Letters regarding Living Church of God Shooting Spree
in Brookfield, Wisconsin, March 12, 2005
|
NOTICE: Living
Church of God is an offshoot of
Worldwide Church of God, founded
by Herbert W. Armstrong.
Roderick C. Meredith was formerly associate editor for the Plain
Truth magazine. (Search for
Plain Truth archives online the web to read some of his false
prophecy articles and others.)
Members of the Living Church of God now meet every Saturday at a new location in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Many of the members still have a problem with all of this, but they don't talk about it. This is what is known as the "don't talk rule" in spiritually abusive and controlling groups. (August 2006 update) Also see the following on our site: What Happens if I Join Rod Meredith's Living Church of God? Understanding Mind Control and Exploitive Groups March 13, 2005 Rod Meredith had some strange sermons when I was in Living Church of God and after his videos I would always comment with other members on how they all sounded the same. He was always so pride-filled, talking about how he was the Golden Glove Boxing Champion and how popular he was in high school. I know a man who attended high school with Meredith who said he (Meredith) was not anybody special or popular in school. He wanted to be called "Dr." Meredith. However, his first wife died of cancer (she did not go to a doctor due to the WCG's "no doctors rule"). I knew his son, Mike. He was pretty messed up by how his dad raised him. Meredith has major control issues. The power struggles with the ministers brought the demise of his first "church" Global Church of God. He started out teaching one man government. I know because one of my [relatives] was one of the original members of GCG [Global Church of God]. I do remember the collegiate government very well. Larry Salyer would not come on if Meredith was in total power and he came out with a government on "collegiate government" (rule by a board of elders). (Larry Salyer was our local minister for several years here and we got to know him well.) Then when Larry Salyer took over the GCG and put Meredith out for control issues, Meredith started teaching one man government. The answer that he gave people always depended on who he was talking to and such. From what I have heard, the LCG does not want its members associating with other WCG offshoot members like the United Church of God or the Philadelphia Church of God and now even family members who do not believe the same way. I was at a LCG Passover service once and a man there got chewed out right before Passover service while everyone was coming in--right in the entrance way--for visiting another splinter (it was a split of Victor Kubic's brother's church). These people lived about a hour and a half drive from services or better and they wanted to go somewhere closer. One of the LCG congregations had the most old run down unsafe places to meet in. The congregation was almost all widowed, older women, and the only bathroom was in a dimly lit basement. The hall had several steps to get into and the flooring had busted tiles with pieces all over the floor. This was brought up to Meredith, but they had a way of calculating the number of people and how much they were worth per person on what they were allowed to spend for rent of a hall. A local elder here found out the price Meredith paid for rent for his personal office space and left GCG for UCG. It seemed like it was all about the money and Meredith was always asking for it. He got used to the high life under Herbert Armstrong but never reached the money level of the high point at the Worldwide Church of God. We once asked if Meredith believed that HWA was the "end-time Elijah" and a man in LCG said "no," that Meredith did not believe that, and then this person went on to speculate maybe it was Meredith who was the "end-time Elijah." --Former LCG member (exited 2001) Comment: Read
What Happens if I Join Roderick
Meredith's Living Church of God? Be sure and read preceding letter: Info on Rod Meredith Eight Dead in Living Church of God Shooting Spree!! March 13, 2005
I guess you heard about
the March 12 shooting spree at the Living Church of God services in
Brookfield, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee). Eight people were
killed, including the shooter, Terry Ratzmann.
Dead are Randy Gregory (the pastor of
LCG) and his son, James.
Gregory's wife, Marjean,
was wounded. At this point no
knows what set the shooter off. This is terrible! Maybe now someone
will wake up!! --Canada Roderick Meredith Needs to Be Exposed: March 13, 2005
While I was on the computer last night, I saw the article just as
soon as it came up. They didn't know who anybody was but
reported that the people were in church services. That's when I
thought, "A rented hotel and Sabbath services. I bet they are one
of the churches of God." About 30 minutes later I checked
the news again, and they mentioned the Living Church of God. I
knew my hunch was right. That's when I emailed ESN. Then I
emailed CNN under "News Tips" and told them that the Living Church
of God was not an evangelical denomination, but a "cult,"
and that
Roderick Meredith broke away
from the WCG. I even wanted to call the police department in
Wisconsin and tell them about Meredith. I could hardly sleep last
night. I want Meredith to be exposed and to get enough people
looking at the news to prevent them from going into this awful
group! --Former WCG member
Surprised This Hasn't Happened Before: March 14, 2005 Wow! I just read the article on the shootings. How awful! I'm surprised this hasn't happened before this. --Former WCG member WCG Minister said he Never Heard of a Shooting in a Church Before: March 14, 2005
Seeing as Terry Ratzmann
targeted the minister, his wife and
son sounds like a pretty good indicator he was about to be
dissed. Probably figured he'd take others with him into
oblivion.
