Letters From Those Impacted By
Philadelphia Church of God
Best of the Letters from 2008
Letters Regarding PCG News Story (FOX 25 Special Report on PCG)
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Your Site Changed My Life For the Better: February 3, 2008 Thanks for your help and support over the years. I was real glad when I found this site as it has changed my life for the better. I have lots more money now and am out of debt, too. It is nice to be free from man. I hope you are well. --Australia I Applaud You For Taking a Stand and Offering a Helping Hand: April 5, 2008
I was born into the WCG, then moved into
the PCG after my parents decided they no longer believed in what WCG was
teaching. I was forced to attend
PYC (youth camp) for
two years in my teens. I've been out of the PCG for over ten years now
and I still have nightmares about it (being back at services, or at the
summer camp). I never realized how many issues in my life were connected
to the fear that I had made the wrong choice; that I had somehow doomed
myself. I applaud you for taking a stand and offering a helping hand to
those of us who have been severely wounded by these "churches." I look
forward to making contact with others with the same feelings I've dealt
with alone for so many years. --Child survivor of WCG and PCG
April 6, 2008 Ways I Suffered Spiritually Because of PCG: May 1, 2008 Thank you for writing. I accessed your
site and really received helpful information. I had noticed that even
though I didn't join PCOG, their literature left a "filter" in my mind
through which everything seems to flow. Even reading daily devotional
books like The Daily Bread made mental comments pop up like "there
is no Trinity" or "grace isn't totally free, you have to
obey or God won't bless you," or "celebrating Christmas is sinful." I'm
thankful that God is helping me recognize these thoughts when they pop up,
and to replace the "filter" with the truth of His Word. As I read your
information, more things come to light about just how damaging even a
little bit of this propaganda can be, and I really appreciate the help
your ministry is giving. It Takes a Long Time to Get HWA's "Brainwashing" Out of Our Minds: May 5, 2008 The lying spirits in the Armstrong groups continue to wreck havoc on innocent, well-meaning people seeking God. I am a child survivor of Armstrongism in the 1970's/early 1980's. Armstrongites need a man to guide them because their doctrine is the doctrine of men. Armstrongites do not acknowledge the Holy Spirit as Deity nor do they acknowledge the Holy Spirit as our guide, our comforter, our teacher. Years ago I left Armstrongism and was still searching for the "true church." It is amazing how long it takes to get Armstrong's "brainwashing" out of one's mind. It is beautiful to realize that Jesus is the Kingdom, Jesus is the "true church," Jesus is our everything! Thank you for your website. It is very well done and very important!! --S. K. Exiters Who See Through Gerald Flurry's Craziness but not HWA's: May 17, 2008 I've noticed that a number of ministers who leave PCG somehow can see through the craziness of Gerald Flurry, but they still think well of HWA. Many WCGers who ran to the PCG thought that GF was the only one out there still holding up HWA. Now many of them are starting to see that GF is adding to the "original HWA dogma" and they're tired of his tight-fisted control and Scripture twisting. But even though they come out, they still hold on to the PR image of HWA and speak politely of him, even justifying him. I've heard of them speak of HWA's "health laws" or "family closeness," as if somehow, there was some kind of goodness or rightness to HWA at some level. These are some of the ideologies that got members hooked into the group in the first place. The health laws were a system of control used against members to keep them busy and in check. If somebody became sick with a common, contagious illness, then it was blamed on the person for "breaking a Health Law." Obviously, some exiters do not see it exactly this way, but still hold on to some form of this practice. As far as HWA teaching "family closeness," even HWA's own family wasn't part of his "church." GTA ousted out; Dorothy mysteriously gone from the scene; Beverly never a member; Loma dead from some kind of curable ailment had she gone to the doctor; HWA divorced from his second wife Ramona. How could HWA teach others the way to have close family relations when he didn't set the example himself? In reality, HWA's teachings broke up families--D&R, causing people to divorce mates outside the church; causing families to shun one another if a member was put out, deciding who can marry who and who can't, etc. To not be able to see and acknowledge all this evil and the hurt it causes is to be pretty blind to HWA's nonsense and destruction. And to simply say, "Too bad HWA
didn't practice autonomy in his church like he taught in the early years"
should be a big tip off that HWA's church was not about autonomy.
