Letters From Those Impacted
by WCG, HWA & Offshoots
Best of the Letters for 2009
HWA's Crucial False Teachings: January 1, 2009 Hello, Neil Earle's Book / I Think I'm Going to Be Sick: February 9, 2009 Regarding Neil Earle and what he's churning out about HWA. I think I'm going to be sick. I can just see people writing such flowery words for the likes of Lenin, Stalin, and Hitler: "He was such a nice young man..." A definite white-wash where one must wear their hip waders while reading through this stuff. --Former member from Texas Comment: While WCG has whitewashed HWA from the beginning of their changes (see our Q&A), Neil Earle has continued the propaganda, leaving little to be said for "transformed by truth." Earle's church's website contains excerpts from a "forthcoming book" he is writing about HWA entitled: Blow the Dust Off Your Bible: Herbert Armstrong and American Popular Religion. See our new article, Neil Earle Whitewashes Hebert Armstrong. WCG Blends Armstrongism With New Age and Christianity: February 9, 2009 On the Glendora Church's website (Neil Earle, pastor), I found the Founder's Bio section, where I was not surprised to find glowing testimonials of HWA and fond memories of HWA and Loma. I wasn't impressed. One particular testimonial under "We Remember HWA" caught my eye. It was by Jan Weiner (RN), and she recalls that she had noticed HWA's anger toward others, and that HWA one time "exploded" at her for not spending more of her time with him as his nurse, bringing her to tears. She says that when she and her husband, Scott, approached HWA about this, HWA called her husband a "boy," screaming at him. She also says that she "...had heard of employees who had angered Mr. Armstrong and were never again allowed to speak to him." I find it dismaying that even she excuses HWA's actions, saying, "To me Mr. Armstrong was always very, very human but always very much above board."Another thing I noticed was that, while trying to pass itself off as a "kinder, gentler" WCG, it was easy to see past the "fluff" of this church that has Christmas programs, Easter programs, and ethnic based special services. I was especially displeased that the site links to Plain Truth Ministries, which is now accepting orders for The Shack, a book that has already been panned by Christian critics as being New Age; and spiritually speaking, is trash and should be avoided. Comment: In reading through these testimonials by those in "important" WCG positions who remembered HWA, it appears that many of them are exaggerated and/or contain myths in order to turn HWA and Loma into something they never were. So Much More Going On Than Members Were Aware of: Neil Earle and the Masonic Lodge: February 9, 2009 I was informed a few years ago that Neil Earle was with the Masonic lodge in Glendora, CA back in 1997. This was during the time he was also pastor in Glendora. Whether he's still one, I have no idea. But after reading how he has exonerated HWA, I wonder if he's just another religious fraud himself. --Former WCG member WCG Using Same Excuse as the Jehovah Witnesses: February 10, 2009 I find that the WCG is using the same excuse that the Watch Tower Society makes when confronting their past: "Oh, that was the old WCG. That's the past. We're different now." (Wilbur Lingle wrote of this same mindset in the Jehovah's Witnesses when confronted about doctrinal shifts). The JW's claim they are the only organization on earth that has all Truth and their government is directed by Jehovah Himself. Instead of apologizing for the past, they simply say that Jehovah is giving them "New Light." Now where have I heard that one before? --C. G. (Former member of WCG) Read: All or Nothing Statements (from those that have "the truth") Also read this part about all WCG's "lame" apologies and how a "we have changed" stance can never make up for the deaths, exploitation, and devastation of thousands of adults and helpless children. No Mention of Meredith Apologizing for His False Prophecy in 1966 PT: February 10, 2009 Rod Meredith wrote an article ("As 1966 Dawns--Watch These Seven Trends!") in the January 1966 Plain Truth issue that declared that "within 5-10 years" the end would come. That would put it between 1971-1976. I guess we're all still here, and Meredith is still giving his followers the same "5-10 years" spiel. That was same issue after Howard A. sent his controversial question in. [Refer to our article: Neil Earle Whitewashes Herbert Armstrong] HWA apologized for the "oversight" that the "young man on staff" made in his answer to The Passover Plot, but he sure didn't apologize for Meredith's false prophecy which was in that very same issue! --Former WCG member HWA Tore Pages of Jesus Out of the Bible: February 10, 2009 I heard this, and I know it's a reliable source. A group of small children at SEP camp gave HWA a Bible when he came to visit. He opened the Bible, and tore out all the pictures of Jesus. Can you imagine what an impression that made on these little ones? And Neil Earle wants us to believe that HWA was Christ-loving and Christ-centered? --R. M. (Former WCG Member) Comment: Also see: WCG Took Jesus Away From Members. WCG Never Published a Bible Story Book Based on the New Testament: February 12, 2009 I would like to add a comment to the letter about HWA tearing out pictures of Jesus from the Bible. Pride is Biggest Obstacle to Acknowledging How Bad it Was in WCG: February 19, 2009 Unfortunately, regarding Neil Earle's whitewashing of HWA, I'm afraid that happens way too often among even former members of the WCG. My parents