11 25 16 chronicle hope issue web

HOPE the missing element

[ I s s u e 5 Vo l u m e 6 4 ]

+ t n e t n co s r o t u b i r t n o c HOPe: the missing element

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.�

Desmond Tutu

4 editor’s note

5 we need your forgiveness, not your absence 6 an open letter to the end of the world 8 the power of presence

10 let’s talk about the US election 12 a bitter pill

14 why the ‘God is in control’ rhetoric is detrimental 16 a war cry against rising hate crimes 17 hope that will never be silent 18 love trumps hate?

20 if we have hope, what will stop us?

22 i don’t always like you but i love you 23 hope defined

24 “... not of the world...”

25 hacksaw ridge: a conscientious life 26 walking in hope 27 amateur hour

layout design by jacqui mccarty

A stubborn hope:

s ’ r o t i ed e t o n

One of the most inspiring speeches I’ve heard was the speech Robert Kennedy did at the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 1966. It is entitled ‘A Ripple of Hope’. I often listen to this speech on repeat for inspiration and the will to move forward. The scenario that birthed this speech was the existence of the apartheid system that legally allowed for the torment, segregation and inhumane treatment of the nation’s igneous black people. Nelson Mandela was still in prison and Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd who has been described as the architect of apartheid, was still Prime Minister.

Many believed Robert Kennedy’s trip was a waste of time, something that was unnecessary as the hope that these South Africa’s Union of Students had for a change in their country. Robert Kennedy reminded them that their efforts for justice and good will are not in vain. He encouraged those students, just as I hope to remind you, that remaining hopeful and undeterred in the face of excruciating disappointment can make a difference and send ripples of hope that can improve the lives of others. Ending the inhumane system of apartheid started happening in the 1990’s. In 1994, that is 28 years after Robert Kennedy’s speech, South Africa able to experience multi-racial democratic elections, won by the African National Congress under Nelson Mandela.

There is a quote by Anne Lamott says, “Hope begins in the dark, the

stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up”. We are in this together, the fight for justice. I genuinely believe the worst moments in life prepare us for character development and reshapes our way of thinking. Disappointment brings about resilience and undaunted in our move forward. Good-will cannot be achieved unless we are determined not to be defeated by disappointment but remain committed in purpose. We love our individual families and desire the best for them and would do anything for them when they are broken. I ask that you extend this grace to the many other families who are caught and overwhelmed in issues beyond their control. By remaining vulnerable and open to the suffering of others we are open to more love. We must be stubborn in hope but always open to love.

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a i h as n o n len

We need your forgiveness, but we don’t need your absence: A few weeks ago, I was given the amazing opportunity to attend the NAD Year End meetings in Washington. These meetings taught me so much about our churches in the North American division— how it is run, its policies, its opinions on worldwide issues, etc.

Although I love our church and take pride in our own Christian paradigm, these meetings have opened my eyes to see that, we, as Seventh-Day Adventist Christians have a long way to go.

There were countless items on the agenda during our meetings, but there would not be enough room to address everything that was discussed. However, the most striking and time-consuming conversation that we had was on the topic of women’s ordination. For those of you who are unaware, the General Conference has voted not to allow women to be ordained.

It was made clear that the North American Division will not rebel or fight against the vote of our world church. Furthermore, having different views does not make us a mere subcategory of Adventism. However, that also does not mean that we will coerce because we believe that the element of coercion goes against the fundamental principles of the Word of God. Majority of our NAD agreed that we will stand firm with our beliefs—a belief in the importance of women and their ministry.

Elder Dan Jackson said it best when he said, “I don’t care if you are not ordained. If you have accepted God as your personal Saviour, you are a minister of the God most high.” Although I, like Elder Jackson, strongly believe in the importance of women’s ministry and ordination, I also believe that there are valid reasons as to why many are against women’s ordination, one explanation being the cultural differences that we face. Also, one interesting comment that was raised was how in early Adventist history North Americans went out as missionaries converting as well as teaching and ministering. Our Adventist culture and paradigm was taught from those first missionaries to countless nations.

Over time what it means to be of Seventh-Day Adventist in culture and belief has evolved and changed especially in the NAD. Or have we just become too liberal or has the understanding of culture across some places remain? We do not have all the answers, but one thing I know for sure is that we must trust in the Holy Spirit to have an outcome that is greater than our church. We must trust that God will do something radical. In the meantime, however, we must stop allowing doctrine or policies to separate or divide our church. We exist to proclaim a message to the lost world, not to fight over petty issues.

My heart aches seeing people leave the church because others are more worried about doctrine than the reflection of Jesus Christ himself. However, I’d like to send out a message to all of you that there is hope for our church, as long as we decide to be the change in our church. Elder Dan Jackson said it best when he said, “We need your forgiveness, but we don’t need your absence.” The only way our church is ever going to thrive is if we do whatever it takes to keep it from dying. We cannot just expect change to happen as we sit on our bums and exercise our thumbs. We must speak out, share, and fight for our beliefs. Parents, teachers, and mentors, please educate us! Help us find reasons to stick around and stay.

We yearn for hope, we yearn for reconciliation. I speak, on behalf of all the young people at the yearend meetings, when I say that the North American Division has our best interest at heart. Let us take advantage of the fact that they want to hear what we have to say and they want to do whatever it takes to protect the future of our church. Our church may have a long way to go, but if we work together, we would not have to wait that long for positive change to occur.

