Seventh-day Adventism in popular culture
Part of a series on |
Seventh-day Adventist Church |
---|
Adventism |
Seventh-day Adventist Church in popular culture refers to the coverage of Adventists and Adventism in film, television, literature, postage stamps and have been discussed in the media for their longevity. Adventists have impacted world eating habits in the breakfast and health food areas.[citation needed]
One author wrote, "popular culture hasn’t often been very kind to Adventists."[1]
Representation in cinema
The movie Evil Angels (released as A Cry in the Dark outside of Australia and New Zealand) portrays the events surrounding the death of Azaria Chamberlain, the daughter of Seventh-day Adventist Church pastor Michael Chamberlain and his wife Lindy. Lindy is falsely accused and convicted of killing the nine-week-old baby, and the public's unfamiliarity with of the practices of the religion are shown as one of the causes of public opinion turning against the Chamberlains.[citation needed]
Another Australian film, The Nostradamus Kid, depicts a coming-of-age story in which a Seventh-day Adventist young man grows up in the 1950s.[citation needed]
2016 Hollywood film
The 2004 film Hotel Rwanda focuses on the actions of Paul Rusesabagina who was internationally honored for saving 1,268 civilians during the Rwandan genocide. Rusesabagina was educated in Adventist elementary and secondary schools and describes himself as a "lapsed Adventist" in his autobiography.[5][6]
Representations in television
In the American series Gilmore Girls, one of the recurring characters, Mrs. Kim, is a strict, caricatured Seventh-day Adventist.[7][8]
In the House episode "Here Kitty", Dr. Gregory House refers to the events surrounding William Miller and the "Great Disappointment" of 1844. He remarks about Miller, "every time he was irrefutably proved wrong, it redoubled everyone's belief." Towards the end of the episode the patient rebuts House by saying "his followers never faded out, they became the Seventh-day Adventists – a major religion".[9]
The 1970s
The
Girls' Season 4 episode "Tad & Loreen & Avi & Shanaz" complains about the bothersome persistence of door-to-door evangelist Adventists, confusing Jehovah's Witnesses with Seventh-day Adventists. The fictional character Avi Mensusen, states, "Shanaz, do we get Watch Tower? It's those annoying Seventh-day Adventists, again."
The Leftovers' first episode of Season 3 there are some strong references to the event of the Great Disappointment. The intro is set back in the 19th century of America, showing a small family giving away their possessions, a group of people waiting for something on top of roofs and a congregation where someone is preaching about an event that will occur later in 1844. The event is strongly suggested to be the second coming of Jesus.
On
The
Representations in literature
In Black Boy (1945) by Richard Wright, "Granny" is said to be a Seventh-day Adventist.[citation needed]
In Alas, Babylon (1959) by Pat Frank, one character says to another that Adventists such as him do not drink or trade in whisky.[12]
In
The Brothers K (1992) by David James Duncan includes Adventist characters.[14]
The Road to Wellville (1993) is a heavily fictionalized story of John Harvey Kellogg, the Adventist doctor who invented corn flakes.[15] The Road to Wellville 1994 film is based on the book.[16]
In
In The Terminal Experiment (1995) by Robert J. Sawyer, a character explains the values of being immortal, including studying various faiths including Seventh-day Adventism.[18]
Tree of Smoke (2007) by Denis Johnson features Kathy Jones, a Seventh-day Adventist aid worker[19]
Representations on postage stamps
Madagascar
In 1967, the first depiction specifically of an Adventist subject on a postage stamp occurred in the
Norfolk Island
In 1967–1968, Norfolk Island Postal Service issued a series of definitive stamps depicting historic ships, including a 1968 20c depicting the Seventh-day Adventist owned mission schooner the Pitcairn. In 1856 Pitcairn Island was completely evacuated to than deserted Norfolk Island, so the Pitcairners become the first non-convict residents of Norfolk.[23][24] The Pitcairn ship brought the first Adventist missionaries and three Pitcairn islander converts to Norfolk in 1891. They shared the Adventist message with their relatives, quickly establishing an Adventist Church in part of the old prison. The Pitcairn would visit several more times over the years.[25] The same ship was later depicted on several Pitcairn Island stamps discussed below.
