Adventists Condemn Bali Bombing

Wahroonga, Sydney
Melody Tan, Adventist News Network

Seventh-day Adventists in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific condemn the act of terrorism that claimed the lives of many innocent people in the recent bomb blasts in Bali.

"We are outraged at what has happened," says Pastor Laurie Evans, president of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the South Pacific. "It is shocking to have to respond to another bombing. Following the deaths of so many people in London earlier this year and in Bali in 2002, this recent tragedy is yet another reminder of the fragile nature of the peace and security that we have for so long taken for granted.”

Pastor Evans says the hearts of Adventists go out to the families, relatives and friends of those who died in this tragedy. “We are praying for those who have been deeply and personally affected,” he says.

With its headquarters for the South Pacific in Wahroonga, Sydney, the Seventh-day Adventist Church promotes peace, encourages compassion and unequivocally condemns violence as a solution to disagreements.

“We need to remember that this is not the time to point fingers at other religious groups but a time to come together and offer practical support,” says Evans. “We must not let these horrible events generate fear of and hatred towards different ethnic or religious groups. It will be unreasonable and unfair to alienate Muslims because of the acts of a handful of fanatics.”