Seventh-day Adventists and Trade Unions

The Seventh-day Adventist position on and relationship to trade unions is complex and has to be seen against not only a broad theological background, but also in the light of historical and social developments within the last centuries.

Theological Background

The biblical history of creation, the origin of sin, Christ’s crucifixion on the cross, and the second coming of Jesus forms the background for the Seventh-day Adventist philosophy of all human societies and institutions.

The emphasis on creation is an expression of a deep concern for the realities of human life, not only in its spiritual, but also in its mental, physical, and social aspects. However, because of the fall, humans are born into an imperfect world with a natural selfish tendency. For that reason, human governments are invested with a divinely given authority to help not only in general need, but also to protect their citizens against internal and external oppression and exploitation that is due to the natural egotism of sinful humankind.

This need to govern should, however, be balanced by another central concern, that is, to secure every individual’s freedom of conscience and right to choose his/her religious belief and to exercise that belief without the risk of losing their common civil rights. To secure not only this right, but also to provide every human being with the choice of eternal life, God has established the Church as the body of believers to present Jesus Christ to the world.

The Adventist understanding of the gospel and of the final events in the history of this earth highlights this concept of liberty and freedom of conscience. On the cross Christ decided to die rather than use his power because he wanted humans to maintain the freedom of choice. Before his second coming, he has committed his Church to bring the everlasting gospel to the world as a last warning (Rev 14:6-12), inviting all people to worship the Creator, even in the context of oppressive governments and social structures that oppose genuine religious freedom.

Historical Background

The Seventh-day Adventist Church had its beginning in rural, pre industrial, mid 19^th century USA. The traditional attitude of the Church toward labour and trade unions reflects this origin. So do the various statements by Ellen G. White, an influential leader in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its early years. Ellen G. White was well aware of the economic exploitations that in the course of history brought the labour movements into existence.

Some trade unions of her time did not uphold the democratic political process or the principle of freedom of conscience. In this context, Ellen G. White strongly upheld the principle of liberty and condemned any individual or organisation that devalued or discredited that principle. Her comments must also be read in the light of events that according to prophecy are expected to take place toward the end of history.

Today, Seventh-day Adventists live in all parts of the world. The operation of labour and trade unions vary greatly. In many countries, they have been established as a natural part of the negotiating process. Some unions cater solely for the professional development of workers within the trade, while in other places, controlling and antidemocratic tendencies are very strong.

Statement of Position

The Church recognises

• That exploitation and oppression of workers have been major factors contributing to the development of trade unions in recent centuries.
• The positive impact that some unions have had in creating and securing the social support system for the weak and the poor, “the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow” (Deut 24:20) of modern welfare societies. Today, many enjoy the benefits brought about by the trade union movement even though they may not have participated in the process.
• That this positive influence has contributed to far greater freedom for many people.
• That in many countries trade unions form a natural and supporting part of the negotiating process.
• That individual members have the right to choose whether or not they will join a trade union.

The Church realises

• The complexity of the issue and the great variety of trade unions and professional organisations.
• The threat that major institutions and organisations, national and/or international, may constitute to the liberty of the individual, and the danger that trade unions may also be utilised as forces of control and oppression.
• That the biblical description of events immediately before the second coming of Christ should make us particularly sensitive to any organisational threat against the individual’s right to free choice.
• That as an organisation, the church is called by God to proclaim the gospel of Christ which embraces freedom of choice, and that it must be bound by the Word of God in performing this task.

The Church affirms

• That it understands its work as a divine calling, and commits itself at all levels to fair and equitable treatment of its employees.
• That no individual or organisation should diminish the trust between an employer and the employee.
• That governments should uphold and protect the right of each individual to choose his/her religious belief and to exercise this belief without losing any of the civil or economic rights that society bestows.
• That its members maintain their conscientious right not to join any organisation that they perceive as a threat to their religious freedom or their freedom of individual choice.
• That no member should participate in the work of any organisation that

(a) does not uphold and respect the rights and the free choice of the individual
(b) does not respect the duly established structures and processes of government
(c) uses force or coercion to achieve its ends.

• That in order to fulfil its divine mission it maintains independence from any employee, community or governmental organisation.

This statement is issued by the Religious Liberty Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was approved by the South Pacific Division Executive Committee on May 22, 2003.