Did James Dobson Try to Cover Up Who Ryan Dobson Married?

January 8, 2004

Hello,

I just found your website today because I was doing some research into Focus on the Family. My mother and I are Christians. Now my mother has been listening
to Focus radio programs for many years and receiving magazine and Christmas cards from the organization. She knew that James Dobson's son was married to a Danita
Williams in 1999 (because we live in Seattle and Danita is from a nearby town). Anyhow, my mother found it odd that Focus never published any family photos showing Ryan and Danita so she called up Focus on the phone. The operator there sounded scared and wouldn't give a straight answer... then I started hunting for information and learned only today that Ryan was divorced back in 2001 and that apparently some Focus employees have been fired just for talking about it.

My mother suspects that Danita is a black woman and this had/has something to do with James Dobson never publishing any photos of the couple (my family happens
to be black by the way). Anyhow, do you have any info on the circumstances of Ryan's divorce or ideas on why Dobson never mentioned it? Or pointers to where we can get more information.

Thanks. --H. M.

Comment: Ryan Dobson, son of James Dobson is a member of the Council for National Policy (CNP) Youth Council. He is also an employee of the Family Research Council. The CNP is mentioned several times in: Let's Focus in on "Focus on the Family". Also read 10-18-03 letter: Ryan Dobson is More Than Meets the Eye.

Will Take a Long Time for Child Survivors to Recover:

January 8, 2004

This is a vital ministry that needs to be continued. What happened to us does not go away in a year or two. It will take a long time for some to feel free of the teachings that kept us from our Lord and Savior. --Child survivor of WCG

Taken Me Years to Feel Like an Actual Person:

January 15, 2004

Hi,
I first just want to thank whoever has put this site up. Reading everything has really made me feel better that there are other people who have dealt with the same things. I was brought up in the WCG and later the Garner Ted spin-off the CGI. Anyway I feel like it's taken me years and years just to be an actual person. I'm trying to figure out what I actually believe in. I've felt like my mind has turned into a mess of rules and debates and that started back in the church. I'm a complete liar. I lied to conform to what I was supposed to do for my parents, and I lied to my friends at school, and it's taken me a long time to stop lying even though I'm all alone now. ... I'm just excited to find this site. I'd like to be in touch with other people who grew up in the church environment. ... Please send me something.

Thanks, --Child survivor of WCG

I Almost Made a Bad Mistake with LCG:

January 25, 2004

I always try to research important matters to prevent mistakes. I found your site and read and read and read. I want to thank you because I almost made a very bad  mistake of sending away for Living Church of God's "Bible Course." I said a prayer last night and asked for guidance and found your site today! Thanks again. --B. T.

Your Site Helped Me to Understand the Love of God:

January 25, 2005

Your site has helped me today more than I can put into words. I have been feeling lost, depressed and more, with the pressure of life. I regularly attend church, but it  is only today after spending several hours on your site that I just began to understand the love of God and Christ for us. My faith in Jesus Christ is ever eternal, and I feel that I must help those who don't understand the ever eternal love that God our Lord has for us. I sinned some time back (adultery) and have asked our Lord for His mercy so many times, but it is only today that I finally forgave myself and  understand that our Lord forgives me. --London, England

Robbed of My Childhood:

January 26, 2004

Reading your site brought me to tears. I always felt different than other kids when I was growing up and I feel I was robbed of my childhood. ...After reading all these articles and uncovering the real truth, it is really hard to soak in. Thank God you are there and I have prayed in Jesus name that if this is right to help guide me through this issue and teach me the correct path and what exactly happened. I do thank you for your time and anything you can do to help. The funny thing was I prayed a few nights ago about this situation to reveal itself to me and show me the way. The first night I found some stuff about WCG and couldn’t believe it. I prayed and researched some more and found you. I wonder how many hundreds of lost souls are out there. ... Thank You, thank you so much. --Child survivor of WCG. 

Finally Been Able to Understand the Love of God & to Forgive Myself:

January 26, 2004

Your site has helped me today more than I can put into words. I have been feeling lost, depressed and more, with the pressures of life. I regularly attend church, but it is only today after spending several hours in your site, that I just began to understand the love of God and Christ for us--my faith in Jesus Christ is ever eternal, and I feel that I must help those who don't understand the ever eternal Love that God our Lord has for us. I have sinned (Adultery), some time back and have asked our Lord for His mercy so many times, but it is only today that I finally forgive my self and understand that Our Lord forgives me.

Thank you. --A. D.

Simple Equation: Dirty Economics and Being Duped:

February 5, 2004

Dear Sirs,

Being a former member of the WCG and being involved with entrepreneurial explorations for major corporations, it is not difficult to now understand the simple formula of economics and "scare tactics" in which a former advertising man used on the weak but duped. As not to offend, I also consider myself formerly deceived and have no regrets because I’ve moved onward.

In reference to the copyright issue of the WCG selling literature to the Philadelphia Church of God, it all boils down to “the need of money for survival.” It truly seems that self-preservation is at the heart of this issue. Since there is no strict mechanism to “control” or bringing in steady income for the WCG, perhaps it is only fitting that “selling out” was appropriate for these men? Or, perhaps it was not so appropriate? --Exiter

No One Would Listen to My Story of Confusion:

February 7, 2004

Hello:

Spending most of my life in WCG and finally leaving it 4 1/2 years ago, I've been trying to tell someone what happened and what I was left with. Only yesterday, I found out about your site. I wish I'd known sooner--I tried to tell so many people what happened but no one would listen and many only put more blame and shame on me for my mental confusion when I left WCG. Some saw my confusion as a way to add more manipulation and abuse. I'm glad you're here.

I want to thank you for your concern and care for those whose lives were shattered by the religious tyranny and abuse dealt by the WCG. Since I've wandered around for over four years without support, I would like to know what information and tapes you have available.

I would also like to add my testimony to those you've posted. 

Thank you again for being here.

Sincerely, WCG child survivor

WCG Used "Carefully Planned Manipulation Sessions":

February 10, 2004

The WCG changes brought me to the place where I could no longer overlook the lack of integrity, compassion and brotherly love in WCG. The changes seemed to start with a series of tapes by Dr. Stavrinides about the "Nature of God." The tapes themselves weren’t a problem. The way they were administered was. They were seen as "sacred." To miss a Sabbath when a tape was played meant making up that time. That was when I noticed the fist of control tightening.

Shortly afterwards, our new pastor started conducting mandatory "leadership" meetings. They seemed to be brainstorming sessions but they really were carefully planned manipulation sessions. The theory was that he would indoctrinate a few members first and that would make it easier to get the rest of the congregation to comply with his wishes. We "discussed" what our orientation was as a church. People listed all kinds of religious ideologies. Seemingly caught up in the moment, our pastor, his face glowing with contrived emotion said, "I’ve got it!  We’re Evangelical!" He waited to see the reaction. Everyone seemed to come to the same revelation. It was done as if we'd discovered our identity together, at that moment. I didn’t know that Headquarters had already told my pastor that WCG was now "Evangelical." He used this manipulative tactic over and over, having the leadership group "discover" something that was now "all right with God." It made me wonder if the leadership was affected--if not outright led--by a dark spirit.

Thank you again for your site. You've been very thorough in your research in the history of WCG and in providing links to related subjects in the personal stories. I admire your ministry and pray that God will continue to bless it. --Child survivor of WCG

Update: Using a "facilitator" to bring about changes in a church is a manipulation and is being used by many of the church growth proponents. See the book: Outcome-Based Religion by Mac Dominick. (Pages 179-180 covers how the "facilitator" is used.)

Never Judge a Book by its Cover:

February 20, 2004

I never realized just how depraved HWA was. It just kinda makes me mad that
for several years I supported his flunkies (I started attending in 1991). My husband and I had to file bankruptcy while these guys were riding high on the hog! I mean, HWA seemed like such a nice, sweet old man from the picture that was painted. Goes to show you, never judge a book by the cover! --Former WCG member

Skeptical Enough Not to Believe WCG's Hype:

February 20, 2004

I can't emphasize enough how important this web site is to folds like myself who had the honor of growing up in the WCG.