These ex-ministers do not seem to understand that they were under a
dictatorship, and were part of that dictatorship. They don't seem
mortified by this at all. Found $5,000 Money Order Receipt: May 30, 2008 My brother died awhile back and while I was going through things in his house, I found an old receipt showing that he had sent in $5000 to the WCG in Pasadena from back in the 70's. He didn't have two nickels to rub together his whole life, but somehow he managed to send thousands of dollars to HWA to build his empire. Incredible! My mouth just about hit the floor! I looked hard to see if there was a decimal there (like $50.00), but there wasn't. Five thousand dollars in the '70s would have been a lot of money (not that it isn't now). I wouldn't have believed he had that kind of money to send if I hadn't seen the receipt for the money order with my own eyes. My brother didn't have the proverbial "pot to pee in," and to now know how HWA jetted around the world and lived in the lap of luxury with this poor man's money was nothing less than shocking (and sickening). I'm seeing more and more every day the exploitation of those who believed HWA--and persist to believe him through GF--and it still makes me sick to see how people have been used (and continue to be). --Escaped Flurry in Georgia PCG is a Dying Organization: June 19, 2008 I want to confirm that PCG is
dwindling in members. In a recent telephone conversation with a friend,
who is in contact with someone in PCG, the whole state of Arizona has only
about 100 members now. That is not very many for the state of Arizona. I
know that PCG's members are getting old, and they certainly must not be
attracting new people at the rate their members are leaving and dying off.
It's a dying organization. We Finally Got the Courage to Leave PCG: July 4, 2008 We finally got the courage to leave, after
many years of mind control and harassment, and it wasn't easy for the
first few weeks because of the guilt trip, but we finally got over that,
and then it was a like a breath of fresh air come over us. We felt the
burden lift and felt so free. It has been wonderful every since and we
feel sorry for those left in it and for the newer members that are
deceived. If any of them are reading this, please gather all your strength
to get out of that false church. It will take time to heal, but get out
now as it is causing too much damage to your state of mind. Any
disagreement or hesitation on matters that occur in your mind is a warning
sign. Read the signs before it gets worse--but really, it can't get much
worse. They've done it all!! Flurry Formerly Said End Would Be in 2008: August 11, 2008 When we were in the PCG three years ago,
Flurry had been telling us for a couple of years that he felt the end
would be in 2008. He has to predict the "new" end is five years from
now because "hello"--2008 is here now!! Flurry Says PCG Will Need 10,000 Members Before Fleeing: November 19, 2008 I wanted to comment that Gerry has been
saying the tribulation would begin in 2010 for quite a while. I remember
this because I bought a copy of the "Bible Code" a few years back
and as I was showing it around services in PCG, I was pointing out how the
book and Gerry were both referencing 2010 for the end. He, Gerry, of
course always hedged his bets with weasel words such as "wouldn't it be
interesting if," or "it could be a possibility," and so did the book for
that matter. One of the people I discussed that with at the time was [a
minister in PCG who is related to GF]. And I am sure that he shared that
with him, and that only made him bolder. NOTICE: PCG News Story (FOX 25 Special Report on Philadelphia Church of God) The following letters pertain to this. Nick Winkler, a news reporter from Fox 25 in Oklahoma City, contacted ESN on September 30, 2008 regarding a PCG story he was assigned to do. He was also referred to our other contacts. The following emails pertain to this special investigative report done on November 24 and 25. (Philadelphia Church of God: Part one) Part two aired November 26: Philadelphia Church of God: Part two. (Note: Links updated 6-09) Read: Special News Report on Philadelphia Church of God (Includes pertinent comments by ESN) (article posted by ESN) Read: Flurry's Fury Unleashed! (Flurry comes against FOX25 news) "Mug Shots" Shown of Flurry: November 25, 2008 We saw the news program. The reporter told how PCG said that the end of the world would be violent and then Christ would return. Stephen Flurry showed pictures of the building project and some of the grounds. Near the end they showed the "mug shots" of Flurry from the incident where he got drunk on the Oklahoma college grounds. They also spoke to several former members. Dr. Barbara Boyd at Oklahoma University mentioned the fact that no one knows exactly "where all the money goes." --Former PCG members Claiming That Tithing is Voluntary: November 25, 2008 They interviewed a Dr. Barbara Boyd, Professor of Religious Studies at Oklahoma University. She makes the inane comment that she looks up to anyone who can or will give 35% of their income to a church (as though PCG were legitimate). They also are