Ivah Lumalang President Burman University Student Association

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an open letter to the Dear Apocalypse, You are supposed to be in the future, the “end times,” but always you have circled, looming just behind. Tuesday night as I watched the US elections, I thought you had finally arrived and taken off your mask. This is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends, this is the way the world ends, echoed in my mind. [1] The violent, racist, and misogynistic rhetoric of the new president-elect made the 2016 election monstrous in ways that can only begin to be understood by those marginalized groups who are now at greater risk of harassment and violence.

Apocalypse, you know, I am sure, that you are variously loved and decried, derided and feared. For many of us on this campus, your name was so familiar as to seem almost normal. The night of my sixth birthday I sat in a dim church clutching my first Barbie doll, listening to an evangelist anatomize a leopard that had sprouted an over-abundance of heads, horns, and crowns. I was immediately captivated by history and the relentless march toward apocalypse that the preacher portrayed. A decade and a half later, I sit in the same church and listen to a “typical Adventist sermon”: the world is becoming more evil and governments are preparing to persecute Adventists. I understand these “dark sentences” but it’s the rhetoric of this sermon that troubles me—the repeated indictments of “evil in the world, [and] the same-sex marriage.” The easy equation of LGBTQ+ visibility and rights with signs of the end of the world functions in the same manner as Trump’s comments on Mexicans as rapists or his repeated use of the phrase “the Blacks”: it makes every person who belongs to that community an ‘other,’ someone whose beliefs, character, and worth can be ascertained by their sexual or racial identity. Monsters lurk in words we use and the words we do not use.

Monstrosity lurks in this rhetoric of the ‘other’ that is countenanced even within the Adventist church. The first draft of the General Conference’s Annual Council document on “Church Governance and Unity” repeatedly used phraseology that declared those failing to view GC policy as immutable as the Decalogue to be influenced by Satan. [3] When such language is used, I wonder if you must get a little jealous of your own role, Apocalypse. If we identify as evil those who disagree with us, it’s easy to hasten the final day, becoming Judge and Avenger to push the Others out—

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out of the safe limits of “truth,” the family of the church, or the grace of God. Taking on your “cleansing” role, Apocalypse, our visages distort into the ferocity of the monster.

It’s time to level with you, Apocalypse. I cannot anatomize you, name your parts and pin your dates like the evangelists with the beasts of Revelation, but you are only the more monstrously present because not quite identifiable. I fear you, Apocalypse, because Adventism’s emphasis on the approaching end has too often made us care only for our insulated group, pointing outward at the ‘others’ who may one day persecute us or even seeking to eject those not quite like us enough. Yet Apocalypse, I am also grateful to you. It’s said that the “term monster is related to moneo, “to warn,” and monstro, ‘to show forth.’” [4] You remind me that despite piling words and documents to make ‘other’ or monstrous those unlike us, the monster is never far away; perhaps it is in us too. In the wake of the monstrous ‘Second Coming’ of World War II, German pastor Martin Niemöller said, First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. [5] None of us can escape you and your influence, Apocalypse, but I begin to think you are not the real danger. Perhaps the real danger is that through beliefs and rhetoric that focus on the apocalypse coming for “the remnant,” we will become the monstrous persecutor to someone else.

So here we are, you—the End of Time in all your aliases—and me. Between me and you lies a space of opportunity in which to heed your warnings and build bridges out of fragile words, bridges to those who have been scattered abroad. You remind me, Apocalypse, that in whatever time I have, “I’d rather learn from one bird how to sing/ than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance” (e.e. cummings). [6] So…

Thank you, strange monster!

Sarah Wallace 3rd year English Major

end of the world

References [1]T.S. Eliot, “The Hollow Men�

[2] http://www.vox.com/2016/10/20/13342646/donald-trump-african-americans-latinos-race-racism-inner-city [3] http://spectrummagazine.org/article/2016/09/29/annual-council-considers-authority-document-demonizes-many-church-entities [4] Susan Stewart. On Longing: Narratives of the Miniature, the Gigantic, the Souvenir, the Collection (p. 108).

[5] https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007392 [6] http://www.polyarchive.com/ee-cummings-you-shall-above-all-things-be-glad-and-young/

The early Christian community is often idealized.

Peters speech at Pentecost tends to eclipse his indecision as to what ought to be done with the Gentiles who wished to join the church. Although they were together, had everything in common, sold their property and possessions to give to anyone who had need, met together in the temple courts, broke bread in their homes, ate together with “sincere hearts”, praised God, and “enjoyed the favor of all people”, (Acts 2:42-47) they still had not abolished tensions between various groups.

The Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. All the Christians had come together to live together but the Hebrews gave a larger portion to the Hebrew widows simply because of their race. (Acts 6:1) This conflict did not refer to Jews and Gentiles, for Acts makes clear that at that time there still were no Gentiles in the church. It was rather a conflict between two groups of Jews, those who kept the custom and language of their ancestors (called Hebrews) and those who showed more openness to Greek influence (called Hellenists). As a response to the crises the Apostles appointed seven men to have administrative tasks in making sure these issues did not persist. What is interesting is how the Apostles treated this situation. They said that it was not right for them to neglect the work of God to “wait on tables”.

Clearly the Apostles who were Hebrews thought that this was a waste of time and energy in light of more pressing issues.

Pastor Alex Portillo Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference Alex Portillo is the lead pastor of Lighthouse of Hope SDA Church and chaplain of Red River Valley Jr. Academy. He grew up in the Washington DC metropolitan area and has a BA degree in Religious Studies. His passions are in the disciplines of cultural studies, philosophy, theology and history.

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Now before you rise up and say, “well of course they thought this was not important! The Hellenists were getting ripped off not the Hebrews! Had it been the other way around the Apostles would have been outraged!” It is important to note that all seven that were chosen were Hellenists, for they had Greek names. The appointing of the seven would give greater voice in the affairs of the church to the Hellenist party, while the twelve, who were Hebrews, would continue being the main teachers.

