I didn't realize how long it had been since this thread was active. Kind of sad actually.
In any case, I recently found out that some of my friends parents that were very nearly family growing up have left the SDA church. My friend, their son, died a couple of years ago from cancer and the family has been in a "tail spin" ever since.
I have started an email discussion with them to see what beliefs they retained and which ones they kept. It is really sad, but I can already see that "threw out the cart with the horse" and the original reason was that the church members and pastors were not able to provide the needed support in their time of need. It hurtss to see relidgious beliefs changed by pure emotion.
In any case, please pray for me and them. They are still hurting alot from the death of their son and now they are likely being "condemned" by many of their friends for leaving the church. They seemed very appreciative that I would address my concern for them personally and seem happy to dialogue about things.
It should be fun, but talking about the "state of the dead" which is one of the things that have changed will be difficult with death being so close to home for them.