and I have been out of the WCG for over 30 years and I've concluded that there is a family dispute regarding the WCG that will never be resolved between my parents and their children. Reply: You are so right. Statements such as these hinder, rather than help, those who need to have their experience validated. It is far better for parents to admit the damage that was done. Ron Weinland Makes Pure Profit Selling Home Members Built Him: February 22, 2009 I don't know if you're aware of what Ron Weinland did to the people at the Erie, PA congregation. From what I found out, the members built him a nice home (he got it for free). When housing prices went up, RW sold the home and made pure profit from it. (Just think--even if he sold it for only $100,000, that whole $100K went into his pocket and not the COG-PKG's). The members were very upset over this, and complained to their HQ's. This is why he got transferred to Toledo. --Informed WCG Experience Turned Many Into Atheists: April 19, 2009 I was talking with a WCG exiter recently who relayed to me that they always found it disturbing to hear how the WCG experience turned so many into atheists. I agreed, but told them that "the other side of the coin" is: were these people truly a Christian in the first place? How can someone become an atheist that ever knew the true God and Savior? Even though their experience no doubt ended up causing them much confusion and doubt, doesn't Christ promise that they will always be keep safe in His hands? (John 10:28 "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.") Simply going through the actions and prescribed rituals (holy days, Passover, etc.) doesn't make anyone a real Christian. There has to be that closeness with Christ that comes through the Holy Spirit. That's one of the reasons why it's plain that HWA taught a false gospel which led to false concepts about the true God and Savior. He tried to take the relationship with Christ out of the lives of the members, and place himself and his "government" in a position of upmost importance in the mind of the believer. I believe that's why he (and other cultic organizations) teach that the Trinity is false. If you have come to know Christ through the Holy Spirit, and have a close relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit (having the "veil" lifted from your eyes so to speak), you don't need any man to interpret the Scriptures for you, and tell you what you should and shouldn't do. --Impacted by loved one in an HWA offshoot Read: The Spiritual Casualties (and related links at end) Worldwide Church of God Changes to New Name: April 21, 2009 I see the old WCG finally found a name that wasn't already taken by somebody else. (Grace Communion International.) A skunk by any other name still stinks. --Former member of WCG and PCG Read: Worldwide Church of God Changed Their Name Husband Falls for Restored Church of God Lies: April 21, 2009 Feelings of Agony, Guilt and Rejection of God Due to WCG: April 25, 2009 Felt a Weight Lifted From My Shoulders: (2nd email from person above) April 25, 2009 I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing me back. You have made my day and probably a good chunk of my life. I feel a weight already being lifted from my shoulders because I am not alone. I have asked God to further bless you and your ministry and thanked Him for showing me your web site. It's funny, but the thought came to me today to look for support from ex-WCG members. I will sleep so much better tonight. I will probably sleep better for the rest of my life. I'd hug you if I could. David C. Pack After Tithe Money: April 27, 2009 Leaders in certain splinter groups know there are people hung up on there being "one true church." Someone told me that David Pack likes to draw in people who have been sitting out for a long time because he knows they've been saving their tithes. That's so sick. --Former member of WCG and PCG Your Site Has Explained So Much and Has Freed Me: May 8, 2009 It's so amazing that even though people move on from the WCG and take on different ideologies, they still retain the conditioning, and it's still really all there as part of their personality! I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for entering into my life, and I'm so grateful that He led me to your site, because it has explained so much and it has freed me immensely!!! I can't overstate that enough!! ESN Only Website That Reaches Out So Well: May 9, 2009 It's quite satisfying to see former WCG and offshoot members state that the ESN website has helped them so much. It is the only one I know of that reaches out so well to those who come into contact with it. HWA Never Let On That Christians Go to Petra All the Time: My children's music teacher is going to visit Petra. It's all so ironic, isn't it? I sacrificed for years in the WCG, thinking I would one day go to Petra (the "place of safety"), and now know I will never go there. And here she is, going with a church group to the place I thought I was going to be living for 3-1/2 years during the Great Tribulation. Funny how we gave all our money to HWA, all the while dreaming about making it to Petra. Had we saved our money, we could have gone at any time! HWA never let on that regular, everyday Christians go over there all the time. For some reason, I thought that Christians were never aware of Petra, that we, only, had been given permission by God to inhabit this site. I guess my ignorance was HWA's meal ticket. --Ex-WCG member A Scripture Not Taught in WCG: May 31, 2009 On this day of Pentecost, I would like to point