I still have anger towards those people. I find Greg Albrecht, Plain Truth Ministries, disingenuous at best. An average person, who has never heard of WCG or Plain Truth Ministries, would not have a clue as to their origins. For someone who was involved with it, it is nothing less than hypocritical, in my opinion. But sometimes, in being who I am, I would like to see the best in people, that they really have changed, and are on a path to enlightenment. I am just skeptical enough not to believe the hype. The current leadership would as soon erase the past. I find their alignment with inter and non-denominational organizations merely as a ploy to wedge themselves into "mainstream" Christianity without the inconvenience of having a consistent doctrine set, and instead having a "play it by ear" and "come as you are" mentality. --Child survivor of WCG

NOTE: We have received a number of letters concerning "The Passion of the Christ" and they are placed all together here:

"The Passion of the Christ" is an International Hoax:

February 22, 2004

I thought you and visitors to your site might be interested in this revealing review: Mel Gibson’s Film “The Passion of the Christ” AN INTERNATIONAL HOAX. This article is quite long, but one of the many appalling things it says about this film is that the woman who plays Mary Magdalene in the film is "a famous pornography star!" It appears that many churches and ministries across the country, including Focus on the Family, are being mobilized to promote this movie (which is filled with "historical inaccuracies" and a "Gnostic Jesus") for Christians. How trauma-based mind control programmers use the viewing of graphic violence to control their victims is briefly mentioned at the end of the article. --Former member of WCG

Comment: Presenting a Gnostic gospel and a Gnostic Christ would be causing others to believe in another gospel and another Jesus. Is the promotion of this movie by top ministries just another case of hype in false Christianity today?

The Passion and the Truth links to several articles showing why Christians shouldn't view this movie.  

The Holy Spirit Told Me Not to Watch The Passion of the Christ:

March 4, 2004

With the way the current world is right now, I don't think anyone could make a movie that would reflect the accuracy of Jesus suffering. I just do not trust this world and especially the things that come from Hollywood. If churches are teaching a false gospel, then what does that say for Hollywood? They are 100 times worse. That's my philosophy. In an evil world, how can they make a good movie? Deceit abounds!!!! Jesus told us this. The Holy Spirit told me not to watch it and I listened. I don't know how to explain it any other way. People ("Christians") at work think I am too judgmental or weird, but so be it! They haven't been through what I have been through and I have learned to rely on Jesus and His Word, not others. One man said he wept and wept and wept through the movie and he and his wife will "never hate again" and "gave up all anger towards others."

The Scriptures that David J. Meyer referenced to about the movie were very enlightening. They reinforced my feelings. I pray to Jesus and He is speaking in my heart and He will remain there forever. --Formerly affected by HWA's teachings

Reply: It seems that many are lining up to see this film simply because of all the propaganda circulating by neo evangelicals. One thing that isn't brought out is that the gospels do not record the details of the crucifixion. As J. Vernon McGee said, 

"The Spirit of God drew a veil over it as if to say, 'There is nothing here to satisfy sadistic gossip. There is nothing here with which an idle mind should be occupied. It is too horrible.'" 

Also, in his notes on Isaiah 52:14 he said:

"...it is not always a sign of orthodoxy to dwell upon the suffering of Christ upon the cross; sometimes it is only being crude."

Jesus suffered at the hands of man in the first three hours on the cross, but he suffered for man the last three hours (when there was total darkness). This was His worst suffering. Christ actually became sin for us; the sins of the whole world being placed on Him; satisfying the wrath of God for sin in our place, with the Father forsaking Him. How could any film portray this? Hollywood has always distorted the truth of the gospel. Can we expect anything different this time around?

Note: A Wichita KAKE news article has said, "The movie has been criticized for its graphic portrayal of Jesus' death. Religious leaders around the country and here in Wichita say people need to be prepared for the graphic brutality." And Roger Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun Times said "the film is the most violent I have ever seen. It will probably be the most violent you have ever seen."

Death of Christ Never Meant to Be Viewed By Millions:

March 4, 2004

I want to warn anyone about viewing The Passion if they have ever been severely abused. This movie would prove extremely traumatizing due to its violent nature and amount of blood and gore. I haven't seen it (nor do I intend to), but I have read about it. I honestly don't feel we are to view on a screen, with millions watching, what our Savior went through. I know you have already linked to many about this movie, but here is one I found from one site you mentioned. It is quite long, yet very thorough about what's in this movie: The Poison in the Passion 

One thing they say (which I agree with) is: "Beloved, the cross of Jesus Christ was the darkest, shameful, disgraceful moment in the history of the universe. It was such a shame His own Father could not even look upon His Son." --Former WCG member

Comment: The author, Terry Watkins, of Dial-the-Truth Ministries, brings out many pertinent things in this article that show great discernment.

The Passion Not Even True to the Bible:

March 4, 2004

Hey, we know something is wrong when people like Hank Hanegraaff are endorsing this film (The Passion). They don't tell you it's based on the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, who was a famous mystic Catholic Nun that experienced some pretty weird things; i.e., levitation and astral projection. The film is not even true to the Bible, but based on her book of crucifixion visions! --Anonymous 

The Passion Corresponds to the "14 Stations of the Cross":

March 5, 2004

I think the article (booklet) on The Poison in the Passion was excellent. I haven't read a review quite so in depth. I was amazed to learn that the entire movie corresponds to the "14 Stations of the Cross" (Via Dolorosa), a Roman Catholic sacred ritual. I need to mention one point, though. Please be careful in reading the part towards the end of the article on "the scourging." I made a mistake in reading that and it caused me to have very troubling thoughts, even waking up in the night and having to ask Christ to take the images away and replace it with His peace and the knowledge of Jesus. I can hardly imagine how horrible it would be if the real images from the screen were allowed in my mind, with the music blaring in the background. I think this movie is wrong for all the reasons the author stated. Many Christians are giving excuses why they must go see it. Some, after seeing it, are declaring it is a "great evangelistic tool." All I can say is they have received a great blindness over their minds. --Former member of Armstrongism

Comment: The "14 Stations of the Cross" is merely the Mass being played out, which is the continual sacrificing of Christ for sin. One of the things the author of this article brings out is that it is very irreverent for anyone to "play" or "act" as the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jim Caviezel, the actor who played Jesus said there were many times (during the filming) that he "felt like Satan." 

Update: It has been brought out by some reviewers that if Christ had been treated in the way it was shown in the film, He would have been dead before He reached the cross. Read: Mel Gibson's Film: the Passion of the Christ.

Three of the Actresses are Hard-Core Pornography Stars:

March 7, 2004

Reading over the emails about The Passion, you need to mention that there are three of the actresses (not one) who are famous hard-core pornography stars: the one who plays Mary Magdalene, the one who plays Satan, the one who plays Pilate's wife--and the one who plays the virgin Mary played in a "bizarre death film." If this film is supposed to be so great, why not choose actresses with a better reputation? --L. J.

Practically the Whole of Christendom Falls Over to Propagate Deception:

March 7, 2004

Hi ESN:

The Passion movie, I believe, has the potential to be the most deceptive and dangerous thing to be perpetrated upon the true church in modern times. Isn't it amazing that Mel Gibson, a Roman Catholic, can come preaching another Jesus, and practically the whole of Christendom falls over itself to bear with him and propagate his deception?

"I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Cor. 11:2-4).

We live in perilous times. Keep in the Word! Watch and pray!

Yours in Christ, --H. S., Australia

More on Jim Caviezel:

March 8, 2004

Hello,

This is another review about the man [Jim Caviezel] who played Jesus in the movie Passion. Notice the words "shamelessly express your catholic faith." Someone sent this to me. I thought you may not have seen it.

"I have been scourged, crucified, and, oh yes, struck by lightning. I know from whence I speak. That's why I came here to show this remarkable film that speaks for itself," Caviezel told the 1,400 young adults in attendance at the Fellowship of Catholic University Students conference. "I want all of you to have the courage to go out into this pagan world and shamelessly express your Catholic faith in public! ...You, my friends, by God, you must fight with Mary and with Christ as your sword."

--Former WCG member

Comment: In "The Poison in the Passion" (mentioned in March 5 letter above) Caviezel also claims he has actually had fans bow down before him in worship.

Mel Gibson's Film: the Passion of the Christ (Three reports are excerpted and adapted for this in-depth review; shows many objectionable elements to the film.)

Thank You For Exposing The Passion of the Christ!

April 5, 2004

I wanted to thank you for posting those links for the Passion movie. [See emails starting above with February 22] My husband was determined to see it, and after I read the links, I was determined not to see it. He told me that "people who write stuff against the movie are people who have not seen the movie" (kill the messenger); so I told him that the reviews I had read were written by level-headed people who did see the movie, and have exposed it for what it was. After he read the links, he no longer wanted to see the movie. You really don't know what a invaluable service ESN provides in areas of discernment! You have saved another soul from tragedy (and it would have been very tragic). My son was begging his Dad not to go. He said, "Dad, you wouldn't allow me to see violent movies, so why is it okay for you?" My husband has an inherited, neurological disorder, and he also has OCD. People with this play things over and over in their minds and can't seem to stop (it has something to do with their brain function). I felt that if he saw this movie, it would imprint the graphic violence in his mind, and he would never be able to get rid of those images--ever. 

