. Not a single person!

Let also the leaders not be so haughty and proud. Be meek like Moses, (Num. 12:3).

The Lord bless you as you consider these things.

So that's it then? The only thing anyone can say about this is that I have a lesson to learn about keeping my mouth shut? So from now on I'll just be weak cowards like you and I'll save myself alot of trouble, right?







All three of you agree with this? Is there anyone else who wants to tell me I have a lesson to learn here about running my mouth too much?

That's weak!

How can you do anything for the Lord if you won't say anything?



I think you are the ones that have a lesson to learn.

Why don't you tell Jesus He could have saved Himself from being crucified if He would have just kept quiet a little more?

I guess Joseph could have saved himself from his exile to Egypt if he wouldn't have brought the evil report against his brethren. I suppose you would have told him he made a mistake. "Joseph brought unto his father their evil report", (Gen. 37:2).

You would have counseled Daniel to pray in private to save himself from the lions? That would have made sense. I suppose that's what you would do. His continual open prayer was a protest and a rebuke.

What if the Apostles would have made peace with their persecutors by heading their warning?



They would have saved their lives. They all where murdered but John, who spent the rest of his life in prison.

If only you had been there to give your wise advice. You could have saved their lives.

How is God going to give you a greater revelation unless you share what you have? Even if you know people won't agree with it and Satan may stir up some persecution against you for it? Are you going to make peace with Satan?

That's weak!

If you do that, you'll betray your brethren at the most critical moment to save your life.

Love Won Another

And that's not 'weak'.




We are saying somethin now. But will anyone listen. That is the question. However, it is not 'weak'.

What you are promoting is what those in the legalism community call .... "Calling sin my it's name". Not very effective in winning people to Christ.

Love is the answer.

If you ever decide to look up the jobs of the Holy Spirit, you will find that one of His jobs is to convict people of sin...

However, in my dealing with so many people, [granted, not the most extensive, nor the most comprehensive experiment], many have not learned to stay out of the Holy Spirit's way. In fact, many would just as soon do the job for God, as if they wanted to be God Himself. Why anyone would want that job, is beyond me. All you are doing is telling someone how bad they are, how much better they could have done something another way instead of the foolish way that ended in the fiasco that occured. Why, peoople can't hear the good that they do sometimes because of all the guilt that is place upon themselves....That's why God invented people/society so as that people can tell others what good things that they have accomplished. People are hurting so bad these days....we just don't understand, nor do we take the time to find out.....That, my friend, is where the real ministry of God, for human being lies....

You are so right ...

We really don't need the 'Calling sin my by it's Right name" stuff.

Love One Another. It really will Win One for Christ.

Rush4Hire, if you read Carolaa's words, you will see that she said "if if doesn't have to do with their salvation". There are some times when speaking up is appropriate, others when differences of opinion are better recognised as such. Your original story of your experience is a perfect example of this. That is not to say that you should avoid discussion, just that respect for both points of view should be shown.