The strange thing here is that,
about 10 years ago, I tried to warn WCG that there was a greater
likelihood of this sort of thing happening, and that precautions
should be taken. I was met with "we never heard of a shooting in
a church before" from Mears.
I'll bet they've heard of them now.
--Former WCG member
Geraldo Rivera Twisted the Story: March 14, 2005 Reporters twist and slant to what they want to. I heard the interview on Geraldo yesterday. It was not good. It put LCG into same category as Military / Patriot type groups and muddied the water even further. --Former WCG member My Gut Feeling About Ratzmann: March 14, 2005 I was talking to a friend about Geraldo's comment about Rod Meredith saying things about Ratzmann on a tape, and I thought that sounded suspicious. I imagine that it was the local minister who said something about him (probably said something that was directed at Ratzmann, even though the other members didn't catch it.) I had that happen to me once. I told the minister that my friend and I had read a book at the Christian bookstore once (it was Walter Martin's earlier edition of The Kingdom of the Cults) and I saw the WCG listed in it. The next week, our minister got up and gave a sermon about having "itching ears" and going around looking for stuff against the church! I was so new in the church and I was embarrassed because I knew he was talking about me in an indirect way. I don't think Ratzmann went in there and did what he did because he was "depressed." I think he and the minister had some kind of run in and the minister said something that may have embarrassed him. I just don't see Meredith taking the trouble to deal on tape, with the "lowlife sheeple." HWA never bothered, and Meredith is just too important. I think that Ratzmann must have thought he was going to be disfellowshipped and killed the minister before it could be announced (that's my gut feeling). I'm wondering if Ratzmann asked for third tithe assistance since he knew he was losing his job? Maybe the comment on the tape was, "Third tithe assistance isn't an unemployment fund." I've heard ministers say things like that. Maybe Ratzmann felt that all those years he had tithed, and now he asked for some help and was refused. We need to speak out against these evil men. That Ratzmann fellow "seemed" to be a bright, decent young man. For him to get up in a huff like that shows me that he was "challenging the system." No doubt either he called the minister, or vice versa, after that sermon. I am certain he was reprimanded for his "attitude." I think people don't realize how trapped members truly are. --Former WCG member Comment: Anytime a member of these groups goes against "the government of God" (i. e., the leader), they can be labeled "demon possessed," "mentally unbalanced," "evil," etc. The story: What Motivated Terry Ratzmann's Shooting Spree in the LCOG?, succinctly brings out how "they [the police] are not likely to find the answer in one sermon. The answer will likely be found in all of the sermons, all of the doom and gloom predictions, and all of the heavy burdens found in the Living Church of God." Living Church of God is Apocalyptic Like David Koresh: March 14, 2005
Where did CNN ever get the idea the
LCG was Evangelical??
Amazing how WWCG under HWA was a cult and now they are
Evangelical?? My how the times have changed. I sincerely pray
that the truth is uncovered about this. Unfortunately it seems
the media doesn't like the whole truth. I didn't see much
about it on CNN or Fox News.
I hope they mention the fact that this organization is
apocalyptic just like David Koresh and how fear is instilled
into the members. My prayers are with those who have been
affected by this. I know they are a cult, but I feel so bad
for them all. I hope something good comes out of this--maybe
realizing that this is what happens when you have that
Armstrong garbage doctrine in your head for over 30 years!!
--Former WCG member
Comment: When WACO was in the news, it started some who were in the Worldwide Church of God to start wondering whether the WCG was also a "cult" and to see that they had taught some of the same doctrines as David Koresh did. Read:. The Branch Dividians (David Koresh) were an offshoot from the Millerites (Seventh-day Adventists), just as the WCG was. Who Will Write the Truth About LCG? March 14, 2005 Is anyone out there in TV land in the media going to write the truth about LCG? It amazes me that when a church is somewhat normal in doctrine and someone somewhere screws up, it is all over the airwaves. But when a cult posing as a church does this heinous act, nothing much is said! Where are all the cult busters when you need them? All those Christian ministries that care about true doctrine? I guess they are all hiding so as not to put the spotlight on themselves. Where is Hank Hanegraaff now, eh? What a shame the CAN (Cult Awareness Network) went down the tube. Shame on FOXnews. --Former WCG member Roderick Meredith Preaches End-time Prophecies: March 14, 2005 See this article on MSNBC which states LCG focuses on "end-time" prophecies. I quote:
The news article went on to state that Meredith:
--Impacted by loved one in Armstrong offshoot "No Motive" says CNN? March 14, 2005
What's with this "no motive" theory
reported by CNN?? I guess they don't
really want to find a motive! Terrible
to say, but you and I both know there
was a motive, and even more terrible is
that any one of us who had our minds
polluted with this doctrine of fear
could do this same horrible act if the
circumstances were right! That is quite
the sobering thought! Fear does wild
things to people. I'm sure right now
those in the churches of God (COG)
groups are even more messed up!