claiming that tithing is voluntary. It is simply one version for those on the outside; another version for those on the inside. You know well how that works! --William Hohmann, author of Mystery of the Ages (a 2nd critical review) and other articles on ESN site. Exposed as Apocalyptic Group: November 25, 2008 Part 1 is pretty tough on them. The commentator interviews Stephen Flurry, whose explanation of PCG beliefs will come off as "kooky" to those not informed of HWA doctrine. It also shows the practice of 2nd and 3rd tithes, and says that the church has "generated 15 million dollars in revenue" last year from its members. They interview Dr. Barbara Boyd of the University of Oklahoma, who says that 2nd and 3rd tithes are unreasonable, even in evangelical churches. What I found most interesting was when SF says "We believe we're at the time of the end." The commentator says that the PCG believes that "only the faithful will survive." The PCG is definitely exposed
as an apocalyptic group. A Discerning Person Will See Through the Disguise: November 25, 2008 It's exactly as I would
expect. We watched Pt. 1 today. They, just like the
HWA organization, make it look on the
surface "so neat." But then, that's exactly how the enemy works. He
works hard to hide the secret undercover stuff. Like draining and
bleeding those poor captives of his organization financially dry so he
can build his multi million dollar building, while at the same time
telling his captives that "time is short." GF Tells Members They Will Now Come Under Fire as Never Before: November 25, 2008 In
listening to part one I could see some similarities to other religious
cults. It looks like the station is trying to expose them, while
walking a thin line of saying all they can without putting themselves
at risk for a lawsuit. PCG Compound May Provide a Temporary Place of Safety: November 25, 2008 I watched Pt. 1 and found [what PCG said]
contradictory. This is common in that organization. Why are they building
for God on earth when it is all going to be burned up? Is this compound
somehow going to survive God's wrath during the Day of the Lord? Where can
they substantiate what they are teaching about this building project in
the Scriptures? It's all about a physical work and yet God is concerned
about us building spiritual character--not buildings. This compound may
provide a temporary place of safety for
them. More Info on Part One: November 25, 2008 The comment from Stephen Flurry about
their 15 million dollar Performing Arts Center "showcases the greatest
achievements of the human spirit" sounded quite phony to me. I hope those
who are not familiar with the organization are turned off by the fact that
kind of cash was spent on a building instead of social responsibility. A Very Good Report: November 25, 2008 I just watched part 2. They brought up the
allegations of the PCG trying to withdraw money from an elderly member's
bank account without her knowledge. Stephen Flurry claimed to know nothing
about that. At the beginning of the piece Nick Winkler mentioned that the
PCG has been investigated by various police agencies and the FBI. They
also mentioned the practice of the 3 tithe system again, as in part one,
and again the PCG claims that tithing is "voluntary." Right after Nick reported Flurry's arrest,
he reported that the PCG believes that Gerald Flurry is a prophet and
speaks for God. Nick asked Stephen point blank if Flurry speaks for God
and Stephen acknowledged it by saying yes and that he fulfills the role of
a prophet as laid out in Scripture. In both parts, a theology professor from
Oklahoma University was interviewed. In part 2 she stressed the importance
of members being able to disagree with the leadership, rather than just an
"accept everything that is said" policy. The PCG claims that people are
allowed to disagree, which of course is a damn lie. Mike's Enlightenment Page Was Shown on Part Two: November 25, 2008 Guess what? Mike's
Enlightenment Page was on part two twice! Yes! Maybe somebody will check
it out online! They showed a complete shot of Mike's Enlightenment Page,
then they do a close-up of the words "Beware of the Philadelphia Church of
God" and then they quickly flash down to the contents of the page. Really
cool!! Gerald and Stephen Flurry Are Hypocrites: November 26, 2008 Those two programs were not long enough to expose the PCG for what they are, hypocrites. For one thing tithing is not voluntary; they demand it or you're out. It's time the members woke up to the Flurry tribe. Who was Stephen Flurry trying to kid? What does Flurry need paying for? It would be pocket money to him. What is there for him to spend it on? He has a big new house built on the land, new car to drive, his kids living on either side of him so no travelling to get to see them and let's not forget the "pay" his kids have on top of their new houses! Members have paid for their new houses, too, and continue to pay for their ongoing empire building. How can they say they are building a "house for God"? God doesn't need one. It's all been done before. Flurry is only after the members' money. Those mug shots are about right--he is a