Disfellowshipped on Trumped Up Charges:

February 18, 2004

Dear ESN,

I am so grateful to have found you. My eyes are now open, but I know I still have much healing to do and much to understand and unlearn. My wife and I are currently "suspended" from the PCG on trumped up charges. Dennis Leap, the regional director since about 2001, seems to be using any and every excuse to remove the men and their families that had been placed "in charge" of local congregations by his predecessor, Mr. Wil Malone, who is now dead [since 1-27-04]. He was previously a minister in WCG, joining PCG in April 1990. We were suspended without a chance to answer the charges, or bring forth witnesses on our behalf (there are many). Mr. Leap has also mentioned that he has suspended the contact man in [another congregation] because he could not hold down a steady job. I could only feel sorry for that man, because there are many in that same boat in this economy. The PCG seems to equate wealth with righteousness, though not officially. I looked up Mr. Leap on the web and found you.

We have had some contact from members who seem to know what is going on. Otherwise, so much for leaving the ninety-nine to go after the one.  

Sincerely, --Cut off from PCG

Dennis Leap: a Dangerous Man?

March 4, 2004

I was saddened to read of the family put out on a whim by Dennis Leap [Read Feb. 18 letter above]. He is a truly dangerous man who will mess up people's lives for no other reason than to prove that he has the power to do it. He has a long history of doing exactly the sort of things the person described--putting people out with no reason, listening to gossip, not letting people defend themselves. He does these things to feed his ego and instill fear of him into remaining members. He wants people to approach him "with fear and trembling." He is the one who put Flurry into the position he is in now. Without Dennis Leap's guidance, Flurry would just be a minor player. Dennis Leap was the one who instilled the idea of absolute power in the ministry into Flurry. Leap is the one who stressed that the ministry is not to mingle with the peasant congregants. Leap has been the driving force behind the PCG. He is as dangerous in his own way as Hitler was. I hope the people who were put out will find their way into an improved fear-free way of life. --Former PCG member

Gerald Flurry's Prophecies Failing to Come to Pass:

March 16, 2004

I find it almost amusing (if it weren't so tragic) that GF is so insistent on his being a prophet, when he has never really made a prophecy that came to pass. The blacks have not rioted and burned all the big cities, even during the major black out up north. California is not suffering any more than can be expected by an overpopulated, poorly
regulated area. The people that lost their homes in the fires were wealthy for the most part and probably well insured. This winter the northeast suffered far worse. Other countries have had far worse earthquakes. Iran suffered horribly, though it has been singled out as "The King of the South" who is supposedly becoming more and more
powerful. The first Gulf War did not really start on Jan. 16,1990 as he claims. I remember well that it was Jan. 17 in the Gulf and Jerusalem when the war started. His pick for the presidential winner of Germany in 2003 did not win. The only prediction he made with any certainty was that he would "win" in court and have the right to publish HWA's books. In fact, when he made that prediction, he was already in negotiation for
the books and knew he could buy them for enough money. He did not "win" anything, but he did make a "deal with the devil," something he claimed he would never do. He puts all his claim to being a prophet on "Malachi's Message" being revealed to him by God Himself, when there is ample proof that he stole the whole book from another man.

He is a total fraud, and getting more fanatic as time passes. --K. J. 

Husband Divorcing Wife Due to PCG:

March 17, 2004

Hello, I cannot believe this is happening to my dear husband. He has fallen for Flurry's group. He has the same look on his face as when he was on drugs or booze. There's no reasoning with him. He is on a mission from God. Chosen, not joined. Since I stopped him from sending $600 a month to them, he needs to divorce me. After 28 years of marriage. I am heart broken. God have mercy on their wicked souls. --Anonymous

Flurry's Past Arrest for Drunken Driving Confirmed:

March 18, 2004

I took the time this morning to call the University of Oklahoma Police Dept. to confirm the arrest of Gerald Flurry (9-18-93). The officer that answered the phone actually
remembered the arrest himself and gave me the number of the Court Clerk who looked it up in public records and verified it. I taped my phone calls this morning, so that should answer my husband's doubts about the authenticity of the arrest. This shows that he has some pretty serious character flaws. --Former PCG member

Comment: The website for the University of Oklahoma Police Department is here.

I am Leaving PCG:

March 20, 2004

Hi at ESN!

I am a former member of the WCG and am now a member of the PCG, but I am leaving the PCG. I haven't attended for a number of weeks now.

Thanks to you and all the information on the Internet I am really starting to learn the truth about mind controlling "Churches" and I am so very thankful that I found you, quite by accident (or did someone lead me there?).

I have printed out and studied about 500 pages of fantastic info now and I am not finished yet. There is so much out there and much to learn. I can hardly wait each day to get on my computer and continue on being educated on cults and how they get you hooked and then can destroy peoples lives.

Warm Regards, --Leaving PCG

Marvin Campbell One of PCG's Cruelest Enforcers of "Government":

March 22, 2004

PCG's latest sermon was by Marvin Campbell and was about "love" and "forgiveness" that the brethren should have for each other. Fine and dandy, except that he is one of the cruelest enforcers of the "government." He has tossed members out and told them they have no hope of returning. He (and others) require years of reading and rereading
their books before a person can be considered for baptism. They must bring forth "fruits of repentance" before then. That basically means they must be sending in huge amounts of money. He and the ministers under him require large salaries from new members. That is some kind of proof of righteousness. --Just left PCG

Update 2007: Marvin Campbell Now Legally Blind (due to untreated diabetes).

PCG Membership Down:

March 23, 2004

PCG may say they are growing, but the truth is they have lost as many members as join. They are having trouble keeping the 7,000 they claimed several years ago. Now, it is more like 5,000. GF claims that they must have 10,000 before they flee to the place of safety. He hopes that the books of HWA will bring them in. I cannot imagine anyone in this day and age joining such an offbeat religion without checking them out first. I was thinking about all the "revelation" that GF claims to have been given. About 99% has been about himself. His "new revelation" is on the same level as Scripture. I am so glad that the Holy Bible was not revised every couple of years to keep it accurate and up to date like the PCG has done to Malachi's Message. --Former PCG member

Feels Good to Know the Real Truth:

April 5, 2004

I want to thank you and your staff for all of the information available on your web site. We too have many stories of abusive ministers for all of our experiences in these groups. My husband started seeing that the doctrines did not line up with Scripture about five years ago. I did not want to believe it at first since I was so terrified we would die forever if we left. We stopped attending a little over a month ago. It feels good to know the real truth about Scripture and about the deception we were under for so many years. We have children and do not want them to grow up and feel the way we do. Sincerely, --Former GCG, LCG, UCG, PCG members

Flurry Might Try to Change Mystery of the Ages' Chapter:

April 7, 2004

Keep an eye on the posted MOA especially in the chapter about the church. It is possible that it will be changed from what was written by HWA to allow for the appearance of a new "prophet" in the end time. It would be a major offence to members, if Gerald Flurry dared to change the books of HWA now that he can. I read that he disfellowshipped a member who dared to post the works for free on line a while back and put out a CD of HWA's unabridged works. Flurry has felt free to change so much of what HWA taught with the excuse that "he could not understand" what was going to happen after he died. That is, after all, one of the charges he made against Tkach.