In 1981 Norfolk Island issued a 24c Christmas stamp depicting the island's Seventh-day Adventist Church with its sign and the printed words SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH in all caps.[26]
Samoa
Samoa (Western Samoa until 1997) has made three Seventh-day Adventist related issues to date.
The first stamp issued in 1970 shows the Seventh-Adventist Sanatorium (hospital) building in Apia which served from 1896 to 1906.[27][28]
The 1979 Christmas miniature sheet includes four stamps showing different churches and an additional five churches surrounding the actual stamps. A Seventh-day Adventist Church is shown in the lower left of the sheet.[29]
A 2007 stamp featured the Fusi Saoluafata church, on
Pitcairn Island
The small isolated UK colony Pitcairn Island has issued the most stamps with a Seventh-day Adventist connection of any postal authority due to the strong connection to the island.[citation needed] Pitcairn started printing stamps in 1940 and although there is little demand for postage from the less than 50 people in the local population, postal releases by Pitcairn are highly collected around the world and represent a significant part of the isolated island's revenue.[31][32]
Seventh-day Adventist connected issues include:
- 1958:The church school and teachers house stamps[33][34]
- 1975: The Pitcairn owned by the Adventist church.[27]
- 1977: The island church, which is the Seventh-day Adventist church on the island.[31]
- 1986: A series of four stamps to celebrate 100 years of Adventism on the island. The stamps show the four successive Adventist Churches built on the top of each stamp with the lower portions showing John Tay, the Pitcairn mission schooner (again), a baptism, and members singing hymns to a departing ship.[27]
- 1997: A series of four healthcare stamps depicted the Adventist-operated Island Health Center[35]
- 1997: A second island church stamp[36]
- 2012: Roy Clark (1893-1980) shown with his wife May. Clark served as the island postmaster, schoolmaster, Adventist church elder and historian.[citation needed]
- At least three more Adventist individuals have been featured[citation needed]
Malawi
In 1978 Malawi issued a series of stamps showing churches including a 4P Christmas stamp picturing the Malamulo Mission.[27]
Tonga
A 1979 Tonga stamp included the Nuku'alofa Seventh-day Adventist church in the lower right of the 22s stamp bearing the text TONGA The Friendly Islands Decade of Progress 1969 to 1979.[27]
A 1981 Tonga stamp shows an Adventist camp meeting.[citation needed]
Papua New Guinea
In 1981 Papua New Guinea issued a stamp that said "Mission Aviation SDA 1964" with an image of an Adventist plane used to provide medical and other aid to remote villages inaccessible by road. The Adventist Church has operated mission planes in the country since 1964.[37][38]
Bahamas
In a 1982 Christmas 12c issue, the Bahamas issued its first Adventist-themed stamp depicting the Centerville Church in Nassau the Bahamas first Adventist congregation organized in 1911.[39]
A 2009 postage stamp depicts Grant's Town Adventist Church on New Providence Island.[27]
United States
A February 1986
A November 11, 2013 stamp issue by the US Post Office commemorating Medal of Honor winners included reference on the backing sheet to Seventh-day Adventist US Army medic Desmond Doss who was the only winner of the American's highest decoration for bravery who refused to kill or carry any weapon, beliefs that were informed by his Adventist faith.[45][46][47] The stamp was also available as a cover with Doss's story and image of Doss receiving the Metal of Honor from President Truman.[48]
While not mentioning the church or a high-profile member, the October 1998 "Giving and Sharing an American Tradition" USPS stamp has a deep Adventist connection. The first class letter rate 32c stamp was the product of 27 years of advocating by
Cook Islands
In 1990, the Cook Islands issued a block of four stamps featuring individuals representative of the four main religions in the territory.[51] Dr. Joseph E. Caldwell, an Adventist missionary who arrived on the Pitcairn (schooner) and did much to develop the church in the Cook Islands in the face of significant persecution.[52] He also established a hospital in the Cook Islands during his eight years there. Dr Caldwell was featured in the highest value $1.60 stamp while the independent Cook Islands Church, Roman Catholic and Mormon Churches were the subject of the other stamps in the series.[53][54] Although there are only about 11,700 people resident in the Cook Islands[55] over 900 Adventist members meet in 15 churches there.[56]
Uruguay
In 1996 Uruguay issued a $3.50 stamp to celebrate "100 Anos Inglasia Adventista del 7th dia en Uruguay" that features a stained glass style
Vanuatu
