OIU Newsletters Extremely Important:

I have just finished reading the OIUs recently uploaded by you. You have obviously done a great deal of research and work that I feel is extremely important. You are revealing matters that all should take very seriously and not just pass it by.

I had no idea of the Communist infiltration into the churches until I came across it in your writings. I can clearly see Communist influence in our educational system and in our national government. However, I had not been of the understanding of their influence within the churches. I think it is very sad that many might read what you so thoroughly researched, sought out and made available on the internet and go right
on as if nothing of great importance has just been given them.

Your writings have been a most significant aid to me in beginning to understand what has been going on in the world of religion. I was in WCG 29 years (I've written you before) and you are making more sense to me than anyone else has. We owe you a great debt of gratitude for your works.

I reared [children] in WCG, by their being so young when I went into it. I have apologized to them for having the family involved in the abusive system for so long. I had a choice. They had no choice until they became adults and then went their own ways. I felt that I owed them an understanding of my regrets because we all suffered in some ways from it. Now we are all free, Thank God. And thanks to God for you. ...
Thank you so much. Please keep up the good work. --Former WCG member

CRI and WCG:

Dear ESN,

Yesterday I spent the day following several strands on the computer, especially having to do with CRI and Hank Hanegraaff. This is how I discovered your work.

For a long time now I have wondered what the truth was on whole issue surrounding CRI and WWCG. [I am a Christian, no ties/former ties to WWCG.] Thanks to you I have a very good picture of what happened there.

My interest lies in how the so-called Christian cult watchers fail to expose the obvious. Very interesting.

I especially appreciated your hard work at contacting various Christian ministries.
That series of correspondence to CRI, Watchman Fellowship, James Dobson/ Focus on the Family--[etc.] was so enlightening; revealing exactly who they really are.
Isn't it interesting how they shrug off crucial facts!

Although the CRI web site offers a Hank Hanegraaff Bio page, it is empty. However, I was able to find a CRI authorized Hanegraaff Bio. This bio states that he was the pastor of Mt. Paran Church of God [10,000 in the congregation] in Atlanta, GA. (This is probably connected to the COG, Cleveland, TN.) If you want the Hanegraaff Bio, I can forward.

Thank you so much! --D., Washington 

House of Yahweh a Dangerous Cult:

I was in the WCG until I turned 14. My parents quit shortly after that. They didn't go anywhere for about 15 years. They started with Garner Ted's splinter in Tulsa several years ago, but after Garner Ted got caught on camera they quit there and floundered from one Sabbath church to another. About 3 years ago they started reading about House of Yahweh in Abilene Texas. The minister was formerly known as "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins but he changed it in 1982 to Yisrayl Hawkins. One thing I will say at this point is they were named by Newsweek magazine as one of the top ten dangerous cults in the United States. Hawkins is a ex-member of WCG. My parents sold what they had and moved to Abilene. --Former WCG member

Comment: House of Yahweh is an apocalyptic cult, headquartered in Abilene, TX, that split from the WCG in 1980. They teach that only their organization has the true way of salvation. Hawkins' uses date-setting and has claimed to be one of the two witnesses of Revelation. His theology is an eclectic blend of Sabbatarian, Sacred Name and Anglo-Israel teachings. He publishes The Prophetic Word magazine and satellite TV program called Prophetic Word. Hawkins wrote a "completely new and independent translation" of the Bible, known as "The Book of Yahweh, the Original Bible." Read Hawkins' exclusive words on All or Nothing Statements. Much more about House of Yahweh is in this article on Let us Reason Ministries' website.

WCG Getting Others to Buy Into the Changes:

Last April I was told that WCG held a ministerial conference, and the presenter was Dr. A. Hart, Dean, Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theology Seminary. He stated at this conference he "counsels ministers," and "has been friends with the WCG administration for quite some time." The title of the conference was "Managing Change" and spoke primarily to Systems Theory and Consensus and strongly stated: "Pastors are change agents" and "you must get others to buy into the changes."  --Anonymous

Comment: The term "change-agent" is New Age terminology. (Fuller Theology Seminary is considered a compromising, liberal institution and is connected with New Evangelicalism.)   