I just looked in the original copy of MOA in the chapter "Mystery of the Church." Under the subhead "One Church with One Government" is the following paragraph:
"The prophets set in the foundation of the Church are those of the Old Testament, whose writings were used to form a considerable part of New Testament and gospel teaching and functioning. No prophets are mentioned as having either administrative, executive or preaching functions in the New Testament Church." I believe that the entire books are available on-line at the PCG website. At least that is what we were told. I would not be surprised if Flurry doesn't change that paragraph very soon, if not already. There are a few places where HWA stated that the revelation was complete in the Bible, and that there was no further need for prophets. It might be worth looking into. --Former PCG member

Flurry Has Already Changed Mystery of the Ages!

April 13, 2004

Hello!  

I wrote to you before [see previous letter] and just wanted to let you know that Gerald Flurry has already changed Mystery of the Ages! I knew he was going to make at least one change as soon as he got the copyrights. So, I ordered the PCG version, around December 2003,  as soon as they were available and the remaining stocks of previously printed copies were gone.  
 
In chapter 6 – Mystery of the Church; Section – One Church with One Government, page 244-245 of the WCG version:  

"No prophets are mentioned as having either administrative, executive or preaching functions in the New Testament Church"  

This was deleted from the Philadelphia Church of God copyrighted version on page 245.  

Gerald Flurry is not very thorough though!
 
In chapter 7 – Mystery of the Kingdom of God; Section – Education in the World Tomorrow, page 350 of the WCG version states:  

"All teaching came from Christ through the apostles—and a few times Christ communicated to apostles via the prophets (of which there are none in God's Church today since the Bible for our time is complete). God's Church today, as in the first century, receives its teachings from the living Christ, through an Apostle, just as in A.D. 31."

Gerald Flurry, for whatever reason (probably ignorance), failed to remove this from the PCG copyright.  

Here's a quote from a sermon given by Gerald Flurry called "Amos 9:1" given on 11-11-00 . He is referring to HWA & MOA:  

"Look how he praised that book brethren! He said it was the second most important book on this earth, next to the Bible. And 95% of his own people don’t even want it…..Because, it doesn’t mesh and square with what they're teaching. That’s why they don’t want it. They're heathen or worse!!"

Well, at least we know what Gerald Flurry thinks of himself!!  

I have scanned the changes onto my computer in .PDF format. If you would like a copy, just let me know!

--Tony Perrigan (Former PCG member (Disfellowshipped by Wilson Magruder and Marvin Campbell for asking questions like these!!) 

Comment: See following email from this same person.

NOTE: If anyone needs us to email a copy of the .pdf file which will show the scanned pages from the 1985 book, email ESN and refer to this letter by date. You will need Adobe Reader in order to open and read the file.

Gerald Flurry's Changes in Mystery of the Ages:

April 17, 2004

I wanted to obtain a copy of Mystery of the Ages under the new PCG copyright to see if my hunch would come to pass....and it did!

I was expecting Gerald Flurry's most paramount changes to be the deletion of Herbert Armstrong's sentence on the top of page 245 that refers to the non-function of a prophet in the New Testament Church. Here is a quote of the deleted sentence from the 1985 (HWA) printing of Mystery of the Ages:

"No prophets are mentioned as having either administrative, executive or preaching functions in the New Testament Church."

This quote was still in the reprint that was first offered by the PCG. But now that Gerald Flurry has the copyright he has the legal ability to finally get rid of this very condemning sentence once and for all. Funny thing is--he left a similar statement on page 350. I guess Flurry doesn't know MOA very well.

I provided the first two scans from the PCG reprint before they obtained the copyright and the last two scans of the copy with the PCG copyright.

I haven't found anything else yet--my main interest was this quote because I knew he was going to cover his tracks at every opportunity, especially on this one.

I'm sure you remember how Gerald Flurry would blast the WCG for altering Herbert Armstrong's books and it now appears he is doing the very same thing. Flurry can condemn all the other COG leaders all he wants, but he is the only one that is guilty of doing the same thing as Mr. Tkach....tampering and changing "revelation from God" and casting truth to the ground! 

How many times have I heard, referring to anyone who changes MOA, Flurry say things like, "You can't do things like that and retain your birthright!" or "What kind of twisted mind can do something like that? They're heathen or worse!"

Gerald Flurry is such a hypocrite and condemns himself with his own words. I have the sermons with these quotes if anyone wants to verify them. They were from Flurry's sermon, "Amos 9:1" given on November 11, 2001. I have listened to almost every sermon Gerald Flurry has given since 1994 and I am amazed at how many times he contradicts himself or HWA, flip-flops and even worse....stretches the truth!

Bottom line is, Gerald Flurry doesn't have a government leg to stand on!!!!
--Tony Perrigan (Former PCG member)

Comment: In some 1985 copies of MOA this sentence may start at the bottom of page 244. Here is the original sentence (and which Flurry changed):

"The prophets set in the foundation of the Church are those of the Old Testament, whose writings were used to form a considerable part of New Testament and gospel teachings and functioning."

Read: Flurry also changed and removed certain words from Herbert Armstrong's booklet, The Proof of the Bible. (How many other booklets of HWA's has he done this to?)

Read: Herbert W. Armstrong stating that there is "no prophet today."

Estates Being Left to PCG:

April 18, 2004

When I was working with J. Tim Thompson sometimes he would kind of boast about estates being left to the church, and his job of doing the probate. He often had to travel to settle estates. Sometimes family members [those outside PCG] caused difficulty for him. He also boasted of his efforts to get people to do what I think is called a Living Trust, making his job much easier, because they essentially sign over ownership of cars, houses etc while alive so that as soon as they die, the church would become sole owner without going through any probate process. I feel this was abusive, because he distributed instructions on how to do it at the same time as preaching that using doctors was like worshiping Satan, and you had to have the faith to face death. ("Oh by the way since you are going to die, here is how to sign over all of your possessions.") 