In chapter seven of Acts, Stephen, one of the seven, is tried, judged and killed by the Jewish council composed mostly of anti-Hellenistic Jews (Acts 7:47-48). In contrast, When Peter and John stood before the same council they were released after being beaten and told to stop preaching (Acts 5:10). When persecution broke out and all Christians had to flee Jerusalem, the apostles were able to remain. When Saul left to Damascus to seek out Christians who had taken refuge there, the apostles were still in Jerusalem. As Justo Gonzalez states, “all this would seem to indicate that the earliest persecution was aimed mostly at Hellenistic Christians.” _ It seems that while the Hellenistic Christians had it pretty difficult the Hebrew Christians had it much easier.

After Stephen was murdered, Acts tells us the story of another member of the seven: Philip. He goes on and plants a church in Samaria. This is the first church that is born beyond the confines of Judea. Peter and John are sent to supervise the new community (you know, because the General Conference does not trust these rogue conferences), and although the community was not founded by the apostles they continued to recognize the authority of the apostles.

Now please do not miss this: By the ninth chapter in Acts, Luke becomes significantly more interested in the work of Paul and we begin to hear less and less about the church in Jerusalem. What was happening was that the Hellenistic Jewish (notice my emphasis) Christians were serving as a bridge to the Gentile world, and the Gentiles were joining the church in such large numbers that they soon overshadowed the Jewish Christian community.

of presence

THE POWER

Let’s stop and reason for a moment. What would have happened if the Hellenist Jews would have responded the way many of us have been responding to disagreements by the leadership in the church? What if the Hellenist would have left Judaism? (Early Christians did not consider themselves a new religion, they saw themselves as Jews still). What if they would have name called and teased their Hebrew brothers and sisters? What if they would have stirred up wrath and resentment against the apostles and the other Hebrews because they had it easy during the persecutions? What if they would have ignored the authority of Peter and John when they came to supervise what was happening in Samaria? Please tell me, would the outcome have been the same?

No, it would not have been. The church would have been radically different. The church likely would have never moved passed the Hebraic Jews, or if it did, it would have had rules and limitations that we do not have today. They stayed and becomes they stayed the church changed.

The most powerful action for change is presence. It is the presence of people that causes things to evolve. A lot of young people have a hard time with a thing called perspective although we talk a lot about it. Just as time moves slower for a young person because he/she has lived less time, so perspective is hard to have because our scope of comparison is usually less than ten years (or whenever spiritual interest awakened). In the last ten years the church has changed a lot.

In the last twenty it has changed even more. Let’s not even talk about thirty.

What would have happened had the Hellenist Jews left? Now ask yourself, what would happen if our generation left? If your generation left? Notice how the first conflict in the early church was not between Jews and Gentiles, but between two different kind of Jews. Two groups of people of the same family who “had everything in common” (Acts 2:44).

let’s

talk about

the

US

electi elijah

tchap l

-inski

10

on

Some are elated, others furious. To temper the emotion, let’s start with some data.

Did Trump win because of racism?

Many media personalities say so, and it seems intuitive, but the numbers in the exit polls published by the New York Times say otherwise. Trump won less of the white vote than Mitt Romney did last election, and more of the African-American and Latino vote. If you subtract the votes Trump got from people who voted Obama last time, Trump would lose the election. Donald also won 42% of the women’s vote: no small number. Clearly, Trump has support from a broad cross-section of the American population.

Hillary won the popular vote. In the USA, this is a consolation prize of little value, because the Constitution is designed so that the winning candidate has to have support across the States, rather than concentrated support in like-minded high-density areas. Whether that is a good system is a matter of debate. Before all the Canadians pat themselves on the back for not having that system, consider that if the US had a system like ours, she would not have won either. In a parliamentary democracy like Canada’s, the Prime Minister belongs to the party that won the most seats in the House. In the US, that is the Republican Party. If the US had our system, Hillary would be, at most, part of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition: another consolation prize of little value.

Nor would a directly elected President under the current voting system be an accurate depiction of the will of the people, because of the spoiler effect. Hillary Clinton won 47.9% of the popular vote, not a majority. In a system that avoids the spoiler effect (such as with ranked ballots), the third-party votes that cannot win will go to their next choice, instead of being wasted. It is likely that those who voted for Gary Johnson, Evan McMullin, and the more obscure conservative third parties would prefer Trump to Hillary, because his positions are closer to theirs. Those votes would be enough to hand Trump a popular majority. Hillary would get the Jill Stein votes, which would win her nothing. The point of all these numbers is this: Donald Trump won fair and square. It isn’t because of the system and it isn’t a fluke.

These results came as a surprise, but shouldn’t have. The signs were there, and people were not looking. What people saw were the stories, videos, and Facebook posts of people who thought like themselves. People dismissed those who disagreed, and neither side considered it their duty to reach out to the other side, to understand.

It isn’t enough to know what the other side thinks, one must also know why. To empathize and to say to yourself “I can be wrong.”

Every person seems reasonable in their own mind, because they can see the process that led them to think the way they do. When we see people who think differently than we do, it can be easy to think they’re irrational. When we do this, we err, and we forfeit any chance of convincing anyone of anything that we believe in. Therefore, whatever side you are on, remember that the other side is not any more stupid or evil than we are, no matter how it appears to us. When people vote, or do anything else, they have a reason for why they do the things they do.

That does not mean that the other side can never be wrong. It means that we can have the humility to try, and to find out how they got there. Often, the other side will turn out to be right on some point or another, and you will adjust. By listening and being open, we can create a better, more peaceful and more productive politic than this election displayed.