WCG Ministry Using Mind Control Techniques:

The [WCG] ministry uses mind control techniques on their members, in one form or another, as is described on your web site, and several other sites. I have talked with members who are being "shunned" now, in several congregations, for not going along  with the "new understanding." And, I have spoken with members where the minister has threatened to put them out of the church if they do not "sing the WCG  music" and "agree" with Mike Feazell's booklets. For quite some time now, I have witnessed people sitting in a trance, in services, transfixed on what is being said by the speaker, When this "programming" of  "new understanding" began, everyone was told "Don't you dare to talk about this or you are all a bunch of gossips and rumor mongers!"  That was back in the mid 90's.  --Anonymous

Finds Out WCG Hadn't Changed After All:

I visited back to a WWC congregation in NJ in 1999 where JWT [Tkach Jr.] flew in to speak. I fully expected to hear a Jesus focused message. Surely by now the change would be complete. I was so shocked. The sermon was essentially identical to one I had heard from various ministers in the Church at least three times prior over my 20 years in attendance (the vastness of the universe and the distances between galaxies and sheer size of the universe pointing to the awesomeness of God etc.). Interesting material yes, but I saw nothing in the sermon that indicated to me that he really knows Jesus. 

Thanks for your work and effort in sustaining the website. You have my prayer support. --Former WCG member 

Your Website is the BEST One on the Subjects Covered:

I keep checking back with your website simply because it is the BEST one on the subjects covered. ... I have not felt like the other sites offer such well done work and research as yours.

In reading (again) the Letters to Janis Hutchinson and her supporting WCG despite such revealing writings I am reminded of a team of defense attorneys defending a notorious criminal. It seems to me that Janis, Ruth Tucker and Hank (and perhaps others) make up the equivalent of a team of defense attorneys who defend the criminal regardless of overwhelming evidence of guilt. These defenders have been paid (called
"consulting fees," perhaps) to come to the defense of WCG and they are going to stick to doing what they are being paid, or rewarded for. ...

Again, thank you so much for the great work you are doing. I find good professional quality work done on your excellent site.

Yours, --Recent WCG exiter

Tkach Apologized and then Reprimanded us:

It's obvious to me that HWA and GTA, both behaved like alcoholics. I remember HWA being drunk while giving a sermon at one of the feast sites. My dad walked out of church and soon after that we quit going to the WCG. My mom and dad really regret being sucked into the WCG.

I have a lot of good memories as a child growing up in the church with my friends there, but all in all the whole experience literally tore my family apart. My dad having to support two households for [many years] was really hard on him. Oh, and one more thing. About five years ago Joe Tkach wrote my parents and sort of apologized to them regarding the divorce remarriage thing, but ended the letter by reprimanding them, saying that they should forgive and get on with their lives. (My sister had written Joe Tkach asking him to apologize to my parents). My parents just laughed and realized once again how glad they were that they're not involved any longer. --Former member

30+ Years of Destruction:

My family and I are still suffering the result of 30+ years of destruction (of self-confidence, self-worth, loss of health, loss of life, loss of quality of life). Have you seen anyone make major strides in recovering from it all? - if so please tell me how (we are just trying to put it behind us, having escaped 5 years or so ago. 

...I found reading your message helpful and encouraging.

One of the hardest bits is the guilt my wife and I feel for putting our children through the whole thing, having had many of life's opportunities taken from us by our own parents nearly 40 years ago (yes, we are "2nd generation").

I will source the books you suggested locally (London, England) and let you know if they help speed up our journey. I remember reading a book entitled "the Long Walk" about 30 years ago, about some guys who escaped from a Gulag and walked over mountains and deserts to freedom. For many years afterwards they would hide under their beds at night, even though there was no need to! - this is sort of how I feel: the imprisonment has ended but my prison habits (mental and emotional, mostly) live on.

My best wishes for the success of your project. --Former members in England

I Felt No Comfort or Answers After the Death of My Children in WCG:

Hello,

My name is Wendy. You would have known me as Wendy Zhorne, wife of
Jeff Zhorne, who then wrote for the PT and was an editor at WWN. I heard from a non-WCG friend that HWA and GTA and copyright issues appeared in the Wall Street Journal today, so I came online to find the article. I was surprised to find your site.

I don't know if you will remember this or not, but my husband and I were in a fatal car accident in England in 1991. It shook our faith to its core, and knocked mine completely off the map. Despite assurances I would see my children in the resurrection, I felt no comfort and no answers. Many kind people were helpful, but no one had any depth from which to truly offer a perspective. I left my husband three years later, being told that this would cast me into the lake of fire and I would be ashes under the feet of my resurrected children, who would not remember me!

This prevented me from leaving him for too long. It prevented me from leaving the WCG, too. But I am amazed that you have such a site. I wish I'd known about it 6 yrs. ago when I was still in enormous turmoil.

I have to ask you a question, however. I note that many people who left WCG
reattached with equal vehemence to any other "church" they found. Have you also observed this phenomena? Many of them are as certain they are in the "true church" and I, for one, am going to burn, as they were before. I'd be fascinated to know what sort of responses you get to this website. I think you are doing an important service. I send you my warmest regards.