This process was part of a scare tactic--if you didn't obey, you might loose your eternal salvation and go to the lake of fire. This is the main issue in my mind. That sermon was
instrumental in convincing me to make a stand and take the risk of being disfellowshipped, which is what happened. I was in Edmond when he spoke of that sermon before giving it. I wrote him a letter asking him to include certain balancing comments. He ignored the letter. After I overheard the Ministerial conference sermon, I again wrote and urged him not to distribute it. He again ignored it. After I returned to [the eastern coast], the tape was played and the instructions on creating the Living Will or trust were distributed to the members. I was very pissed. I appealed to the deacon there to withdraw the tape and he ignored me too. --Former PCG member

Comment: This may be what is now called Payable Upon Death, where members can "easily" transfer all assets and possessions to PCG after death.

PCG Experiencing Drop in Membership:

May 16, 2004

We just got to hear GF from January in a taped sermon that was first a lecture given to the students and faculty at IC [Imperial College]. He stated that the membership total for last year had dropped 6%. Given a membership of 5000 to 7000 at the beginning of 2003, that means between a 300 to 420 member drop to a possible total membership of 4700 to 6580. This would be a drop in spite of new members coming in. This flies in
the face of their expectation of explosive growth after buying MOA for $3 million. He had already previously stated that in the entire history of the PCG as many people had left as had joined. --Former PCG member

Update: The name of the college was later changed to Herbert W. Armstrong College.

Leap Was Once Chastised by Flurry:

May 19, 2004

Dennis Leap once gave a sermon on Malachi's Message and said that there were errors in it. Flurry had a fit when he heard about it and Leap was chastised in a blistering sermon. Yet GF himself continues to revise MM! Leap was never raised in rank from a pastor after that. I think Dennis Leap is a bully and a tyrant. --Former PCG member

More About Dennis Leap and PCG:

May 19, 2004

I remember the very sermon this person is talking about [see preceding email]. Yes, Leap was corrected big time. His wife left the meeting room in tears. I really believe
that every time Leap is cruel to a member, he is getting "revenge" on GF, much the same as a senior club member passes on hazing to the new recruits. Everybody in the PCG knows that is why he has not been raised in rank. Nothing in the PCG is ever forgiven or forgotten. Leap himself told us that he keeps files on all the members that he has any information about. He feels free to pull out information, even years later, to use against a member. He also feels free to blab information about one member to another which should never be revealed. He has often told about people he has put out during sermons. He doesn't name names, but gives enough information to let people know whom he is speaking about. Many of these sermons have gone out to the whole church. I know for a fact that many members dislike Dennis Leap and avoid services when he speaks. I have even heard Leap ask where everybody was when he got to the podium, because so many seats were empty.

I remember one instance, in particular, in which a poor woman told Leap that God still loved her in spite of her sins. According to Leap, that meant she was taken over by a demon, since God "does not love sinners." He strongly implied that she was possessed. Many eyebrows were raised that day by members who know the scriptures better than that. I have been told many times that the quickest way to make a PCG minister mad at you is to quote Scripture when you are corrected by him. Evidently, they do not know the Scriptures well enough to be able to have an honest scriptural debate with a lay member. It is considered an insult to dare quote from the Bible to defend yourself, since you are not a "trained" minister, and says God forbids it if you are a woman. Any such attempt to defend oneself is proof of a "bad attitude." In fact there is no right to self defense, or ability to call on witnesses, once you have been found guilty by a minister. Members are tried and found guilty before their "trial," which is simply a formality. The minister is the one who chooses whom to believe and whom to condemn. Evidence is not necessary. Any attempt after that to call on others to come forward as witnesses is seen as causing division and used as an excuse to "mark" the person who has been put out. The only "appeal" is directly to GF, and all such appeals have to go directly through Dennis Leap. One can only wonder just how many such appeals ever actually reach GF. If they do, can he possibly give them any credence if Leap is the one who put the
person out in the first place? That is "justice" in the PCG. --Former PCG member

Very Impressed with Your Reviews of Mystery of the Ages:

May 19, 2004

I have just finished reading both of the new reviews of MOA. I am very impressed by both of them. I am glad to have two of such different styles. They really belong together and build on each other. Each author brings his/her own experience and personality to bear on this project. I dearly wish I had had such a review of HWA over thirty years
ago. I really believe that HWA mainly took advantage of honest, albeit naïve, people who could not believe that someone would purposely lie in order to take control of their lives. I certainly put myself in that category for over thirty years. Unfortunately, his tradition lives on in all of his "offspring." I keep reminding myself that God does not want what is "mine," but that God wants "me," (2 Cor 12: 14). Now I instantly put up a red flag whenever someone tries to make me feel obligated to send in money. I will never again allow anyone to come between me and Christ, and no man will ever be
able to claim to "speak for Christ," as I heard Dennis Leap claim. I find that Christ, in the Bible, is completely able to speak for Himself, and my communication to God is directly through the Holy Spirit within me. Thanks again for all you are doing to help those, like me, who need direction to the truth. --Former PCG member

Read: ESN's critical reviews of Mystery of the Ages.

Flurry's Latest Sermon Very Confusing:

May 24, 2004

The latest sermon by Gerald Flurry is, at the very least, very confusing. The stated purpose of the sermon seems to be a correcting of Mr. Marvin Campbell's sermon on forgiveness. However, I believe the actual purpose is much more sinister.

GF made it very clear that no minister, especially one of low rank, had better ever be critical of Mr. Campbell. It was unmistakable that Mr. Campbell has his complete confidence, and he will not even consider that Mr. Campbell might try to turn against him. He also makes it clear that he is very displeased that a minister would dare write to him and not refer to him as That Prophet. At the same time the sermon is full of
very hollow-sounding humility, and GF is quick to proclaim his own fallibility. The unnamed minister who wrote had been given the assignment to write his criticism. He has been told, in no uncertain terms, that his attitude is now in question, and he will be watched by none other than Mr. Campbell himself. In my opinion, that minister will
be terminated, if he doesn't quit. At the end of the sermon, GF gets around to telling the members that the spring Holy Day offerings were good, but not as good as last year. This is not surprising, considering the drop in membership. The poor members are "encouraged" to give even more for Pentecost. The new TV studio needs to be funded and the new administration building will be started in August. So after all the confusing "correction," the frightened members are told to give, give, give. Then it is all tied up with the place of safety and their protection from the Tribulation.