My girlfriend saw the movie and told me, "I have no clue why Focus on the Family would promote this movie."

As far as using three porn stars for his cast, does anybody have any idea why Mel Gibson picked them? It sounds very suspicious to me where Mr. Gibson has been spending time recruiting for actresses. Seems that men who have problems with pornography/sex addictions (like Rod Meredith and HWA) try to "redeem" themselves by "doing something great for God." Could Mel have made this movie for another reason?? How could Focus on the Family completely ignore these actresses' backgrounds? How many unsuspecting, single Christian men will go and see this movie, think Monica Belluci is attractive and want to know more about her, only to find her pornographic website, and be lost forever?

And finally, as my husband and I agreed, how much of the millions of dollars that Mel makes from evangelicals viewing this movie will actually go to any evangelical church or cause?? (Try "zero.") How much of it will go to his Catholic agenda? How many evangelical Christians would willingly walk into a Catholic church and plop money into their offering plates? Yet, that is exactly what they have done.

I can't express my gratefulness enough. I am so glad this issue is behind us now, but it wouldn't have been had you not exposed this movie for what is was.

Thanks again! --Former WCG member

NOTE: This concludes our posting of emails concerning this film. We hope others will continue to search this matter out and pray for discernment.

WCG Revealed in Movie Titles:

April 8, 2004

I like your site and have written before. I'm glad more and more ex-members of the WCG are being helped by ESN.

I thought I'd send you a link to a humor page I wrote a few years ago, Worldwide Church of God revealed in MOVIE TITLES!

It was fun to write and I've gotten some good feedback from it.

In Christ, --Harlan Simantel (Former WCG member)   

WCG Sells Part of AC Campus to Radically Charismatic Church:

May 14, 2004

The Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena that WCG has sold part of its AC campus to is radically Charismatic and associated with the Toronto Blessing. In reading their press release, the WCG states that Harvest Rock is non-denominational and began in the Pasadena home of Senior Pastor Ché Ahn in April of 1994. The ignorance of this fact is mind boggling. To read about this, go to this page: http://www.cephasministry.com/evangelists_2.html#anchor440942 and then scroll down to Ché Ahn and click on the link beside that for: "Ché Ahn Draws Power from the Toronto Blessing." It is becoming more obvious that the new WCG is definitely going to the Charismatic extremes. If this was not so, they wouldn't brag about who they sold their property to. No organization can be that ignorant. --Former WCG member

Update: Read March 29, 2005 letter: WCG Received Million for Sale of Campus.

You Helped Me See I Had PTSD:

May 21, 2004

You've been more help to others and me than you might be aware of. This is a ministry (which is service) to those who don't have many resources to turn to. One place where you really enlightened me was in informing me I had shown symptoms of post traumatic stress syndrome that I don't think a therapist I saw for awhile had picked up on. Once I understood that, more things made sense to me. --Ex member

The Member Who Turned Out To Be a Pastor:

May 21, 2004

On the 'member' of WCG that is in a 'healing ministry' that has turned out to be a pastor in WCG I can express disdain. I noted that he has disgust for those who discuss abuse by WCG with him. That raised a big red flag with me and I suspected he is protecting that deceptive group. There is a serious conflict of interest here and there might be legal implications of not informing such victims that might come to him as victims of serious abuse by WCG of his current position as a pastor in WCG. This is like one who rapes, robs and badly beats a victim is now going to console and offer healing to the victim. This is most disgusting. They long got themselves into areas of our lives they had absolutely no qualification for and it was disastrous. We clearly see the results and they are not good. The fruits of their works are broken lives and families. There are thousands of seriously spiritually wounded victims and they deserve something far better than this. The victims need an honest approach from someone without blood on their hands to aid them and it seems not to be available from that source. Repentance on his part with prayers for those who have been victimized by those of his livelihood would be more appropriate.

When I see the blessed name of Jesus used as he did to refute the kind lady that wrote him I am reminded that there is a commandment that prohibits using the Lord's name in vain.

I was in WCG for about 30 years. I am well aware of the spiritual, emotional and mental abuse that was plentifully dealt out. I was a victim of it and it is without excuse or reason. --Former member of WCG

Comment: The article referred to is: Are Some Worldwide Church of God Ministers Still Holding on to Herbert W. Armstrong's Doctrines?  

I Remember WCG Ministers Yelling at Us:

June 9, 2004

I remember the WCG ministers yelling at us. It was usually to get more money or make you feel bad for some sin. I so remember the money game and how they made one feel like a nothing if you didn't give enough money! The yelling usually happened when some decided not to tithe. I never understood those people, and how they could not tithe and just stay put in WCG. I always tithed to the cent. Other yelling went on when some in the congregation were getting into the serious sin of gossiping--and how we all had to pay for that. The worse thing was when they made an example of you through a sermon, and you knew they were talking about you. That happened to some people I know. How terrible was that?? 

I just always wondered how the non-tithers stayed. That's one of the things that woke me up big-time. I mean how could God expect so much money from you? I couldn't pay my rent, and my grocery bill did not include a lot of essentials. I was one who could use 3rd tithe assistance--so why pay 1st tithe then?? So insane.

I was a very, very obedient member though. --Canada

Escaped From the Worldwide Church of God:

June 15, 2004:

I am an escapee from the World Wide Church of God and would like to request some of your tapes. I have found your web site to be very helpful. I feel like a bird let out of a cage and appreciate all the help you have been to me. We still have some members in the WWCG and some out in a state of confusion. We have been out for some time and rambling around looking for a church, but I realize now, that until we deprogram, we don't need another church. We just need to concentrate on healing and getting our minds free. --Texas

WCG Lingo:

June 28, 2004

I was just reading the article concerning letters from Adrienne to Harry and also including Jackie and the ESN. That was truly amazing. The whole way through I kept thinking about Ron Lohr and his so-called healing ministry. Ron Lohr was the one who kicked me out of the WCG (along with other kids).

It sickens me to think that the abuser is actually teaching the abused about forgiveness. I can't believe how confrontational that Harry was. I have met so many people from different types of religions everywhere and nobody talks like the WCG except those who are of the WCG. Their lingo and B.S. is like its very own dialect--discernable to all who have heard it before. --Child survivor of WCG

Your Site Brought Immediate Validation:

June 28, 2004

Hi,

Firstly I would like to say thank you for your site. It has been of immense help to me and my brother who were brought up under HWA/WCG doctrines. ...

Once again, thank you so much for your site. It has been more helpful than I can describe. I know the work that goes into a website and we are heavily indebted to you. Me and my brother were stranded in Liverpool UK all alone until I got the Internet and found your site! Just the realisation that there was actually an Exit & Support Network for people leaving the WCG and that the church was referred to as a "cult" brought an immediate validation of our pain. Reading the site has let us know that we are not alone, and given us hope for the future.

I would like to write our story for the site, both to help others and to get it out of my system, would that be OK?

With love, --Liverpool, England

Mystery of the Ages Reviews Are Really Important:

June 30, 2004

I've read the first 2 chapter reviews of Mystery of the Ages. They are certainly very well written. It's funny for me being a child survivor to actually read parts of what was in HWA's booklets because I kept thinking, "Oh, I remember that." I kind of knew that we were supposed to be gods ruling over a planet in the world tomorrow. I remember hearing a lot about God's government on earth. It's so amazing to me now how I never, ever heard anything about Jesus paying for all of our sins. I love it in the reviews how you explain the way HWA is manipulating people in each chapter and also how all of his beliefs and new truths were documented as part of other religions, or whatever, years before he said he was divinely told them--like by 7th Day Adventists. These are really important reviews because I think they will help, especially a recent exiter, to see clearly how they were lied to and they can even independently prove these things themselves by searching for public information on some of these beliefs. It also makes it so easy to compare the ways HWA manipulated people with the ways other religious cult leaders do the same thing. Bravo! I know it's an awful lot of in-depth work, but so very worth it. I'm so proud of your service and ministry to others who have left WCG. It is so worthwhile. --Child survivor of WCG

Comment: HWA, many times, merely quoted, or distorted, parts of encyclopedias or church documents in order to try to prove his point. Most false teachers do this.