Cordially yours, Wendy Zhorne

Reply: WCG implanted in the members' minds that outside Christianity is "false and evil"; therefore, many former members have gone into an offshoot that agrees with the Armstrong doctrines (programming). Religious addiction can also play a part.

Those who have suffered horrendous anguish, especially the death of a loved one, may want to read: Present in the Pain (covers the rage one can feel at God).

WCG Retains Much of its Past "Cult"-ure:

I'm a survivor of the Worldwide Church of God. I was a teenager in it during the 70's and spent my twenties enslaved to its doctrines and regulations. The effects of the Worldwide Church of God's teachings were devastating, both financially and personally.

My father, as a result of the cult teaching that seeing a doctor was tantamount to Satan worship, refused medical treatment and nearly died from gangrene, being saved only after his brothers and sisters came to forcibly take him to the hospital. The "minister" of the Worldwide Church of God only agreed to let him go (my father was delirious and my mother relied on the "minister's" guidance) only after my uncle threatened the minister with a gun.

Personally I lost nearly $100,000 because I followed the requirements of the cult to pay three tithes plus offerings. The effects also contributed to a host of difficulties that I have had regarding authority figures and my ability to interact effectively with others.

I am glad to say that I have made and continue to make significant progress in recovering from my experience. I am now a doctoral student doing research into ways that groups can surface and deal with information that is important to their acting both effectively and justly.

I deeply contest those whom assert that the Worldwide Church of God is no longer a cult. I believe that there is not a black and white division between cult and non-cult. There is a whole range of ways that an organization can be partly a cult and partly not. While the Worldwide Church of God has moved closer to non-cult status by its
doctrinal changes, I believe it still retains much of its past "cult"-ure, and, because of the ways it acts, is still very much a cult.  --Former WCG survivor

Never Want to Forget How Awful WCG Was:

I have truly been helped by ESN. I still re-read a lot of the Articles. I never want to forget how awful the WWCG was or kid myself it wasn't that bad. ... I was able to
copy some of Herbert W. Armstrong's booklets and put them on a disk. I never want to be accused of not knowing what he taught. 

It is amazing how the ones who are left in WWCG are the ones who have forgotten, even though we were told if we ever left we would forget the Truth. Thank you again. I appreciate so much what you are doing. I personally think it is a difference between spiritual death and spiritual life. --N.C.

Your Post About Ron Lohr Hit the Nail on the Head:

Thanks for the information. I have been reading the new posts. They are most enlightening. I also see there are some postings about Ron Lohr. Boy, did you hit the nail on the head. I was in the Peoria Church and that man was my minister for over 8 years and I have received information about his "ministry" in my e-mail box. Oh well, I am just glad that I can "see." I have lost friends and will lose more, no doubt, but I am free. I was glad to see stuff on Ron Lohr because I have been nearly ballistic about that so called ministry of his...ha ha. He and I had some communication on e-mail years ago. The man was invited to my home. Yikes. I just wish I could have known, but I know that trials are what makes us more like Christ and I know that I am slowly, finally "seeing" what God is doing in my life and I am ready to do battle. Love, --Former member of WCG

No One Should Ever Have to Go Through Such Mental Torture:

I lived in the WWCG hell for 15 years. After one year of marriage, I stayed in the "church" so that my husband would not leave me. I discovered the truth about the organization and lived the lie for almost 15 yrs. This cult destroyed my identity, marriage, self-worth, relationships towards others, etc. It has taken me over 2 years of intense therapy to recover from the effects of this destroyer. I realize how the church could make people with very low self-worth (including very well educated people) get hooked on the idea of "being somebody" by the idea of becoming a "God" in the world tomorrow. How I now wish I had never had this experience. I cannot begin to tell you all of the things that happened to me; but, no one should ever have to go through such mental torture. I sincerely hope you can help others to rid themselves of the anger and damage this church had done to all of us. Should you be interested in other details, I would be happy to send them to you, as long as it isn't used in print. Best wishes, --Former WCG survivor

What Was Going On at the Feast?

Hi there!
Back in 1986 my husband I divorced because his involvement with the WWCG became too much for our family to bear. With all of the current events, it has stirred up some old memories - some that I thought I had pushed under the rug. I am hoping to find some answers in your website and I hope end the confusion I have walked around with for 15 years.

I have a question. Why could I not ever go to his two week long things where all of the members went? What was going on there that no one else was allowed and no cameras, video cameras, tape recorders, etc.????
Thanks. --B.

Reply: The WCG wanted to prevent someone from making a recording that might fall into the wrong hands and show what their secret meetings were all about. WCG was always on the lookout for "persecution" and wanted to keep members from leaving. Also read: When We Attended the Feast (what did they do to our minds?)

