Once I concluded that the WCG was a "cult," I had a deep desire to know "How did I ever get myself into such a mess? How was HWA able to fool me?" I went back over some of the booklets, and I had noticed a pattern to his writing style.

Armstrong theology introduces a topic and then proceeds to jump around¹, finally arriving to the original topic with his personal spin on it. Here is an illustration:

"Today we are going to uncover the hidden truths about bananas. Are they yellow, or are they really green like today's theologians insist? Are you sure they're green? Don't be too sure! Let's find out the truth! Prepare yourself for a shock!

"But first, let's look at oranges. They're round, sweet, and full of vitamin C. But what about peaches? They're orange-colored and sweet, and they grow on trees, too. Cantaloupes are orange inside and round as well. We can all agree that they are fruits. Because they are all round, orange colored, and sweet, we must conclude that they are all grow from the same plant! Amazing, isn't it? But today's theologians will deny this simple fact!! Even scientists and higher education admit they don't know this!! [See Encyclopedia Britannica - Bananas, pg. 375, 1938 Edition].

"Now, back to the banana.

"The Bible says that 'the yellow banana tasteth sweet.' Look for yourself! Your very own Bible says that, and yet modern theologians deny that very fact!! But God reveals the Truth to his humble servants who are willing to listen to Him and keep His Laws."

This type of theology throws a person off. HWA starts by asking a simple question, but before he answers that simple question, he vindictively belittles any authorities on the subject. He then jumps to a related subject, but still not answering the original question, and proceeds to reveal all the contradictions that Christians have about that particular subject, belittles them, and then goes on to yet another subject. Finally, he returns to the original question and continues to reveal "the shocking truth" with a faulty conclusion, always pointing everything back to him (as God's messenger) or "the Church" (which is still him) as the final authority. 

By Lindsey
Exit & Support Network™
October 4, 2003 

Footnote by ESN:

¹ One of the ways that mind control works is to get the listener to jump from A to C instead of logically going from A to B to C.

Questioning Herbert W. Armstrong (was he who he said he was?) (many articles)

Stories, Testimonies and Writings by Exiters  

Back to Looking Back on My Experiences