A 1996 Vanuatu postal stamp showed the Port Vila Seventh-day Adventist Church in the upper left of the stamp. Two individuals are also depicted.[27]
British Virgin Islands
In 1999 the Seventh-day Adventist Church at Fat Hogs Bay in the British Virgin Islands was shown on a 35c stamp.[27]
Canada
In July 2000, Canada Post marked the 57th worldwide General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists meetings held in Toronto, Canada with a single domestic-rate (46 cent) commemorative stamp. First day cancelations were issued in Toronto at the start of the GC Session.[57]
Russia
In July 2001, the Russian Post issued a stamp portraying the Adventist church in Ryazan, as part of a series on religious buildings. This was the first depiction of an Adventist church on a Russian stamp.[58][59]
Fiji
In 2002 Fiji issued four stamps to celebrate Operation Open Heart. The mission to do open heart surgeries and train doctors in heart surgery techniques was launched by Russell Lee and two others at Sydney Adventist Hospital in 1986 with a mission to Tonga. Supported by Sydney Adventist Hospital and ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) using volunteer staff, Operation Open Heart expanded internationally to Tonga, Nepal, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, China, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Rwanda, Philippines and Tanzania. The range of surgery types expanded to From Cardiac surgery, the projects have expanded to include cleft lip and palate reconstruction, burns surgery, uterine prolapse surgery, women's health, orthopaedic reconstruction surgery and primary health care. Team members have been honoured by medals and awards from various countries for their service. In any way Operation Open Heart represents the worldwide medical missions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[27]
Kiribati
In 2003 Kiribati issued a stamp depicting the London (Port Camp) Seventh-day Adventist Church on Kiritimati or Christmas Island.[27]
Philippines
In February 2005, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued a 6p stamp (domestic letter rate) commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church entering the Philippines. The stamp is based on a 1967 painting "God watches over Manila" by O.T. Navarra that hung in an Adventist hospital and depicts Jesus with his arms stretched out over the cityscape. In addition to the painting the stamp includes elements super imposed over the painting including the denomination, church name and logo, a church building located in the North of the country, the years 1905–2005.[60][61] The stamp was designed by long time Philippines post office employee Alfonso Divina who is also an Adventist member. Leomer Batulayan managed the process of getting the stamp approved and issued. Belatulayan was the former director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in the Philippines,[21]
Brazil
In 2005 Brazil overprinted stamps to recognize a country-wide Adventist Pathfinder Camporee.[62] A 2009 stamp issued in Brazil featured the Central Adventist Church of Curitiba. The 2200 seat structure was recognized for its innovative architecture and design.[63]
Chile
In 2006, the Chilean Postal Corporation issued a three stamp set (images)[64][65][66] that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Universidad Adventista de Chile also known as Chile Adventist University. Each shows buildings in the history of the school. The stamps marked one of the first times any South American national government has officially recognized the Adventist Church.[67]
Cayman Islands
The 2007 Cayman Islands Christmas stamps featured stained glass windows of six island churches. The 80c stamp is the window from the East End Seventh-day Adventist Church.[68]
Montserrat
A 2011 Christmas release by Montserrat featured the refurbished New Enenezer Seventh-day Adventist Church building. The 1997 volcanic eruption destroyed this building[69] and 5 other of the 7 Adventist churches on the island[70] while the remaining Adventist structures were used as temporary housing for evacuees.[71] Adventists celebrated 100 years in Montserrat in 2015.[72]
Iraq
In 2020, the Iraqi Post released a set of eight commemorative stamps to honor the Christian churches in the country, the set included a photograph of the Baghdad Seventh-day Adventist Church.[73]
Health food
Seventh-day Adventists invented
Longevity research
The Adventist dominated community of
See also
- List of Seventh-day Adventists
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Christian pop culture
- Cultural depictions of Jesus
References
- Adventist Review(March 25, 2010), p18–