Keep
up all your good work! --Canada
Flurry to Use Shooting to His Advantage? March 14, 2005 I just shudder to think how
Flurry is going to "use this"
shooting to his advantage. --Former
WCG/PCG member Just Looking up Info on Shooting and Found Your Site: March 14, 2005 Wow! I just came across this site today! I was looking up info on the heartbreaking shooting at LCOG, curious to see if any of the members in that congregation were any of those who had left the Wisconsin WWCG congregation where we had attended for some time. I am a survivor of 22 years of WWCG, from age 5 to 27. We had our first child while in "The Church" and I thank God over and over that my two sons will not go through what so many other children have. Some members of my family now attend offshoots of WWCG. Recently, one relative was crying as she told my grandmother how saddened she was that my grandmother would not make it into the Kingdom. Fortunately, my grandmother is a strong survivor as well and loves each family member dearly, but finds it so hard that one of her children is in LCOG and another is in United. I never thought I would call myself a "survivor"--after all, wasn't I "privileged" to be chosen by God to be in "The church" rather than wandering hopelessly in "The world?" This site is so eye-opening and comforting! --Former member/child survivor of WCG in Wisconsin Another Wave of Cult Events like in 70's and 80's: March 14, 2005 It could be that we're getting ready to see another wave of "cult" events like what happened back in the '70s and '80s (Jonestown, Waco). With the churches of God stepping up the fear tactics, as they start losing money sources (members), it could get dangerous. --AnonymousFocus of LCG Sermon Two Weeks Ago / Trauma: March 14, 2005 According to one source the sermon two weeks ago in LCG focused on "how bad fortune befalls those who make ungodly choices." Sounds like more of HWA's diatribe: "If you don't obey, this is what will happen to you" and "choose to be blessed or choose to be cursed." I hope someone knew enough to make
sure that the survivors received
proper crisis intervention right away
(i.e.,
Critical Incident Stress Management).
Intrusive memories and nightmares
always follow that kind of severe
trauma. The tragedy is that LCG and
other cults will now use this to tell
their members "this is what happens to
those who give themselves over to
Satan"--thus creating even more fear.
--Anonymous Shocked That LCG Member Had Great Enthusiasm About the Shooting! March 14, 2005 This heartbreaking occurrence has been much in my mind. Yesterday, because I was sorrowing for those who were slain and those who remain behind, I suggested to my husband that we call a couple we know who are in LCG.
I
expected the people to be even
more heart broken than we
were because it was their
church. What a shock we got.
The
man did all the talking (didn't
even bring up the shooting until
I did). This is just one man,
but he was reporting what went
on after church when his
congregation found out about the
shooting.
With great enthusiasm, like he
was reporting some great truth
from God, he said they discussed
reasons why God caused/allowed
this to happen: the people
killed were so near perfect they
could be allowed to die (and
thus would miss the Great
Tribulation) and they would make
it into the kingdom because they
were so advanced in their walk
to perfection, or God caused
this to happen as a wake up call
to those in the church who were
becoming Laodicean. Another
thought was that they weren't
bad people, but God wanted to
send a stern warning to those
who were becoming Laodicean.
This thinking is skewed in many
ways. Just to name a few, the
concept in these people's minds
of what God is like is
scary. Those who died included
teenagers. Were they already so
advanced in their development
toward "perfection" that they
were used as a
sacrifice? Or were they
Laodicean and God became
impatient with these teens, so
zapped them? Was the minister a
Laodicean? How bizarre
this whole attitude is.
Just thought you would like to
see what some in LCG are
thinking. I was disgusted and
sickened with his comments; I
still keep shaking my
head. There was no sorrow
expressed. It was as if God did
it Himself, and no one can
question what occurred because
God willed it or allowed it.
Sincerely, --Former UCG member
How LCG Members Justify The Shootings in Their Mind: March 14, 2005
I was wondering how the
LCG members would try to
justify this in their minds.
