A Lawsuit Could Put PCG Out of Business:

January 17, 2003 

I'm a law student (and a former member of WCG), and it has come to my attention through a little research that a few former members, particularly ones that have given up property, money and are suffering from emotional distress and other injuries due to membership, may be successful in bringing lawsuits against the churches, particularly the Philadelphia Church of God. Now, I have reservations about suggesting such a drastic action, but it's a good way to stop what is currently going on with the Philadelphia Church of God. A lawsuit, especially one that requires millions of dollars in damages (it would be a class action), could potentially put the PCG out of business and bring a lot of negative attention toward it. And because the PCG is currently claiming the lives and happiness of several of my own family members, I would be more than happy to see that happen. Of course, I believe that we each have a right to practice whatever religion we choose, but when an organization systematically abuses, violates, and extorts its members, it should not get away with it. I have no standing to bring such a lawsuit myself, but I'm sure there are many who have been irretrievably damages (financially, emotionally, physically) by the PCG. --J.D.

Reply: If anyone is considering a lawsuit, here are words from an attorney:

"Many legal proceedings have been taken during the last 7-8 years, and anyone seriously considering taking legal action against any of the WCG offshoot groups would be well-advised to do some basic research and see what firms have been most successful in these actions. As you may, or may not know, much of the current legal research is done via computers and powerful search utilities. One of the most prominent ones is called Nexis-Lexus, a search tool that may be found in many libraries. Just by plugging in the name of the Church as a Defendant Party would probably bring up all of the major cases that were ultimately decided on appeal (and thus provide precedent) and from those cases, one could see which law firms represented which parties. My hunch is that there is just a handful of law firms that have handled most of the cases. Anyone with a good case may well be a good potential client for one of these firms."

Life More Enjoyable After PCG:

January 24, 2003

My life has sure been so much more enjoyable this year after I broke with the dictatorship of Flurry. I feel so bad for the many who are still destroying their lives in their "following a man." Some thought G. Flurry was noble--and he can give that impression, but I think he is very good at disguising his evil, by using others to do his dirty work. --Former PCG member 

PCG Member Breaking Up Their Family:

February 10, 2003

How can you convince someone to leave the Philadelphia church? They are
breaking up their family. They are choosing the church over their wife and children. We have all prayed and prayed and prayed and the scales continue to cover their eyes. Is it possible for someone to actually visit them that knows how to talk to them and show them the truth--that they are really in a cult. Would appreciate some advice. Thank you. --Concerned

Reply: On Q&A page, read Questions About Members. The member truly believes he is serving God and greatly fears to go against what PCG tells him. Telling them they are in a "cult" usually does not help. Read: If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive Group.

Need Prayer Because of Relative in PCG:

(2nd email from person above)

February 11, 2003

We definitely need prayer. We will continue to read what is on your web site and ask the Lord for wisdom. Wish I had the power to change things for my relative - they are hurting so badly over this so called church. It does say in Matthew that in the last days even the very elect could be deceived. I continue to pray that the Lord will take the scales off my relative's eyes and restore their family. --Concerned

How Can it Be Legal For PCG to Extort Money?

March 1, 2003

Hello, Is there is a way to get money back that we have donated to the PCG based on what they were telling us? They were lying. Had I known that I surely would not have given them the money. Please let me know. It plagues me all the time. I know another family that gave $200,000! How can it be legal for them to extort money and get away with it? --Formerly in PCG

Reply: They do it under the guise of "freedom of religion." 

Crushed That People Can Be Sucked into Such False Teaching:

March 5, 2002

Hello,

I grew up attending the WCG in Louisiana. My parents attended and were members there. When the WCG separated, my parents left the church. I never knew what happened or what the church was all about, I was much too young. Anyway I grew up and at age 19 I met the right group of friends who led me to Christ. I now attend First Baptist Church. I have tried to talk to my parents about my love for Jesus and how he died for us. What it means to ask Jesus into you heart and ask for His forgiveness. I always got an uncomfortable reply that made me feel inside that they were not truly saved. Now after reading this I know they are not and if only gets worst.