Blown Around by Doctrinal Winds After Leaving WCG:

We are also ex-WWCG members. We attended between 1981 and 1996. Unfortunately, we went from the WWCG into a Word of Faith environment, and recently into Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. Since our local Vineyard church in Brantford, Ontario closed up, we have not attended any church.

Question: What does a "true" Christian church look like? I've been blown around by doctrinal winds for years now, trying to discern truth from error. Much of what Herbert Armstrong taught was plagiarized, but it still exists out there in various forms. Many of these doctrines are very convincing when divorced from abusive environments, but are they true?

I have been left with a wariness when it comes to "orthodoxy." Who is right? Who isn't in it for the money? They certainly won't prosper from us--we've been economically ruined. And guess what, no one pays for this (at least in this life).

Anyways, this is a first contact, so I don't want to ramble--I'm sure you've heard much of it too many times before.

Your Brother, --Former WCG member. 

Parents in WCG Refuse to Come to Prayer Service For Daughter:

When I got cancer, my family (whom all are still in WWCG) were not there for me. My church had a special prayer service for me, and my parents would not come because my Mom said she might cry and that would be embarrassing. My life really isn't worth very much is it? Is this the way WWCG has taught even now? I thought they had changed. ... --Anonymous

Stories About GTA Are True:

I just read your article on Garner Ted Armstrong. Since I know the man very well, having worked with him several years, I can say that your description of him is right on the money. I've never known anyone as self-absorbed, self-serving, and egotistical as that man. He is an expert at twisting the truth, rewriting history, and distorting the facts. He is a professional repenter and master cover-up artist. No one can match his skills in diversionary and displacing blame. And he is--or at least was--a notorious sex addict. I used to think the allegations of his adulterous activity were greatly exaggerated or just outright lies. I was shocked to discover that all the stories I had heard in the past only scratch the surface. The guy has carried on one adulterous affair after another from the 1950s to at least 1995, at which time he got caught on tape. I have seen the tape, and while I don't believe there is any evidence of sexual assault, there is plenty of disgusting, lewd behavior. The lawsuit was settled out of court a couple years ago, but GTA has his devotees put out the lie that the case was thrown out on grounds that it had no merit. The lawsuit against the "church" was thrown out and never went to trial, but the lawsuit against GTA was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. GTA and his followers cover the facts by deliberately confusing the two lawsuits. --Former ICG member

Comment: Read this former member's story: My Journey From the Depths of Despair.

WCG in Bed With Global Unity Movement:

I have been reading with much interest the OIU section of the ESN website. I have been suspicious for years that WCG was in bed with the global unity movement. These articles prove it. ... God bless, Former WCG member

I Still Grieve:

I know that the ministry of the WCG has not ever considered the sincerity of some of us who truly were committed Christians. I gave my heart to a group of people to be a friend and to hope that we were building friendships and a spiritual family. I didn't come there to judge anyone and I didn't come there to have anyone solve my problems and I didn't even expect them to be perfect. I heard of God's glorious Holy Days and felt
that I was putting my Trust in "God"--in God mind you--to be obedient and to honor His days. I Loved learning the meaning of those and ultimately I did learn the meaning of them, that Christ fully fulfilled their spiritual meaning. And it is to Christ that I trust all of the burdens this world lays on us. After leaving the WCG I feel so lonely, because there were not many in the WCG who appreciated my sincere efforts to be a friend and to build the Godly relationships that we should all have with one another to pray for each other to listen to each other and to not judge ever. Since leaving I rarely hear from any of them, if at all.

Please know that I continually pray for ESN. Thanks for being there.

Love in Christ, --Phyllis, former WCG member

Hanegraaff's Ethics:

As you well know Hank Hanegraaff (HH) has a syndicated radio program--sometimes it is actually live. For a long time HH disregarded FCC regulation 73.1208 by playing recorded programs as though they were live. I registered a complaint with ECFA (an avenue that you might be wise to explore) about this illegal practice as well as how CRI was giving away material copy written by HH which is a clear conflict of interest. Clearly his supporters had no idea that when they were requesting a free copy of this tract that they were putting money in HH's pocket.

Back to the point. If someone were to call into the program while it is LIVE with an up-front question that seem to pose no threat to HH in regard to exposing his hypocritical moral lapses, he/she could quickly and clearly call out the URL of a web site that outlines the questions that HH has sought to avoid all these years. I would like to synergize with you good people regarding this. I must confess I am a neophyte regarding web site authoring and although I have a domain name, I have yet to get it pointed to my ISP so that others could understand why we are concerned.