I know when I was in the WCG,
I thought we had "special
protection" from God because
we were his chosen. If we were
obedient and pleased Him, He
would send His angels to
protect us from any kind of
harm. We thought He would
protect us all the way to the
place of safety and keep
us from the cataclysmic
destruction of the Great
Tribulation. Now here,
you have someone (Terry
Ratzmann) that was a special,
"called" member who clearly
disobeyed God by not only
killing, but killing a
minister no less--an ordained
"priest" of God. How can they
ever resolve that God didn't
protect them and that one of
the "chosen" committed the
crime?
I figured that maybe Ratzmann
thought if he killed the
minister before he was
disfellowshipped, he at least
would have "stood a chance" to
explain his side before
God. But if he was
disfellowshipped, then he
would be resurrected and
thrown into the Lake of Fire,
and have no chance at all to
plead his case before God. I
know this sounds weird, but
this is how I felt when
I left. I didn't want to
be disfellowshipped because I
thought maybe God would at
least have some mercy on me if
I decided to ever return. If I
was put out, then I knew I
faced certain death. How awful
our minds were twisted while
in that group!
Ratzmann may be been suspended
from services when he didn't
return during those two
weeks. I imagine that he was
probably going to get
disfellowshipped and that's
why he took matters into his
own hands. I hope we find out
more. --Former WCG
member
I Knew it Must be an Offshoot of WCG: March 15, 2005 I live in Milwaukee, only a
few miles from where the
shootings during the service
of the "Living
Church of God" took place.
As soon as the news broke and
details regarding the services
on Saturday aired, I knew that
it must have been an off-shoot
of the church I was born into,
the Worldwide Church of God. I
came across your site while
searching for more info on the
LCG. My experiences were
not as awful as so many, some
even positive. Luckily my
parents were loving and very
supportive as I was growing up
and not at all abusive. They
taught me to be strong and
independent. Much to their
dismay I chose to leave the
church in the early 1990's,
prior to the major changes
that occurred shortly
after. Eventually my parents
left too, and through much
healing we have gotten through
the worst of it. I found many
of the letters posted on your
site comforting, as I still
suffer spiritually. I spent
over 2 hours just reading the
support letters on your site.
Many things regarding religion
I just have not dealt with.
This saddens me as I feel like
I'm cheating my children
somehow. I have assimilated
into the real world and for
the most part live a "normal
life." Writing this letter
felt good. So Shameful What These Cults Do: March 15, 2005 The LCG shootings were very close to us. This is such a tragedy! I could feel something
odd about this right about
when I seen the newsflash
and instantly told my wife
"this sounds like a cult."
I looked up the name of the
church "Living Church of
God" and found that none
other than
Rod Meredith is
the head honcho over this
cult.
So shameful what these
cults can do. On the TV
news, a lady that attends
services said the pastor
directed a sermon at the
murderer and the "sins" in
his life a few weeks ago and
it apparently sent him into
a rage.
This is so sad and so
close to home.
Armstrongism is all over
their doctrine! --Formerly
involved with PCG
Living Church of God -- They're Lying Again to the Media: March 16, 2005
I thought I would let you
know that I live near
Charlotte, North Carolina,
where the headquarters for
the
Living Church of God
is located as well as
other splinter groups.
Last night on our local
news, a reporter
interviewed a Mr. Charles
Bryce of Charlotte,
NC (LCG church
administrator) and said
that he was on his way to
Wisconsin to provide
comfort and financial
support to those affected
by the shooting.
Since when did the leaders
of any of these cults
provide comfort and/or
financial assistance to
their members? I'm
sure it's more to inform
the members that they
aren't to be interviewed
by the media and if so he
will "inform" them of what
"really" happened last
Saturday in Wisconsin.
I was a member of the WCG
since I was a child in the
early 70's and finally
left on my own around
1995/96, so I know a
little bit about what I'm
talking about.
The reporter went on to
say that he was informed
that the actual sermon
that upset Terry Ratzmann
was actually given by
Charles Bryce and not by
Roderick Meredith.
He also said it was about
Christian values and not
prophecy as reported by
the news. He said
that the police chief had
a copy of it and I
wouldn't be shocked if
Meredith gave a copy of
one of Bryce's old sermons
that wasn't as titillating
as most of them are, or
one that has been doctored
up. If they can lie
about financial assistance
and comfort they can
certainly lie about whose
sermon Terry was upset
about and what the actual
content of the sermon was.
The reporter held up a DVD
and they showed a few
seconds of Charles Bryce
speaking in a sermon and
said that the sermon that
Terry heard was supposedly
this one.