out a Scripture that I cannot remember ever being taught in the WCG or the PCG (spoken by Jesus Christ): Never did we give the same honor to Jesus that we gave to the Father. Never did we believe that we would not come into condemnation, unless we jumped through the right hoops at the proper time. Jesus was only really talked about around Passover, and even then the context was mostly Old Testament. Jesus as future King was pictured as cruel and harsh. His name was spoken as the right way to end a prayer. We never prayed to Him. Read: What was Missing? (while written after exiting WCG, it also applies to controlling offshoots such as Restored Church of God, The Church of God-PKG, etc.) Armstrongism is Not of God: June 7, 2009 Thank you for your excellent website. It has helped me to understand the utter moral and doctrinal bankruptcy of Armstrongism. Thank you. You are doing a good work. Keep it up! The two men in the article show little understanding of the bodily resurrection, but nevertheless it does show that HWA knew that Christians knew about the bodily resurrection. Let me once again express my thanks to you for exposing the truth that Armstrongism is not of God. I really needed to hear that. --Impacted by Armstrongism [name withheld] Deceptions of Herbert Armstrong: June 8, 2009 [Referring to previous letter] It is very exciting when people come to understand the deceptions of Herbert Armstrong--that much of what he didn't say is as important (if not more important) than the things he did say. He was certainly the master of omission. He could make us believe that Christianity was completely ignorant of the Bible (and he knew how to fan the flames of suspicion and mistrust). Of course, if you read between the lines, what he was saying in actuality was, "Blame your church for your ignorance." We didn't know enough to refute him (and he knew it). HWA was a master of illusion. He could make it seem he was giving both sides of an argument, when in fact, he would omit pertinent information that could easily disprove his beliefs. It was quite an eye-opener for me when we were able to obtain the very publications he quoted from, just to discover his misrepresentations of what was actually said. And to see him do this--time after time, without any conscience--was impossible to excuse. So much was kept from us, both orthodox and unorthodox doctrines. HWA certainly didn't want us to get wise to the similarities of the doctrines of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, and others that were around long before HWA received his "truth." --Kelly Marshall, author of Mystery of the Ages (a critical review) and other articles on ESN site. Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web Book a Real Eye-Opener June 11, 2009 I have just finished reading the whole of Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web by David Robinson. I thank you wholeheartedly for sending me it in the file forms. The book was a real eye-opener. It would have been wonderful had I got my hands on that book when I first became involved with WCG. (In case anyone you have sent this book to on file mentions that they found the format difficult to read, I would say to tell the person to click on "format," then go into "columns" then click on "single column" then "okay"; that way one gets the correct layout/format. At least that worked for me.) My wife and I--indeed almost if not all our friends who had been members of WCG--had come into personal contact with people like Gerald Waterhouse and HWA. We had contact with people like Stanley Rader if only by satellite telecasting and his writings. Actually, I hadn't long joined WCG when I first heard Rader speak and I was impressed with him as I was impressed with his book, Against the Gates of Hell. I can remember him saying in a Feast of Tabernacles telecast, that he did not love his enemies. "I do not hate them," he went on to say, "but I do not love them." He was referring to those who denigrated him. I can also remember him saying how much he loved Herbert Armstrong and, as we say in Scotland, "bummed him up" (meaning, "praised him to the skies"). It was either during my first Feast of Tabernacle attendance or my second that we had all been given a free copy of Against the Gates of Hell. As I was a young aspiring writer at the time, I rather enjoyed the book. It appealed to my own intellectual leanings at that time. It would all have been a different story had I also been given a copy of David Robinson's book! Over here in Britain, we were kept ignorant of those things that were tearing WCG apart. People I knew who had worked in the printing at Bricket Wood, prior to returning to Scotland, told me of behaviour there that shocked me. I was told that there were plenty of people who worked in the printing who weren't converted--converted meaning members of WCG; that was one and the same thing in my neophyte frame of mind. I wondered why they were allowed to work there. But as we were reading so much in WCG publications, fed to us from the United States, stating that HWA had things back on the track, I wasn't too bothered. I can even remember a picture of HWA inside a cartoon of a train engine, I think wearing a driver's hat (drawn in), with a caption showing how he had the church back on the track. Actually, a thing I hadn't noticed until the "changes" in WCG was how all members used the term "church" to refer only to WCG and no other. Soon after the changes, when we were allowed to think more for ourselves, I personally started to use the term "Worldwide" when referring