The whole experience of listening to this sermon left me and those in my family totally confused as to the point and purpose. I cannot imagine the confusion felt by those members who were sitting in services trying to take notes that made sense. All I can conclude is that there is "trouble in Paradise." GF is evidently trying to pull in the reigns of the lower ranked ministers, who may have too much knowledge of the
Scriptures to fool, and have no salary to lose. --Anonymous

Comment: At this writing, Marvin Campbell is regional director of the northeastern United States.

More Info on Imperial College: 

May 26, 2004

GF mentioned in his latest sermon that next year the student body of IC [Imperial College] will be a grand total of 23. I think it is a shame that he gives the impression on TV that there are considerably more than that. When he shows scenes of the college, it seems that there are many students. But then, can we really expect him to be sincere? The students themselves are kept in near isolation. He has said that they are not allowed movies, TV, wrong music, or Internet access. They can only get together with the opposite sex under strictly structured and approved conditions. They are used to "beautify" the campus. That is slave labor. They work for their tuition at the headquarters. That has put out of work many qualified people who left all to go work there. In the mean time, they are being turned into little Leaps and Flurrys along with their "Perfect Wives." Other young people, who do not want to be ministers or their wives, are looked down on as somehow "not with it." On the other hand, the young people are told to expect that they will not be accepted due to lack of space. That puts them in a very awkward position. If they do not apply, they are not with the program, and if they do and are rejected, they are not worthy. No wonder so many young people are leaving. --Anonymous

Update: In December 2005  PCG changed the name of Imperial College to Herbert W. Armstrong College.

Malachi's Message in its Fifth Revision:

June 2, 2004

It is strange that GF encouraged members of the WCG to read his book MM (Malachi's Message) and to test their leaders, but once he snags them, he forbids the members of the PCG from reading any other material in order to test him. He has said many times that supporting the work of the PCG is "your ticket to the place of safety." However, a year or two ago, we were informed in a sermon that just being found "worthy" to go the Place of Safety is not good enough. Once there, we were told, we would be under constant scrutiny by the ministers. Anyone exhibiting a bad or "non childlike" attitude would be put out of the Place of Safety, presumably to die in the Tribulation. To have a childlike attitude turns out to mean that the members must swallow without question every new "revelation" from GF. They certainly must not point out glaring errors in the light of Scripture. Many of the true "elders" have been put out recently. Most of them wind up marked. I suppose that they will be replaced as soon as possible by the new "elders" just graduating from Imperial College. We had ministers like that in the WCG, and none of them had a clue about life in the real world. No matter what problems the members were having the answer was to be more "righteous." That usually translated into giving even more money to prove where your heart is.
I think it would be a good idea to apply the same method that is being used to review MOA (Mystery of the Ages) to reviewing MM. There are many contradictions and outright errors in it. GF even starts his campaign to "correct" HWA's misunderstandings in it while blasting the WCG for changing their beliefs. I have the 1992 edition, and it is the fifth revision of the original "revelation" that supposedly was given by the "hand of a mighty angel." I wonder how many revisions it will take to get it "right"? That mighty angel did not do a very good job, did he? --Former PCG member

Comment: It is common for false teachers to revise their literature every few years. Most members fail to see that if it was a true revelation from God, it wouldn't need to be revised, or changed, in the first place.

Death of Tim Thompson in PCG:

June 9, 2004

The death of J. Tim Thompson was hard to explain to PCG members since he was not an old man like Mr. Wil Malone [Note: Philadelphia Church of God minister Wilbur Malone died January 27, 2004]. He even had a letter that was written by Mrs. Thompson to be read trying to make sense of it.

Tim Thompson was a very high profile minister. Gerald Flurry hired him to take care of the church's financial affairs. He and his wife also directed the Feast preparations including using tithe of a tithe to prepare the sites, etc. Mrs. Melody Thompson married him in the PCG. He had been married several times before being "converted" and had spent some serious jail time. His widow is still in charge of the Feast preparations, which is strange since no woman is supposed to "rule over" any man in the organization.

Tim Thompson spearheaded the movement to get people to leave their estates to the PCG. He wrote numerous articles and gave many sermons about how the whole economy was on the verge of collapse. He helped many members write their wills so that their families could not inherit what was left to the church.

Thompson developed a tumor on his neck sometime around 2000, maybe earlier. The whole church witnessed his slow decline. All the while he gave several desperate sermons on healing. It was almost like he was trying to get God to do it by saying it enough.

When GF went to Canada to fight for the estate of a demented old man, he could not go because the man was nearing death. The judge was only told that he was ill. He died a horrible death, strangling on his own cancer. His wife wrote a letter which was read to the whole church in which she stated that he may have died because God knew that if he had lived longer, he might have left the true faith, though she could not imagine that happening. (By the way, the judge in Canada awarded the estate to the family.) [Note: The court case (2002 BCSC 1703 Flurry v Fuller et al) has since been removed from the web, but we have posted a mirror of the original.] I remember GF talking about this court case in a sermon. He even almost joked about how they kept Mr. Thompson's condition a deep dark secret from the court.

The only way GF can preach healing in the face of deaths like this is to say that God will heal him in the resurrection, thereby keeping His word to heal every time. I don't know how many times we were told, "If you don't have the faith to be healed, you don't have the faith to be saved." Therefore, members who go to doctors are showing they do not have the faith to be saved. I personally knew five members, including Mr. Thompson, who died terrible deaths in fear of eternal death. I nearly did myself.

So many of us look to your website for help and support. --Former PCG member

Tim Thompson, Wil Malone and Doctors:

June 10, 2004

Tim Thompson knew at least 10 years ago, maybe more, that he had skin cancer. He had gone to a doctor who told him he had cancer, and the doctor removed the cancerous growths. Tim decided not to go back to the doctor, to rely on God to heal him. He had more cancerous growths return, and he made his wife cut them off with a razor blade. She was not happy with this at all, but she did what he told her to do. He knew he was on borrowed time. He was actually one of the few ministers to ever turn away completely from the medical community. 

In contrast, Wil Malone [who died January 27, 2004] went to doctors constantly and for every minor ailment. His rationale was that since he had served his country in the Navy when he was young, he was entitled to free medical care, and the government expected him to take advantage of it. He didn't think the same applied to the members in his congregations who had health care benefits from their jobs. He just expected them to pray and get anointed. He also said many times that anyone who didn't have the faith to be healed, wouldn't qualify to make it into the kingdom of God. I hope Wil enjoys being somewhere other than the kingdom, since he spent so much time going to doctors and having "miracle cures" happen in intensive care with the best medical staff money can buy. 

