Look, just look at this. You wouldn't believe it -they're harassing us, and they're persecuting us, and they are threatening to sue us! Already they have sued others, using your money. That's right, your tithe and your offerings; the money you supposedly gave to God for His work they are giving to lawyers for their work. You don't hear of Baptists or Pentecostals suing other separate or independent congregations for calling themselves Baptists or Pentecostals.

And who are they? It is the officers of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. They did this under the administration of Neal C. Wilson and Robert S. Folkenberg, and now under the current president, Jan Paulsen. It is claimed that they are doing this in behalf of the church, which would mean every pastor, Sabbath School teacher, deacon and deaconess and every officer of the local church, and every member. Did they ask you if they could do this, and did you give your permission so they could do it?

Think of it, in behalf of every member! And they are doing this in behalf of and for the benefit of every employee of every conference, and union, and division and General Conference. Maybe you could expect that, because each of the latter group has a vested interest, that is, they are employed and their bread and margarine comes from there.

And who are they doing all this to? Well, they are doing it to Adventist believers who have objected and protested against leadership, pastors, teachers and employees or anyone who by their office continue to lead Adventism away from its divinely appointed teachings and beliefs into worldly associations (like Adventist Health Systems merging, associating, networking, and joining with the Roman Catholic health systems), doctrinal apostasy (like new theology teachings and publications), all of which affect almost every aspect of church life.

Have you personally checked this out? Well, why don't you? Be an intelligent Christian! What is wrong in doing what is right?

Those who have objected and protested against this growing and continuing apostasy have been put out or shut out or disfellowshipped from their local churches, and so they started home churches or separate meetings for the sake of fellowship. When these believers are asked what religious beliefs they hold, they have responded that they are Adventists. What else can they truthfully say? They are not Baptists, or Buddhists, or Presbyterians, or Roman Catholics, are they?

Come on, Adventist friend. Come on, and smell the coffee, so to speak! Catholics, Baptists, Buddhists, Presbyterians or whatever - when did they believe in the sanctuary doctrine, the investigative judgment teaching, the Testimonies to the Church, true health reform, and what the beast of Revelation 13 was, is and will be, the Three Angels' messages, etc., etc., etc. What else could you be, but a Seventh-day Adventist? Don't you get it? What you really believe in makes you live the life you live, and that is what makes you what you are. Now if you don~t believe and teach and live Adventist doctrine, you aren't an Adventist (at least not a true one), only an apostate Adventist. Perhaps the General Conference men need to trademark the name "Apostate Adventist" which would be more appropriate for this existing situation, and this would give them the exclusive right to the name and its use.

Just in case you doubt that this harassment is going on, and the money you give in tithes and offerings is being spent for this ungodly work, attached are copies of the threatening letters sent to Adventist believers in Oregon and in Australia.

Is this the way you want your money spent? Do you want to be part of the suing of other Adventists? If you do, then keep giving your tithes and offerings and that will make you a financial partner in the law suits. Further, because of your membership, you participate in the sins and evils of the leadership, who keep this thing going. Just take a look at what the Testimonies say:

"For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves." Desire of Ages, p. 441.

And the local church pastors, why aren't they pastoring the sheep - that is, informing you about the goings on and saying about lawsuits against believers what the Bible says? All the pastors who do not speak up, Ellen White calls "dumb dogs, that would not bark." Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 211. Furthermore, you know why they are not talking? Well, they are the local agents of the conference, and that is where their lunch money comes from! You wouldn't want them to lose their job, would you? They have to "play ball" or they get fired. If you doubt that this is true, here is what one conference president wrote for all to get the message: "Anyone employed as an administrator, pastor, or teacher should fully subscribe to the basic teachings of the church, or else have the integrity to work elsewhere." - Thomas Mostert, Jr., President, Pacific Union Conference, in the Pacific Union Recorder, September 2, 1991.

Now isn't that arrogant? But let's put the above statement the way it should be, requiring all conference employees and all presidents all the way up the hierarchical ladder to teach and practice and be guided by the Bible and what the Testimonies direct in all aspects of Adventism, or "else have the integrity to work elsewhere." How about that?

Does the Spirit of Prophecy apply this principle to administrators? Here it is: "You have no right to manage except you manage in God's appointed way."

So, Friend, what do you do under these circumstances? The solution is simple: Stop funding with your tithes and offerings this abuse and harassment by the leadership. Stop the financing immediately! Stop being a party to persecuting fellow Adventists. Stop it right now! Remember: "All are by their own choice deciding their own destiny." Prophets and Kings, p. 536.