I received a call from my youngest sister about 8 months ago and she said that mom and dad are going to church. I first thought to myself, this is great and then she said they were going to the PCG. My first impression was well that may not be too bad because I heard the initial WCG has split and some of the older members were now worshiping Christ and believed in the Trinity. So I did not research or even think the worst. Again my knowledge of the WCG was like that of a babe. A few months pass by and I find out thru my sister that she has left the Abundant Life Church to join the PCG with my parents. Now my curiosity got the better of me and I begin to do some research and came across your web page. I am crushed and cannot believe how people can be sucked into such false teaching. It makes me depressed to even think about it.

Can you provide me any materials or suggestions? I have tried to discuss certain things without making them feel I am against the PCG. I was hoping I could be wrong. For instance, on one occasion I ask him if he thought Hell was eternal. Well you know what PCG's view point is. The question almost led to an argument between my dad and I. I did not want to make it worst, so I just stopped and told him that I will respect his view point, if he would respect mine. Well he kept trying to keep it going, but I told him it was not important and I did not want to argue.

My wife and I are very happy and I thank God everyday that I know Christ and have accepted him into my heart. It bothers me that I could probably have done something, but I had no idea that they would ever be brainwashed. I always believed my parents were smarter than that. I guess I never knew what WCG was all about and did not realize their beliefs in that church were still so strong. Well thanks for letting me share this information. As a follower of Christ you know that there are a lot of lost people out there and the challenges of discussing or even leading these people to Christ. --Concerned Christian

Read: If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group

We Can Become Stronger Through Our Pain:

March 22, 2003

Hey Mike,

I appreciate your stories and went through some similar trials at the hands of some "all-knowing" people. I was young and naïve, just hadn't had the life experience to defend against some folks ideas. Those years are far behind me today but the memories are still there. I think that only people who have lost themselves so completely can really appreciate what it feels like "find" themselves again. I wouldn't have chosen the path for myself but through the pain I learned a lot, how to take care of myself. I've grown much wiser in the passing years and actually matured far beyond many of my friends. Oh well. Life sure isn't fair but they say "if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger." I'm sure glad I didn't die. Keep up the good work. --B. A.

If We Are Going to Keep the Law, We Must Keep All of it:

March 25, 2003

I've just finished reading Michael's exit letter to his ex-minister. He seems to be scripturally oriented. I am a Big Sandy graduate, class of `69. I came to see the same things Mike discusses; if you are going to keep the law you are a debtor to keep "the whole book of the law," etc. I left the church in 1974 for doctrinal reasons. --M. V.

Which Part of Malachi's Message is Wrong?

April 11, 2003

I've had an untimely heart attack since I was attending PCG. I'm not attending now, but am interested in knowing what part of Malachi's Message is wrong.

So....what part is wrong?

Can you help? Thx, --Anonymous

Reply: Read our section on Malachi's Message: How True is It?

Angel Revealed Malachi's Message?

April 13, 2003

I was just wondering where Gerald Flurry says that an angel revealed Malachi's Message to him?

So an angel revealed it to him but that other guy whose name starts with a D [Dervaes]in California wrote the stuff first? and Flurry sort of used it...is that the point? Then he says that Herman Hoeh said it (the Laodicean thing), but it was actually Mr. D in the first place...i.e., not an angel?

Is that the point?

Thx. --Anonymous

Reply: Yes, that is correct. The part about the angel is discussed in: Fallacies and Contradictions in Malachi's Message.

Can Now Help My Friend Who Asked About PCG:

April 15, 2003 

Just a quick note to thank you for your Christian info on the web. My friend was asking about the PCG since he read a book supporting it. Now I can give him the info he needs. Praise God for Christian ministry and blessings you poured on me in the few minutes I had to read your site.
Thanks. --Anonymous

PCG Members--Focused on Christ or HWA?

