Choroby przewlekłe i ich profilaktyka w nauczaniu konfesyjnym Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego (Seventh Day Adventists) w Stanach Zjednoczonych

Choroby przewlekłe i ich profilaktyka w nauczaniu konfesyjnym Adwentystów Dnia Siódmego (Seventh Day Adventists) w Stanach Zjednoczonych

Grzegorz Wiktorowski

Chronic diseases and their prevention in confessional teaching of Seventh-Day Adventists in the United States.
Seventh-Day Adventists are one of religious groups (movements) who the health and disease issues have built into the cognitive structure of their own confession bringing a strong soteriological dimension to them. Adventist religious doctrine can be defined as adventist lifestyle. The main recommendation of this health theology is categorical imperative of healthful living regarded as a moral obligation of all Adventists. Studies show that those Adventists who follow the religious health instructions are less likely affected by chronic diseases. Their life expectancy increases by a few years in relation to their peers who do not obey the Church recommendations. As far as terminal illnesses are concerned, Adventists believe that a Christian should not cling to his life when faced with an incurable disease or bothersome suffering, but choose “God’s promise of eternal life”. It does not mean that Adventists are not supporters of life extending medical remedies or treatments. On the contrary; they only strongly oppose to active euthanasia, so called “mercy killing” or assisted suicide.

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