What Lohr said about "not asking why" reminds me of my abusive ex-husband that I was married to for a few short months prior to WCG. After physically and verbally abusing me, he wouldn't ask "why" because the answer would have to be, "You're a selfish jerk who has to hit a woman to get your way." So he would say, "Let's just forget what happened and start over again. It's water under the bridge. I’ve changed and that's what matters." Or, "I'm sorry, but it was your fault, too. I promise I won't do it again." Then he would do something else instead. Abusers who don't get help truly believe that they don't have a problem. After one counseling session, my ex said to the marriage counselor, "She's the one with the problem, so I don't need to be here anymore." As long as he could make me the problem, then he didn't have to deal with the problem. And as long as Lohr can make "legalism" the problem, he won't have to deal with Armstrongism and his part in it the abuse. Abusers want to control our every move and if we make one mistake, we pay dearly. That's one of the reasons I left the WCG during the changes. I felt something too familiar--being blamed for being "part of the problem" while the perpetrators failed to take full responsibility.

If Lohr would ask "why" to these "many painful experiences," he would come up with the answer. Why would a "true church" of God cause "many" painful experiences? It is because of spiritual abuse and mind control. Realizing that, Lohr would have to conclude that he spent his life in a false church, was a "minister" of a false gospel, and a perpetrator of a false (and destructive) system. By asking "why" and seeing the truth about the WCG and knowing HWA taught a false gospel, he would be a deeply broken man and beg Christ for forgiveness. Then he would go about setting his wrongs right, just as the Apostle Paul did. Paul denounced his old belief system, and did not fear to publicly speak out against it--even to the leaders. He could easily admit how he "wasted the Church of God" (Galatians 1:13), and he fully addressed it. But Lohr is not interested in asking "why" because he doesn't want the real answers. 

Lohr's remaining actions about asking himself "What can I do with the experience?" truly reflects what he believes. Obviously, he does not feel pained enough to completely acknowledge what he was a part of. How can he show empathy when he doesn't fully acknowledge the pain that he caused others? (All abusers say, "Yes, I hurt her, but…" And let's face it, the word "legalism" is just another word to whitewash the Worldwide Church of God and its founder. "Recovering Legalists" should be renamed "Recovering Armstrongites." The WCG introduced this word "legalism" so they could soft-pad the truth about HWA--it's just another tool of propaganda.  

It's interesting that Lohr would contact ESN, tell where he's been a member, then proceed to tell you that he "never purposely hurt any young person or member" (and never offered for ESN to forward any apologies). He tried to justify his actions and then placed part of the blame on the "sheep." For a "recovering legalist," he can't seem to see what he did was wrong. He can't admit that he implemented HWA's cruel system of ejection to control the flock. He does not openly admit the errors and horrors of Armstrongism as far as I can tell.  If he lives a repentant life daily, I fail to see it in this letter. It's more like he's trying to sell an image of "Look! I'm a Recovering Legalist! Ask me how!!" (Just like the WCG HQ leadership did.)   
 

I think the phrase "attitude of repentance" is another buzzword used in the new WCG. I recall this being said a lot when Joseph Tkach Jr. was "pastor general." We were to repent of our "legalism, self-righteous and judgmental attitudes." Basically they were saying, "don't judge the leadership because they, too, were deceived." Of course, regarding themselves, they would only say, "we were deceived and misled by our zeal," etc., but they would never implicate Herbert Armstrong.

I find it strange that Lohr would give a sermon in his new church about "alcohol deception" instead of "spiritual deception"? Why talk about alcohol when he could be "exposing the lies of Armstrongism?" Wouldn't he be excited to share how the Lord worked in his life and helped him out of the darkness into the light? This is all so very strange. 

He sounds like he's trying to justify himself for the abuse, and he certainly doesn't sound sorry.

By Nicole (Former WCG member)
July 28, 2007

Footnote by ESN:

1 Ronald Lohr was ordained by WCG in 1997 as a pastor in the Tulsa, Oklahoma congregation. He resigned the same year.