April 21, 2003

We have access to PCG's literature and were able to take a look at the May 2003 Trumpet yesterday. PCG members (and all those who are still into Armstrongism) recently observed the Passover.  I find it rather ironic, because this magazine on page one, shows "who" they really look to.  I wondered how many PCG members, who were planning on keeping this Passover were really focused on Christ?  Or were they focused on HWA?

Emphasis in the below quotes are Gerald Flurry's.  My highlights are bold:

Trumpet May 2003
Page 1, Personal from Gerald Flurry
Miracle Victory!  
And What It Means

       "Mr. Armstrong's writings are the foundation of all that we believe.  We teach his messages to our people quite diligently.  However, we have been unable to teach them to the world.  These works were blotted out by the WCG.  We could not offer them to a deceived humanity ­ until now!  And we believe that God commands us to proclaim Mr. Armstrong's works to the world as a witness.  (Matt. 24:14; Rev. 10:11).

       "We have a critical message for a dying world.  But the world can't fully understand without Mr. Armstrong's revealed writings.  Roughly three-fourths of God's end time message is finally available to mankind.  The one fourth we could proclaim along the way could be fully comprehended only by those who already understood Mr. Armstrong's writings.

       "Time is running out.  We must get this message out WHILE THERE IS STILL TIME." 

[end of quotes]

You can see how Flurry desperately wants HWA's "works."  He wants to play on that name to scare people into joining his group.

They are really worshipping Herbert Armstrong, who spawned an abusive church system, that unfortunately is still out there, trying to target other people. --Former PCG member

Need Guidance in Praying for My Children:

May 7, 2003

Hello there,

I have been in the PCG, briefly in the RCG and, last of all, LCG. I have gone through all the prayers for freedom from strongholds.

My question is this, what about my children? Should I go through all these prayers on behalf of them? I have [lists ages of children]. The older children have been in the Armstrong churches from about [a few] years ago, and the younger have been born in these churches. All have had the "children's blessing" on them, except the youngest babe. Are they covered through me, or do I need to pray over them, and do the older ones need to go through the prayers (reading them outloud with me)?

Thanks for your guidance. --Former member of PCG, RCG, & LCG

Reply: We definitely should pray for our children and ask Christ to intervene in their life. Jesus cares about all children very much. The prayers you asked about are really formulated for adults, but there is nothing wrong with combining one short prayer adapted to your children's level and understanding, especially in regard to their trusting in Jesus as their Savior. That is what "covers" them (by the blood of Jesus), not being blessed by a WCG/PCG minister. I wouldn't have them pray a lot of prayers from that section if they are young, and never force them to pray if they don't want to. Always try to present Jesus in a loving, compassionate way, since WCG and authoritarian Armstrong offshoots gave a false view of Him as distant and punitive. It is also a good idea to help your children understand what these Armstrong offshoots are all about and how easy it is to be deceived by such groups. Teach them how God is a forgiving God, deeply loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him. Just ask Christ to give you wisdom in all of this and lead you in what to do and say. There is no set pattern.

PCG Causes Members to Cut Off From Loved Ones:

May 14, 2003

I was born in the WCG in the 60's ... I couldn't believe it when I read the children of the WCG articles. I started to cry thinking I and my siblings were the only ones tormented by this. ... I was not allowed to join PCG because of sin they said I had. ... Until I accepted that "HWA was the Elijah" I couldn't join. 

Anyway I found Jesus in a Baptist church. My [parent in PCG] doesn't call, write or anything... doesn't even see me or my kids and says they never knew the truth unlike me, who will end up in the lake of fire. When wars start, I freak, thinking that they were right and know I'll die, even after six years in my new faith of knowing grace. Anyway please put me on your email list. Maybe someone can help me. I feel so lost.

Thank you. --Child survivor of WCG/Affected by PCG

Jake Winters a Victim of Abuse:

May 19, 2003

I knew Craig Winters, Colleen, Jake and Levi. I spent many Sabbaths in their home. From time to time, my husband says, "I wonder where Jake is now and what he's doing." Jake was a special boy. We knew him when he was 17 years old and attending an all boys school along with Levi.