I'm very saddened by these
events and I feel such
compassion for those who
had to witness this horror
as well as those who lost
their lives, but I think
part of the blame has to
be put on Meredith and his
ministers. --WCG child
survivor
How Flurry Will Use This Tragedy to His Advantage: March 16, 2005 I said earlier this
week that I shudder to
think what Flurry will do
with this shooting tragedy
at the LCG service in
Wisconsin. Here is
what I think he will
probably do to use this
tragedy to his advantage
in scaring his members to
follow him with more zeal
and commitment than ever: Good Things Will Come Out of This If Only One Person Doesn't Join: March 16, 2005 I think that some
good things will come
out of this. If nothing
else, there will be an
increase in public
awareness. If there is
one person that comes
out of an Armstrong
group because of this,
or just one person that
doesn't join, then some
good has come out of
this tragedy. --Impacted
by loved one in PCG
Shocked, but not Really Surprised: March 16, 2005 Dear ESN, A Good Interview Regarding LCG on Wisconsin Public Radio: March 17, 2005 There is a good interview (3-16-05) about the beliefs and psychological mindset of LCG (and other apocalyptic groups) on Radio Wisconsin (Ideas Network) at: http://www.wpr.org/webcasting/ideas_audioarchives.cfm?Code=dun The tape can be ordered by phoning 1-800-747-7444 and ask for 316D. The date was 3-16-05, 9:00 AM. --Former WCG member
Comment: The only
thing that is not
brought out is that
totalistic groups are
often led by a leader
whose goal is to control
and exploit the members
for financial gain. Beliefs Like Living Church of God Holds are Dangerous:
March 17, 2005 I
have been feeling like
the reporters have
dropped the ball and
that they are missing
the bigger picture
that these beliefs are
dangerous. Especially
how they manipulate
the members money wise
and how they scare
them with making them
so fearful. I am sure
they don't know that
Gerald Flurry
thinks he is "Jesus."
That is the next Waco
in the making.
The thought of GF or
RCM [Roderick C.
Meredith] taking these
friends of mine to
their "place
of safety" is very
creepy. Those
fear based sermons
made that man snap.
There is no excuse for
what he did but those
leaders have some of
that blood on their
hands because of their
doomsday sermons. I
was so shocked I
thought it was going
to turn out to be
PCG at first.
It is scary because
[some of my relatives]
are current members
there and they believe
RCM that it is the end
and they should stock
up and be ready for
spiritual battle.
It just sounds too
eerie like the days
leading up to the
Waco compound disaster.
--Formerly in LCG
ESN is Only One Really Trying to Help: March 18, 2005 ESN is the only one I know of that is really trying to help. I guess those still attending pretty much hate us who have left, huh? Really pretty sad. Jesus stood His ground as with the Pharisees and didn't mince words, but He does all in love and hope for their freedom from the religion that bound them to mistreat others. It's amazing to me how members can lash out thinking the way they do and hurt others. I wish they would "think" and realize that this isn't love. --Former WCG member
Comment: As a
former WCG member
expressed to us
recently, "The mindset
of those who retain
Armstrongism compels
them to strike out as
they do." Cults Move Into a Deeper Level of Dysfunction: March 18, 2005 People from the WCG think they are mainstream and don't think they need any help. I believe that cults (like any dysfunctional addiction) will move into a deeper level. They start out with a leader, who starts out having a vision, but isn't too crazy yet. As time goes on, the leader begins to become the central focus and begins to enforce more and more crazy ideas. The final stage before mass destruction is building the compound and to have totalistic control over the members. Gerald Flurry is definitely moving in this direction. It's not a question of "if"--it's a matter of "when"--they will spiral out of control and die. People who come out of these groups know how choking this situation is, and are glad to get out of it. The Ratzmann tragedy will pale in comparison to what's going to happen. --Former WCG member LCG Minister John Ogwyn Resorts to Untrue Statements: March 18, 2005 Following are untrue statements made by John Ogwyn [minister of the Living Church of God] as reported in the March 18, 2005, editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
You and I know the above public statements by Pastor Ogwyn are simply not the truth. He is refusing to take a stand for what he believes and preaches and is taking cover for treatment of members that could cause the church legal problems.
The local members are far more honest than the ministry. What an example!!! As we well know, members were constructively forbidden seeking professional help. If those churches are so afraid to honestly state their doctrines publicly at a time like this, how would they ever hold up under persecution? --Former WCG member Comment: Read 3-19-05 letter below from former LCG member which shows that John Ogwyn is twisting LCG teachings.
Update: John
Ogwyn died June 14,
2005.
Where in the "H" is
Meredith?!
Is it just me, or
has anybody else
been wondering
where in the "H"
Meredith has
been?!
