The world watched in horror the attacks on the Israeli people and the unimaginable crimes against humanity that were being perpetrated.
Equally horrifying as these atrocities, were the celebrations and demonstrations in the U.S. and around the world, by individuals and organizations that stated either the attacks did not happen, they were happy with the events, or both!
It must be confusing to many as to why these people are celebrating an event that they claim didn’t happen.
One such group is Black Lives Matter (BLM). Shortly after these attacks, BLM came out in support of Hamas and defended the carnage.
Here are some of the headlines from this past week:
Black Lives Matter group defends Hamas terror as 'desperate act of self-defense' that 'must not be condemned'
'Black Lives Matter Grassroots stands in solidarity with our Palestinian family who are currently resisting [75] years of settler colonialism and apartheid'
Black Lives Matter Org Praises Hamas, Sparks Backlash
How an organization such as this could justify the brutality is shocking, but even more shocking is the support of BLM by various groups, universities, church leaders and official publications within the Adventist church.
First, let’s look at the “Black Lives Matter 13 Guiding Principles”. These are difficult to find since BLM has removed them from their website. But with a little digging they were found here.
After a brief review of this website, one soon realizes BLM promotes anti-Christian beliefs pertaining to transgenderism, LGBTQ+, the support of removing traditional nuclear family structure, to name a few.
BLM has developed curriculum to be used in schools from elementary through college and are doing so on a worldwide basis. The various curriculum resources can be found at this website.
The BLM movement began in 2013 but gained dramatic momentum in 2020 with the death of George Floyd. Protests and marches made international news and dominated the headlines for months. It was at this time that many of our Adventist institutions and publications began supporting Black Lives Matter.
A BLM protest was organized and took place in Berrien Springs, Michigan, home of Andrews University. Some of the organizers and participants were the senior pastor of Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University, the Andrews University Vice President of diversity, a previous senior pastor of Loma Linda Campus Hill Church as well as many university professors. Students were encouraged to join university leaders in the march supporting Black Lives Matter.
Several Adventist publications presented in positive light, articles about Adventist leaders and universities organizing and participating in BLM marches.
Efforts were made to contact these institutions and publications, questioning their decision to promote BLM, and whether they were aware of the 13 Guiding Principles of BLM when they chose to support the Black Lives Matter movement. All but one chose not to reply and the one publication that did, expressed their shock and dismay at what BLM stood for, yet published another pro BLM article the next month.
Given the atrocities in Israel and the support by BLM for Hamas, one would have to question the wisdom of supporting an institution such as BLM.
This obvious lack of judgment and failure to research BLM and what they represent, resulted in blind support of an organization that goes against many of our Christian beliefs and sadly, supports terrorism.
The Great Controversy, in the chapter titled “Desolation of the Earth”, warns that ministers and people who are admired will lead people astray. Jeremiah 23:1-2 and Matthew 24 warn us to be vigilant and not be led astray. We must not follow blindly but need to study and educate ourselves, so we aren’t deceived or led astray by those who are uninformed or misguided.
The following are several photos and articles by Adventist publications, magazines and the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Almost 2,000 people gathered in downtown Huntsville, Alabama, to peacefully protest police brutality and ask for justice. The keynote speaker at the event was Breath of Life Ministries director and Seventh-day Adventist pastor Carlton Byrd. [Photo: Breath of Life Ministries]
Marching around the downtown courthouse, Byrd, along with nearly 2,000 protesters, marched in solidarity, chanting, “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!” “BLACK LIVES MATTER!” “I CAN’T BREATHE!” “SAY HIS NAME!” (a reference to George Floyd). These and other phrases rallied the crowd to promote peace and justice peacefully.
T-shirts with “Adventists for Black Lives Matter” printed on the back. These were promoted in Ohio as well.
Excerpt from Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) in Outlook Magazine July/Aug 2020:
Jessyka Dooley, RMC assistant youth director, commented, “I love seeing my generation stand up to racism. I believe our church’s response to this blatant and disgusting racism will cause teens and young adults to either lean into or away from the church once again. So, I beseech the church that I love … step up! Speak out! Say the names of those murdered at the hands of police brutality. Let your actions proclaim that Black Lives Matter. Stop making excuses! Do not be lukewarm on the issue of racism or I, and many of my brothers and sisters, will spit you out.”
Times of the Sign
An Adventist church in Wisconsin uses their road sign to deliver an important message. September 9, 2020 Reedsburg, Wis. Stephen Hall
Reedsburg Seventh-day Adventist Church Pastor Stephen Hall (right) with church elder Rodney Hahn. Photo by Juanita Edge
Outlook Magazine July/Aug 2020
And Now This
"Black Lives Matter Grassroots stands in solidarity with our Palestinian family who are currently resisting 57 years of settler colonialism and apartheid. As Black people continue the fight to end militarism and mass incarcerations in our own communities, let us understand the resistance in Palestine as an attempt to tear down the gates of the world's biggest open air prison," the statement said. "As a radical Black organization grounded in abolitionist ideals, we see clear parallels between Black and Palestinian people."
“Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, But such as keep the law contend with them” (Proverbs 28:4).
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Linda Vanek is a registered nurse who worked 29 years in NICU and currently is a school nurse in the St. Louis area. Her husband, James is retired from the Air Force Reserves and is a retired TWA/American Airlines Captain. Linda enjoys cooking, baking and is an avid researcher of family genealogy. Together they enjoy traveling, visiting historical sites around the world, spending time with their two grown children, and spoiling their dogs, Boomer and Molly.