Frequently Asked Questions  

Who are Seventh-day Adventists?

• A rapidly growing worldwide fellowship of approximately 15 million
• Christians who love Jesus Christ and strive to make Him the center of all we believe and do
• The church that is eager to share the truth about what God is really like – as seen in the life of Jesus
• Christians who accept the Bible as our authority for what to believe and how to live
• A Christian fellowship that worship on the biblical Sabbath and look forward to the soon return of Jesus
• A community of Christ deeply interested in health – health of mind, body, and spirit

For a more detailed description of what Adventists believe, you may go to   http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html

Do I have to be a Seventh-day Adventist to send my child to Mauna Loa School?

No.  Depending on the year, about 25% -50% of our students come from families of other faiths.

Does my child have to adhere to dietary restrictions when attending Mauna Loa School?

No.  Mauna Loa School does not have a prepared lunch program, so students generally need to bring their own lunches.  There are no dietary restrictions on lunches the students bring from home. 

As a church family, Adventists have a long history in healthful living.  Therefore, as part of the school health curriculum, teachers promote a wholesome diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, foods low in fat and sugar, and the avoidence of caffeinated soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Are all Adventists vegetarians?

No.  About 50% of adventists are vegetarian and only a small percentage of these are vegan (no meat or meat products such as milk, eggs, and cheese). The majority of adventist vegetarians include milk, eggs, and cheese in their diet.  Adventist families do not eat pork or shellfish.  The teachers at Mauna Loa School encourage their students to be respectful and sensitive to the belief systems and values of all students.

Do the teachers at Mauna Loa School teach the doctrine of "eternal torment of the wicked"?

No.  Adventists believe that the millennium, or thousand-year reign of Christ, will take place with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected to hear and acknowledge the justice of God's final judgement against them. God's charecter of love will be vindicated before the entire universe.  Finally, the unrighteous, along with Satan and his angels will surround the city to destroy it; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Mal. 4:1-3; Eze. 28:11-19; Eze. 18:21-23; Rev. 21:1-5)

Do Adventists celebrate Christmas?

Yes!

Why do Adventists not emphasize Easter Sunday services?

For the simple logistic reason that our worship services are on Saturday instead of Sunday.  Some Adventist churches have an Easter sunrise service and Adventist children have long enjoyed coloring Easter eggs and the Easter egg hunt.  Most importantly, the life, death, and ressurection of Jesus Christ is, and always has been, central to our faith.

Do Adventists celebrate Halloween?

In the past, most Adventist children dressed in costumes, carved pumpkins, went trick-or-treating, and attended halloween parties.  In recent years, an increasing number of Adventist families have looked for an alternative to halloween celebrations.

Here are a few websites you may be interested in.

Adventist Education

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists

Seventh-day Adventist World Church