I am stunned. The news of Jake's death is an incredible blow. We wondered if
he'd ever be able to escape Craig's incredible control. And now we have the
awful answer.

I remember waiting for the Winters family to arrive at the local Sizzler [Steak restaurant]. I looked out into the parking lot and saw the four of them by their car. Craig was pushing Jake in the chest, repeatedly, like he was trying to start something. Jake never defended himself. My husband, who is  near-sighted, could make out Jake and someone pushing him. He became enraged and said who is pushing Jake? When I said "Mr. Winters" he was incredulous. But we saw enough in our time with them to know what kind of family they were. I have several pictures of Jake which I am going to dig out. He was a special young man. I remember at 17 he was thinking about dating one of Dennis Leap's daughters, but didn't want to have him for a father-in-law. Guess he already had a plate-full of discipline and control at home.

We were in the PCG for 2.5 years. Saw many people go through the church. The reason I left is I was a tape transcriber for members and potential members in prison. It's one thing to be sitting in church listening to some of Gerald Flurry's exaggerations and tirades slipping through your ears, it's quite another to actually see his words...word for word. He exaggerates like an accomplished maniacal liar. We decided we would be leaving the PCG. As we were also moving away from the area, we decided not to tell them, but to just quietly go away. He found out anyways. My [sibling] (not in the PCG) told [an-in-law] (PCG member) and [that person] told Craig. Craig called us to say he'd heard we were leaving and, by the way, we couldn't come back without counseling and approval from him. I just laughed when I heard that. Talk about an ego-tripper and control-freak. No, we never did want to go back.

Thanks for your website. I've enjoyed visiting from time to time.

So sorry to hear about Jake. He was a great kid.

Sincerely, --Former PCG member

Comment: Read the following:

Run From Death That Resides in the PCG! (mentions how Craig's son, Jake, died)

Demeaning Treatment by Craig Winters is True.

Family Becoming Heavily Involved With PCG:

June 26, 2003

Good morning, Thank you soooo much for sharing your experiences with PCG. My sister and her husband and children are becoming heavily involved with PCG. 

I love my sister and am especially concerned about the children. I have made it clear to them that they can count on us for whatever they may need (other than cash)

What can I say? What should I do for them? I've been trying to stay positive and hopeful that this experience may open their eyes, but I can't help but fear for their safety, both mental and otherwise.

Any suggestions you can make will be appreciated, I will continue to pray for their exit, in the meantime, what more can I do?

Thanks for your time, you are truly blessed. --Concerned

Read: If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group

NOTICE: Following are emails concerning the alleged suicide of Georgina Sanders (member of PCG):

Suicide in PCG?

July 15, 2003

Find out why Georgina Sanders, wife of Gregory Sanders, allegedly took her life a few weeks ago, according to Craig Winters congregation. No one is talking. Chino congregation is under Winters' thumb and very controlled. One version is pills, other is gun (gun in a PCG household?).

Greg has now taken off to Canada and left the son with friends and yet there is no reference about it in any paper. Why flee to Toronto and leave 15 year old son there? Mom loved son dearly. Anyone will vouch that.

They reside at [removed] in Apple Valley, CA.

A memorial only, not a funeral, was held by Craig Winters. No obituary found in papers yet. (Why not funeral?????)

Maybe Apple Valley authorities will know.

Greg Sanders was Winter's clone and puppet. Worked for San Bernardino county in welfare dept. in Victorville.

All that was said happened on Friday 1:30am (Sabbath!!!?)

Wonder what Edmond headquarters has to say!

Very, very strange. --Anonymous

July 16, 2003

More Info on Suicide:

It was confirmed suicide by gun!! 6/13/03 at home.

--Anonymous

Mrs. Sanders Did Not Fit a Suicide Profile:

September 20, 2003

I hope the truth is revealed about WHY Mrs. Sanders died. Craig Winters controls his wife and kids and takes the approach to his group that either they handle the home life situations that arise, or he will. The men are encouraged to browbeat and dominate their wives with fear and fury or they are considered spineless.

