catholic lawyer who researched ellen g. white plagiarism

by Nicolette Donnelly 3 min read

An attorney who specializes in patent, trademark, and copyright cases, Vincent L. Ramik, undertook a study of Ellen G.

Was Ellen G White found guilty of plagiarism?

Charge Some critics have accused Ellen White of plagiarism – the representation of another author’s works as her own. ... Two separate studies where undertaken, one by a Roman Catholic lawyer, Vincent L. Ramik, and one by the Adventist General Conference, both in the 1980s. Both concluded that Ellen White’s writings did not exhibit ...

Is Ellen White's use of other languages considered literary theft?

The September 17, 1981 Review, heralded that their Catholic lawyer had declared that. Ellen White was not legally a plagiarist according to the lawyer's definition, and therefore her works did not constitute copyright infringement. 39 This report-clearly not coming to grips with the moral, spiritual, or theological implications at the heart of ...

Is the church denying Ellen White copies?

Ellen G. White is not guilty of copy-right infringement or plagiarism. This is the opinion of Vincent L. Ramik, senior partner of Diller, Ramik & Wight, Ltd., a lawyer who practices patent, trademark, and copyright law in Washington, D.C. Mr. Ramik undertook to research Mrs. White’s writings after Warren L. Johns,

What was the first newspaper criticism of Ellen White?

Attorney Vincent Ramik’s Lawyer’s Brief: In the autumn of 1981, Attorney Warren L. Johns, then chief legal counsel in the General Conference’s Office of Legal Counsel, using private funds, engaged the services of Attorney Vincent Ramik, senior partner of the Diller, Ramik, and Wight, specialists in patent , trademark, and copyright law. Attorney Ramik was provided for his …

Who wrote this I believe about Ellen White?

In the March 20 1980, Adventist Review in an article entitled "This I Believe About Ellen G. White " Neal Wilson informed the church about the Rea [Glendale] Committee. The initial report indicates that "in her writing Ellen White used sources more extensively than we have heretofore been aware of or recognized....".

Where did Ellen White borrow her words from?

Studies by Raymond Cottrell and Walter Specht have shown that Ellen White borrowed about 2.6 percent of her words in The Desire Of Ages from William Hanna's Life of Christ .... However, W. C. White and Marian Davis both mention other books on Christ's life which Ellen White used. It is also evident that she borrowed from some works not named by W.

What is Walter Rea's book?

Order Walter Rea's book: "The White Lie". If Patriarchs and Prophets was the cornerstone of Adventist theology The Desire of Ages was the keystone in the arch of Adventist thinking and Christological views. In the preface of volume two (1877) of its forerunner, The Spirit of Prophecy, it was said:

What did the leaders of the church find it hard to face reality?

The leaders of the church indeed found it hard to face reality, but it was obvious that something must be done, and done quickly. So, as always, the tired old men from PREXAD (the President's Executive Advisory Committee) and the White Estate, turned to the source they so often deny their members-the law.

Who was the third generation Adventist?

Cottrell , a third­generation Adventist, had served the church in various high­level capacities, including that of book editor at the Review and Herald, most of his life. Specht had been known as a scholar, department chairman, and dean at some of the church's finest institutions.

Who was concerned about what was taking place in Glendale?

McAdams had another reason to be concerned about what was taking place. He was one of the members of the special Glendale Committee to whom Wilson wrote. He had seen some of the evidence, had heard the January 28­29, 1980, presentation, and had himself stated to his colleagues that the evidence was indeed "startling.

Is the church righting a rear guard action concerning the use of others' material in the name of God and

Although it is technically true that, as far back as the 1880s, the church has been righting a rear guard action concerning the use of others' material in the name of God and Ellen, the declarations have always been made with defensiveness and quick justification.

What is Ellen White's use of other authors?

xii). Ellen White's use of other authors was not limited to historical or geographical material, but included other subject areas as well.

Who was the author of The Desire of Ages?

In 1980 Dr. Fred Veltman, at that time the chairman of the Religion Department of Pacific Union College, undertook a detailed analysis of Ellen White's use of literary sources in her book The Desire of Ages, a study which took eight years to complete.

Did Ellen White use other authors' language?

Because she included such selections from other authors in her writings, critics have charged Ellen White with plagiarism. But the mere use of another's language does not constitute literary theft, as noted by Attorney Vincent L. Ramik, a specialist in patent, trademark, and copyright cases.

Was Ellen White a plagiarist?

After researching about 1,000 copyright cases in American legal history, Ramik issued a 27-page legal opinion in which he concluded "Ellen White was not a plagiarist, and her works did not constitute copyright infringement/piracy.".

What did Dart quote Wilson saying?

Dart quoted Wilson as saying that “originality is not a test of inspiration.”. He added, “The Holy Spirit helps the messenger to select his materials carefully….The prophet’s use of existing materials does not necessarily mean that the prophet is dependent on these sources.”.

Can the work of prophets be derivative?

The premise, which seems to obtain here, that the work of true prophets cannot be derivative is at least a bit suspect. The premise that prophets should be (on the whole) honest seems unassailable.

Who copied the Great Controversy?

Ellen G. White found guilty of plagiarism (copying) White copied "The Great Controversy" 1886, from "The History of Protestantism" 1876. She not only copied the words, but the pictures too! Then claimed it was a revelation of God!

Who wrote the white lie?

Remember, all this material comes out of book called, "The White Lie" written by Walter Rae, who has been an ordained Seventh-Day Adventist pastor for 40 years and even today, is a member in good standing, attends Sabbath service every Saturday and is still an ordained Pastor in the Seventh-Day Adventist church.

How many years do you have to serve in the mission field before you can go to church?

It was a law among them that all who entered the ministry should, before taking charge of a church at home, serve three years in the missionary field. As the hands of the men of God were laid upon their heads, the youth saw before them, not the prospect of earthly wealth or glory, but possibly a martyr's fate.

Where did the missionaries begin their labors?

The missionaries began their labors in the plains and valleys at the foot of their own mountains, going forth two and two, as Jesus sent out his disciples. These co­laborers were not always together, but often met for prayer and counsel, thus strengthening each other in the faith.

What does "HOOPER SC" mean?

This may stand for, HOOPER, the SC may be an abbreviation for "scribe" or "sculpsit" who etched the picture onto the printing press medium. Now it is argued that since White had the drawing "re-etched" into a printing medium a second time, that means she can drop "HOOPER SC" and put her own in its place.