Clearly we need to have some solid ethical standards regarding this effort. First, we need to be fair to all parties concerned, not merely HH, but also those that have kept him in power and refusing to hold him to accountability. In my effort I have discarded those whose concern about HH is more doctrinal than ethical. Yes, I have strong differences with HH, but I have the same disagreements with other evangelicals, but only with HH, et al, do I have any basis for moral concerns.

We all need to have someone we can trust, someone that is worthy of our trust, to keep us on an even keel morally, and towards this end I would like to introduce you to my friend Rob Bowman Jr. who has earned both my trust and respect. Rob has been the spokesman for the group for CRI Accountability and has consistently called for fairness and restraint in regards to dealing with the ethical crisis at CRI. Although Rob lost his job because he refused to ghost write material for HH, he never once displayed any indication of hostility or vengefulness and in this I consider him to be a sterling example of the faith. --M. D.

WCG Scares Me:

Hello,

I am writing as my father is still involved with WCG. I have to admit that I am not very knowledgeable about WCG except on what I have read from various internet sources. The organization scares me and it has almost torn our family apart at different times. My mother has been very instrumental in keeping her children safe from WCG and none of us are involved, thankfully. Unfortunately, because she did not have knowledge on
intervention of deception groups and has done all the "what not to do" things that I have read. This has driving a big wedge between him and the rest of the family.

I am writing you as a cry for help from myself. I am trying to control my anger with my father and his "preaching." He is a good man with a good heart but extremely gullible and "easy prey" for WCG, Amway, and other self-help or get-rich-quick schemes. My understanding is that WCG uses "God or Jesus" as the product they are selling and the leaders at the top are getting rich from it. That is my fear-- that my father is giving all he has to be left poor in his retirement while the leaders are living in mansions and flying in planes.

I have currently angered him by telling him to back off from pushing religion. He was offended by what I said (I was very blunt) and is now mad at me. I am doing everything wrong in approaching someone that is involved in this type of deception group. I am going to purchase Releasing the Bonds, as recommended by ESN. I am just concerned that it would be difficult to intervene because all of the kids are grown
and on our own. --Anonymous

Your Information is Priceless:

I like your web site simply because is the best one out there for former members of WCG. It has a quality that is not matched by the others dealing with such background.

Again, thank you for your services and all the information that you offer us. It is priceless. --Florida

You are Serving a Very Great Cause

Hello,

It pleases me to hear from you. The "What's New" page is a big aid in finding new entries and changes on your site. Thank you for being so considerate. 

As always, thank you for your kind responses. It's really great to be aware that there are some well accomplished people who have been where we are in recovery from harsh abuses and can understand our plight. You are serving a very great cause. I don't know how many people you have helped during their times of crises, but even if it were
only a few, you are doing a great work and I appreciate it very deeply. --Florida

Your Web Site Has Done so Much For Me:

You are so correct that the memories are very painful. However, I find it to be so very helpful to express them and let them go. Besides, other peoples' stories and accounts posted on your web site have been so helpful to me in my working through all of this. I hope that what I have written can become a part of the overall scene in aiding others in
their recovery.

I simply cannot fully express my most deep appreciation for your web site and how much it has done for me. It is quite obvious that you have done much very valuable research that has aided you in having simply the BEST web site available to help those of us who have needed it so much. I feel sure you have also gone to a lot of personal expense in your honest efforts to offer what has been needed by the survivors of
spiritual abuse.

May God ever so richly bless you. --Florida

No Longer Think HWA was "God's Apostle":

I left attending WCG around 1992. I came into the WCG in 1976 but studied the Plain Truth since 1967! (Take it no more). It saddens, but more annoys, me that I still think about WCG, inevitably it seems, so much.

I've read pros and cons about HWA. Although it is still difficult to come to a definite conclusion, I no longer think he was "God's Apostle," and most certainly was not someone who I would wish to emulate. I was amazed at how fixated HWA was on "Satan." This was like a clarion call, to get his "troops" lined up behind him and obedient. I've also read of some of the reformers who were dedicated gentle men and breathed quite a different spirit than HWA.

I've read that not a few who have left WCG become atheists and I recall a Baptist telling me in 1973 that, "One day you'll see through it all (i.e., WCG). I just hope you don't lose faith."

So, as you can no doubt see, there are a few conflicting emotions here

Just as well, I somehow got married (despite WCG) and have children to worry about. Overall, I can't help thinking that this man was quite a poisonous influence.

Best regards, --England

Spared From the WCG and International Church of Christ:

Hello!