In any case, if this election has left you worried, know that no matter who takes the White House, “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17) Methodology Data for 2016 were collected by Edison Research for the National Election Pool, a consortium of ABC News, The Associated Press, CBS News, CNN, Fox News and NBC News. The voter survey is based on questionnaires completed by 24,537 voters leaving 350 voting places throughout the United States on Election Day including 4,398 telephone interviews with early and absentee voters. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/11/08/us/politics/election-exit-polls.html And see the same for last time, where Mitt Romney gained 59% of the white vote compared to Trump's 58%: http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/results/president/exit-polls

a bitter pill I am a young gay Adventist. I remember when I told Pastor Cecile I was gay like it was yesterday. It was one Sabbath last semester in February. I always knew I was gay but never really admitted it to myself, much less a person who also happened to be a pastor. However, Pastor Cecile was so wonderful about it. Her best piece of advice to me that evening was that people were going to judge me for being gay, especially being Adventist and all. However, she made it a point to tell me that Jesus still loved me regardless and to ignore the ones who would judge me. Later that evening, I told my closest friends. The next week, I told the staff and faculty who I was close to that I was gay. Once all of that was said and done, it felt like the world was off of my shoulders. I felt so much lighter and more at peace with myself.

The church denomination that I grew up in thinks I’m an abomination, but yet I am openly gay on an Adventist university campus.

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Just recently in the United States, many of the Evangelical Christians that helped to vote Trump into office have demanded that he repeal marriage equality. Although Trump said that the issue of marriage equality is the law of the land, and has no plans to abolish it, it is very possible that if enough people demand it, he might do this for them. While it may be hard to repeal something that the Supreme Court has already ruled out, theoretically it could still happen.

The world has suddenly grown petrifying in my eyes, my future bleak. How does one move past all the depressing facts and find some sort of happiness? This is a question that I often struggle with myself every day. I am an outsider in both the church, and my country. Members of the LGBTQ community have always been the underdogs of society and are often looked down on as a people of perversion; thus, we are often treated with disdain and fear.

As a result, we were treated as less than human, as if we do not even deserve respect.

As the years went on, things have gotten better for the LGBTQ community; however, with Trump being the new president and all, our futures are a mystery now. If you are not white, or straight, there is no place for you in the new America that Trump desires. This is a bitter pill to swallow, especially for those like me, having been deeply loyal to America throughout my life. I am still loyal to my country, but I am having a hard time grasping all the hatred that is going on back at home. That is not the country I remember growing up. That is not my America. Even as a minority, I hardly felt racism in the small, southern town where I live; people would help one another if somebody was in trouble, and we really lived up to Tennessee’s nickname, “The Volunteer State”. Unfortunately, this is not how it is in the rest of the country.

In the Seventh-day Adventist church, we have grown to be more apathetic. But if want to make the world a better place, we must fight for it. It is something that will take time and a lot of work. But we must leave our world better for the next generation. A world that will be more accepting of differences and full of love. Too much blood has been shed for freedom. Too many people died so that we can all be equal. Let’s not turn back time to fifty years ago, but rather move past it, not forgetting the sacrifices that many people gave for us. And remember, if you are in the closet, you are loved. There is a whole army on campus ready to fight for you. Take it from me: life is so much better out of the closet. And remember, if you lose friends because you came out, they weren’t your real friends to begin with. That’s the best thing about being different. You know who your friends really are at the end of the day.

Debbie Rey Masela 2nd year International Studies Major

Why the “God is in Control� Rhetoric is Detrimental

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The day after the election my Facebook newsfeed was filled with statuses about how upset most people were about Trump winning the presidency and morale on campus seemed to be at an all-time low. It wasn’t just the November blues kicking in or the stress of essay due dates and upcoming tests. It was the fact that so much evil had been exposed throughout this election process and the person that had been fueling the racist, homophobic and sexist fire had won. However, a lot of the Christians I knew seemed to console themselves with statuses like, “It doesn’t matter who is president of the United States, Jesus is still King” and I had a few conversations with students who said different variations of “it doesn’t really matter because God is in control”.

Here’s why this frustrates me so much; your belief in a higher being doesn’t give you a “sit this one out” card.

The idea that God is in control doesn’t mean that you get to sit idly on the sidelines as you watch your “brothers and sisters in Christ” suffer because racism, homophobia and sexism is so prevalent and has been exposed. Trump is president, yes. However, that isn’t the end of the story.

Nothing is more frustrating to me than Christians who are so ready to be complacent when this world is hurting - that seems to me to be the very opposite of the love Christianity preaches. If you believe in God you believe in a God who gave you compassion, love, capabilities and hands ready to take action when action is called for.

On June 12, 2016 a terrible thing happened - 49 people were killed and 53 people were wounded in the devastating mass shooting at Pulse nightclub. This hate crime broke the hearts of millions and I watched as communities came together in support of family, friends and the LGBTQ+ community. This hate crime was a loud awakening for many people about the prejudices and homophobia still prevalent in North America. This wasn’t a time for our comfortable Christian selves to reply with “How sad, but oh well! God is in control.” No. It was a time for us to come together and do something. Five local Adventist churches offered free funeral services for the deceased and also offered grief counselling and support to the grieving family members. These particular churches stepped up when they saw their brothers and sisters who were grieving. Yes, their brothers and sisters.

Who may have looked different than them, acted different than them, even loved different than them.

Yet when action was needed they were ready to move.