Apocalyptic Groups Have Many Things in Common:

July 6, 2004

I too was into a "religious cult" where the false prophet had set a date for the end of the world and the Lord's coming. I didn't know it was a "cult," but they were heavily into making predictions about the end-times and things that were going to happen in the Middle East, etc. They had led me astray and are "wolves in sheep's clothing" as Jesus said.

Also, these type of groups don't want you to have anything to do with your family or past friends, but to be isolated from the rest of the world. They control you and manipulate you with their false teachings and their interpretation of what the Bible says about things like this. Also, they are very fanatical when it comes to the one-world conspiracy government theory and demons. They put you into a "demon consciousness by teaching everything is demonic: the government, your family, this person or thing and that person or thing, and even you. They talk about demons a lot and teach it a lot.

Thank you for your time and for reading this. I am writing to say I agree with you in that false prophecies and ministries are made and operated by leaders who are no leaders and should not speak in the Name of the Lord. And don't forget the money, because they live off of their followers and have nice homes, cars, and all bills paid (I believe) and yet tell their "flock" to be content with what they have, which in my case was very little.

Thank you. --T. D.

Church of God Home School Association:

August 5, 2004

It looks as if the Church of God Home School Association is taking all the HWA booklets, Bible Correspondence Course, magazines, etc. and using it as homeschooling material for children, especially disabled children and those with cancer!!! The "About the Association" (click on link at top of page) says they are a faith-based public benefit non-profit organization with a commitment to provide freely at no charge the tools needed to enrich and sustain the education of "children with cancer and children with long term disabilities." The site is new because some pages are under construction, but once you get into the "Historical Archives," they say they are making this study available to "students and members of The Church of God." When you click on Library/COG archives, then all this stuff opens up about the HWA booklets and magazines, even back as far as 1934! Seems they post every booklet and magazine HWA ever wrote as their "youth studies for children"!!! 

I don't know why they use the name "The Church of God" because they scroll a notice at the bottom of their home page that says "The Church of God Home School Association is not a church and is not sponsored by a church." What the heck kind of confusion is this??!!

What can you tell me about this group? I don't see anything that really identifies them other than obviously someone who as an advocate of Herbert. When I emailed them they said that they "don't believe God's Church is exclusive to any one organization" and then I was referred to articles by Raymond McNair! [former evangelist of WCG] --Former WCG member

Reply: It appears that COG Home School Association is tied in somehow with Raymond McNair's site (Church of God - 21st Century). McNair believes the "sheep" (i.e., ex-WCG members) are scattered in hundreds of different groups and need to be united. Raymond McNair is mentioned in the book, Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web and used to be connected with Global Church of God. One person told us that using HWA material to homeschool children would be considered illegal in their state.

Armstrongism Has Had Far Reaching Effects:

August 9, 2004

Membership may be down in the splinters (and for that I am most thankful), but deceit has a way of worming its way into the lives of those most vulnerable. While few became members of HWA's organization (compared to the rest of the population in the world) there was still that unknown number who sent tithes and money in. And let's not forget about all the Armstrong splits that are spouting their doom and gloom dogma on the radio and TV today (a day doesn't go by that I don't recognize one of them in my area), and which are receiving money from those who never join and never will. The same was true in decades past with WCG. So while Armstrongism has definitely had far reaching effects on certain people, there remains a throng of money-making "Christian ministries" among us today (including WCG) cashing in and getting rich and caring less about the ethics of it all. Truly a Babylon of confusion. --Former WCG member

I Found Parallels Between Jehovah's Witnesses and Armstrongites:

August 9, 2004

I recently ran across this 1971 book by William J. Schnell relating his Thirty Years A Watchtower Slave.  Although he is describing the Jehovah's Witnesses, the methods of mind control could apply to Armstrongism.  Another book I've read, The Watchtower Files (1985) by Duane Magnani, also caused me to draw parallels between JW's and Armstrongites.  I realize that cults employ similar methods to gain and keep recruits, but the similarities between the methods of Herbert W. and Judge Rutherford are so great that I have wondered if Herbert's intense "Bible study" of the 1920's included a heavy dose of JW publications. Is there any evidence that HWA was directly influenced by the JW's or do cultists just tend to think a like? --J. G.

Reply: Herbert Armstrong is known to have plagiarized from JW's material, along with Mormonism (which have their roots in the occult), 7th-day Adventists and others. This has been exposed in Herbert W. Armstrong's Religious Roots and is also brought out in chapter 3 and 6 of Mystery of the Ages (a critical review).

WCG Was Worst Thing That Ever Happened to Me:

August 30, 2004

Thank you for your web site. I have really benefited from your Exit and Support. I have been spending hours reading it. I was a victim of WCG many years ago. I attended the church from 1965 to 1970. I received the Plain Truth magazine for many years before that and started listening to HWA and GTA when I was very young. I do not know when I really began to believe in them. It may have been when I was 16 years of age or younger. 

Getting involved with WCG was the worst thing that ever happened to me. Because of this church I did not receive a college education when I was in my 20's, and because of that I have never had a good job.  They took a lot of years out of my life and it has taken me many years to get out from under their programming. I think I am still dealing with it, all these years later.

It is such a shame that people have used religion as a scam to extract money, time, and effort from their followers. Religion should be a source of comfort and inspiration, not a source of fear and depression. --Former WCG member

Proof that HWA Lied About Church History:

September 12, 2004

I have finished the church history section for Chapter 4 of my review of Mystery of the Ages. You'll have to post it separately as it's too long to post in my upcoming Chapter 4, but it is very thorough in proving that HWA lied about church history. He claimed that records didn't exist (which they did), and he claimed he restored the original truths taught by the early church (which he didn't). What he did was make us believe that early church history didn't exist (since it disproved his teachings), then he quoted the writings of Jerome, Tertullian, Origen, and St. Thomas Aquinas, but only showed the errors in their writings to "prove" that the early church emerged into a "different church but calling itself Christian." So he gave us a one-sided view. Yes, he was correct that error had crept in, but he deceived us into thinking that early church history was "lost" from the time of the original apostles until the time of the 2nd century (when Origen and the others began writing). HWA habitually revealed partial information, making it seem "authentic and thorough," when in fact, the opposite was true. He would emphasize small details to "prove" his dogmatic views, while ignoring major pieces of information that proved otherwise. I hope this history article will reveal how HWA suppressed the truth in order to deceive his followers.

I didn't want to cut sections out (like he did) in order that whole portions could be read in context; otherwise, others could accuse me of doing the same thing HWA did (withhold information just to prove my point of view); so I apologize for the length of the document. I know there may be some out there that want every little nitty-gritty detail, so I hope to show that good scholarship comes from giving complete information instead of a partial quote and a short synopsis complete with a skewed view (HWA's method). I think when people see how much early church documentation there is, they will begin to understand that HWA lied about the "lost century" and the non-existence of these documents. HWA told his followers to "Prove ALL things" and I hope the readers will take him up on that challenge. I hope they will see what a hypocrite he truly was since he "proved" only what he wanted his followers to believe (his contrived version of the gospel), and was willing to employ deceptive methods to make it seem his research was thorough. --Kelly Marshall, Mystery of the Ages reviewer for ESN

Comment: Kelly's article is, True Original Church/Faith Once Delivered (Proof Herbert Armstrong Lied About the "Lost" Church Century) 

The Essential Teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong is Worthless Book:

September 30, 2004

I stumbled upon the 2002 book, The Essential Teachings of Herbert W. Armstrong, and decided to do a little research. It turns up that Stephen W. Boston (the author) is the creator of the "reluctant-messenger.com" a website that is trying to cover "science and religions of the world," but which looks to me like mainly a plethora of articles on occult/New Age/ mystical subjects and every pagan religion you can imagine. Here is what I read: "The website presents the teachings of three men that all say the same thing in three different ways. Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Lakshmanjoo and Herbert. W. Armstrong." I find it incredible that this book would be advertised on such sites. I even spotted Masonic and occult symbols throughout and on the books advertised.

Gerald Flurry, Richard Ames, Roderick C. Meredith, David Hulme, Garner Ted Armstrong, John W. Ritenbaugh, Leslie McCullough and David Havir (called the "notable recipients") have each received their "Collector's Edition" of this worthless book. --Former WCG member

Mystery of the Ages Tied in With Occult:

September 30, 2004

I found out that often times books that have been written about "the mystery of the ages" (titles similar to Herbert Armstrong's book) are listed along side with those books dealing with the occult and/or controversial speculation and knowledge. Shouldn't this tell us something? It certainly isn't the faith once delivered. --C., Former WCG member

Long For a Get-Away Similar to the Old FOT:

September 30, 2004

I just read your article entitled But I Had Such a Wonderful Time at the Feast of Tabernacles. I grew up in the WWCG and exited a few years ago, and I must say your article rang a bell. You accurately described several negative aspects of the Feast. Beneath the millennial dream was an authoritarian nightmare.  