I found your web site while "surfing." What a great web site!! I am not a former member of WCG but I almost got involved with it about 14 years or so ago. I used to read the Plain Truth and I also used to watch the TV shows produced by WCG. I remember how impressed my Mom and I were by HWA's writings. We were always so impressed by everything having to do with the "Plain Truth," so we wrote to WCG asking them for a number of their publications, including a book entitled "Who was Jesus?" (or something like that.) When I was about 18 years old, I was actually planning on starting the correspondence Bible course that WCG offered, but by the Grace of God I kept putting it off because I was so busy with College. What led me to make the decision not to get involved was reading the book The Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. I realized I was having some major problems with some the WCG's teachings, so I wrote to the WCG requesting that they cancel our Plain Truth subscription. Fortunately, they didn't question us or insist on continuing to send us their literature. (Of course, that's probably because we had never sent them any money, so we weren't really that important to them.) Anyway, I've been reading about HWA and to tell you the truth in a nutshell, I am not the least bit surprised he was an alcoholic and that he was abusive.

I have dealt with another abusive religious group/cult, The International Church of Christ. I work at a university, so there are students (or maybe individuals posing as students) all over the campus trying to recruit people into their cult. I went to a few of their Bible Studies, thinking "Wow, this is nice, a nondenominational Bible Study for everyone." (I had no idea who they were, and the girls that approached me never stated "We're from the ICC.") The last Bible Study I went to, I was interrogated by three girls
(all ICC members), and made to feel that my faith and beliefs were inadequate in the eyes of God. What makes me angry is that these groups lie to people because they never state who they're with, or what their intentions are. Fortunately, I did not go back, and I reported it to the administration. 

The university then offered a lecture/discussion about cult awareness, which I participated in. I realized, from the students' input at the lecture and my own research, that this is a fairly common problem on college campuses. (And actually, not all cults are religious.) I'm glad the university is open to recognizing the problem, but what I don't agree with is that they're not doing anything to remove the group from the campus. I understand that, when dealing with cults, you can run into some legal problems because cults always hide behind their "freedom of religion" and they always make the excuse that "nobody's holding a gun to their [members'] heads, they can leave anytime." But I think the university is very wrong to allow groups like this to meet on campus, especially when the group has a history of abusive behavior. (And believe me, the ICC does--almost as bad as WCG.) The ICC has been banned from other schools, including Berkeley, so I don't understand why they're allowed to meet here where I work [at the university]. (If I ran the school, I would kick them out!!!!).

Anyway, I'm really happy about your web site. I think the best thing we can do, besides prayer, is to inform people about abusive religious groups. Please keep doing what you're doing!!!

Thanks and God Bless You all, --Texas

WCG Turning Charismatic:

I just read your story [How Did Herbert W. Armstrong Recruit People?] and all I can say is that I do agree with you. People who don't get caught in the WCG's web of lies should consider themselves very blessed indeed!! I remember something else about the Plain Truth magazine. From time to time I would read a letter from someone who absolutely did not agree with WCG. These (disagreeing) letters to the editor were few. I believe now that the WCG would do this to give the impression of being meek (since they were willing to print them), and maybe even to show they were being persecuted. (After all, they were the "true church." I think it's terrible that they led you on by not sending ministers to counsel you right away. It makes a lot of sense that that would be one of their mind control tactics, though. It's just another way of getting people to become totally dependent on them. And I realize how harmful reading their literature can be, because they do appeal to you at first, but they never tell you the truth. They never make it clear there's a church behind what they're doing, and they're just trying to recruit people. My Mom liked the Plain Truth at first, until she found out the WCG
didn't celebrate Christmas or Easter, and then she didn't care much for WCG, fortunately. 

There are actually quite a bit of similarities between WCG and ICC [International Church of Christ]. The ICC doesn't have an official church building. They meet
in places like theatres, hotels, etc. Also, the music of the ICC is very loud, emotional, and intense. I was tricked into going to one of the ICC services. I was invited to something called "International Day." I thought it was going to be some kind of festival. When I got to the event (which took place at a little theatre in the downtown San Antonio area), it turned out to be their own Sunday worship service!!! Anyway, that's how I know that their music, like the WCG's, is very intense and loud. There are also
a lot of "amens" being spontaneously uttered and a lot of emotional gestures, like lifting of the hands during the service. Some of the members there were actually cheering the pastor on while he was preaching!!! I know now that this was not really "spontaneous" but probably planned to show visitors how they're totally "on fire" for the Lord.

Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your story. Sharing gives people the courage to leave the group and then to heal. Keep up the good work.