Those five Adventist churches didn’t end the hurt, they didn’t eradicate the homophobia or fix a world plagued with hatred. What they did was shed hope at a time when many people lost it. And I think that’s what we’re called to do now. Donald Trump is the President of the United States. Someone who has actively said sexist, homophobic, racist, and oppressive things. People have lost their hope. People are broken and hurting and scared. For their lives. For their rights. For their freedoms. Don’t think that because “God is in control” you don’t have an obligation to the people of this world to be an advocate for basic human rights. Don’t think that you are exempt from being an ally to the hurting people. Let’s comfort those women who are being told that “locker room talk” is the norm. Let’s stand beside people whose religion may look different than ours.

Let’s comfort people of different sexual orientation as their rights are being threatened. Let’s stand up for the people becoming active targets to the racism that many Trump followers are actively participating in and endorsing. People are hurting. People are scared. Let’s stop using the idea that God is in control as an excuse to ignore that very simple fact. There are people who need the love and support you have to offer. Let’s use our God-given talents to stand beside our brothers and sisters and to fight with them and for them. Let’s take action where action is called for.

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-timeline/ https://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2016-06-23/ orlando-adventist-churches-offer-free-funeral-services-counseling-after-mass-shooting/ http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-06-13/what-do-we-call-attack-orlando-hate-crime-or-terrorism

Kaylie Copeland 3rd year Behavioural Science Major

A WAR CRY AGAINST RISING HATE CRIMES People are entitled to their opinions, I suppose, but freedom to be opinionated ends when people are being physically harmed. It is more than unfortunate that Donald Trump won the Presidential election on November 8, 2016. There is a deep fear comes from seeing those thousands who supported him and his entire platform that was ran off of the energy of racism, xenophobia, and sexism. What was most shocking that millions of people flocked towards it, supported it and embraced it as this would “Make America Great Again”. The Pandora’s box of hate has been unleased asserting that this rhetoric is acceptable. No one should have to live fear.1 In a video statement released Friday November 18, 2016, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said FBI statistics for 2015 showed a 67% increase in hate crimes against Muslim Americans.2 Hate crimes against Jewish people, African Americans and LGBT individuals also been increasing.

The worst part, I believe, is not the voice of a powerful white man invigorating the rise of harm against humanity but the silence of those who refuse to oppose him. It’s watching those who are safe say nothing. Silence is an answer too. People are screaming out in fear and pain yet people are apathetically watching, thinking the screams are a nuisance, and moving on to another channel because they have the ability to do so. The silence means that you agree with what is happening. Ignorance is blissful for a moment, but God help you when you can no longer ignore the horrid pain of humanity and your conscience wakes up all of a sudden.

Some people have responded with those horrible Christian Band-Aid statements that we refuse to put to rest.3 You know, “No matter who is President Jesus is King” “Vote Jesus 2016” or the ballot reads Trump and Clinton and someone writes in Jesus Christ, as if Jesus is going to walk down and spend four years being the president of the United States.

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Understand that I am in no way saying that God doesn’t care because I believe that he does. I can personally attest that God has never and will never turn his back on the suffering of his people. These blanket statements however, do more harm than good. It’s almost like putting a Band-Aid over a gunshot wound and feeling as though you’ve saved the person and all is right in the world. Let me reiterate, it is not.

To those who are hurting and confused by Trump’s win: It’s true, those who were hiding their racist, sexist, xenophobic rhetoric have made themselves known.

We must take this as a good thing! We now know who they are. Most importantly we now know where they stand. It’s okay to be mortified, frustrated and indignantly outraged. You should be. But don’t stay there.

Remember that we have been fighting for values of love and acceptance longer than they have been. We know the ropes. We know the ins and outs. Before we were fighting an invisible, covert enemy of hate but now this enemy has a face. And we will educate and eradicate. We will choose to love. We choose to stand. We will stand against any encourages the division and devaluing of any human. We will stand with and attend to those who are marginalized. Hate make seem to enjoy this whiff of victory. Smile, and take courage in the fact that it won’t last. It never has and never will. Love always wins… always.

Rechelle-lee Smith 4th year Behavioural Science Major

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https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/attorney-general-lynch-s-video-statement-hate-crimes-america 2 http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/10/us/post-election-hatecrimes-and-fears-trnd/ 3 http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/ may/trump-clinton-neither-how-evangelical-expected-to-vote.html 1

Tuesday November 8th was one of the most confusing days of my life so far. I remember walking into my grand-parents’ home asking my grandma if she was going to cry when Hilary wins the election. She said she wouldn't be crying when Hilary wins but she would cry if Donald Trump wins the election. That's when it dawned on me, what if Donald Trump does win. That night I ended up skyping with friends I had meet at the Gay Christian Network Conference (GCNC) in Houston.

Every time we heard Trump won other state, I would look at my friends on our Skype group. They were in tears. It was not just in tears you could tell they were afraid. As I continued watching CNN I recall biting my lip and I making a fist ready to scream. Donald Trump had just won the election.

You could hear my friends on Skype quivering and you could see them shake.

My American friends are not only part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus community (LGBTQ+); they also identify as people of color, women as well as other minority groups. For many LGBTQ+ individuals and I, the night of the election was a horrifying night. It reminded me of a time I was sitting in the bus my grade eight year when some of the guys in the bus called me a ‘fag’.

As a gay man there is the fear of what is going to happen to me when I go to Seattle, Washington to visit my brother and sister in law what if someone on the streets calls me a ‘fag’ again. I have been asked numerous times why do members of the LGBTQ+ community feel hopeless and scared because Donald Trump won the election?

HOPE THAT WILL NEVER BE SILENT The reality of the dire situation was clear when Donald Trump selected Mike Pence as his running mate.