I mean, if he were
really God's
Apostle, one would
think that he
would have been on
the
first flight out
to Wisconsin to
comfort his dear
parishioners. If
he really cared
about the sheep,
he would have been
the first one
there. It's been
almost a week
since the
shootings, and
nobody has heard a
peep out of him.
Doesn't anybody
else think this
strange??? I see
he learned well
from HWA and the
Receivership
[1979]. When
things go bad, let
your underlings
take care of it
and make yourself
scarce. --Former
WCG member
Comment:
The Milwaukee
Sentinel interview
with John Ogwyn
(above) said Rod
Meredith, was in
Milwaukee for
"some" of the
Ratzmann shooting
victims' funerals.
I Hope This
Tragedy Will Wake
Some People Up:
March 18, 2005
I
grew up in the WCG
in the 50's and
60's. I think your
site is wonderful.
The shooting in
Wisconsin got me
started looking
for things about
the "church" and I
happened across
your site as well
as others.
It is nice to know
others feel the
way I do.
It has taken me
years to get over
the "church" and I
still have trouble
with it from time
to time. I just
wish my parents
who are in the
LCG would see
the light. But I
highly doubt that
as they are in
their middle 80's
and have been in
for so very long.
It really brought
a fright to my
sister and me when
we heard of the
shootings in
Wisconsin as my
parents on
occasion go there
for services and
at first we were
not sure if they
were in Wisconsin
this last week end
and if that was
where they go when
they visit. Thank
God they were not
there and that is
not the place they
visit. What
a tragedy that was
at the Brookfield
Church, but I hope
it will wake some
people up. --Child
survivor of WCG
I Feel Rod
Meredith is a
Controlling
Monster:
March 18, 2005
I want these cults
exposed,
especially those
like LCG and
PCG. I have
heard sermons by
Rod Meredith when
I was a member of
Global [Meredith's
first group after
he left WCG]. And
also later when a
member of
UCG, my
husband I went to
a LCG feast site
and heard his
sermons there. I
feel he is a
controlling
monster. His
sermons are
disgusting and
filled with
threats. Even as a
member of Global I
disliked his
sermons and
disagreed with his
take on Scripture.
As I member of
UCG, I left his
sermons crying
because they were
so hateful.
--Former member of
GCG, LCG, & UCG.
Living Church of
God is Putting a
Different
Twist on Their
Teachings!
After reading
the interview by
LCG minister
John Ogwyn [see
3-18-05 letter
above], I
can see that LCG
is certainly
putting a
different twist
on their
teachings!
Comment:
Members in the
old WCG were to
date and marry
"only within the
church." This is
also true in the
LCG. Read:
The Sad Singles
Scene.
March 20, 2005
I saw a
negative
comment about
the Geraldo
Rivera show on
line where the
person in one
of the
splinters was
criticizing
how an
ex-WCGer could
speak and know
anything about
the LCG. Let's
see....maybe
because almost
all LCGer's
were formerly
WCGer's? --Former
WCG member
Comment:
Maybe also
because LCG's
teachings are
almost
identical to
the old WCG's
teachings
under
Herbert W.
Armstrong.
Rod Meredith
was an
evangelist in
the WCG,
exiting at the
time of the
changes and
started Global
Church of God.
For more info
on Meredith,
read:
What Happens
if I Join
It's a
Wonder This
Hasn't
Happened
Before:
March 21, 2005
After reading more about the shooter, Terry Ratzmann, the thought occurred to me that it's a wonder that anything like this hasn't happened before. I'm only surprised that it didn't happen in the PCG rather than the LCG. The PCG by far has the meanest and most abusive ministry out of all the splinter cults of the WCG. And it is filled with quite a few men similar to Terry Ratzmann: single, frustrated, and abused by the ministry. Many of these men have poor social skills and are emotionally unbalanced. They need help. I don't advocate psychiatry because I believe that it is itself an abusive industry. They too often prescribe dangerous psychotropic drugs, which only mask the symptoms, because it's big business. (See http://www.drugawareness.org) But there are so many Bible based therapists out there who can help people like Terry Ratzmann. Of course the ministry will not refer anyone to an outside counselor, as you know. In the PCG I knew three different men who were taken into another room after services and "dressed down" by two ministers like a Drill Sergeant dressing down a recruit at boot camp. The power hungry local minister complained to HQ that these men weren't respecting his authority and it was hindering his ability to bring unity to the congregation. It was of course nonsense. These men just weren't kissing his ass they way he expected everyone to do. He also didn't like me, but for some reason I didn't get the Drill Sergeant treatment. Anyway, Edmond, Oklahoma actually sent down another minister to assist the local minister with this "problem." They would take the "insubordinate" man into another room, make him sit in a chair while they positioned themselves on each side of him slightly