Question: Why make an entire website against Adventism?


This website is combative, and attacks Adventist beliefs. Why would you make a whole website against Adventism? 


As Catholics, we deserve a chance to defend our Church.

Think about it: Adventists are rightfully hurt by the minsinformation circulated against them by other Christians. They take pains to defend their teachings against critics who make websites mocking Adventism and Ellen White. At worst, Adventism has been labeled a "cult," and Adventists have every right to resist the label.

But, please understand: Adventists condemn the Catholic Church as far more than a "cult"; they publicly slander the Church (and especially the bishop of Rome) as the "antichrist," "beast," "whore of Babylon," "blaspheming little horn," "the man of sin," and "the lawless one." Does any Christian group make analogous claims about Adventists? They distribute literature that calls upon Protestants to "abhor popery" as a "most dangerous foe" "the apostasy of the last days" and "a mammoth system of deception" (GC 562-581). They spend millions of dollars each year to broadcast these claims worldwide (e.g., public prophecy seminars, satellite series, correspondence bible schools and tracts, bible work, etc.), believing it their raison d'etre to warn the world of the evil of Catholicism, according to the "the second and third angels" (Rev 14:8-11). In many countries, Adventist evangelists primarily target Catholics. Worse, many of their ordained evangelists profoundly misrepresent the Catholic Church before international audiences. No Adventist leader publicly corrects or apologizes for these errors; there is virtually no accountability.

We in the Catholic Church feel under attack, and unfortunately, Adventists are the agressors. Catholics do not condemn Adventists publicly; we certainly do not fund thousands of evangelists to call the Adventist church "the antichrist." Most Catholics I talk to never asked for a religious debate with their loved ones who want them to leave "Babylon". And yet, they find themselves having to answer their claims.

Mind you, I appreciate the distinction many Adventists make between condemning "the institution" rather than "the people within it" (though "inspired" Adventist literature has just as readily caricatured Catholics). But make no mistake: we are as frustrated by the misinformation and offensive words Adventists circulate about our Church, just as Adventists are about those circulated against theirs. Perhaps we have greater reason for frustration. Our Church faces fiercer accusations ("antichrist"), and no Christian group spends millions of dollars annually to directly counter or misrepresent Adventism, the way Adventists do against the Church we love. 

Adventists have every right to issue these claims, in conformity with their beliefs. They are sincere, as was I; I loved Catholics, and thought I did God service through my opposition to their beliefs. But Catholics cannot thank Adventists for condemning our Church, or welcome the misinformation they present. We deserve the chance to respond to these claims, and encourage those Catholics who are honestly confused by them. 

Ultimately, this is not a website "against" Adventists; it is a website for Catholics, who are emotional after being told the Church they love is the antichrist, and pressed with a decision card or altar call. This is a website for Catholics who do not understand their own beliefs well enough, and deserve a chance to intelligently answer Adventist loved ones who believe they are "rejecting clear truth." This site is not "unnecessary" or "combative." Articulating my faith, and teaching others to share it, is the least I can do for my brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church.


Yours,
Hugo Mendez