to WCG, to make clear that I no longer saw it as God's only church. But old habits die hard and I often slipped into the term "church." I notice Worldwiders still use the term "church" applying to themselves alone. Even some exiters still do--force of habit! I can remember Gerald Waterhouse. I was afraid of some of the thoughts I used to have about him. I thought I was being critical of a messenger of God. This was in spite of how just prior to or during the "changes" it struck me that there are only two kinds of criticism--viz., false (therefore unfair) and true (therefore fair) criticism. If Waterhouse or Herbert Armstrong were above criticism, I realized, it meant that they were infallible. If they were infallible, then they were on a par with God which I knew to be ridiculous in the extreme. Thank you again. Your work is a blessing. --Former WCG member in Britain [name withheld] Abuses Suffered in United Church of God: June 30, 2009 My sisters and I were the third generation in our family, on both sides, to attend WCG, so the control goes way back. Ministers at Worldwide prevented my grandparents from seeking medical treatment of their newborn baby in the 1960's, and an uncle on my father's side had been prevented from seeing us because he felt the WCG was at fault for the baby's death. After the WCG changes, my family joined United Church of God. But when I was about five, my father stopped going to services, staying home with my little sister instead. The ministers blamed my mother for his absence. Later when they divorced, it was again her fault that she couldn't keep him. With no husband, my mother could no longer be the stay-at-home mom that she once was. The UCG ministers oversaw every job application she sent in. At times they even prevented her from having well-paying jobs. Finally, she found a job at a hospital under multiple bosses who also attended UCG. Her job made any piece work conversation public knowledge at services. The small amount of money she gained from her job mostly went for tithing. I remember nights where a single box of macaroni and cheese was dinner for four. Around this time, I broke my back in an accident that UCG claimed was my fault. The ministers suggested that I did not need medical help--not even the back brace. For two months they pestered me daily to be anointed, but offered little information as to what that entailed. After bringing me to tears one day, my mother finally told them to leave and that I did not require their services. With this final statement, ministers and brethren alike gave us the cold-shoulder when we went to services. I fully believe that God intervened at this time to bring us out of there. Various car and health problems prevented our departure on Saturdays. When we finally left UCG, family members--including both sets of grand parents--had to sneak around the UCG to see us. Mother lost her job at the hospital, but finally got one elsewhere. I still believe in God, but since have come enjoy His actual teachings. Thank you, --Child survivor Living Hope Ministries Still Practice and Hold on to Cult-like Ideas: July 2, 2009 A few years ago I met this guy at my church. Come to find out he learned that I was once in a cult called the Worldwide Church of God, and they were trying to whitewash themselves to mainstream Christianity, to make themselves more palatable. I was telling him one way is by putting out this video, Called To Be Free, by Living Hope Ministries. My new friend Jim piped up, "Not Living Hope Ministries?" I asked Jim, "Why did you say it like that!" Jim went on to tell me that he was a reverend of a small Christian church in Utah before he moved to Florida. He said that Living Hope Ministry approached him to buy his church property and take over his congregation. He refused and finally found a true Christian pastor to take over the congregation. I asked Jim why he did not sell to Living Hope. Jim informed me that the leaders of Living Hope left the Mormon church but they still practice some cult-like ideas and still hold on to a few Mormon ideas. So the way I see it is , you have one misguided group producing a movie for another misguided group trying to brainwash the world that everything is fine. How messed up is that? --A. W. Christian Rock Band Rescinds and Says They Do Not Recommend WCG: August 24, 2009 I wanted to let you know about something exciting. The leader (I will call him "R") of a contemporary Christian band [name removed] had written a nice article about the WCG and their video Called to be Free. My teenage son saw this and emailed "R" and explained why he felt that the WCG was not as repentant as they appeared to be (he also went over many of your articles on WCG). After much correspondence with him, "R" also asked a counter-cult apologetic expert [name removed]. This apologetic expert gave "R" a detailed response with problem areas the organization still needs to work on and told him that a fair amount of false teaching still exists fairly unchecked, especially at the local level, and we should not send new believers to the church. "R" has rescinded his recommendations about the WCG and now states that his band is "not recommending the Worldwide Church of God as a good church to attend at this time." I am so relieved. I am going to write to "R" and thank him for investigating this and being open-minded. I've met the guy five times (my kids love his concerts), and he's really nice. In fact, my kids were saved at his concerts. I had told my son that all we could do was provide the information and pray that the Lord lead