Finally Free From the Burden of Lies
I was born into the WCG in 1974. It was all I knew until the split happened in the 1990's. I was young and just wanted to be normal and hang out with my friends. My mom had re-married a very abusive man from the WCG. At the same time her short marriage crumbled, so did the WCG.
It has taken me until now to realize that I was raised in a cult. Even though I haven't attended a church service for many, many years, I have lived this intense shame and guilt. I could never explain why I always thought the worst of myself. I have always felt second place to others and that I never fit in. Now that I am dealing with the lies that I was raised with and recognizing the impact that they had, I finally feel FREE.
This huge emotional barrier to life has been lifted from my soul.
My husband (never a member of WCG) could never understand where all this self-hatred came from. We had many discussions as to why I would feel so bad about myself.
I felt that I was living the wrong life with the wrong set of beliefs. I was not living "the truth."
Your site has been so wonderful and all its revelations have set me free. Herbert Armstrong was just a sick man who was all out for the money and the control.
My mom still attends United Church of God. I love her and bear her no ill will, but I am so sad for all that she has lost out in life. She started attending WCG as a woman with four little boys, no formal education, and a very emotionally abusive husband who later turned into a raging alcoholic. So she was a prime target. She had been attending for at least 10 years when I was born. And now she is a lonely elderly woman on a small income and still tithing.
Thank you, thank you for all your information.
I can finally say with certainty that I am free from this burden of lies.
My life can now be one of happiness and love and a bright future. I no longer wait for God's wrath or the Tribulation. And the only place of safety is one in God's true love and NOT in Petra.
Many Blessings to you.
By Adrianne - Child Survivor of WCG
September 8, 2011