Tim was a thoroughly despicable man, but like most con men, quite likable in person. I just think it is very strange that he's the only PCG minister (that I'm aware of) who actually held to the healing doctrine they hold over the members' heads. Wil Malone could tell you with one breath that he went to the doctor, and in the next breath tell some little old lady that if she went to a doctor, she "didn't have enough faith."

The whole bunch of them make me sick! --Former PCG member

Flurry ("God's Prophet") Hints at Jordan for Place of Safety:

June 17, 2004

Gerald Flurry gave a sermon on May 1 and he had the following words inserted into it: 

"God may be giving a special protection to the nation of Jordan. Mr. Flurry asks, 'Is it because that is where God's people [PCG] will be protected during the tribulation? He said it certainly does look that way." 

Then the tape continued on with Flurry saying,

"Is God going to take us to a place of safety there? [Jordan] It sure looks like that to me."

He then quoted from Daniel 11:40-41 in order to substantiate his belief: "And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." Then he said, "Edom, Moab and Ammon is the Jordanian area." 

He also stated, "I believe I'm God's prophet."

While this sermon was entitled "judgment, mercy and faith," Flurry and his arrogant and cruel ministers know nothing of these concepts. All they can talk about is the "judgment of God" and Flurry made sure he covered end time prophecies with his usual loud voice. The sermon was confusing and contradictory. --Oklahoma

Are Feast Sites Where God Has Placed His Name?

July 18, 2004

While watching several episodes of "Cops" on TV today, I took note that the city featured in two of the shows was one of the cities that Gerald Flurry had instructed us that "God had placed his name" for us to attend the Feast of Tabernacles for a couple of years in a row. I had never felt safe at the hotels we were commanded to stay at, because they were generally in bad neighborhoods. So today, what do I see on "Cops" but a show featuring the same motel we stayed at during the feast, notable for being a hangout for druggies and prostitutes! Oh wait, it gets better...following this show was yet another "Cops" episode from the same city. I knew the motel looked familiar, but wasn't sure it was the same place until they showed a view from across the street of the hoochi-coochie joint directly across from where all the fine people in the church were once again commanded to stay. Yes, this too was where crack dealers and prostitutes stay. Think about how concerned Gerry's god is about your safety, and how this is supposed to picture what the Millennium will be like. The ministry will hush up any talk, but people get robbed at these tacky places that you wouldn't be caught dead near during the rest of the year. --Former PCG member

Comforting to Know I'm not Alone:

July 27, 2004

I find it so comforting to realize that I'm not the only one that has had this experience. Thank you for putting this ESN website together. I was a little surprised to read stories and feelings that are the same as what I'm going through and have lived through. I don't 
feel so crazy and alone now. --Former PCG member

Your Site is Effective in Helping People:

July 30, 2004

Thanks for keeping up the web-site. I believe it's effective in helping people exit the Armstrong groups, as well as helping people avoid getting into it. I appreciate it that you include help for those not in these groups, but are affected by them. I pray for the Network daily, that God will continue to bless what you're doing, as well as for you.
Flurry's message on Key of David Sunday morning was loosely about the "evils" of the internet. I thought of the Network when I was watching it. Obviously, you are doing a good thing. Keep up the good work. --Impacted by loved one in PCG

There is Life Beyond PCG:

August 9, 2004

Exiters need to know that not only is there life beyond PCG, but God wants them to be happy and not depressed and deceived. God can do anything and He can heal all of their wounds and give them a new life, free from all of the lies and deceit and abuse they endured. I feel more safe now knowing that regardless of where, or if, we attend a church, that we do have a relationship with the true Jesus. I know God has not brought us this far to make us fearful now. Once God opens our eyes and we know the real truth who would ever want to go back to any of that hearsay? --Exiter of PCG

I Was Naïve of What Was Happening Around Me:

August 19, 2004

Gerald Flurry has taken all of Herbert Armstrong's stuff to a whole new level. I am so completely shocked that so much evil and sexual perversion was going on all around me. When I was going to PCG, I knew the ministers were control freaks, but I thought they had morals. I've had former members tell me that there was a lot of sexual misconduct among the ministers. To just mention one thing that was totally inappropriate, one Sabbath the minister was correcting me for something when suddenly he looked me up and down and said, "I was going to be real mad at you, but I really like the dress you are wearing." Plenty of men have made a passing comment of "that outfit looks nice" and I never once thought anything of it, but the way this minister said it made me feel dirty. My dress looked like something Lucille Ball would wear and not at all revealing or skimpy.

I was so trusting and naïve of what was happening all around me. I believed that everyone just wanted to please God and make it into His Kingdom, like it was something we had to qualify for. Before I knew about grace, I thought we were always one step away from losing our salvation if we did not do just as they said.

The whole Armstrong Empire, including all of the split offs, is based on a very evil system. I read where HWA read and tried to copy the behavior of Hitler from his Mein Kampf. That is so sick and evil. 

I noticed on the video taped sermons of GF's "new revelation" of Daniel that his eyes would shift back and forth rapidly. I have never seen anyone that could do that. It did not even look human. It makes you wonder if these "ministers of God" even believe there is a God. They sure don't act like it.

Day by day I feel so thankful to God for loving us and taking us out of there out of all of those beliefs. I can see and have faith that He is faithful to never leave us or forsake us. It feels so good to be able to look back and see that even though what we went through was beyond evil; Jesus never left our side. In fact I know He is the only reason I made it through all I did. Jesus truly does seek the lost to save them. The victory I have is in Him that He is faithful and loved all of us so much that he died for us. Flurry claiming to be "Christ in the flesh" is outright blasphemy! What Armstrongism has done to us all is literally spiritual war crimes! I am sure they will all be held responsible for their crimes against innocent people in the Supreme Court in Heaven.

God bless you for what you are doing to help these innocent victims find freedom and healing through our Lord Jesus Christ.--K. S. (Raised in WCG; former member PCG)

Flurry and the Auction:

August 30, 2004

Gerald Flurry didn't tell the truth about the auction. I was present when he gave this sermon. He said $52,500.00 and $55,000.00 but he didn't tell us about the 15% auction fee of $16,125.00 + shipping + expense for eight or nine people, so we see more like $123,000.00 +.