him in the right direction. I'm so grateful He did! --Exiter of WCG [name removed] Update: Read letter below: Met Christian Rock Band Leader that Rescinded on WCG Members Do Not Resist What WCG Headquarters Tells Them: August 25, 2009 I still think it's amazing that the mainstream Christians believe that Tkach & Co. are trying to "change the church" but that they lay members are resisting. Joseph W. Tkach Jr. had over 10 years to make the appropriate changes, and yet we still see the HQ's personnel still not coming clean with HWA! JWT Jr. has always been in charge. Isn't it his "Christian duty" to see to it that the lay members have adequate and accurate information about HWA? How can this be the lay members fault? I've seen Neal Earle's online articles and about his calling HWA a "Christian CEO" and a "defender of orthodoxy." [Note: Read ESN article: Neil Earle Whitewashes Herbert Armstrong] This doesn't even begin to mention Mike Feazell's avoidance of heaven and hell and basically holding the members to the belief of Universalism. These are not the lay members writing this stuff! They will only believe what they are told to believe! If JWT Jr. told them the moon was made out of green cheese, they would believe it. Members do not resist HQ's as Herbert Armstrong taught us to never rebel or question the government "no matter how wrong they are." I followed this belief clear to the end. But at least there are still discerning Christian ministries that can see how the WCG has sat on the fence for over a decade. Hank Hanegraaff is another person of very "questionable character." --Former member of WCG David Pack's Autobiography Shows an Egomaniac: August 29, 2009 I have had a look at Pack's Autobiography Vol. 1. ("The Authorized Biography of David C. Pack") From the size of it, including the considerable amount of pictures of himself and his achievements, he is trying to outdo HWA in that as well. It is a huge book, at least as big as a Bible, and that is just Vol. 1! The sheer size of it shows what an egomaniac he is. Pack (who is 61 years old this year) begins with lengthy details of his family and how they came to America very early in its history. It is like he is trying to prove some kind of royal bloodline. He also tries to prove that he was picked out by God for some kind of greatness. He makes a big point of how young he was when "called" (17) and how many years of "intensive" training he had. The impression is that he is even better prepared than HWA was. The Preface points out that Pack was "personally trained by Mr. Armstrong during the last 15 years of his life" and because of this "unusual training" and "unique training" God was able to use him to restore HWA's doctrines ("God's final Work"). I noticed how many times he liked to use the word, extraordinary; i. e.: "extraordinary life," "extraordinary insight," "extraordinary worldwide ministry," "extraordinary setback," "training of an extraordinary nature," "chosen for extraordinary and difficult responsibility," "extraordinary blessing," "extraordinary knowledge," etc. It is supposed to have taken him several years to decide to write this autobiography because "he did not want to focus on himself." Vol. 1 ends in the 1990's after filling a mind-boggling 608 pages! --Impacted by Armstrongism Found Your Site Incredibly Helpful: September 7, 2009 Hello, WCG Guilty of Sensitivity Training: September 8, 2009 I believe the WCG is guilty of sensitivity training, especially when they made their new changes. Below is an excerpt from "Sensitivity Training - New Age Psychology in the Church" by M. H. Reynolds: "How to Spot Sensitivity Training Sessions: ... The following methods are given only because they are perhaps the most frequently used and readily observable procedures:
1. One or more people in the group, known technically as trainers, or change agents, or facilitators, will give the impression that they are merely stimulating free expression or openness, but will actually by manipulating the group, without their knowledge, if possible.
2. Most sensitivity training sessions stress agreement upon certain ground rules, which actually become the first foundation of sensitivity training, since individuals hesitate to break rules which they themselves agreed to at the outset. Such rules may simply be agreeing to stay until the session is ended; agreeing to be open and honest in all conversations; agreeing not to talk during non-verbal exercises; and in some cases, the rules go so far as to agree not to object to language normally thought objectionable in the group.
3. You will probably be asked to speak of or write out your greatest problems or faults or hang-ups so the group can make suggestions as to how you can overcome these things. You, in turn, may be encouraged to criticize others in the group if you feel they are not fully open or honest in confessing their faults.
4. Non-verbal exercises may be used where individuals are asked to convey their feelings by some means other than words. This may involve the use of the eyes, facial expression, or body movement, including touching each other's hands, faces, or bodies in an effort to communicate feeling.
5. Periods of silence and meditation with eyes either closed or open are frequently used when the discussions seem to be developing in the wrong way or when the trainer desires to make an abrupt change in the procedures.
6. Marathon sessions are frequently used to break down "inhibitions" and encourage participants to express "their true feelings" under the stress of physical fatigue and lack of sleep.