God Bless You, --Texas

Read: Why I Didn't Like the New Music in WCG

WCG Allows Members to Mix Grace Plus Law:

Dear ESN,

Am I understanding that the narrator in Galatians was Paul?  Was he chastising the Galatians because they had believed in Jesus as their Savior and have the Holy Spirit, but yet they were still clinging to parts of the law because of tradition?

I read in Galatians 2:18-21: "For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God, for if righteousness come by law, then Christ dead in vain."

And also I read in Galatians 4:9: "But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye
desire again to be in bondage?"

I was thinking something about the WCG changes.  They are saying they believe now that the only way to God is to accept the grace of Jesus. But even they do admit that they keep some things they've always done--like Saturday worship, the feast and the holy days. Isn't that the same thing as the Galatians did? WCG says they believe that salvation is from Jesus and not by works, yet they continue to observe the law of
Moses for the sake of tradition. Isn't that just placing themselves back into bondage?  What would be the reason for keeping part of the old covenant if the new covenant is what matters? Isn't that just wasting time and effort. I was thinking that all that time and effort spent on observing the old covenant would be better spent teaching the members about Jesus. I wish I could hear a sermon that's recent because I know very well that my dad [in WCG] hasn't been taught about any kind of freedom in grace. --Central United States

Reply: The following is helping in explaining the context of Galatians:

"This epistle is a declaration of emancipation from legalism of any type. ... Galatians is the strongest declaration and defense of the doctrine of justification by faith in or out of Scripture. It is God's polemic on behalf of the most vital truth of the Christian faith against any attack. Not only is a sinner saved by grace through faith, plus nothing, but the saved sinner lives by grace. Grace is a way to life and a way of life. These two go together, by the way." (Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. 5, Intro to Galatians)

"Faith in Christ, involving the free gifts of the Holy Spirit was not sufficient. Obedience to the Mosaic law which requires observance of festal days, and the Sabbath, was stressed. Had the Judaizers won, Christianity merely would have been a sect within Judaism. ... Men are justified by the finished work of the Redeemer and in no manner by forms and ceremonies. Galatians was an echo of the great truth of justification so masterfully set forth in Romans." (Unger's Bible Dictionary, Merrill F. Unger, Galatians)

Recent WCG sermon tapes sent to ESN have revealed they are not preaching true freedom in Christ.  

Email From Dr. Robert L. Sumner (Amazed So Many Welcomed WCG):

Thank you for that word [about my new booklet]. I am glad some are finding it helpful. I have been disappointed that more of the "cult watchers" didn't pick up on it--and I have been amazed (to say nothing of chagrined) that so many have welcomed the WWCG into their arms as "beloved brethren." --Dr. Sumner

Read: Worldwide Church of God's Faulty Orthodoxy which highlights and comments on Dr. Sumner's booklet, Is Armstrong's Cult Now Orthodox? A New Look at the Worldwide Church of God! and how to order it.

Overwhelming Feelings of Guilt Are the Worst:

I am in the process of reading the materials available though the internet (your web page); however, I am at work and I had to print out most of the materials to take home and read. I am very interested in your program.

Thank you so much for answering me. I do indeed know Jesus as my Savior. He gives me the strength every day to continue. (Working full time, single, with four children is not easy.) The biggest trouble I think I have is the overwhelming feelings of GUILT. Why?? I am always getting after myself for one reason or another. I hate it and I know it can't be a right feeling to have all of the time. I am so very emotional too. Finding this site brought back floods of feelings I forgot I had. I thought I dealt with everything. "After all that was then, get over it, don't let it ruin your life," as my mother would say.

I grew up in southern California. We went to Pasadena often. My two oldest sisters went to Imperial Schools. Only the oldest is still alive, I had three siblings die ... As I've mentioned before, all of my other sisters are trying their best to deal with what the "church" has done to us.

I have been the black sheep of my family my whole life (although there is no such thing according to my mother). I quit attending after I married a real life David Koresh in the Oregon church. He would read Scriptures to me even if I were in the restroom and scold me for missing church because I was doubled up in menstrual cramps. I divorced him and kind of went on a rebellious binge. I have since woke up and am making an awesome recovery and have a wonderful job. God has blessed me with to be able to take care of my children. I am so very grateful!! I really am.

I will continue to study your site. Please tell me what you think I should do. I have been in counseling for other things (WCG seems to be the root of it all), and they just don't understand. I feel confused. As I said before, maybe I should just let it all go. I do feel as if there are things inside me, though, that I am dealing with unconsciously.

I would gratefully appreciate your opinion. My mother and I are not very close. I honestly think she is dealing with more (hurt, guilt feelings) than any of us kids are.