However, I must admit that every fall I still long for a get-away similar to the old Feast of Tabernacles. You assert that a simple family vacation should fill the void, and that the "brethren" weren't really family at all, etc. I don't disagree with you. However, there was something absolutely wonderful about several thousand people gathered in a coliseum fellowshipping and singing hymns, especially with the expectation of an entire afternoon of great food, fun on the beach or at the amusement center, etc. Just milling around in the crowd was inspiring in itself. The buzz and excitement created by 5,000 people fellowshipping before services was absolutely awesome. As a child and later as a teenager, it was almost overwhelming.

Coming of age in the 1980s, I didn't experience the harsh discipline and intolerance that earlier WWCG youth did, so my fond memories of the Feast might seem a bit skewed to others, and that is certainly understandable. However, the basic concept of a Christ-centered, family vacation with a group of several thousand people is still very appealing to me. In fact, it sounds absolutely wonderful, especially in the fall when the weather starts to cool, the leaves start to turn and the moon is bright. Unfortunately, the Fall Festival of the present day WWCG is the only thing I know of that is even remotely similar to what I have described. I have no doubt that I could attend one of the major WWCG sites, worship God, see old friends and have a wonderful time without being questioned about doctrinal or loyalty issues. Still I know what the WWCG is and where it came from. There must be something better, something between the old Feast of Tabernacles and the simple family vacation that you describe. If you honestly think I should just get over it, please tell me. Any thoughts on the matter will be appreciated. --Child survivor of WCG

Reply: Most of the time these wonderful feelings were part of the "high" that these groups all foster. I am quoting from an article by Dr. Paul Martin, "Dispelling the Myths" (about cultic involvement):

"In recovering from cultic life the issue that takes longest to resolve is typically the gnawing search for the love, fellowship, and caring experienced while in the group. ... The tremendous fellowship and warmth that the ex-member longs for is often an 'artificial high.' Yes, the group experience felt great, but was it grounded in truth? Was it always produced by the Holy Spirit, or might it have been more on the order of a drug-induced euphoria? True, the addict maintains there is no better feeling in the world. But look at the result--a most pitiable addiction that wrecks lives health, careers, and often kills. While the group member was on a 'high,' he/she may have--at the same time--unknowingly repressed or dissociated emotional pain, doubts, and the tell-tale signs that his/her health was being neglected. Such "highs' (which are not unique to professedly Christian groups) are psychologically and spiritually unhealthy. The experience for the most part produces in the cults a strong sense of dependence on the group and its leaders."

Growing up in WCG kept many children from being aware of all the heads of households that suffered financially and emotionally--before, during and after the Feast. On the other hand, some children do remember fun times, especially since they don't have anything to compare it with. The members, however, saw the FOT in a little different light. They considered everyone at the Feast as part of the "one, true Church of God on earth" who had received "God's truth." The ministers caused them to focus on how only they of all the people on earth would be chosen to rule in the millennium to teach ("enforce") others to be happy by "obeying God's Law." This in itself was enough to make them excited and exuberant to be part of such a large group of "God's people." And don't forget that the FOT was played up weeks in advance in the literature and in the sermons. Take away the "commanded assemblies" (i. e., the services and meetings and all jobs that members had to serve on) and what would we have left? Just a large group of people ("family") milling around, spending more money at once than we ever did the rest of the year. These exploitive groups were well acquainted with how to use methods of thought reform on us, and that included hypnosis. [Refer to the book, Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change by Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman. Altered states of mind and personality can happen quickly or gradually in these groups.] Far from being the wonderful "church" we thought they were, the leaders' sole motive was to exploit out of us as much money as they possibly could and control every part of our lives. That is the reality.

No one should ever tell you to "get over it." It takes a long time to work through these emotions and memories. Remembering the good times is part of our healing. You have experienced many losses, but trying to find something similar today is not the way to go. For instance, many Charismatic churches are reputed to be very unhealthy psychologically and spiritually and can create religious addiction. Along with writing about your feelings (either in a private notebook or to someone who will validate you), and spending happy times of togetherness with your family and friends, we recommend that you continue to read about controlling groups. (See Booklist.)

Keeping the Feast of Tabernacles Was a Burden:

September 30, 2004

Isn't it nice not to be keeping the Feast of Tabernacles anymore? I can just imagine all the stress we'd be going through right now. It's so nice to be able to take small (and affordable) family vacations. We just got back from one. When you have small kids, a few days away can be a lot of fun. I can't imagine what it would be like if we had to drag all of our kids to some strange, far away place, and then have to camp out for 9-10 days. It's a lot of stress having to eat out 3 times a day with small children, and then sit in services, and then rush around trying to enjoy all the activities, and then have to rush back and get ready for the next day. I don't miss it. Keeping the law was truly a burden, and now I know what it is "to rest in Jesus." --Former WCG member

The Awful Music of Dwight Armstrong:

October 8, 2004

Dear ESN,

I am not quite sure how I got to your web page, but I was searching out something relating to the horrible, uninspiring music of Dwight L. Armstrong and felt that you had "hit the nail on the head." It is unfortunate that the churches of God are still under the spell of Dwight's awful music.

All the best, --R. F.

Comment: If our readers will go to The Songs in the WCG (What were we really singing?), the NOTE at the bottom will mention Dwight Armstrong.

Friend in UCG Suffering Anxiety and Extreme Perfectionism:

October 11, 2004

I am a college student and one of my good friends is deeply involved with UCG. I myself am a Christian and so are my suite mates. Although her theology concerns us, that is her personal choice and I pray that she finds peace with it ("converting" her is not our key goal). What worries me and my suite mates the most is the anxiety she struggles with and her extreme perfectionism. We have encouraged her to get professional help, although she refuses, partly on religious grounds. We worry about how much some of her anxiety could be on a spiritual level. We are at a first tier, very competitive university and lots of our peers struggle with anxiety but hers seems much more pronounced and even during unrelated school situations, she has panic attacks. We are seeking information on what would the best way to help her spiritually and your educated opinions on what she may be experiencing. Thank you for your time. --Friend

Exiter of UCG Feels Like He is Going Crazy:

October 12, 2004

Dear Exit & Support Network,

I would like to know if you could please pray for me. I have come out of the United Church of God and then I went to another independent Church of God and I have left that, too. I feel very confused and I feel like there are like a million things about the COG swimming through my head.

I sometimes feel like I am going crazy and I shake at night in bed thinking that maybe I have lost my salvation. I have been given so many "warnings" from others still in the church telling me to repent and go back to the "true church." When I tell them that I no longer believe as they do, they tell me that perhaps I have lost my salvation and God has hardened my heart. They call me because they are "worried about me." I feel like I never belong anywhere and I can't seem to be able to not think about my past church life.

I have been told that I am lawless and don't want to obey God's commandments and that if I don't, I will never receive my "ultimate salvation" and be "born again" in the Kingdom of God. I read my Bible and I have church of god theology swimming through my head. I feel like it's hard to read my Bible and it's hard to pray because I have so many condemning thoughts in my head. Please pray for me. If God doesn't help me soon I am going to go nuts. I can't handle this anymore. I feel cut off from God. I feel it is very hard to go to other churches and to trust people. Thank you for listening. --A. A.

Comment: These feelings are very common and are a result of the mind control programming one has endured. For any who are going through a difficult exiting process, please see Questions about Recovery (includes links to several of our articles).
 

Watchman Fellowship:

October 13, 2004

I am curious as to why Philip Arnn (Watchman Fellowship) has endorsed the WCG? When questioned, he appeared to be very defensive about his position regarding that organization, which makes me wonder if more of the so called "hush money" that Rader once bragged about is not still being passed under the table, so to speak. --Exiter

Read: letters sent to Watchman Fellowship. 

