According to the Center for Youth Evangelism, 783 young adults were asked if they agreed or disagreed with 10 standards "generally thought to be held by Seventh-day Adventists."
Here's what they found:
| Standard | Agree | Disagree |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Not use illegal drugs | 93% | 5% |
| 2. Not use tobacco | 92% | 4% |
| 3. Keep the Sabbath holy | 88% | 4% |
| 4. Not drink alcoholic beverages | 77% | 15% |
| 5. Dress modestly | 75% | 12% |
| 6. Sex should occur only within marriage | 74% | 14% |
| 7. Not wear cosmetic jewelery | 33% | 49% |
| 8. Not listen to rock music | 32% | 49% |
| 9. Not dance | 22% | 60% |
| 10. Not attend movie theaters | 16% | 71% |
Suggestions from the Center for Youth Evangelism:
"If these last four standards really do have a Biblical base, and if they continue to be relevant to Adventism, then the church, and especially youth ministries leaders, will need to find ways through study and dialogue to lead to a commitment on the part of young adults to these standards. Otherwise, they should be removed from the list, for standards that are proclaimed but not practiced only lead to charges of hypocrisy."