I am a PCG member in the process of leaving this satan's den and the false prophet and all his so called ministers. I would love to help expose this false prophet. I have ordered the new MOA, MM and That Prophet. I wanted to compare them with the old ones I have to see all the changes. I have already stopped tithes. I have read all your letters and that helped me prove a lot of things. Thank YOU. --Going to leave PCG

Mrs. Flurry's Condition is Getting Worse:

September 4, 2004

I got this information today. Mrs. Flurry is getting worse; her heart rate is 212 and you can see her chest go up and down. She has been up most all night and her color is not good. She cannot move one side and she cannot eat or keep anything down. Stephen Flurry said "we (meaning dad, mom, and sister at the sister's house) stayed up all night with her and Mr. Flurry wanted all ministers and members to pray about this." The nurse took the 212 heart rate. I suppose that means since she can't talk it's not her call if she gets a doctor's help or not. Looks as if it won't be offered to her. So sad. Maybe she could live a little longer with help. --Getting ready to leave PCG

Mrs. Gerald Flurry Dies:

[The following was forwarded to us from the person above.]

September 5, 2004

-----Original Message----- 
From: Stephen Flurry 
Sent: Sun 9/5/2004 6:34 AM 
To: ALL HQ EMPLOYEES; ALL IC STUDENTS; AUSTRALASIA USERS; 
Subject: Sealed 

Dear brethren,  
My mother's last gasp of breath happened earlier this morning. She died peacefully at 2:16 a.m., September 5, 2004. About a half hour before she died, she started to moan somewhat - just enough to awaken us - giving us one final chance to encircle her bed, touch her, and tell her how much we loved her. She was a special woman. Our family is rejoicing with God, as yet another saint has been sealed (Psalm 116:15). At the same time, with all that lies ahead for this end-time Work, we will also miss her dearly. Thank you so much for your prayers and kindness. The memorial service is set for Wednesday night, September 8, at 7:00 p.m., at the John Amos Field House.

Mrs. Barbara Flurry Suffered For Years With Health Problems:

September 8, 2004

Mrs. Flurry was a very sweet woman, and I have had several talks with her. She was always willing to listen to anybody. However, she did not use any judgment of her own when it came to religion. She always let her husband tell her what to believe. She suffered for many years from rapid heart beat and high blood pressure. She could have gotten treatment and had a long and healthy life, but she believed her husband. Of course he "prophesied" about her untimely death. That kind of illness, untreated, is fatal.

My questions to Gerald Flurry are these: Whose faith was not strong enough that your wife died? Was there a "sin" she refused to repent of? How can her death in any wise show that God is behind you and what you are doing? How can you expect the members to believe that it is always God's will to heal? Wouldn't their faith be strengthened more if God had healed her? Could God be showing His displeasure at your profligate spending?

Finally, how many ministers have now sacrificed their wives on the altar of ego and false doctrines? No one deserves to die like that! No one is happy that she is dead. HWA is ultimately responsible for all these unnecessary deaths. --An ex-member

An Example of How Much Money Members Must Give to PCG:

September 9, 2004

Tithes have to be paid to PCG on gross wages by the hour or salary (not on one's net income). Here is an example:

$460.00 a week for 40 hours at $11.50 hour
$46.00 1st tithe
$46.00 2nd tithe
$46.00 3rd tithe (every third year)
$4.60 tithe of the tithes on one's 2nd tithe
$138.00 (average 30% for taxes)
$179.40 to live off for a week + PCG wants holy day offerings (7 of them) and building fund + they don't want you to bring 2nd tithes back from Feast of Tabernacles, so you have to turn that in. They say HWA said it's OK to give the excess to the "church."

--Impacted by PCG

I Wasn't Just Having a "Government Problem":

September 11, 2004

I just wanted to thank you for the work you do here. So many of us are in need of help like this after exiting the Armstrong groups. Reading the testimonials helped me see that I wasn't just having a "government problem" and helped me come to fully realize I wasn't in "God's true church." --Recent exiter of PCG

Proof that HWA Lied About Church History:

September 12, 2004

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

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

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

Gerald Flurry Prophesies of "The Last Hour":

September 14, 2004

Gerald Flurry continues with his prophesying. This time it's a "ticking time bomb" that will explode in the faces of all those in the world (except, of course, "members of God's true Church.") In his August 26, 2004 "Dear brethren and co-workers in Christ" letter, he tells about a "new and quite large booklet" which he has entitled The Last Hour. (GF's words "the last hour" are definitely trigger words and I counted fourteen incidences of them in his letter.) A copy of this book will be given to each family during the Feast of Tabernacles, and co-workers are "strongly encouraged" to write or phone in for their free copy. --A reader 

Confusing Article on Health Insurance by Frank Borg:

September 21, 2004

It looks as if it is okay for GF to insure his treasures but not our health. I hope a lot of PCG members see this issue clearer after reading the lop-sided article in The Royal Vision that just came out. It was written by Frank Borg and the title was “What does the Bible say about obtaining insurance?” --Anonymous

Comment: This July-August 2004 Royal Vision article by Frank Borg starts out by saying that members should make arrangements for losses or early death so it won't impoverish their families and that insurance is "one way" of saving for the future. But in the next paragraph he begins talking about "God's Insurance Program," which is--you guessed it--"Third Tithe." He reminds members that they are "commanded by God" to save this tithe every third and sixth year [it is to be sent to PCG headquarters]. Yet he goes on to state that members "shouldn't rely on or burden the Church because of a lack of proper family financial planning" [meaning those who end up needing some of this third tithe!], since PCG’s "main goal" is to warn the world and do "the work."

This conflicting article tells members that it will be a "relief" to the third tithe system if they plan to provide for their family's future themselves, but continues to intertwine having insurance with paying third tithe. He also says that health insurance can cause members to "rely on man's system instead of looking to God for divine healing" and would therefore be of "limited use" to those in PCG. He ends by saying that members' motives behind buying insurance shouldn't be based on the "get" attitude. 

Update: Frank Borg was suspended by Gerald Flurry in December 2007.

Greatly Concerned About the Abuse Those in PCG Are Receiving:

September 30, 2004

A friend, a former member to the original WCG, told me about your web site. I just finished reading the letters from former and current PCG members. As a former member and local church elder [in WCG], I thought WCG was bad, but I am greatly concerned about the abuse PCG members are receiving. My wife and I were in the WCG cult for over 25 years. I cannot find adequate words to express my thanks to God for delivering us out of that fearful existence and leading us to a healthy, well balanced church. It was all His doing, praise to Him, and yet it was not an easy trip. It took time to get over the withdrawal and transform into a healthy spiritual condition, about 8 years. It would have been good to have had a support group to help during that time, so I do feel compassion for those who expressed their pain in the letters I just read. Seems they are crying out for help. 