During his first successful run for Congress in 2000, Mike Pence wrote on his website in a section on LGBTQ+ issues which stated “Congress should support the reauthorization of the Ryan White Care Act only after completion of an audit to ensure that federal dollars were no longer being given to organizations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviours that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus. Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behaviour”1. Mike Pence has also signed “The Religious Freedom Restoration Act”1 in March 26 last year. This can be interpreted as giving the opportunity for some people to discriminate against the community based on this religious freedom regardless of the 'Golden Rule'.

Harvey Milk, a famous LGBTQ activist said “Hope Will Never Be Silent”. As an LGBTQ community will not give up no matter who the President and Vice President is. We are here and we are not going anywhere.

It is not the government that provides hope it is the LGBTQ community and its allies that bring us hope.

As a community we were reminded of sexual prejudice that lives in America.

Author Justin J. Lehmiller of the book The Psychology of Human Sexuality says “Sexual Prejudice is the general term used to describe all forms of prejudice that stem from an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation” (Herek, 2000). Such prejudice is most frequently directed against gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. This is called homophobia. Homophobia is the irrational fear and hatred of gay people.

Jaden Rajah 4th year Religious Studies Major

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http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/14/us/mike-pence-fast-facts/ http://web.archive.org/web/20010408125427/http://mikepence.com/issues.html

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Love T rumps Hate?

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A hush fell on the college campus.

Businessmen are notoriously shrewd. But also very intelligent.

I woke up, just like any other morning. The steady stream of the Facebook feed still fresh on my mind. A jovial teacher greeted me in the hall, a mischievous grin on his face and asked, “So did you hear the news?”

“Intelligent? I don’t know Dad. That seems like a bit of a stretch.

Have you heard that man open his mouth?” I mused to myself.

Later that same day a friend spoke with clenched fists, “I just want to meet one person who actually voted for Trump! I just can’t fathom how someone could actually vote for him!”

So I decided to interview my dad.

We all have an image of a Trump supporter in our mind. A loud, bitter, hateful Caucasian. One who is unaccepting of another’s culture. And wearing that red hat. Always that stupid red hat.

My dad was none of those things, except Caucasian. My dad is a hardworking, bicycle riding mountain man. He works at a hospital, comes home, playfully greets our Pomeranian and jumps on his tractor. He is the smell of disinfectant and diesel fuel, sweat and sawdust. My brothers and I grew up immersed in a world of work ethic, tree sap and good honest Republican values. But still, I was appalled one day to find my dad reading Donald Trump’s book. When my dad and I set up a Skype appointment, I had a good idea of how it would go.

“He’s a fallen human being. We’re all fallen, imperfect people.”

Wait… This wasn’t how I expected the interview to start out.

That’s not what a Trump supporter is supposed to say.

“We are not electing the next pope. He is not suitable for a pope.” my Dad stated bluntly. I was relieved that we could find common ground in that. Sure, Trump is offensive and unapologetic.

But he is direct in pointing out that we can’t be a strong nation if we keep doing this kind of carelessness, my Dad explained.

This led me to my first question, the question burning on the mind of every upset college student:

So why did you vote for Trump?

My dad laughed a hearty laugh. Then he launched into a message of hope. America, in his opinion is continuing on at an unsustainable pace. There is a painful lack of communication in government. Only about 50% of Americans pay income taxes.

Special interest groups often seem more concerned with individual rights than rights for people as a whole.

And the current state of country wide medical coverage is racking up unnecessary debt at an impossible rate. Our use of federal money is in shambles, there are no free handouts, and there is no such thing as “free health insurance”. And while taxes are making people poorer, politicians are getting richer. What we need is a businessman.

To him, Trump came into the scene as an underdog. A Billionaire? An underdog? Ridiculous! I was thinking the same thing.

If you think about it, have you really seen positive media coverage of Donald Trump? Whether you’re a fan or not, the media clearly does not like him. And while Trump has made it abundantly clear that he is not catering to please the media, he is not in it for the money either. In fact, a recent interview confirmed that he is rejecting the $400,000 salary of a president. I didn’t believe it either.

Over the course of the interview, my Dad painted a picture of Trump that was surprisingly, human.

Donald Trump is a human?!

No! I thought he had ten horns and spit hatred and judgement.

Wait, shoot, that was a Theology class. But I just could not shake the image of an opinionated media icon, red faced and shouting, gesturing far too much with his hands.

“People in this country have a yearning, to have their country serve them, not them serve their country.”

In my Dad’s opinion, everybody seeks freedom from oppression, and even a well-intentioned government can become destructive. To him, sometimes it takes an unorthodox, questionable businessman to point that out. People are worried, and legitimately so, but in his words, maybe we should give the man a chance. “We either sink or we swim together. Are we willing to work together?”

Work together? In a world with Trump? I don’t know. Will my dad still accept me home over Christmas break if he finds out I’m a Democrat? I don’t know. But this thought of working together is stuck in my mind.

Back to the news, of all of the angry post-Trump riots, Portland Oregon is probably my favorite. First, because I went to high school there so it’s pretty much my backyard. Second, because of a picture of a protester’s sign. Signs really do say a lot about a movement.

“Love Trumps Hate” Do you believe it? I don’t know. We’ll have to see.

Jeff Bradburn 3rd year Religious Studies Major

The word millennial is a word we’ve all probably heard, but a word that is somewhat ominous. So, to ensure that I had the correct definition, I did what anyone would do: opened my computer, went on Safari, and Googled “What is a Millennial?”. I got everything from Urban Dictionary to The Atlantic newspaper telling me what a millennial is. The Atlantic had a pessimistic view of millennials and Urban Dictionary wasn’t a solid source of information.