- ^ "Hacksaw Ridge: the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss, the war hero who refused to kill". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Desmond Doss: The Real Story". Desmonddoss.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Desmond Doss". Adventist.org. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "2005, Paul Rusesabagina – Wallenberg Legacy, University of Michigan". wallenberg.umich.edu. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "God's Remnant In Hotel Rwanda". spectrummagazine.org. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ Nam, Julius (17 November 2007). "November Adventism according to Gilmore Girls". Progressive Adventism. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Adventism According to Gilmore Girls: A Prime Time Commentary". Spectrummagazine.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- Here Kitty". House. Season 5. Episode 18.
- ^ "Evangelicals revolt against Zorra Total for satire the church". UOL. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- Vulture. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Pat Frank. Alas, Babylon. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co. (1959), p.160 (as quoted on adherents.com)
- ^ Stephen King. The Stand. Garden City, NY: Doubleday (1978), p.529 (as quoted on adherents.com)
- Record114:27 (July 18, 2009), p2
- ^ Priceonomics. "The Surprising Reason Why Dr. John Harvey Kellogg Invented Corn Flakes". Forbes. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- ^ The Road to Wellville (1994), retrieved 12 September 2020
- ^ James Morrow. Towing Jehovah. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co. (1994), p.41 (as quoted on adherents.com)
- ^ Robert J. Sawyer. The Terminal Experiment. New York: HarperCollins (1995), p.197 (as quoted on adherents.com)
- ISSN 0890-0264.
- ^ College and University Dialogue, 13:2
- ^ a b c "Philippines: Adventist Church Gets Postal Stamp of Approval With Commemorative Issue". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Stamps from Madagascar - Freestampcatalogue.com - The free online stampcatalogue with over 500.000 stamps listed". Freestampcatalogue.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Norfolk Island History - Pitcairn to Norfolk". Discovernorfolkisland.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "NORFOLK ISLAND 1967 SHIPS COMPLETE SET -SG 77 - 90". Stampinformation.blogspot.com. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ Milton Hook. "CHURCH IN A CONVICT GOAL EARLY ADVENTISM ON NORFOLK ISLAND" (PDF). Heritage.adventistconnect.org. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Stamp: Seventh Day Adventist Church (Norfolk Island) (Christmas 1981) Mi:NF 268,Sn:NF 284,Yt:NF 264,Sg:NF 266". colnect.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "The NEWSLETTER OF THE ORANGE COIN AND STAMP CLUB INCORPORATED" (PDF). Ldschurchnewsarchive.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "LDS Church News - 'Mormon' stamps grow in number". Church News. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Samoa 1979 Christmas Miniature Sheet Fine Mint". Pinterest. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Baha'i Philately". bahai-library.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ a b "PISG - Introduction to Pitcairn Stamp Collecting". pisg.net. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "I Found the Bones of the Bounty - Pictures, More From National Geographic Magazine". ngm.nationalgeographic.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "The Pitcairn Collection (Collection 16) - Center for Adventist Research". Centerforadventistresearch.org. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "The Living Church". Morehouse-Gorham Company. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Health care 4v - Freestampcatalogue.com - The free online stampcatalogue with over 500.000 stamps listed". Freestampcatalogue.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Christmas 4v - Freestampcatalogue.com - The free online stampcatalogue with over 500.000 stamps listed". Freestampcatalogue.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea - 35t stamp of 1981 (#269008) - StampData". stampdata.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Home". Aas.prg.pg. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "INTER-AMERICAN NEWS Flashes" (PDF). Documents.adventistarchives.org. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- Scott catalog# 2203, first day of issue on February 4, 1986.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "US 2203 Stamp Sojourner Truth Stamp US 2203-1 MNH". Blue Moon Philatelic. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Who Are the Five Women Honored on the New $10 Bill?". Nbcnews.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "The New $10 Note | Modern Money". Archived from the original on 27 April 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2016.