HWA Studied Hitler's Book, Mein Kampf:

October 27, 2004

It is true that Herbert Armstrong studied Adolph Hitler's book and this is mentioned on pg.116 of Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web. --M. M. (Former WCG member)

Comment: Here are the quotes from that page:

"Members of his [HWA's] alienated family report his strange reading habits. According to these accounts, he read, very carefully, even studied for a long period of time, Adolph Hitler's book, Mein Kampf. He was especially impressed with Hitler's methods of crowd control, his methods of intimidation and domination of other men. He was impressed by Hitler's method of moving swiftly during the hours between midnight and dawn when he wanted to pull off a coup. (Hitler thought men's resistance was weakest during those hours.) Events of recent years abundantly demonstrate the effectiveness of such methods. Of course, that was not the way Christ worked!" (Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web, p. 116) 

Update: Read 2006 letter to ESN: Herbert Armstrong and His Communist Friends and 2007 letter to ESN: HWA Used Mein Kampf as a Guide in Controlling People.

WCG Moving Headquarters to Glendora, California:

October 29, 2004

Just read a piece in the Pasadena Star-News/October 25, 2004 saying Worldwide Church of God is leaving Pasadena and moving to Glendora, California (closing escrow in early November). They say the reason is because it will be a "smaller, less expensive trappings of a industrial building in Glendora." That is very interesting. Didn't we think the plan with them was to change their name and pretend to be someone else? It should be easy for them now to do that with this relocation. Unsuspecting souls will never know. Amazing liars. --Former WCG member 

Comment: OIU 6, Pt. 2 (1998) mentioned that the WCG services were held at that time at the Glendora Masonic Temple (since about 1971). The last two years their services have been held at Glendora Friends Church (Quakers) on Saturday.

Studying History of HWA Helps Me Let Go of the System:

October 29,2004

I was disfellowshipped from WCG in 1968. ... I decided that in order to have closure and to un-internalize what had been internalized, I had to study the history and find the hidden hype and root out the religious garbage that had been part of my psyche for so long. Two of my daughters have not done that yet and so they cannot let go of the system, even though they know HWA and GTA were flawed. 

I spent a great deal of time yesterday on letters to Janis Hutchison. I did not know that HWA had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan while in Oregon. I also did not know that he was accused of stealing money from the church coffers! Wow! He was a lowlife, wasn't he?

I like your website. I will be going through more of your letters and also Mike's section on the PCOG. --Former WCG member

Loved the Plache Tapes:

October 29, 2004

I loved the tapes by Richard Plache. He had a good personality and he was always very charismatic as I understand. I think that his questions were the reason that he was disfellowshipped. HWA could not have answered the questions that Richard asked about why he had slid parts of the Old Covenant over into the New and tossed the rest. Richard was bold for even asking "God's apostle" such things. I remember in an old Good News' letter where HWA informed one woman (who dared to ask a question that he did not like) that to question him was "like questioning Christ"! What a crock! After that we were afraid to question anything he said. --Former WCG member 

Nothing Herbert Armstrong Had Was Viable:

November 2, 2004

I have been reading some of the letters on your site and just want to thank you for the informative site and to say that I can identify with those who are having trouble purging out of their minds and consciences the entirety of the teachings learned in the past. We tend to hold onto things that we perceive to be incontrovertible. But the exiter needs to know that nothing that HWA (i.e., the so called "18 Restored Truths") was viable, or of God. It was all the advertising man who learned his religion at the library. How many responsible men in the 1920s and `30s, who had starving families at home, spent their time in the library trying to find a way to make a fast buck? What kind of man could spend time at the library learning Hitler's methods of thought control while his pregnant wife and starving children were at home with nothing to eat, and not enough clothes to keep them warm?

But God was never there. We assigned that position to HWA and GTA. Instead of coming to Christ, we chose to follow a man. We never questioned why a man, who thought the world was coming to an end in a few years, kept building those great and expensive buildings--and his own empire as well--at our expense. --Ex WCGer

Ralph Orr and His Polished Article:

November 4, 2004

Ralph G. Orr wrote an article for WCG, which is posted on their website. It is entitled, "How Anglo-Israelism Entered Seventh-day Churches of God, a history of the doctrine from John Wilson to Joseph W. Tkach." 

It said something that I found very interesting. He showed proof that HWA believed in the Great Pyramid Theory. Guess where that came from? Charles Taze Russell. Even though Orr points out that HWA got the pyramid theory from the JW's, he certainly doesn't mention how unbiblical, satanic and pagan this teaching is. Why would "God's apostle" do that? Shouldn't he be getting his beliefs from the Bible and not the JW's? 

Orr has written a very polished article that candidly admits HWA's errors, but does not delve into where HWA stole them from! He does mention the errors HWA got from the COG 7th Day, but of course, nothing said about the JW's. The article came across as partial admittance. He never called him a false prophet--just that his unfulfilled prophecies left a dilemma. He also tried to say that HWA never "definitely" uttered certain prophecies (which he did). It was interesting to read some of the old historical background, though. He mentions just enough HWA errors to justify changing to their New Truth, but WCG won't admit what a total charlatan he was because their whole organization would crumble (and Orr would be out of employment). 

Notice how they get around the BI doctrine:

"The church had come to realize that Anglo-Israelism had distracted it from the God-given commission to preach Jesus and the salvation that came through faith in him."

They never admit what a crock it is. They just side-step the whole issue. It didn't just "distract"--it was the Master Key that HWA baited his readers with, and it was a false master key. But they downplay the whole thing.

Now roll up your pant legs for this one:

"Armstrong always urged the ministry to be faithful to the Bible. He never claimed that he wrote infallible scripture. He never claimed that he understood all biblical truth. Yet he did claim to have a special understanding of Bible prophecies, and he did function as a prophet." [emp. mine]

And this:

"Following the war, Armstrong established Ambassador College to train ministers for the church. These young men went out, visited people on baptizing tours and established congregations. Through their influence, many lives changed for the better. Yet the prophetic speculations continued. The ministry created various blueprints in attempts to figure out the date of Jesus’ return. All prophetic schemata failed." [emp. mine]

Talk about a thick sugar-coating. Many lives were stifled emotionally and financially, and many were destroyed. How was that "for the better"?

The article went on and on about how history influenced HWA's doctrines, but in the end "it was the ministry's fault!" Look how he passed the buck! Can you believe this? Orr detailed several false prophecies of HWA's, then he passed the buck onto the AC graduates and the "ministry." Mystery of the Ages was published in the fall of 1985 and HWA died in January 1986. Even up until his death, HWA published false prophecies, but now Orr wants us to believe that it's the ministry's fault. The truth is that if the ministers didn't teach what HWA told them to teach, they'd be put out. Now Orr wants us to believe that the ministry "created the various blueprints" for all the false dates??? It's simply amazing the amount of blame-shifting Orr stooped to.

This plainly shows me that Orr and the rest of the organization still function on deception and half-truths. Did they really believe that we were willing to stake our eternal lives on someone who didn't claim he came straight from God? Yea, he urged the ministry to be faithful to his interpretation of the Bible--to disagree meant disfellowshipment. Was Ralph Orr that blind? No, of course not. Shows me that anyone will lie for a nice fat paycheck. If HWA functioned as a prophet, then Orr isn't calling him a False Prophet because it isn't financially expedient to do so.

And now the final piece of dung:

"Despite what he believed, not everything he taught came from the Bible. Many things he taught were the products of his life and times. Are we any different today?"

In other words, he is saying, "How dare we pull the plank out of HWA's eye until we remove the splinter from our own???" Nothing like a no-win set up. HWA wins with this one, and the sheep lose. Don't you love the "Yea, he was wrong, but then aren't you also?" argument?

The answer is, "Yes, we are different today. We don't use religion to con people into giving us money. We don't commit incest with an 8-year old for ten years and then tell everyone else that God is going to blow them up for not giving us their hard-earned money. Yes, Ralph, there are people who are different than Herbert Armstrong. We work real jobs, raise children that love us and trust us, and we don't tell lie after lie, and con people with fear to believe in them. Too bad you have no concept of what that is like."

This article by Ralph Orr was written in the February 1996 Worldwide News (revised in 1999). The revision was done 4 years after "the changes." I can see that not much has changed in the WCG as far as the deception goes. --Kelly Marshall (Former WCG member and reviewer of Mystery of the Ages.) 

My Memories of Ralph Orr:

November 7, 2004

I just read the letter about Ralph Orr. [see previous email]

He was a senior when I was a freshman, and I worked under his "direction" in the custodial dept.

When I was telling the ministry they had no right to be doing some of the things they were, they sicked Ralph on me through email, and he would not discuss the quotes he was using for his position. He blatantly misused scripture, then when shown how he was misusing it, refused to discuss the issue further.

He was a jerk in Ambassador; he was a jerk in 1996-1997.

He was the perfect product of Ambassador for the ministry--hard-nosed and hard-core. Beat you down verbally and tell you to get in line and shut up.