Mrs. Sanders did not fit a suicide profile as evidenced by her extreme love for her son. I hope this will open up not just that particular dark injustice, nor the local coven in Chino, but split the whole synagogue of Satan right up to the pearly gates of Edmond. --A brother

Georgina Sanders Had to Be Very Desperate:

December 14, 2003

I was deeply sadden and shocked by the news of Georgina's death. I was a close friend of hers until I was disfellowshipped. She was a great woman and a devoted mother. It is hard to believe that she would commit suicide knowing she would leave her son motherless. She had to be so very desperate. 

One day she broke down and cried on my shoulder concerning her problems with her husband, Greg. It seems when he wasn't preparing for a sermonette, he was forever on the computer e-mailing someone. Georgina told me that Greg had his own password and wouldn't divulge it to her. The more she tired to communicate with him the more distant he became. She started loosing weight and was always upset. Greg told her not to involve the "church " with their problems. Being a PCG wife she obeyed. And now I hear Greg is traveling to Canada without his son?

Does anyone have the police report?

When are the "dumb sheep" as HWA was known to call the members behind closed doors, going to wake up? Why don't they look up files at the LA archives and find out just who their " Elijah " is.

Also, who are we to believe when our Creator says, Deut. 18:22 "when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him. How many more prophesies are you to wait to come to past? --S. P. (Former member of PCG)

PCG Members Cut Off Relations With Family Outside:

July 18, 2003

A member of my family has been involved for a number of years with the Philadelphia Church of God (Key of David - Gerald Flurry).

Ever since [my relative] joined this organization, our relations progressively deteriorated to the point that today practically no contact exists between us.

This has been extremely painful to me.

Respectfully, --N. N.

Flurry Said the "Great Falling Away" Began with Makeup & Healing:

August 8, 2003

Flurry's been talking about the "great falling away" ("great" is always said quite loudly) since his first printing of Malachi's Message, and he absolutely did mean when the "Laodicean WCG" fell away (or started falling away) from Armstrong's teachings. He seemed to drag it out of the closet for each new change the WCG had, but strangely enough whenever he wanted to change something Armstrong said to suit his own purposes, it wasn't falling away, it was called "new revelation."

I heard the makeup story so much I can recite it, in many variations. It was makeup and healing that were the first signs of the "falling away." Now I wear makeup to work every day, and I do not look like a streetwalker. I look like a regular person. --Former PCG member

Comment: See the footnote at the bottom of Had to Observe Makeup and Tithing Rules. It is no surprise that Flurry has used "makeup" as the reason for the "falling away" since Herbert Armstrong wrote in the Worldwide News in November 16, 1981 an article entitled, "How Subtly Satan used MAKE-UP to Start the Church Off the Track: How Satan began injecting liberalism into God's Church." At the end of the article HWA said, "Christ is getting us back on the track!"

More on Flurry's Teaching on the "Falling Away":

August 12, 2003

Regarding Flurry's teaching on the "falling away." Malachi's Message talked about that quite a bit. If I remember correctly, PCG believed there was a falling away from the "truth" (meaning HWA's teachings), and NOT a falling away from the "church" (meaning WCG, as we had always believed). So already, Flurry was "making changes" to HWA's teachings, but we were taught this was "new revelations." What a mess! --Former WCG/PCG member

PCG HQ Controls the Money:

August 21, 2003

When I was in PCG, some people had been giving their third tithe money directly to widows with children, elderly people, or people with long-term health problems because they knew the "church" was not helping them. The ministers told them, "You are not to do that, because only ministers are qualified to determine who is truly deserving of third tithe money" and "You could be interfering with a person’s opportunity to grow because God has given them by endowing them with hardships." This was just another way to make sure the money was controlled by headquarters. --Former PCG member

Flurry Against Giving Disaster Relief Money:

