I went into WCG (Armstrongism) with much skepticism and the medical professions were suspect in my mind. At first I had no problem with the WCG encouraging us not to accept medical help. 

 

In my area members were not put out for using the medical profession, but it was heavily discouraged. They would say that such use was a sign of a "lack of faith." 

 

As time went on I came to clearly see that the ministry and their deceived followers had a much bigger problem with doctors and other health care providers. It was a matter of hatred rather than just mistrust. I had a problem with the hatred they exhibited against doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. This hatred went beyond a mere doctrinal level. 

 

I saw that in other (???) sinful lifestyles we were to hate the sins without hating the individuals involved. But the practice of medicine was seen as sinful and its providers were hated along with their works. Of course, they didn't openly state such hatred but it was clearly obvious in their discussions of the subject. It was clear to me that there was something dreadfully wrong with this. 

 

I began to be affected by cognitive dissonance well before the changes in doctrines began being announced.  I still believed WCG was the one true church while I saw the hatred discussed above as being sinful. They didn't hate a killer, a robber, a prostitute or any other sinner. They hated the lifestyles but not the sinner. Such wasn't the case with medical providers. They were clearly hated. I couldn't understand why the ministry and membership could hate workers in a field of work they disapproved of and be the only true church. This didn't fit. 

 

When I came to be afflicted with some health problems that produced chronic pain, I decided that the church wasn't feeling my pain and other physical weakness. I finally sought medical help. Of course, this made me "suspect" in the eyes of the "church" and I suffered emotionally from their re-actions. 

 

Yet, I was aware that even the ministry got help for their eyesight or dental pain. I wondered where does one draw the line? One could get help for painful dental conditions or vision problems, yet I was expected to endure my pains without such benefit. Herbert Armstrong had a doctor by his side during the illnesses of his final years.1Yet, we were expected to avoid doctors. I recognized a double standard here. 

 

We saw the fruits of such doctrinal errors in unnecessary deaths of members who could have been helped. I saw friends die unnecessarily and I was greatly saddened by this.  

 

I didn't offer my body to the doctrinal errors of the church. I was well aware they had not proven that accepting medical help was sinful.  

 

My doctors told me they couldn't cure me but that they could help me manage my health problems and they have done very well with this.   

 

I was put on notice (by the WCG) that doctors were only self-serving and that I would be used as a "guinea pig." I was told they would do experiments on me for only their benefit. They tried to convince me I was making a dreadful error in seeking such aid. However, I was aware that from their positions of such hatred toward the profession they could not possibly offer me constructive criticism. What I found was that the doctors I saw, with only several exceptions, really wanted to help me and improve my quality of life. And, this they did. 

By Will
November 30, 2006

Also read: The Philadelphia Church of God's Healing Doctrine
 

Footnote by ESN:

1 Charles Hunting, former Worldwide Church of God evangelist, discussed HWA's double standards (including his having doctors) on the Clyde Thomas Show, WKIS, Orlando, FL, 1988. (Tape available. Email us and mention the Charles Hunting tape.)