in front. Then one at a time they would scream and yell at the top of their lungs and threaten him with suspension and disfellowshipment if they didn't "respect God's government" properly. One of the men indeed did get disfellowshipped because he didn't give the "proper answer." This particular man also had a heart condition and had to take nitro regularly. Halfway into the yelling match his heart started showing signs of an attack. He had to quickly pull a pill out of his pocket and take it. One of the ministers looked nervous when he saw this, the other one just kept right on screaming. Ironically, if you call it that, 2 out of these 3 men regularly carried guns with them. They always had a gun either in their briefcase or in their car at all times. (There is a conceal and carry permit law in this state.) They were not emotionally or mentally unbalanced though, so the ministers lived. But I bet they would sh** a brick if they knew now how close by a gun was while they were unmercifully abusing these guys. So you see why I say it is incredible that a shooting event hasn't occurred in the PCG. I wonder if they'll start being nicer to the unbalanced brethren now. Probably not. Perhaps some more will have to lose their lives because of an out of control Hitlerian ministry. One last thing, there was an incident up in Charlotte, North Carolina, when a man I didn't know had a handgun in his briefcase. It was discovered by an elder because the man left his briefcase behind and the elder opened it to see who it belonged to. The next week Flurry gave an announcement saying that bringing guns to church was prohibited. He said that you never know if someone who is upset at something he hears in a sermon will take a gun and start shooting. Is that ironic or what? --Former WCG/PCG member in Texas
My Experience
With Global
and Living
Church of
God Was a
Horrible One:
March 21, 2005 We walked
out of
sermons. In
fact,
another
fellow in
our group
was being
treated very
badly by
some of
those
deacons and
elders, so
during the
sermon, my
husband and
I were
outside
talking to
him and
trying to be
his friend.
Well, would
you believe,
the
following
week, there
was a whole
sermon on
all of us:
"how rude it
is to walk
out of a
sermon" and
on and on.
We were not
there, but
when I heard
what they
did, I was
so mad. How
rude of him,
this elder.
We never
went back.
If Terry did
not shoot
the ones he
did last
week, what
if the
sermon in
his church
this week
was about,
"It is rude
to walk out
of a sermon.
Don't you
know how
important I
am?" Poor
Terry. I was
so angry,
too, though
not that
angry. Those
men fight
with each
other often.
They
attacked my
husband. A
friend who
went there
was in a
shoving
match at
church one
day with an
elder. Those
men are
truly
downright
mean. Really
mean. I am
not
surprised
this
happened,
but I just
feel so bad
for Terry. I
know how it
feels to be
treated so
badly. I
never felt
that
church owned
me, I would
not endure
their
treatment. My
husband and
I do not
feel that
God is
chained to
the pulpit.
Anyone who
wants God
can find
him. I
just feel
that LCG
will get
away with
this--and
that makes
me angry.
That church
is a den of
vipers.
Literally,
though,
there were
some dear
folks in
there too.
But they are
convinced
that Rod
Meredith is
the
"anointed
one." I know
it sounds
crazy, but I
cannot help
but feel
that Terry
was a victim
too. I pray
that God
will have
mercy on
him, though.
God is fair,
and knows
the whole
story. I
don't know
all, but if
it is like I
think it is,
I hope God
has mercy on
Terry. I
don't think
he has
committed an
unpardonable
sin. News Sources Dropped the LCG Story Like a Hot Potato: March 21, 2005 It seems that since news sources have been notified of the LCG's cult status, they've dropped the story like the proverbial hot potato. I figured they would. It'll just disappear into obscurity until someone else in one of these Armstrong groups succumbs to the pressures of these high-pressure control organizations and has an emotional breakdown. Then the news crews will pop up and report on the damage, but they will do nothing to expose the source. I guess that pointing out that a religion isn't really a "religion" at all, but a controlling cult just isn't "politically correct." I don't
trust the
media. They
either
sensationalize
stories to
sell their
"air time"
(like the
shark
attacks a
few months
ago that
come to find
out were
statistically
no worse
than
previous
summers) or
just plain
lie.
Sometimes I
feel like
they're
jackals who
are there
when the
kill is
fresh
(pardon the
graphic
analogy),
but soon go
off to find
"fresh
meat." I
always take
their
reports with
a big grain
of salt.
What really
bugs me in
this
situation is
their lack
of resolve
to dig
deeper into
the
LCG and
what
prompted
Ratzmann to
do what he
did.
Literally
overnight,
the story
has just
disappeared.
--Impacted
by loved one
in PCG
LCG Members
Tell Truth,
but LCG
Leaders
Cover Up
that Truth:
March 22,
2005
Reply:
"Information
control"
was always
prevalent
in WCG.