- ^ "Adventist Review Online - Adventist Doss Honored on Back of U.S. Stamp Issue". Adventistreview.org. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Badass - Desmond Doss". Badassoftheweek.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ Goldstein, Richard (25 March 2006). "Desmond T. Doss, 87, Heroic War Objector, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Desmond Doss". Adventist.org. 16 November 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Adventist philanthropy pioneer Murray dies at 87". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Postage Stamp: Giving & Sharing". Giveshare.org. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Religion in the Cook Islands : Cook Islands : Customs". Tikitouring.co.nz. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ Milton Hook. "TUATUA MOU : EARLY ADVENTISM IN THE COOK ISLANDS" (PDF). Heritage.adventistconnect.org. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ISSN 0819-5633. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Postage Stamps Recognize Church in Cook Islands, Samoa - Ensign July 1990 - ensign". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Table 1 Population Estimates" (XLS). Mfem.gov.ck. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Life on the Island". Am.adventistmission.org. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Seventh Day Adventist Church". Canadapost.ca. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Russian stamp portrays Adventist church", letter by Valerie Ivanov. Dialogue 13:3 (2001), p4
- ^ "Adventist Stamp Released in Russia". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Stamp: Seventh-Day Adventist Church Centennial (Philippines) Mi:PH 3600". colnect.com. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Philippines Philately Stamps Adventist". Philippinestamps.net. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- ^ "Brazil: President Highlights Importance of Camporee to Country's Ideals". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Brazil Central Adventist Church Redesigns Sound with Iconyx by Renkus-Heinz". Renkus-heinz.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Stamp: 100 Years Chile Adventist University (Chile 2006) - TouchStamps". Touchstamps.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Stamp: 100 Years Chile Adventist University (Chile 2006) - TouchStamps". Touchstamps.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Stamp: 100 Years Chile Adventist University (Chile 2006) - TouchStamps". Touchstamps.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Chile: Adventist University Celebrates Centennial With Events, National Commemoration". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Christmas Stamps: Cayman's Stained-glass". Gov.ky. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Caribbean Net News: Montserrat". Caribbeannewsnow.com. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Montserrat: Church Leaders Pray While Volcano Threatens". news.adventist.org. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "ADRA provides relief assistance to Montserrat Volcano survivors". Reliefweb.int. 11 July 1997. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- ^ "Seventh-Day Adventist Celebrates 100 Years on Montserrat Today". Discovermni.com. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
- Adventist Review. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Braun, Whitny (23 March 2016). "How the Seventh-day Adventist Church Gave You Breakfast Cereal: You're Welcome". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Breakfast cereal health reviews". Choice.com.au. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Earthsown - So Good". Earthsown.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "So Good". So Good. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "Loma Linda, California". Bluezones.com. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ Pawlowski, A. "Want to live to 100? This town may hold the secrets of longevity". Today.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ Medina, Jennifer (19 December 2011). "Fast-Food Outlet Stirs Concerns in a Mecca of Healthy Living". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ "KSWB : Community is living longer without usual health problems" (PDF). Bluezones.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
- ^ Smith, Emily Esfahani (4 February 2013). "The Lovely Hill: Where People Live Longer and Happier". Theatlantic.com. Retrieved 26 August 2017.