The history of sensitivity training in the churches: The National Council of Churches has been deeply involved in sensitivity training programs almost from the very beginning. ... The World Council of Churches is also deeply involved in, and has been a showcase for, sensitivity training. ... Many liberal religious leaders have become experts in the field of sensitivity training, and are busily engaged in training others to become change agents in the church and in society."
--Exiter Comment: Also read letter: WCG Getting Others to Buy Into the Changes. "Change-agent for Christ" is another term that has been used and is New Age terminology.
September 9, 2009 Tonight the History Channel is showing a program called "The Nostradamus Effect." The show will be the first of several episodes. They will be comparing views of end time prophecies from many cultures and sources including the modern Bible interpretations. Each episode will be shown several times. Dave Pack Now Saying He is the Joshua of Zechariah 3: September 24, 2009 This [interview with Pack on the History Channel] will probably be made available on his web site. He looks for any reason to toot his own horn. Spared From Living Church of God After Finding ESN Site: September 28, 2009 My husband first wrote an e-mail to LCG, asking if they had a church in our town, and when and where it was so we could join them in a worship service. He was then asked to sign up for a Bible study through using a link online. He agreed, asking again where they met. For this, I cannot thank you all enough. Every letter writer, every one who shared their experiences, every one who gave information on mind control: Bless you! Not only is he not joining, he is never going back!! PRAISE GOD! I also called the [name removed] where they were meeting and gave them your website, just so they would be aware of who this group was. He was not told where they were meeting until after he completed this Bible study online. That was the first sign. Also, he was told that others might have a problem with this religion because "God would harden their hearts." It was like they were readying him for the reaction he was sure to get from the world around him. Also, he mentioned to me some responses he got when talking to these people, and it sounded scripted, like they were taught how to answer such questions. I just can't believe all the hate, all the pointing to what's wrong with everything, all of the making people question everything. LCG Services Were Held in Funeral Home: September 29, 2009 We attended services at the LCG once. I didn't like it, and I don't think my husband did either. There was something "dark" and "foreboding" about it. If that wasn't bad enough, services were held in a funeral home. --Not a member LCG and WCG Are Predator Churches: September 30, 2009 I just want to make a comment about the previous letter you received [9-29-09] from one of your viewers. I'm glad to read that she and her husband only attended one LCG service and did not get involved with them. Although I was never part of the LCG or Worldwide, I've known people who got caught up in that mess and had their lives and finances ruined by them. I've read horror stories on yours, and other sites, about these predator churches. Those Who Have Been Caught Up in the Churches of God Movement: October 4, 2009 Hello, Church of God International Teachings Did Not Add Up: October 4, 2009 I got caught up in the Church of God International around 1999. I knew very little about them or their founder Garner Ted Armstrong. GTA had been fired by CGI by the time I joined, but they still offered his books and sermon tapes for a short time after he left. I was around 28 nor 29 years old when I joined and I only had a basic understanding of the Bible so it was easy for me to fall for some of this false doctrine of the so called "true church" and the holy days. We Had to Call Ministers "Mister." October 9, 2009 I was reminded of something that I came to realize after leaving the PCG. It had to do with their absolute requirement to address all ministers as "Mister." This is such a strong requirement that I would actually say it's a doctrine, or at least close to a doctrine. The WCG and all of the offshoots that I know of require calling a Minister named John Smith "Mr. Smith," or "Mr. John Smith," as an example. Now interestingly, if you look up the word "Mister" in just about any dictionary you'll see that the derivative of the word is "Master." Now there's nothing wrong with addressing a gentleman with "Mister" before his name out of respect, but for a church to require this address or title is a different story. --Former member of WCG and PCG Comment: In some ways, members are admitting inferiority to these ministers if they call them "Mister." Many mainstream Christians prefer the word "brother" instead. Calling Ministers Mister: October 9, 2009 I just wanted add a comment about the previous letter on calling ministers Mister. One Set of Rules For Leaders; Another for Members: October 9, 2009 Calling Ministers "Mister" Much More than a Token of Respect: October 10, 2009 I have come to realize that the required practice of calling the ministers, "Mister," is much more than just a token of respect. The ministers on their part feel perfectly free to call all the members by their first names, with the exception of the short time the men spend in Spokesman Club ( which is a joke and another subject). The result of this familiar name calling is to demean all of the members to the level of little children. In fact, we had to be willing to obey any command given without question, much as we were