control freak and a crook. --Ex member of WCG, PCG, & LCG My Commentary on the PCG Story: November 26, 2008 I recently watched Fox25's story on the Philadelphia Church of God. Anyone who has family members or loved ones involved with the PCG wouldn't be surprised by the requirement of second and third tithes, nor the apocalyptic slant of Stephen Flurry when he says, "We believe we're in the time of the end." The commentator in the news story says that the PCG believes "only the faithful will survive." A former member, Dennis Fisher, states that Gerald Flurry sets himself up as a representative of God, and has declared himself "That Prophet." While this should be disturbing to someone unfamiliar with the group, to many of us, we're all too familiar already. While I was watching and listening to this, I already knew that these statements were true, as I had been hearing them and reading about them for years, since my mate's involvement in the PCG had brought them into my life, as well. On the second half, I quickly caught the lie that members can question the authority in the PCG. This is an out-and-out falsehood. Every member knows that to question the ministry is to question the "government of God" and is "not of God." Questioning is a quick way to find oneself disfellowshipped and separated from friends and family, which is a fearful means of keeping the members in control, not to mention the fear of eternal punishment for not belonging to the "one true church," the PCG. I also noticed that while GF did not appear in person, either because of his own paranoia, or because he thought that SF was more appealing to the public, there was a large painting of HWA behind SF, with HWA in a regal pose, either coincidentally or symbolically, looking over his son’s shoulder. Personally, I think that from the PCG perspective, letting SF speak is for the best. I have to admit that just seeing GF on TV gives me the "heebie-jeebies." He's always come across to me as being about as trustworthy as some used car salesmen that I've known. Let me add that I have to say that I do agree with SF on one thing he said: the PCG is not a "Branch-Davidian" operation. They're not stockpiling food or weapons, although the report did mention and show the gardening, livestock, and nearby water supply. The purpose of the PCG is to produce cash, a source of income for the upper ministers, and to give evil men a power of control over helpless and frightened members. Obviously, they're not really worried about the coming "end times," or they wouldn't be investing millions of dollars in members' tithes and offerings in buildings dedicated to men. These buildings' names quickly reveal who the flurry's "god" is; his name and likeness are in and on most everything they produce: HWA. I would encourage anyone who has family members in this group and those similar to it to watch these programs. I can also just pray that people take the information presented in the programs, and use it to educate themselves and their friends and family, and warn them of the Armstrong groups. --Have loved one in PCG News Story Shows Complaints Have Been Received: November 26, 2008 The news special on FOX 25 indicates a couple of things. First, news organizations do not put out negative stories about religious organizations unless they have received a number of complaints. They err on the side of caution. This means there are a number of people complaining about the church and their activities. The fact that the PCG is responding to the story by putting Stephen Flurry out there means they are worried about something (normally they do not respond). There may be more defections than we think if they are concerned about this negative news to the point of answering questions. This was a pretty negative story for a religious group. --Anonymous A Few of My Family's Thoughts on the Fox News Presentation: November 26, 2008 Here are a few of my family's
thoughts of the Fox News presentation on the PCG: My Observations From the News Reports: Stephen Flurry could not keep a straight
face when saying the world was coming to a violent end, could he? I believe the picture behind SF was actually one of a very old HWA. I am familiar with that picture. One of the members took the picture and made a painting of it. I noticed at the end of the second segment
that SF had told the reporter that the PCG had helped in a handicapped
school in Jordan. That was many years ago, and the PCG was kicked out very
quickly. The Jordanians are very wary of "churches" that are interested in
