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. |