I have no reason to believe he has changed at all since.

God have mercy on him. --Former WCG member

I've Questioned HWA's Death Diagnosis:

November 8, 2004

I've done some research on the cause of Herbert Armstrong's death diagnosis and it is impossible for the physician (Dr. Ralph Martin) to have made that diagnosis which was "heart arrhythmias secondary to ventricular fibrillation" without a heart monitor being attached to the patient. I checked with the RN on duty at the time (Bob Herrington) and he said (as did Aaron Dean when I later questioned him about the monitor) that HWA was terminal and there was no reason to have him on a monitor.

Also, there was no coroner's inquest and with this much money and property at stake, there should have been, regardless of the fact that he was terminal.

What got me to questioning the whole thing was the cause of death diagnosis combined with the fact that the Ambassador Report gave an exact time of death of 5:59 AM, claiming that he was up in his wife's favorite chair and died suddenly, even though they had been expecting him to go eventually. There are lots of questions:

1. Who was standing there with a stop watch at that time of the morning and noting the exact time? The RN should have been busy if it was unexpected attempting to give comfort measures and to call in those who wanted to be there like family and friends. Herrington stated very coolly that he was alone with the patient and did not call anyone until after the death. Tkach and Aaron made a point of one of them being with him constantly from the FOT 1985 to his death, according to the same AR.

2. If he were this close to death, why was he up in a chair at that time of the morning?

3. Aaron Dean claimed that he had chosen not to be present at the time of death for "reasons of litigation." Now if your best friend and mentor is dying, would fear of litigation keep you from being present?

4. There was a guard on duty, according to Norm Edwards, and his name was Tony Alameda. According to Norm this guard was also an Ambassador student and went back to his dorm claiming to fellow students that "Tkach has just stolen the chancellery." I cannot locate Tony and apparently from what I heard he disappeared after that day."

5. One minister (Bryce Clark) sent me an email saying that he knew that Kevin (Aaron's brother) "feared for his life" and left the area that day (Jan.16th) and wasn't seen for some years after that.

6. HWA was always interested in higher education though he did not have one. He even bragged about how much better educated he was than the people in Oregon. He wanted to be called "Dr. Armstrong" and he started the college in order to train and educate the leadership to follow him. This was part of his "great and near-great" fantasy and he wanted to live it out and make himself a great name. Tkach Sr. could not even pass the AC courses. Now that is strange that he would educate all these ones like Garner Ted and Stanley R. Rader, etc., and then elect Tkach Sr. with a criminal history above those he had educated. I suspect blackmail may have played a part.

7. I checked with the state of California and Bob Herrington was not licensed to practice there, though he was in Delaware. The other nurses' stories were too pat and too glossy to ring true. I suspect a lot of "hush money" was passed under the table at the time. I am still attempting to check that out. --Former WCG member/retired RN

I Asked WCG Minister About Their Selling Copyrights to PCG:

November 11, 2004

I asked the WCG minister in the Philippines if he was aware that his California based organization (now moved to Glendora, CA) recently sold HWA materials to a known cult (Philadelphia Church of God) in Oklahoma. I told  him that would bother me if I were a member, which is why I do not join. His glib answer was:

"Yes, I am aware of that. You don't know the full legal story behind it
from the start so we must not judge on hearsay. Why not ask our WCG
lawyer in Pasadena. In so far as I know, the WCG acted in the best
interest of the gospel. Again, I happen to trust in the WCG leadership."

Undoubtedly, he was referring to Ralph Helge. Oh yes, I know Ralph, and have for a long time. Ralph would send his own mother up the river if it paid well enough. Give me a break!

I asked him how he could call himself as one having the love of Christ and go along with selling cult materials to a known cult, knowing that those poor people are paying for that junk? Is that what he called a service to God? Worship of God?? (which he told me tithing was). I don't think so. All he could repeat was:

"What you are complaining about was the old system."

Well, we shall see won't we??  

WCG is afraid to be proven wrong. The leadership is afraid because they will lose power, position, and money. Their followers are afraid because they do not want to believe the WCG is just an extension of the Armstrong cult.--Former WCG member 

Comment: Notice also how this minister in the Philippines said he "trusts" the WCG leadership. Members have always trusted what HQ told them and then repeated it verbatim. There is no original thought. Many of the same reasonings, excuses and replies are the same as what HWA gave when he was alive. This can serve to keep others from thinking and finding out the real truth. The "legal story" is covered here: Sold Copyrights to Philadelphia Church of God.

Neil Earle Coined As One of the "Nazi Twins":

November 14, 2004

There's another book on how to mend broken relationships by the WCG crew. It's called Mending Broken Relationships - Faith Based Counseling for the Twenty First Century. The back of the book jacket lists "Inherited Dysfunctional Patterns." What about "Cultic Dysfunctional Patterns"??? No mention of that, of course. 

Neil Earle (one of the authors) was the minister that visited me in my home in 1987 to make sure I was "worthy" to come to WCG services. He and some other minister (can't recall his name now) were coined by the Toronto congregation as "the Nazi Twins"!! The back of the book says that Neil Earle "has been a minister for over 30 years"....but they don't mention where. God forbid!!! Well, let me state it clearly:

Neil Earle has been a minister of the Worldwide Church of God, recognized as a destructive Bible-based cult that was headed for over 50 years by Herbert W. Armstrong!

The book lists Neil Earle as a "adjunct professor" at Citrus College in Glendora, California. For all who don't know it yet, Glendora is Worldwide's new "headquarters" since their move from Pasadena in November. --Former WCG member in Canada 

Comment: Neil Earle is presently pastor of the Glendora, California WCG congregation. WCG says they have met at the Glendora Friends Church (Quakers) on Saturday for the last two years. Update: Read article: Does Neil Earle Use Disinformation Rules to Respond to Former WCG Members?

Church Growth Movement - Rick Warren - Willow Creek and Saddleback:

November 16, 2004

I want to comment that I really appreciate the link on your site that leads to the church growth movement such as Willow Creek and the Saddleback Church. I haven't yet read everything I can from all the links available through the articles, but the whole thing is a very informative process to go through.

It amazes me that so many in our society fail to see what strides Socialism is making in so many important areas of our lives. One day it's going to be too late. It has been through your site that I have come to realize how it has infiltrated the churches. I've clearly seen it in government, education, law enforcement, and the military.

I just learned yesterday that the pastor we fired not long ago was pushing this same stuff. At least with us he never had a chance to get it off the ground.

This is so important. I wish people would take a close look at what is closing in on us. You are to be commended for helping to bring it to the attention of any who will take notice.

My older daughter gave me a copy of The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren last Christmas. I'm sure she has no idea of the nature of this author and Saddleback, with which he is connected. I did read the book, but I had to push myself to read it. I did not understand why, but I found it to be a very difficult read. I didn't find the language difficult. I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but I knew I wasn't "connecting" with what was in this book. I carefully read all of it simply because my daughter had given it to me.

Now that I have read so much through the link on your site I fully understand why my spirit couldn't connect with the message in the book. Otherwise, I never would have fully understood why I had a difficult time reading it. Now, I know. At the time I was reading the book I had no idea who Rick Warren was and I had never heard of Saddleback Church till I saw references to it in his book.

Your link to that is very important. --Former WCG member

Comment: We also linked to An Analysis of Rick Warren's The Purpose-Driven Life, so others may be informed about this movement infiltrating the churches. A related article sent to us was, The Seeker-Friendly Way of Doing Church. In it is an incredible description of  Willow Creek Community Church (near Chicago) and their marketing techniques to attract the unsaved (which are now called the "unchurched"). Willow Creek Community Church was described as having a large bookstore, an extensive eating area and food court, a jumbotron screen with which an overflow crowd--or those eating--can view what is going on in the sanctuary. Mega churches across the country are adding basketball courts, bowling alleys, exercise gyms, spas, Starbucks and McDonald's franchises, and all for the "furtherance of the gospel." (Note: ESN does not necessarily endorse all views or links posted on these sites.)

Deceived on Purpose, an excellent book critiquing The Purpose Driven Life, shows that Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church, was mentored by Robert Schuller (tied in with New Age leaders and philosophies) and that Warren's theology is likewise pantheistic ("God is in everything").

Rick Warren's The Purpose Drive Life:

November 17, 2004

I just wanted to write a quick note to tell you thanks for the link for The Purpose Driven Life book. [read previous email] I was just thinking I was gonna surf for a critique of that book and there it was on your site. People are just so into that book. It's kinda scary how easily people can be seduced by something. I know the church my sister goes to (Methodist) just did a study on that book. --Former WCG member

Comment: Many churches across the country have been doing a study of this book. Even Worldwide Church of God has endorsed Rick Warren material.

