wfn.org | Adventists React To "Almost Vanquished" Claim

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

September 16, 2001
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

U.K. Adventist Leader React To "Almost 
Vanquished" Claim

London, U.K., 09.09.2001/APD   On September 7, 
the British Seventh-day Adventist leader 
re-
acted to the claim made by Cardinal 
Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the leader of the 
Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, 
that Christianity is close to being 
"vanquished" in Britain. Most of the Adventist 
Church's administrators were tied up in an 
Executive committee. 

Pastor Cecil Perry, president of the British 
Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 
spoke of his surprise and concern at the 
Cardinal's comments. "We believe that 
Christianity as a world religion and more 
specifically Christianity in the British Isles 
has a strong future. Although we see other 
religions displacing Christianity in some parts 
of our country and are concerned at the rise of 
atheism and apathy in formerly Christian 
communities, we do not believe that we should 
fear for the future. If anything these trends 
should motivate us to redouble our efforts in 
convincing others of the truth and beauty of 
the Christian faith. Jesus' own words, recorded 
in Matthew 16:18 - 'the gates of Hades will not 
overcome it' - are a guarantee that 
Christianity will prevail until the end of 
time."

A Policy Studies Institute survey of religion's 
importance to different faith communities 
offers similar evidence, recording a 75% "very 
important" rating among British Muslims 
compared to 11% of white Anglicans. Tariq 
Moddod, of Bristol University, who conducted 
the research, said: "The exception in 
Christianity was among churches like the 
Seventh-day Adventists or the New Protestant 
churches which are mostly Afro-Caribbean or 
South Indian. The New Protestants had a 'very 
important' rating of 71%." 

Christian leaders of many denominations 
expressed similar views, with the Archbishop of 
Canterbury Dr George Carey saying that there 
should be "nothing to frighten us or worry us" 
as we see changes in the society around us. In 
fact "it is an exhilarating time to be a 
Christian," he said. (129/2001)