August 25, 2003

Several years back, Gerald Flurry got totally worked up over people giving money to disaster aid. He also blasted the other churches, WCG in particular, for giving disaster relief money. He said that PCG members were not supposed to give to any relief organizations. He said that it was pointless to give money to disaster relief, because the Bible said there would be more disasters to come. He also said the best way to help those people is to give him more money to do "The Work." I guess now "The Work of Building Homes" for himself and his big shots on the Headquarters Compound will be a great comfort to disaster victims. I think it is odd that "Worldly Unconverted Heathens" would show more Christian charity than the man who claims to be the "One Man that God is working with." --Former PCG member

So Much to Learn and Unlearn After PCG:

August 26, 2003

My husband just in the last few weeks has discovered that there is no third resurrection. He is totally amazed that it is so plain that there are only two resurrections mentioned in the Bible. He also just recently discovered that being a Christian is about how you act toward each other instead of just keeping all the laws. You know I never realized that he didn't understand that. So much to learn and unlearn after being in PCG. --Former PCG members

Don't Need HWA Lifted Up:

September 18, 2003

I found significant problems with Mystery Of The Ages when I read it. HWA was so wrong on some scientific matters that it raised questions with me as to how he could be so wrong in those areas and "so correct with spiritual matters." Remember how he thought this book would become part of the sacred Scriptures?

For one thing, he had such a lack of understanding of animals, such underestimation of them, that no such error would ever become Scripture, as he hinted they would. We don't need HWA lifted up after the deceptions and other outright abuses we've endured over the years. --Exiter

Update: Read ESN's two critiques of Mystery of the Ages.

PCG Has Ruined My Mother's Life:

September 19, 2003

Hello,

My mother has been in the PCG for about 4 years now. The "church" has always seemed a little odd to me, even from the beginning. It wasn't until a few days ago that it really shocked me. My mother and I were talking about racism and she said she doesn't believe in interracial marriage. This totally shocked me. I asked her why not and she said: "because of the cultural differences," then I asked her "what if the persons of different race grew up within the same culture?" She then got confused and said: "No, no, their ancestors came from a different culture, so its wrong." I just nodded and said "okay." But this has just got to be wrong.

Over the past few days I have been trying to remember things she has said in the past, when trying to get me to believe in her ways. I remember her talking about Aryans and how people from the U.S. and Britain are descendants of the ancient Aryans and how they are the chosen race. Is it just me or does that now sound a little like Hitler? Only in a less radical way?

I never thought the PCG was too abnormal at first, but now that I am doing
research I am afraid for her life. I remember her telling me about the "promised place" [place of safety] or something like that, and how she is going there some day. They now believe the European Union will attack America and that's when they will go to their safe haven. This cult has ruined her life, and many of the people around her. She lost all her friends, the person she was engaged to, and any chance of finding a well paying job (she's forced to take crummy jobs that she's over-qualified for).

How should I inform her that all she has believed in has been a lie? She's completely brainwashed. I tried to convince her that not believing in interracial marriages it somewhat racist, but she became extremely angry and didn't want to listen. --Canada

Comment: Read: If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group.

Getting Rejected by PCG is a Form of Punishment:

October 26, 2003

When you discover the true God, you often times do get rejected by PCG. It is a form of punishment to bring you back in line with their way of thinking. The true blue followers of God can let the group go and find new friends. I had to find out the hard way that people in "the world" were okay to associate with. But much the same as any other thing, you have to select who and what to tolerate in your life. The type of people you choose to be around is up to you. But there are a lot of good people out there that are not in the "churches of God." And I quote because I don't think God has much to with the Armstrong Empire. It is all a big lie. ... Thank you so much for all of your dedication to this website. It has been a tremendous help to many people. --CT

Is PCG Members Goal to Become a "Jew"?

November 9, 2003

I have a friend who belongs to the Philadelphia Church of God. He states that one of their goals is to become a "Jew." They truly believe that the Jews are God's chosen. They believe that Jesus Christ was only a messenger. I can't figure out how in the world he can claim to be a Christian. Do you have any information on them becoming Jews? --Anonymous

Read: Aren't we to required to keep the Law as a spiritual Jew?