The Willow Creek Movement Uses Sales Tactics:

November 17, 2004

I remember a couple of years ago our church was doing the "How to Become a Contagious Christian" series. At the time, I was getting training in sales and MLM. I remember telling my husband how surprised I was when discovering that the techniques used by Bill Hybels [of Willow Creek] were the exact ones that multi-level marketing uses! I remember being disappointed because I thought I was learning how to be a Christian "witness," not a salesman that tries to convince people that they should buy my "product." Now I understand that my suspicions were correct. I told my husband that I did not feel comfortable using "sales tactics" to get people to come to church. --Former WCG member

Disgusted with Rick Warren's The Purpose Drive Life:

November 18, 2004

Did I ever bother to mention to you that about a year ago my mother gave me a copy of Rick Warren's The Purpose Drive Life? I did a critique on it as I read it, and only read about half the book because I was getting pretty disgusted. I sent it to a cousin who mentioned in an email that her church (the "new and improved WCG" by the way) was going to do a study of it, so I emailed it to her, and she was quite amazed and grateful I sent it to her. --Former WCG member

Herman Hoeh Converted to Buddhism?

November 22, 2004

I was just told the news about Herman Hoeh's death on November 21. 

When it was announced, did they forget that Hoeh converted to Buddhism during the early '80s? Of course, he stayed on as a WCG minister under Tkach (which shows that Tkach has several practicing idolaters in his church) because he wanted retirement pay.

The last I heard, Herman Hoeh was still visiting the Los Angeles Buddhist Temple. --Former WCG member

Comment: Hoeh's work and research was admitted to be faulty in the 1970's and this caused much embarrassment to HWA. (See Armstrongism: Religion or Rip-Off? by Marion J. McNair, p. 109) Herman Hoeh later laughed about his Compendium. Read quotes in footnote #7 of ESN article: Where Are the Tribes of Israel Located?

Basil Wolverton and "The Bible Story":

December 2, 2004

I just discovered that Basil Wolverton (illustrator and writer for HWA's The Bible Story, 1975 in Prophecy, etc.) was also a "minister" in the WCG. He was actually baptized in 1941 and ordained an elder in 1943. Wolverton had Christian parents but became an agnostic until he started listening to HWA. Wolverton can call himself whatever he wants; i.e. Christian, but as Jesus says, "By their FRUITS you shall know them." I think Wolverton's fruits speak for themselves. I remember one Feast of Tabernacles when the minister handed out the grotesque and horrifying Wolverton drawings. One little girl, around 8-9 years old, asked her mother, in tears, "Is this what's going to happen to Daddy?" Her father wasn't "converted" and the little girl was putting two and two together. The mother was beside herself and didn't know what to say. His drawings were not godly. It is obvious that HWA used Wolverton to instill fear and horror through his artwork, and Wolverton complied. --Former member of WCG

Comment: The footnote on Basil Wolverton on our site has been updated

Hated Wolverton's Crass Artwork:

December 27, 2004

My husband still had his WCG Spokesman Club manuals. It's full of Basil Wolverton's bizarre artwork. I think it's pretty strange how HWA would talk about "quality" and listen to the best entertainment in the world, but subject his followers to crass artwork by Wolverton. My husband said he always hated the pictures in the manual. --Former WCG member

Update: More info on our site about Basil Wolverton.

Any Ideas to Help Children Overcome Fear of Armstrong Beliefs?

December 3, 2004

Do any of the exiters ever write on things that helped their kids to overcome fear of those Armstrong beliefs? That might be a good thing to add to the site since some still have small kids when they leave. Just a thought. Or maybe how they started new traditions with their kids after leaving to help them through the transition. --Raised in WCG, former member of PCG

Comment: The following are in response to the email above. These ideas apply no matter what high demand, controlling group the family was in.

How I Helped My Children After We Left: (Idea #1)

December 8, 2004

I fought with those same fears and worries, and what I did was explain to my small children that I was in a cult, also known as a "bad church." (Little children do not understand big people words.) Then I told them why it was bad, and I focused on their relationship with Jesus, because I figured if I tried to teach too much, nothing would stick. Instead of overwhelming them with tons of information that would not register in their small minds, I focused on what would protect them and gave it as small, but powerful, bits of information.

I taught them that God loved them, and that they need not fear Him. I then taught them that not anyone in the world, no matter who they were, was not qualified to get between them and God, and that they should question every single church or group that invited them. That eventually saved two of my children and none of them got into a cult.

Then I looked at the holidays and figured out that I could re-enter them into our home to conform more to the rest of the world, a world that my children had to live in. One of the worst things that the cult did was to put burdens on the little children. The only holiday that really bothered me, and still does, is Halloween, but I did take them out to get candy. At the same time, I taught them, easing them into not liking the day, as I explained how evil it is in some ways, but letting them decide.

We have to first get our own heads cleaned out and then work on helping our children. I worried about the long lasting effects of the group on my children, but as they grew up, I have seen that they are able to face the fact that what we were in was a cult. Besides that, it is almost a blessing now because they are very careful about their affiliations. --Former WCG member (exited 1987)

How I Helped My Children After We Left: (Idea #2)

December 8, 2004

I can tell you what I did with my children. When I "woke up," I explained to them that there are people who lie about things so they can hurt other people, and that what they told us was a lie and I told them I was wrong for believing it. We then started doing all the things they always wanted to do; i.e., holidays. That was always a huge burr in their saddles (no Christmas, etc.) We never attended any churches. I talked to them about God and even when we were in the WCG, I had story tapes about Jesus because nothing was taught to the children at church and I couldn't understand why. Towards the last, I finally told one of the "deacon's" wives I was not going to make the children do those insipid Y.O.U. lessons and that they were ridiculous. I had an advantage because the children were always with me and we could talk. My daughter was affected the most by WCG's teaching because she's the oldest, so when we found ESN by accident, it helped her greatly. We talked many hours and read all the OIU Newsletters. What more can one do? I think talking about it helped the most. I was just telling my 16 year old about how Satan is the ultimate legalist. 

I hope you know how much ESN has helped us. --Former member WCG (exited 1993)

How I Helped My Children After We Left: (Idea #3)

Note: This has been posted in article form: The Gradual Process of Bringing Christmas Back Into Our Family.

Don't Allow WCG Power Over Our Lives:

December 10, 2004

I know those in the WCG had their faith badly wounded. I think just getting away from the WCG is what helped us and building a future. We cannot allow WCG power over our lives by continuing to let it taint the true Word and what Jesus stands for, just because of all the perversion they initiated by using the Bible and His name for their junk. I believe that anyone who wants to truly leave the past behind can by taking one day at a time and trusting Him to lead them to Him in His time and in His way. We can't know the whys.

I do with all my heart believe in His promises and one of those being that He works all things to His glory and He loves us with the purity that Love should be. I know that no matter how long it takes He will demonstrate that Love until we get the message. I know nothing else to say except that we need to hang on to the HOPE that Jesus is. --Former WCG member

Ron Dart Says He Has All the Money He Will Ever Need:

December 16, 2004

Ronald Dart has made a living off of other people working for him in one way or the other, just as did Herbert Armstrong. They either pay for his radio program (Born to Win), send him tithes and offerings, or volunteer to work in his "for profit" CEM Bookstore. The main thing that he has going is his reputation and position, and many of the COGs are into that now.

Alan Ruth admitted to his former roommate (my son-in-law) that he overheard Dart say at an FOT that he had "all the money I will ever need." Interesting confession.

It all looks good, but he is just another religious huckster. --Former WCG member

Comment: OIU#4, Pt. 2 (which mentions Dart's beginnings) tells how Dart told an acquaintance that he "had a friend who was making millions with this kind of business."

WCG's Shredding of Documents During 1979?

December 17, 2004

A shredding of papers took place in the WCG Business Office during 1979. Of course the current WCG denies this and certain ones who are pro-WCG try to diminish its significance. But John Tuit's book leaves little doubt that there was not only shredding of evidence, but much of the paper trail was transported out of the WCG for stashing other places.

It is my understanding that Authur Andersen was also hired to shred documents at tithe payers' expense to the tune of some $50 million!

Also the letter that I had from the copilot of the GII claimed that while he worked in the mailing dept, said he witnessed boxes of documents leaving the business office at night during that time. --Former WCG member

Comment: Also read 2002 letter sent to ESN: