Church’s Response to Vaccine Mandates: A Precursor to the Sunday Law Crisis

By The Remnant Herald

Ever since COVID-19 became a global issue, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has often times taken the lead in encouraging its members and the wider community to take the coronavirus vaccine (for example, by opening its churches on the Sabbath for such a purpose). In every country where the COVID-19 vaccine is mandated as a condition for employment, entertainment, recreation, travel, and church attendance, the denomination has released official statements in support of the public health orders. For those members who decline to be injected, church leaders refuse to offer any endorsement for their deeply-held positions, fearing a hostile reaction from the government and society.

Many thousands of members around the world who conscientiously maintain their right to informed consent and exercise their freedom of choice have been deeply disappointed by the denomination’s refusal to stand with them on the issue of liberty of conscience. A group of Adventist doctors, lawyers, and preachers — the Liberty and Health Alliance (USA) — released a public appeal to church leaders which has, as of October 6, 2021, garnered 18,997 signatures (including 1,387 pastors and 3,305 medical professionals). It can be read in total on the website of the Liberty and Health Alliance (USA) — The Liberty of Conscience Document.

In the current environment, we are already seeing a fulfillment of what the servant of the Lord said would transpire at the end of time: “Liberty of conscience, which has cost this nation so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected.” (The Great Controversy, p. 410. 1884 edition).

But the Seventh-day Adventist Church has stated that concerns regarding threats to religious liberty do not apply to COVID-19: “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is not opposed to public safety and government health mandate … In many cases, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has supported government mandates in support of health and safety issues … Therefore, claims of religious liberty are not used appropriately in objecting to government mandates or employer programs designed to protect the health and safety of their communities.” (Adventist Review: Reaffirming the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s response to COVID-19. October 25, 2021).

In Selected Messages, volume 2, p. 385, Sister White referred to leading men of the Church advising that the denomination’s banner or sign should not be held out so strikingly, as it would not be the “best policy” in securing success for the Church’s institutions. It has become part of the denomination’s mindset to be so accommodating to the ways of the world that it refuses to speak out on certain issues that ought to be addressed. The COVID era is forging “The Great Reset,” which is preparing the way for a “Green Sunday.” The Review and Herald, March 18, 1884, tells us that Seventh-day Adventist pastors will urge their members to keep Sunday in the future. Let us not expect help from the Church or its leaders and pastors, but only in Christ, “The Way, The Truth, and The Life.” #sda #adventist #adventista

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