Petra. There are quite a few, actually. Wish They Had Been Tougher on Them: November 27, 2008 I watched both parts. I wish they'd been tougher on them. The PCG is currently trying to take someone's money here in Iowa. An elderly member died, they are giving his (non member) daughter grief. A member has the key to the deceased's house and has not returned it to the daughter. I guess (very nice) furniture is gone. Not too Christian, are they? Perhaps I should let that FOX affiliate know about that! Thank you for the heads up. --Former PCG member What Struck Me With the News Story: November 27, 2008 There is Another Side to the Story: November 27, 2008 I watched both parts of the interview, and was amazed at the whole story. Why didn't Gerald do the interview is my first question? I also noticed that when Stephen Flurry was saying that they believe that Gerald is fulfilling the role of a prophet, there was a little smirk on his face, like maybe he didn't believe it himself. They claim the time to flee is 2010 and they need 10,000 people. That makes me wonder why they are doing this interview. Could it be, trying to con people into believing this is a normal "church." I think their numbers are very low; they are trying to get more people. They are trying to make the group look normal, when in fact, they are far from normal. I believe there is another side of this story that needs to be told, our side. I hope that all who have been affected by this man who calls himself a prophet needs to write to the station. And let them know we want to give our side of the story. It's only fair that our voice is heard. I hope they will allow us to speak, and allow us to tell how we all have been affected by this organization. It's far from being Christian. One who has lost a daughter and three grandchildren because of the No Contact Rule, and this so call Prophet. --CJS Flurry and Ministers Giving False Message: November 30, 2008 PCG will just spin this and tell the members it's proof that they're God's people and that's why they are being projected this way. Unfortunately, many of their members will believe this. Hopefully more people will open their eyes and see that Mr. Flurry and his ministers are giving a false message that separates people from their families and friends. --Former member of PCG Flurrys Need to Get Off Moses' Seat: November 30, 2008 When I watched part 2 of the Fox25
interview, my initial thought was that until these men get off Moses'
seat, laws and regimented rulings to control will continue to remain over
those who are as yet seemingly naïve and blind to perceive the true
message that Jesus Christ came to teach for all of mankind. Those two
greater commandments are love. Old wine cannot be forced into new
wineskins just as Scripture says. Blatant Lie About Third Tithe: December 3, 2008 PCG Does Not Take Care of the Orphans & Widows: December 3, 2008 I read
The Edmond Sun news article and Shane Granger (PCG "marketing
director") claims they use the 3rd tithe for
the widows. The PCG does not take care of the orphans and
the widows. All they do is separate families. We never saw a widow or
orphan being cared for in all the years we were in that business
organization. They don't help the community or serve anyone but the
leadership in that group who are treated to trips and wonderful sites
around the world and to lavish hotels, and meals. PCG and Their Third Tithe: December 7, 2008 I was talking with a good friend of mine
from my PCG days last night on the phone. He reminded me of a situation
that I had forgotten about regarding the PCG's lack of concern for elderly
widows. My friend took a local PCG widow under his wings and used to go to
her house almost every Sunday and help by doing repairs, lawn mowing,
painting, etc. Someone forwarded a copy of
the PGR for April
2006 [Pastor General Report) that contained the expenses of the PCG
for 2005. It showed that they had allocated about $79,000 for assisting
widows and the needy. I've just done some math that shows that this is
ridiculously low. The PCG has somewhere between 3,500 and 5,000 members.
Everyone pays third tithes every third year in a seven year cycle. So lets
divide 3,500 by 3 just to be conservative. That comes to 1,167. The PCG Mindset: December 13, 2008 I think the main thing ESN can do is "expose" these charlatans and their works of darkness (along with providing resources for exiters) so that others won't get caught up in it. Even if we could free some people from the clutches of GF, many others would still want to be under his control (after all, "their salvation depends on it"). Most of the members will circle the wagons and wait for the latest word from "the voice of God" (through GF) to tell them how to think and how to respond. I remember during the California Receivership, how members truly believed they were being persecuted by the government, and they protected HWA--even risking their lives--and nobody could change their minds about it in the least. I had been told by those who were there at AC, how they refused to let the Attorney General in, and how they staged a protest by refusing to leave the facilities. (HWA was nowhere in sight. From what I understand, he was lying low in Tucson). These were young college kids doing this, and they were proud of it, and they believed with all their heart that they did this for God (and succeeded). I know the same mindset exists in the PCG. They believe that God is behind GF all the way, and they will protect him with everything they have. We, on the outside, know how these members are being mind controlled, but those on the inside don't understand it, and refuse to believe it. However, if just one person makes it out of PCG, it will have been worth it. --Former member of WCG |