My wife and I want to offer our help. If anyone just wants to call and talk, we would be happy to be of help. I leave you my e-mail, phone number, and mailing address. You can use my name any time you feel it would be appropriate. I have no need to hide from these creatures anymore. We are Free.

--Charles Rightmeier, Topeka, KS

Comment: If any survivors would like to talk to, write, or email Charles, please email ESN and refer to this letter by title and date and we will put you in touch with him. We are in touch with Charles and can vouch for his sincerity.

Updates: Read the following by Charles:: We are Free at Last! (2004) and PCG Shatters Close Family Relationship! (August 2, 2005 testimony)

PCG Services Disturbed the Cows!

October 3, 2004

I went to quite a few services in totally unsuitable surroundings, but the all-time worst would have to be holy day services in the basement of a grange hall. It was a cramped dark damp airless little room, and we had all brought food to eat between services. Services started normally, but a few minutes after we began, we heard a huge commotion upstairs in the main hall. The hall started to fill up with COWS; they were holding a cattle show at the same time as our church services! They clomped directly overhead! The stench was unbelievable! And the funniest thing that happened, the management of the hall came down and interrupted services and told us we couldn't sing any more hymns because it disturbed the cows! A lot of people left the minute the first service ended because they couldn't take it anymore, and nobody ate much with the aroma of cattle in the air. --Former PCG member

Your Website Has Been So Informative:

October 6, 2004

I just want to take a moment and thank you for personally taking the time to help people that find themselves or their loved ones in this sort of position and to educate others on cults. Thank you for answering my email. Your website has been so informative. I printed tons of stuff off. --Impacted by loved one in PCG

Membership Down in PCG:

October 13, 2004

Marvin Campbell said it (at Greenville, S.C. feast site) that the membership count was 5,153 members in the church, so I guess that's down from 7000. Hmmm, might be falling away a little at a time. We wonder why? --Anonymous

Mrs. Craig Winters in Bad Shape:

October 18, 2004

One of my relatives in the PCG told me that Mrs. Craig Winters is in pretty bad shape. Craig Winter's gave a sermon about not going to doctors while we were at the Feast one year, so I know his views are VERY extreme. The Winters' son died a few years ago and I remember hearing that his condition could have been helped by going to a doctor. My husband also remembers the healing sermon Craig gave at the feast and his radical views of doctors. There was a prayer request for Mrs. Winters this summer but I can't remember what the problem was and no updates, so it seems that members assumed she was better. --Former PCG member

Comment: Craig Winter's son, Jacob, age 25, died of Addison's Disease on January 13, 2002. He tragically refused medicine, which his father told him he shouldn't take. Read: Run From Death That Resides in PCG!  Also read: Jake Winters a Victim of Abuse  (Letter from former PCG member).

Dennis Leap's New House Has a Double Face:

October 18, 2004

Dennis Leap told a friend of ours (who is aware of what is going on at headquarters) that the house he wanted to be built on the church property would appear modest on the side viewable to the church members and a big mansion on the side viewing the world. --Former PCG member

Comment: All of the Flurry family and certain top ministers are presently building houses on the Edmond, Oklahoma land in the range of $200,000. Perhaps members might want to walk around Leap's house and take a look at it from the other side.

Every Former Member Should Read the Robert Gerringer Letter:

October 29, 2004

I just got around to reading the 1975 letter of Bob Gerringer to Charles Hunting. I wish that every member and ex-member of the WCG and all the COG's would take the time to read it. Though it is long, it is very worth the read, and I am so grateful that you have it on your site. It is more undeniable proof of how long the deception and manipulation have been going on. --An ex-member of the WCG and PCG. 

HWA Said There Was No Longer a King of the South:

November 3, 2004

HWA said there was no longer a King of the South. The reference in question was the booklet entitled, "The Bible, Superstition or Authority?...and can you prove it?" Copyright 1985. These were the final words of the "Elijah" on the subject in the same year as Mystery of the Ages was written. Surely this must be respected as "unchangeable, restored truth."

Here are some quotes from pages 30-31 which are only one page before the end of the book:

"Ethiopia was the only country in all East Africa that continued independent, and had a government and kingdom dating back before the Roman Empire. It was the southern part of the kingdom of the south. So it is the only possible government that could be the king of the south. At the time of the end--our time--this king of the south was to push at
the king of the north, now at Rome!" (Top of page 30.) 

The middle of page 30 goes into great detail about how that happened in 1895. The bottom third of page 30 describes the fulfillment of Dan. 11: 40 in the year 1935.

"1935 came. The hour struck! Mussolini attacked! Now notice verse 40: '...and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.' A whirlwind comes in the air, sweeping all before it. Mussolini did send a great air force into Africa! Also many modern 'chariots'--trucks, tanks, etc.--and ships, loaded with soldiers. More than 100,000 sailed to Ethiopia.

"And, notice it, Mussolini's forces were to pass over--in the air! It is at this precise point in this astounding prophecy that Mussolini's struggle in Ethiopia and in World War II ended. Mussolini did not finish the prophecy. There is yet another leader to arise in Europe! Notice what will next happen!"

Now top of page 31:

"Verse 41--"He shall enter also into the glorious land..."--the Holy Land. This is soon to be fulfilled."

Therefore, according to the "Elijah," the push from the king of the south has already been fulfilled, as was the attack by the king of the north against him. On page 31 he predicts the "final" revival of the Roman Empire that will take the Holy Land, but not in response to any "push."

In the middle of page 31, he states:

"...observe that after its conquest by Mussolini, Ethiopia is not again referred to as the king of the south." 

In fact there are no more references to the king of the south. HWA went to great lengths to prove the authority of the Bible through the precise fulfillment of this prophecy in Dan 11. On the top of page 32 he states dogmatically:

 "It is so plain, there can be no doubt of its right application!" 

That doesn't seem to leave GF any wiggle room to change that at all. 

To sum up, then, according to HWA, the prophecy about the push from the king of the south and its retaliation by the king of the north have already been precisely fulfilled.

