May 2, 2018

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Where Change Is Leading | Hearing Each Other | Impressed | Appreciation | Volunteer Teams Save . . .

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Where Change Is Leading

After completing the rest of the pie charts at the beginning of the article “Where Change Is Leading” (March 2018), we would notice another significant trend. While Christianity has remained constant at 33 percent of the world’s population over the past 100 years, Islam has nearly doubled and is currently about 25 percent of the world’s population. It is the fastest growing of the world’s major religions. At a 1.8 percent annual growth rate, the 1.8 billion Muslims in the world are increasing at a rate of nearly 80,000 per day.

At current rates, if time should last, Islam will overtake Christianity as the dominant world religion in the last half of this century. Adventists should get to know their Muslim neighbors. There will be more of them.

Eric Stone
West Hills, California

Hearing Each Other

Bill Knott’s editorial “Hearing Each Other” (February 2018) is one of the most articulate and helpful editorials Helen and I have read.

More than a year ago we moved to the Gables of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, an assisted living community near our family. A lot of interaction takes place among the residents. Since we are the only Adventists, we are careful not to offend and, therefore, when chatting avoid interrupting them. We take time to hear them out.

When we are with Adventists, it would also be well not to interrupt each other. We Adventists come from many different backgrounds and don’t always think alike. As we communicate with each other, we should hear each other out.

Lynn Sauls
Massachusetts

Impressed

The Review is no longer something I glance through; I read it! I am particularly impressed with the sections Connect and Engage. In the February issue I was inspired by “Life Detours,” by Dixil Rodriguez. Then I was moved to tears by Stephen Chavez’ review of Barking to the Choir, the selection of quotations in “Know Justice,” and Chavez’ essay “When Things Get Weird.”

Andy Hanson
Chico, California

Appreciation

I’m writing to express appreciation for two articles in the February 2018 Adventist Review: “‘Where Was the Justice?’” and “It Is Time.”

As one who grew up in the north (Maine) and moved to Alabama in June 1963, I have seen discrimination, injustice, and lack of fairness. I have also seen serious attempts by those in leadership, specifically at the University of Alabama Medical Center, the School of Medicine, and School of Dentistry, in 1963 and onward, to lead in serious integration and to initiate attitude changes on both sides.

The suggestions made in the “It is Time” article are important. However, healing must be an ongoing process. I doubt that “privileges” will ever be eliminated this side of the kingdom; for in the United States and in our church we still have a long way to go.

Ronald E. Turk
Greeneville, Tennessee


Your Turn

We welcome your letters, noting, as always, that inclusion of a letter in this section does not imply that the ideas expressed are endorsed by either the editors of the Adventist Review or the General Conference. Short, specific, timely letters have the best chance at being published (please include your complete address and phone number—even with e-mail messages). Letters will be edited for space and clarity only. Send correspondence to Letters to the Editor, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; Internet: [email protected].

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