I decided to choose the Pew Research link which told me that a Millennial is a person who is born between the years 1981-2004, or someone who “comes of age in the millennium” (p. 4). This is still a pretty vague picture of what a millennial looks like, in my opinion.

So I kept looking for more information and I was not disappointed.

I came across a long list of attributes for millennials which I will spare you the time of reading and instead will share a few that stood out to me. Millennials are: Individualistic yet group oriented, diversity focused, fiercely independent, best educated generation, globalists (global way of thinking), hoping to make life contributions to the world, politically savvy, sociable, open to new ideas, and finally, the most in debt generation. I could talk about all of these but I want to focus on three specific characteristics: individualistic yet group oriented, sociable, and open to new ideas.

I want to talk about these three specifically because they are what will help us build solidarity with generation x (1965-1980) and the baby boomers (19461964). You may be thinking that that is a hopeful thought that can’t be achieved because millennials are so different from those generations, and those generations hate millennials, and that those generations are so close minded. You’re right, all three of those generations differ but there are so many attributes that these generations possess, such as their ability to handle crises, ambition, being pragmatic and adaptable; these attributes would allow us to work cohesively in an attempt to change the hate rhetoric that has been stifling the world for far too long. How can such a feat be attained? Through the construction of solidarity which happens when every group is intentional in listening to the other group and is willing to learn as well as adopt new ways of thinking.

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Every generation has their niche and a myriad of knowledge which is incredibly valuable when you’re trying to bring about positive change because it equips you with multiple strengths. While doing some research on the value of intergenerational connections, I came across an article that said “The richest forms of human development are most available to those willing and able to interweave their needs and potential with the needs and potential of others, especially those younger or older.”

(Bosak), which reinforced the idea that engaging in open discourse with those of different generations is an excellent idea.

Building solidarity isn’t about always agreeing with another person’s point of view, but it is about giving them the opportunity to enlighten you on something you may not know about, thus enlarging your paradigm. As millennials, we need to take initiative and start laying the foundation for these dialogues to take place. If we want to see change, it is imperative that we not attempt it as separate entities. It’s imperative that we embrace our differences and allow them to bond us together rather than alienate us. Effective change never happens when the people are divided, only when they’re united, for “there is more power in unity than division” . And if we have unity, then there can be hope for a world that is far less hateful than the one we find ourselves in now. If we have hope, what will stop us?

Talia Smith 1st year International Studies Major

_______ 1 Millennials: Confident. Connected. Open to Change."

Pew Research.org. Ed. Paul Taylor and Scott Keeter. Pew Research Centre, Feb. 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2016.

2, 3 "Generational Differences Chart - WMFC." Wmfs. org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2016.

4 Bosak, Susan V. "Benefits of Intergenerational Connections." Benefits of Intergenerational Connections. Legacy Project, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2016.

5 Emanuel Cleaver

If we have hope, what will stop us?

I don’t always like you but I love you I see the world and I see hate and sadness, I’ve heard so many people say they’ve lost hope on this world and it breaks my heart. Losing hope in humanity in my eyes is hate, and I can admit that I am part of the problem. As, I open up Facebook and read all the harsh words and argument I hear on behalf of the presidential election, I can’t help but have a knot in my stomach. I asked myself how can people be so cruel to one another? But, then when I looked at my state, beautiful Texas voting for the one man I pray wouldn’t win I get angry. Maybe, I should write on Facebook and give people a piece of my mind.

Maybe I’ll use my word to give a little hate toward those who dared vote yes to this man. A man that makes my body cringe every time I see his face, or hear his name. I just can’t bear to hear anymore!

What’s happened to my country the place I call my home? A question I can’t fully answer. To make matters worse, I turn towards my church that I love so much, the church that God asked me to serve and will serve. I also see a division that make me want to scream so loud that I’d probably shatter someone's ear drum if they were next to me. I ask myself many times, how can I control my hatred to those who speak against everything I believe and hold dear too? How can I be an image of God’s love, if all I want to do is hurt someone and make them cry just to satisfy my anger. As I searched for answers I find my favorite man, Martin Luther King Jr. and here is what he said:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”

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So, where would I stand? As I see the whole picture of love and hope, I became to understand what God meant when he said “Love your enemy.” is it something easy to do? In my mind no, let's be real can you really love your enemy? Sure being a Christian is something I was engraved to do. But could I? As I listen to MLK Jr. sermon “Love your enemy” he says something that caught my attention, he said “He didn’t say Like your enemy, He said Love your enemy.”

Love, I found is something you do without seeking anything in return. When I look at those people who speak against everything I stand for, I find it difficult that someone loves them like someone loves me.

But they do, they’re someone’s daughter, brother, mother, father, wife, and husband. Does that mean I should accept what they believe in? My answer to that, is no. I don’t have to like what they stand for but I can love them. Because isn’t that what Jesus did? Love humanity. If I can learn to love, maybe I can make a difference. Maybe, just maybe I can look at the world and see hope and peace. Maybe, I can stop this hatred and sadness. I can become a fighter for hope. So, my questions are to you Burman family, where will you stand in time of challenge and controversy?

Lilliet Ramerez 1st year Elementary Education Major transfer

Hope Defined Hope defined is an expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen A feeling with a certain aspiration That things will indeed get better A flicker of light in inevitable darkness Multicoloured hands raised at Standing Rock An elder enlightening the younger generation A friend reaching out to support a victim A community rising beyond circumstances to stand for their children An extended urge to comfort An ally A supporter A friend A brother A desire to dream beyond the expectation To raise the bar higher than it was placed A realization that what ever happened today has passed and there is still a tomorrow There is still a place to change To unite To improve To grow To trust To heal The idea that when we get tired we will learn to rest not to quit For to hope is not mourning on what seems like a dead end But to work on a new beginning

Zahara McGann 2nd year Elementary Education Major

"Bansky Quotes." Pinterest. Pinterest, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 16.