supposed to teach the same to our children. Nothing had to be explained. No minister was to be questioned as to reason or motive. The old saying is familiar to every ex-member: "If a minister tells you to jump, on the way up you ask, 'How high?''" Comment: It is true that cults reduce their members to children. It served to keep us humble and obedient to the "government," but we also didn't mature. Deacons to be Called Mister: October 11, 2009 Not only are ministers to be called "Mister" but also deacons. This is a fact in the PCG. I am not sure about the other splinter groups. UCG Minister at Feast Implies Members Should Give All: October 13, 2009 I was surprised at what I heard in the Last Great Day Sermon when I attended the feast in Wisconsin Dells. It was given by Michael Hanisko (UCG minister) and called: "The Duty is Ours, the Results are God's." I researched Robert Morris on Wikipedia, and what was said in the sermon is not true about Robert Morris's life story. Yes, he did give up money (over $10,000) to help George Washington and many others during the Revolutionary war, but he lived many years after 1776 working for our country and helping our country gain its first bank, etc., and his wife was wealthy. But Morris lost his "fortune" many years after the war in bad land investments, which had nothing to do with giving it up for the cause, and he did not give up his entire fortune! His wife was able to help him, as well as Washington himself. Morris was sent to Debtor's Prison by somebody to whom he owed money from these failed investments. Although he never regained his wealth, his wife took care of him after his discharge from prison. She was alive when he was released from prison, and she took care of him for the rest of his years. If she was alive, then I will safely assume that his children weren't lost! And what Morris gave to the war effort was really nothing compared to what Haym Salomon gave. Salomon gave over $200,000 (which is $3.5 million in today's dollars). Since my figures for Salomon are true, then Hanisko is wrong in stating that Morris gave around $2 million dollars, which conflicts with the amount that Wikipedia stated, even in today's dollars. Quite an exaggeration! Morris himself said he broke even with all the merchant ships he gained and lost during the war. It was Haym Salomon that died virtually penniless, not Robert Morris. And Salomon was not sent to debtor's prison as Morris was. Salomon held over $353,000 in worthless Continental currency and certificates. He and Morris worked together to keep the USA financially afloat during the War. I wonder why Hanisko never said anything about Salomon (a Jew)? Maybe because he wasn't a "signer of the Declaration of Independence." He was acknowledged by the U.S. Postal system as the "financial hero of the American Revolution." There is no way Hanisko could have just "mixed up Morris and Salomon." That in itself would show more poor research. It is a shame what an organization can do to so many people and for the most part get away with it! --In UCG in Wisconsin (but planning on exiting) Comment: The whole point of this letter was to show how UCG is coercing its members into giving (the same as WCG did). This was especially done to members on the Last Great Day before the final offering was taken up. It also shows how members don't usually do their own research but just take their minister's word for it. UCG's Agenda to Line Their Pockets With Money: October 14, 2009 This UCG minister who spoke at the Dells cannot plead "confusing Salomon with Morris" because in his sermon he was speaking about the men that signed the Declaration of Independence and Salomon didn't sign it. Yes, these men sacrificed for a noble cause, but that was the history behind the founding of our country. It cannot be compared to the UCG's agenda for lining their pockets with members' money. --Anonymous Met Christian Rock Band Leader That Rescinded on WCG: November 11, 2009 I wrote you on August 24 about "R", the leader of a contemporary Christian band [name removed] that rescinded on WCG after my teenage son emailed him. [See letter above: Christian Rock Band Rescinds and Says They Do Not Recommend WCG] Comment: To understand the real reasons behind the WCG changes go to our section: Research Info on Worldwide Church of God. David C. Pack Does Not Make Strong Impression on the History Channel: November 11, 2009 Dave Pack's Contribution on the History Channel Was Minimal: November 13, 2009 I watched the History Channel on Nov. 11. Pack had two very short appearances. He said demonic possession is real, and then they talked about how we should expect to see the arrival of two monsters brought here by Satan to lead people to Satan. David Pack Makes Bland Addition on History Channel: November 13, 2009 I saw David Pack on the show and thought he made a rather bland addition to the so-called "experts" on a rather bland episode of a tired series. I think the whole series could have been wrapped up after two, maybe three, episodes. They are now just a rehash of the same material week after week and are, along with the whole 2012 genre, becoming quite stale. Dave Pack Had No Real Content on History Channel: November 13, 2009 Dave Pack was innocuous, totally a non-event. He sounded authoritarian and looked the part in his dark suit with white shirt and red tie. They probably used his statements 5 or 6 times, but they were brief one or two sentence statement edits. He had no real content. And nothing he said was contradictory to what any of the others' views on the program might have been. If he makes anything large of this to his