For
instance,
at the
Feast of
Tabernacles,
when the
media
would come
around to
ask
questions,
members
had been
instructed
by the
leadership
not to
give out
any
information,
but
instead
tell them:
"The
ministers
will be
glad to
answer
your
questions."
Read:
How Did
Worldwide
Church of
God
Instruct
Ministers
to Deal
With
Health and
Medical
Problems?
(to see
how they
tried to
avoid
prosecution
in case
someone
died)
These
polices
are still
used by
some in
the
totalistic,
authoritative
WCG
offshoots.
March
22, 2005
Read:
How
can
intelligent
people
become
deceived?
(Q&A)
Rod
Meredith
Like a
Chameleon:
March
23,
2005
Did
you
see
what
that
person
wrote
in
Christianity
Today
about
Rod
Meredith
being
a
"quiet
and
gentle
soul"
and
would
never
hurt
anyone?
And
this
person
claims
to
have
been
in the
WCG
for 5
years. When
I was
in WCG
this
"quiet,
gentle
soul"
was
known
to
escort
"liberal
ministers"
by
force,
off of
the
stage
at
Pasadena." Witnesses
have
said
this
was
not
done
in a
"quiet or
gentle
manner."
When I
was in
LCG in
2001,
Meredith
was
like a
chameleon
and
could
change
at
will.
He was
very
slick
and I
witnessed
him
lie
whenever
it
served
his
purposes.
Although
Terry
Ratzmann
will
be
held
responsible
for
his
actions
by
God,
we
cannot
deny
that
his
life
would
have
been
completely
different
had he
not
been a
part
of
this
group. --Former
member
WCG,
LCG
Update:
Read
June
14,
2005
testimony,
Weary
of the
Whole
Mess,
that
confirms
Meredith
could
change
his
colors
suddenly
and
was
abusive.
A Link
to a
Very
Informative
Article
on the
LCG
Shooting:
March
28,
2005
I
thought
you
would
like
to see
this
very
informative
article
on
Terry
Ratzmann
and
the
LCG
shooting
written
by
Larry
J.
Chavez,
former
senior
hostage
negotiator
for
the
Sacramento
Police
Department.
It is
here:
http://www.archive.org/details/DeathCameToChurchOneDay
Comment:
Following
are
quotes
from
this
interesting
article
(including
those
submitted
by
LCG
members):
"...those
who
knew
Terry
Ratzmann
best
say
that
he
wanted,
more
than
anything,
to
have
a
normal
life.
To
Ratzmann,
this
meant
being
gainfully
employed
and
having
a
family
of
his
own.
...Frustrating
Ratzmann's
efforts
toward
a
normal
life
was
the
loss
of
his
job
at
Quest
Technologies
in
March
2002.
...
Another
source
of
pain
in
Ratzmann's
life,
according
to
witnesses,
was
that
he,
at
age
44,
was
without
a
mate...
'He
was
could
from
feast
site
to
feast
site
to
see
if
he
could
find
someone
interested
in
him'
(said
Chandra
Frazier
of
Milwaukee)
...
'Ratzmann's
failure
to
find
a
wife
or
girlfriend
caused
him
much
pain
in
recent
years'
(said
local
church
members
Mark
and
Natalie
Lorenz).
...
'The
Living
Church
of
God
is
not
the
kind
of
system
where
you
could
get
counseling
and
get
help..."
(quote
from
David
Patrick,
acquaintance
of
Ratzmann).
...
On
February
26,
in
the
last
church
service
that
Ratzmann
attended
prior
to
the
shooting
incident,
he
listened
to
a
pre-recorded
sermon
that
said,
in
pertinent
part,
that
'people's
problems
are
of
their
own
doing.'
...
'In
that
Feb.
26
service,
a
taped
sermon
focused
on
how
bad
fortune
befalls
those
who
make
ungodly
choices.'
(quote
by
parishioner
who
had
known
Ratzmann
for
years).
'Your
problem
is
you're
not
praying
enough,
fasting
enough,
serving
enough.'
(said
David
Patrick)
Those
closet
to
Ratzmann
saw
him
abruptly
and
angrily
storm
out
of
the
church
upon
hearing
the
words
of
this
particular
sermon
on
February
26."
Much
more
information
is
in
the
article,
so
we
hope
our
readers
will
go
to
the
above
link
and
read
it
in
its
entirety.
The
last
section
addresses
"The
ultimate
responsibility
for
killing
rests
with
the
killer
but
sometimes
there
are
contributing
factors."
This concludes letters to ESN regarding Living Church of God shooting spree. |