PCG Members Wanting to Become "Jews":

(2nd email from above person)

November 9, 2003

Thank you for your timely response. I am confident enough about my knowledge of the Jewish religion to ask, why would anyone want to become a Jew? Even a spiritual Jew. In light of I John 3:22-23 it seems almost hypocritical of the members of the PCG to palm themselves off as Christians. Oh, and the mind control bit fits perfectly. --Anonymous

Thanks for Warning About Gerald Flurry:

November 10, 2003

On Sunday morning I found Gerald Flurry and he sounded so knowledgeable. He offered a book on the end times and I wrote down the web address and also the phone number, intending to order it.

I am so glad I looked on the web to find out more before I called and got the book he talked about. Surely don't need any wrong teaching. Thank you for your warning.

I know that Herbert W. Armstrong was very controversial and his son Garner Ted Armstrong said once that hell is not even mentioned in the Bible. That is when I knew he was a liar. You see I am a Bible reader--but just think of the countless others that are not and believed the lie--or lies--these kinds of "ministers" tell.

It does make a difference what we believe.

The only cure is for people to read the Word of God and pray for discernment to know the truth, and or lies, when they hear them.

Thank you for the information. --J.

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely:

November 21, 2003

A few years ago PCG had an article in their Trumpet magazine entitled, "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely." [Dec. 2000] It was a story in which the pot (PCG) called the kettle (WCG) black. Of course the heroes of the PCG are HWA and Gerald Flurry, who had/have absolute power because--as the article said--it is "God's way to rule the church," but they didn't/don't misuse it in contrast to the enemy who are the Tkaches of the WCG. At the time this article came out I analyzed a few words and want to pass it on to you (black is Stephen Flurry's words; blue is mine):

"But where we strenuously disagree with Mr. Tkach's evaluation is how Mr. Armstrong used that authority. He most certainly was not a despot. He led the church like a loving father--perhaps more like a grandfather, since he was so much older than most of the members." [Sure, he was a "loving father." He couldn't control his temper and he yelled at his "children" (members). He was an alcoholic and others have testified to his being drunk on many occasions.]

"Some on the outside may have considered him a theological despot, [Yes, he was a despot. He threw people out of the church with no compassion as to whether they believed they had lost their chance for salvation. His degree on no doctors caused many to suffer needlessly and even die. He caused others to live in poverty because of his tithing rules.] but those of us on the inside saw his dedication to God's work." [And what was "God's work"? What God did he serve? He never taught others about the complete meaning of the atonement of Christ.]

"He worked tirelessly, well into his 90s, until the day he died." [He sat back and collected the tithes and offerings from others and lived a lavish, opulent lifestyle.]

"This, no one can deny. He loved God's work. And he loved his fellow-laborers." [He loved only himself and he was a very selfish man.]

"HWA was not a despot." ... "Only people on the outside may have considered him so." [Yeah, right.]  

Such remarks from PCG underline that your site is essential to informing the people about the abuse that took place in the WCG (and which continues on in the PCG). Keep up the good work! --One impacted by PCG

Read: Did HWA Abuse His Members?

PCG Member Wants Son to Become Member:

December 5, 2003

I'm currently involved in a custody case with my ex-husband who is a member of the PCG in [state omitted]. He wishes for our son to become a member of the church. I have been informed, briefly, about some of the beliefs and practices and don't believe our son should be exposed to these practices. I was wondering if there is any information that you could enlighten me on about the church. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You. --Anonymous

Reply: The following are two articles that can help you understand more about PCG.

What is the Philadelphia Church of God?

Without My Informed Consent!

PCG only baptizes adults close to the "age of accountability" (which HWA said was age 20 or 21). This is after they have read much of the group's literature and been tithing and keeping all the O.T. holy days, including the Saturday Sabbath. Being exposed to PCG sermons which contain fear of the Tribulation and end-time events could be quite harmful for any child. It will be necessary to provide your attorney with as much information as possible about PCG.

PCG Hires Top Attorneys:

December 20, 2003

It's too bad that PCG has so much money that they can afford to hire "top of the line attorneys" to keep the law off their backs! But one way or another, their judgment will come someday. --Impacted by PCG

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