followers, it will be his own personal inflation and a total falsehood. --Exiter; impacted by PCG False Prophet on the History Channel Looked Like Flurry: (2nd email from person who wrote November 11 letter above) November 14, 2009 The False Prophet they portrayed on the Nostradamus series was the one from Revelation, and they showed a man who looked a lot like Flurry. They even showed him calling down fire. Anybody that saw the show and knows what Flurry looks like will understand what I meant. --Exiter of PCG; impacted by RCG Do You Have Info on House of Yahweh? November 17, 2009 My dad emails me periodically with how I better ship out and join his House of Yahweh group or I'm doomed, and then he quotes scriptures about how people despised the prophets, mocked the truth etc. The members seem to be proud of the persecution they are receiving from the media. --Inquirer Collection Taken on Holy Days Isn't Biblical: December 1, 2009 A point that helped me from ever coming into WCG was made in a tract by Church of God (7th Day) that I read back around 1970. That point I've never forgot. That collection they took up on their Holy Days isn't Biblical. I looked into the meaning of the phase "Offering made by fire." There's over 60 references to it to get a grasp of its meaning. In English it is oblivious, even more so in Hebrew. Leviticus 23 "offering by fire" are sacrifices, not done on the 1st and last day, but on all 7-8 days of Unleavened Bread and Feast of Tabernacles. The offerings were public, not private offerings. H801: burnt-offering, offering made by fire, fire offering. Restored Church of God is Beginning to Tighten Control: December 21, 2009 While I have no idea how many members are in the Restored Church of God (RCG), I do know they are picking up numbers from those leaving the PCG as well as new people who learned of them from ads or on the internet. HWA Twisted Members' Minds About Christmas: December 21, 2009 For the past couple of Sundays, I've been listening to the 4th grade Sunday School teacher telling the kids about Christmas (I'm a helper). She explained the whole Christmas story surrounding the birth of Jesus using the beautiful pictures used as part of the Sunday school curriculum. Then she showed a picture of the wise men giving gifts to Jesus as a young child. She distinctly pointed out in the picture that Jesus was a toddler, and not a baby, and how Mary and Joseph were living in a house. She clearly explained to them that Scripture showed that Jesus had to be around two years old at the time the wise men arrived. I remember how HWA used to make this a point of contention. I remember being told in the WCG how inaccurate the nativity scene was, which only "proved" how right HWA was. Now I see how HWA totally twisted his members' minds concerning Christmas. The manger scene with Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the shepherds and wise men are lumped together to tell a greater story: That all these things came together to point to Jesus as the Christ, and this is why we celebrate Christmas. The traditional church easily admits that December 25th was probably not Jesus' birthday. HWA made it sound like the church was trying to foist some kind of "big lie" on its members, when in fact, it's very open about this. What I have seen over the years is a thankfulness and joy that Jesus came to earth to save us! But HWA tried to make us think that somehow Christians were celebrating the Feast of Saturnalia--going out and getting drunk, and gorging themselves on food, overspending, etc. (Sounds like the Feast of Booths, which many times from the pulpit was referenced as "the Feast of Booze" since members were admonished to control their drinking). I was made to believe that these poor "deceived" Christians were unwittingly worshipping the sun-god during the Winter Solstice, or worshipping their Christmas trees. This is totally untrue and a false accusation that has no merit. The focus is totally on Jesus as a Savior and the humble story of how He came into the world. Anyway, I am realizing that the children in church are taught the truth about Jesus in detail, and the teachings are scripturally accurate. Just because I didn't know these things (or pay attention to them) didn't mean that the traditional church was "suppressing" this knowledge. I see that my ignorance of Scripture is what made me gullible to HWA's influence as he poisoned my mind with antagonistic arguments toward Christmas. I'm so glad I know better now. --Former member of WCG Comment: Also see: If what HWA taught was false, should we go back to observing "pagan" holidays? (Q&A) Could Write a Whole Book on My Experiences: December 23, 2009 How does one respond, especially to the person who had no bad experiences? I could write a whole book on my experiences and have avoided doing so for two reasons: (1) I might forget some of these; (2) I don't want to bring up the past. However, here are two: I drove 125 miles one way to services with my wife and three kids and never missed a service. Yet in a snow storm at church the minister cancelled services but didn't call me. I went all that way for nothing. Another case, I went for Passover, and the minister put me outside the building to stand guard. I did so, but wondered did I drive 125 miles for this? This minister was a real rotten one. --Name withheld You Have Some of the Best Articles I've Seen: December 23, 2009 I want to thank you for your website. It has some of the best articles I've seen and I even found it clearer than Rick Ross's website. I hope your website is maintained and more links direct to it. Thank you. -- Anonymous |