The king of the south does not exist any more. Once again, Gerald Flurry has felt free to change the plain teaching of the "Elijah" to suit his own fear agenda. Flurry's prophecies are led by Stratfor Intelligence and Reuters News, neither of which have the authority of God behind them. --Ex-member of the WCG/PCG

Your Critique of GF's FOT Sermon:

November 22, 2004

I really enjoyed reading your critique on the GF sermon. I could hear GF speaking as I read it. It was nothing new. It is the same tired sermon they give every time that someone high-up dies. It is nothing more than double-talk to excuse the death of someone who "should have been healed." They say that "It is always God's will to heal." They say that it is an "unbreakable promise!" They say it depends on the quality and quantity of the person's faith. Then when someone well- known dies, they have to cover their tracks. I am actually surprised that GF didn't blame the membership for Mrs. Flurry's death the way that HWA did when his wife died. --Former PCG member

Brian Davis Instruct Members in Making Budget:

November 29, 2004

I have a sermon by Brian Davis (of PCG) and he is instructing members in how to make a budget. He has them first examine 3 points (and others) for "sin" and then "in faith, make a decision and move" to make their budget. He has them tithing on every last dime they have. Let me quote (all repeating of words is Davis'; bolding is mine): 

Point #4 is, you need a budget! You need a budget! I’m going to try to go through this fairly quickly, but you need a budget. So if you’ll take a sheet of paper and divide it in two columns. On the left hand side put at the top of the page, your income. On the right hand side put your out-go. And then under your income, look for all these areas to add up your income. Some people have told me that they just don’t even know what they make. They don’t even know what they have. They don’t even know what is coming in. They sure don’t know what is going out. … 
 
Well, let’s sit down and find out then where it’s going and what’s coming in. #1 put down your salary--the husband and wife, if both people are working--all of your salary. #2 Include any interest income you may have. #3 Dividend or investment income. #4 Social Security or Disability income. And then I think those are the major areas of income most people would have. #5 you could put down other. Now, then, total up your income. Now underneath that, take out your tithes and even plan for your offerings. Prepare for offerings--that kind of thing. Under that side, because that's not your money. Take that out first. It’s not your money. Now total your income.

I sat thru this sermon before I finally resigned. It was dated July 2, 2004, Bible Study. I think it looks as if Flurry is hurting for money in a bad way. --Ex member of PCG

The Emperor is Naked:

November 30, 2004

Just a week and a half ago, I put it all together and now know that Gerald Flurry is a false prophet. A personal Bible study aided by an article on another site helped me to wake up. There were a lot of things just "not clicking" that prompted me along.
One is prohibited from reading "dissident literature" as a sign of mind control. If a church has the truth, then how can "dissident literature" hurt it? It can't. It's only when the church is built on lies that church leaders don't want to be exposed by the truth and thus need to make the "thou shall read no words that may disagree with our way of seeing things" command.

Flurry did not "meet and greet" on the Last Great Day of the FOT in San Diego. He "might have been contagious," he claimed, but the day before he had mentioned food poisoning, which isn't contagious. I think he is feeling "above" the masses.

Constant theme: The emperor has no clothes. No one wanted to admit that Flurry didn't present "new revelation" in his sermon, even though he said he would. I asked the new Western Regional Pastor (Winters' replacement) and he said, "Well, it was just deeper understanding of the Scriptures." Excuse me, but "new revelation" is not "deeper understanding." Flurry uses this tactic a lot. He says, "I can prove this church is the true church" or "the only church doing God's end time work." But then he doesn't prove it. He implies that you should be able to, and if you can't, then you aren't righteous, or whatever, enough. In other words, he wants you to believe everyone else could prove so and so; if you can't, then you're stupid. But no one admits they "don't get it." It's just like no one wanting to admit that the emperor is naked.

I am grateful for your site and can now begin looking at HWA's teachings in a new light. After this Sabbath, I'm going to take a huge break from attending any church. I'll put my faith in Jesus, not in a man, and it will be all right.

Thank you again. --Arizona

PCG Members Going to a Petra Exhibit:

December 2, 2004

I don't know if this is significant or not, but the PCG congregation in Kentucky is going to a Petra exhibit in Cincinnati, Ohio this Sunday. I'm sure that the subject of the "place of safety" will come up in their conversation or most likely, already has. This makes me wonder if GF could be gearing up for another scare campaign soon about Jesus' return and fleeing the country? --Arkansas

PCG Believes it is "Gideon's Army":

December 27, 2004

Flurry and his whole ministry is deeply concerned about the financial bottom line. But there is more to their mindset than just that. Flurry used to often say that he expected the PCG to be like Gideon's Army, a very small but effective force in "delivering the warning message to the world." Gideon's army started out with 30,000 and ended up being only 300. I can remember a lot of sermons from various ministers on this example of how "God only works with a very few to show the world that He is the one doing the Work." So ministers were not afraid to put people out of the church. I remember ministers even bragging about the number of people they suspended or disfellowshipped. I remember them saying "Christ is measuring the temple and is finding many of you lacking."

So, essentially the PCG believes that it is "an army" with a direct mission from God. They don't believe that they have the time, or the mission, of helping people with their problems and such. They want "an effective fighting force" who won't weigh the ministry down with hours of counseling. They want the "best of the best," sort of a COG Marine Corps or Special Forces. That is why this group is more of a cult than any of the other splinters. They are "specially chosen" to be "Gideon's Army" in the end time. (But the only casualties are the members, and their families and friends).

I am sure that Flurry is troubled because he always felt that the money would flow in no matter what the membership numbers were. He's not getting the large offerings from co-workers that the WCG used to get back in it's hey day. That's why he has resorted to getting the elderly to sign their estates over to the PCG, and is now wanting them to tithe on their gross Social Security checks. But all of this is justified in their thinking because this is "war" and you can't get all sentimental and nice during a war. I have heard him say basically just that. He also used to thunder, "You should all put your own needs and wants on the back burner. The Work gets high priority!" I do think that he believed that as "Christ pruned the vine" new growth would occur, especially after the court case "victory" over HWA's books. That hasn't happened. --Former PCG member

PCG Men Threatened by Independent Women:

December 29, 2004

I thought I'd let ESN know of a friend of ours who's still in the PCG. At the time we hadn't left yet, but we were talking to her at a restaurant, and she told us something she was going through. She was a student, living alone, getting her degree in accounting, and holding a job that provided a company vehicle, a company gas card, and a very respectable salary. One of the ministers told her that she must drop out of school, quit her nice job, move to headquarters, put her "talents" to good use for the work, and then delivered a further speech about needing a husband. This woman is about 24 years old. She politely told him that she didn't believe that it was in her best interests at that time, and that she wanted to finish school. She also said she wouldn't move to HQ. She told us that he flared up and told her she was disobedient to the government of God, and that he would pray for her misery and failure.

This also reiterates how threatened many men in PCG are when they see a woman start to make it for herself, without the domination of a man.

With prayers and support. --Rob Blaize (Former PCG member) 

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