God bless you,

Love always --Oregon

Reply: Read our Q&A: "How do I recover after exiting an abusive group?"  and the article: An End to Guilt. It would be helpful to find a therapist that understands mind control or abusive groups and trauma, or who is willing to educate themselves on such.

I Was Looking For a Curse to Place on Someone:

To you folks,

Thanks. As a lark I was looking for a curse to place on someone who had harmed me deeply. I think that I was more serious then I knew. Some kinds of interest and curiosity are nothing more than a lack of faith. I saved your prayer on pride.

Thanks. --J. L.

Fighting to Recover:

I just stumbled on this site and am in deep depression. As well as fighting to recover on my own after leaving the cult, I have to come to terms with the death of my mother at the same time and lots of other things. Thanks for the site, I'm going to explore it. The light at the end of the tunnel just got a bit brighter. The death of my father nearly pulled me out but now I have nothing family-wise. It's a real battle. --Former survivor

I Live in Constant Fear of the End Time:

Hi! I was never a full fledged member of the WWCG but read lots of the books. I also read a lot of Garner Ted's books too. 

I still can hear HWA in the back of my mind. I wish I had never read the first Plain Truth. I live in constant fear of the end of time. Because of what they taught. We should look forward to Jesus return, not dread. HWA's son seems to teach a mean God and a God of wrath rather than a loving Heavenly Father.

I just wanted to say thanks for the website...I'm glad I was not alone on how I felt concerning his teachings. --Used to read Armstrong literature

Caller Announces on Radio that WCG is a Cult:

I was listening to late night radio recently and a man came onto the show. Evidently he was a WCG or UCG guy. Then a lady came on announcing that the WCG was a cult. She had been in it for years and years. It's refreshing to hear someone else say it is a cult. -- Former WCG member

WCG Still Arrogant:

The way I see it, and maybe I'm wrong, but the WCG's theology may have changed but it is too hard to believe that the leaders have changed. They still seem so arrogant. They keep holding on to the holy days like the feast of tabernacles ("our tradition") and holy day offerings, but at the same time say that it's "not required to keep." That's a contradiction of what grace is. In my view, the past has tainted what the WCG was and is and I could never go back there for that reason. There are a lot of good churches out there and I believe that we have found one of them. --Former WCG member

I Can Now Recommend ESN :

I thought that ESN had folded up, which would be a shame. And then just this week, I find your website by mistake and you have provided me service above and beyond what is really required of you. ... ESN has really improved over the years. 

I appreciate all that you have done for me. ESN is an organization that I can now recommend to anyone who is either in recovery or someone who is researching abusive religious groups. I now know how ESN respects those who come to you for some direction emotionally, mentally and most important spiritually.

... To be honest, I really thought that money order was long gone. You have done plenty in making up for a mistake you didn't make. As far as I'm concerned, ESN and I are "Even-Steven."

In Him, --Former member of WCG in Canada

ESN a Safe Place for Child Survivors:

I have just finished reading your article "A Letter to All Child Survivors." All I seem to be able to say is thank you!! What a blessing you are to myself and others. I would like to thank you, also, for making this a "safe place" for all of us to "dump" our garbage. As you stated, so many feel there is no place to go. Our feelings of shame, separation, inability to feel and understand God's love in the right way - all of this needs to come out and the feelings need to be validated. Thank you for doing that. I thank God for you and your dedication to help, support, and be there for those who so desperately need you. If there is anything that I can do to help, please let me know. I am still working through the anger, but I know that God is there, and that He understands and will hold my hand through it all. I also know that He puts people out there for us, such as yourself, to help us. My prayer is that this coming year there will be many who feel lost and hopeless, that will come to see there is hope, that God is there, and He understands. --Child survivor of WCG 

Your Work Has and Will Impact Many:

At the same time that all of this darkness is being revealed, the Lord is blessing my wife, my children and me. It has been truly amazing. 

Thank you for all the work that you do. If you ever have one of those days, and we all do, where you think that what you do is "humdrum" or is "drudgery," or that you and your friends at E&S are not making a difference, think again. Your work has and will impact many, many lives for generations to come. --Former WCG member

Teenager Grew Up Inside WCG:

Hi, I am a teenager. I used to live with my grandparents. They are in the WWCG. I used to be in it , then I found out it was a cult. But ever since I was a little girl my family believed in the WWCG. My sisters and I always felt different from kids that went to our schools, especially at Christmas and other holidays. We weren't allowed to have birthday parties, or sing Christmas songs at our school, or do anything that had to do with other holidays that we didn't believe. I'm just glad I found out about the WWCG before it ruined my life. My mom sometimes tells me what it was like growing up in the church, and she said it has messed up her life totally. I think this is a really good web site for people to recover. Thanks. --Florida

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