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DEVOTIONAL // ANGELICA CORNEJO

“...not of the world...”

Growing up my dad always talked about this word, integrity. I remember in high school having to write an essay in grade eleven English on integrity and not really knowing what it meant or what it entailed.

It’s not until I lived moments where my faith was challenged that I truly understood the meaning of the word integrity.

Integrity [in-teg-ri-tee] is the quality of being honest, undivided, and having a moral compass that doesn’t waver for anyone or anything. Could you imagine having to defend your faith or your beliefs even until death like Stephen, the first Christian martyr?

In life, we have all faced moments where we have had to choose whether to stand up for what we believe in, for what’s right, or to go with the flow and follow the crowd.

Whatever our final choice has been in those circumstances has had the power to speak volumes to those around us. Being authentic, genuine, living a consistent life in every moment, and not just labelling ourselves as Adventists but actually living Adventism is what integrity is. Choosing Jesus in all circumstances even when it’s not the most popular thing to do is where our characters are challenged and grow.

As Adventists, as children of God, we have been called to mark the difference. If people don’t see something different in you, there’s a problem. We haven’t been called to blend in or to be like everyone else, we’ve been chosen to stand up, stand out, to be pure, righteous, and holy even if the rest of the world isn’t--even if your friends may not follow.

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ROMANS 12:1-2

Romans 12:1&2 reminds us that we are not of this world and to make sure we’re not living as if we were. It encourages us to be different, to follow the example of Christ who came and was hated for simply not conforming to the norm. And even without speaking, Jesus made a difference. His ministry was different.

Testimony. Your testimony, the image you represent, speaks louder than the best sermon that you’ve ever heard.

Every day, the choices you make, the way you choose to live your life, not just around other Christians but also around non-Christians, can determine whether or not others will see the image of Jesus in you. Your testimony can be the means of bringing others closer to Jesus or it can be a stumbling block.

This seems a bit daunting but wearing the “Seventh Day Adventist” label, the “child of God” label, people automatically expect something different. So what are you doing to mark the difference in our world, in our community, and on our campus? Last year a religious studies major spoke these words I will never forget: “you could be the only Jesus someone could ever meet.” So ask yourself today am I marking a difference? Am I living a life that is reflecting Christ in all circumstances?

Praying for you always, Angelica

Hawksaw Ridge: A Conscientious life Thanks to the SA, the BU community had the extraordinary privilege of a pre-screening of Hacksaw Ridge- the true story behind the Seventh day Adventist conscientious objector war hero, Desmond Doss. I am no film critic but the electrifying, emotional and inspirational effect of this Hollywood film is indescribable. Although gruesome, the realities of war were explicitly portrayed and being able to just slightly understand the graphic, traumatizing, and horrendous aspects of war brought the story of Desmond Doss to life. Watching the documentary of Doss as a young child, I remember thinking how courageous he was going to war without a gun, but I never truly understood the real implications of this objection. Doss could not protect or DEFEND himself. What power does an unarmed man have in a war fought with gunfire and ammunition? It sounds ludicrous.

The first half of the film introduces the audience to Desmond Doss. It shows the motivations behind his beliefs for choosing to become a conscientious objector and serve as a medic. The second half shows those beliefs in action at the Battle of Okinawa at Hacksaw Ridge.

Doss openly expresses his Seventh day Adventist beliefs in the first part of the film despite of ridicule, judgement and abuse from his battalion. The transformation in respect the military unity has towards Doss is compelling. The sacrifice and dedication Doss shows in returning to save 75 men on his own is unbelievable and his survival is no doubt due to divine intervention. There is such a powerful dichotomy between the soldiers leaving hacksaw ridge with their guns in fear, and Doss remaining on the battlefield to save lives without any weapon.

One could review and tell this story countless times, but nothing compares to witnessing it on the big screen. Nothing compares to slightly beginning to understand the reality of Doss’ courage and faith through watching his story come to life. It amazes me how a completely secular, Hollywood film can accurately portray such a powerful story of one of our own Seventh day Adventist believers to the entire world. Doss’ story shows the divine impact of understanding the purpose of our lives here on Earth– saving lives. No, we will not all be doctors or conscientious objectors in the army, but you have a gift. Maybe yours isn’t risking your life to save an injured comrade, but maybe its being a friend to someone who is alone and hurting. Maybe its smiling and saying a kind word to a stranger. We are not all in positions to save literal lives, but we can plant the seeds to save them spiritually. What do you think your purpose in life is? Is it to “save one more” your daily prayer? How will you choose to fight in this world’s spiritual battlefield?

Codrina Baston 4th year Biology Major

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Walking In Hope

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Deicy Alcudia 1st year Music Major

We Got Talent “UP” In Here The SA continues to provide awesome events to keep the BU fam entertained! The night flowed smoothly thanks to Russell, Mr.Fredrickson and Tofu. Snapchats on snapchats sharing the night with the snazzy geofilter were made and bubble tea was consumed by the gallons, making it an all around satisfying evening. BU and PAA students are immensely talented and the acts were all quality performances. From covers of talented artists like Adele to John Legend and Justin Bieber to French poems and everything in between, there’s no denying we have talent on this campus!

Congratulations to the winners!!

1st Place: Darnel Bazil & Kenan Swain 2nd Place: Kathryn McNulty 3rd Place: Cloudy with a CHANCE John-Henri Rorabeck

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HOPE the missing element

[ I s s u e 5 Vo l u m e 6 4 ]