I think God opened the door in
the 1990's for people to leave the Worldwide Church of God, and those that didn't had to put up with the
turmoil that happened later. Some left WCG and went to Philadelphia Church
of God. Now they are beginning to see that this was not the answer. I hope
some of my story in short form can help others who want to get out of PCG.
I was in the WCG for only five years, leaving in 1993. It was a much
shorter time than others spent in there, but nonetheless, just as
traumatic. I believed with all of my heart and soul the "Worldwide way."
But what I ended up experiencing was most destructive, just as many from
PCG have said they experienced.When I was in my 20's, I started asking
questions about life and its purpose. Then one day at the bus stop there
was the "Plain Truth." My questions now became answered. This was
early 80's.
By 1987 I was attending full time with my husband and two children in
tow. As the years passed, the biggest problem I had was the financial
difficulties. But like so many, I believed things would work out if I just
had more faith. What tithing did to me emotionally, let alone financially
was devastating. As expected, I prayed more and begged God to help
me. I wrote many letters to the ministry about tithing, but to no avail.
They just told me I had two choices: either increase my income, or spend
less money. I just couldn't understand what God wanted from me. We were
living on $200.00 a month for food, and my children didn't have enough
clothes. However, I would rationalize it all saying somehow God would work
things out, and at least we had a roof over our heads.
Later my husband received a job transfer. Since I was in a new city
now, and had absolutely no confidence in myself to start doing anything
worthwhile, let alone working again, reading the Bible took a lot of my
time. I started reading the book of Galatians and Romans and how it talked
about freedom in Christ and the wonderful grace of God. However, when I
went to services each week, everything I had read through the week was
totally dismantled. I
also noticed how so many were unhappy.
Anyway, one thing led to another. I knew I had to leave for my
sanity, but how to do that was quite another thing. I was still
desperately afraid of losing my salvation.
Conveniently, another job transfer came up. It was 1993. By this time,
both our minds were very messed up and we looked forward to moving to
another city, hoping things would be better. I had tried to give WCG the
benefit of the doubt regarding everything, including all of the changes
they were making. But the first Saturday we walked into services in the
new city was the beginning of my freedom. I never in my life felt so very
alone. I knew by this time, I didn't belong. It was then I really believed
what I was in was a full-blown cult.
For so long, I wanted to believe otherwise, but I couldn't deny my gut
instinct. The biggest problem I had with HQ was their lying. I wrote many
letters to Joe Jr. during all of my turmoil and pleaded for his honesty.
How many in PCG have likewise written Gerald Furry and pleaded for answers and have
received no help? How does one trust an organization that consistently
lies to you and uses you, and shows no genuine remorse?
It wasn't until I left that I began to understood the
mind control. I see it continuing
today in the splinters such as PCG. I believe the real problem with these
cults is their greed and love for money. It has corrupted and
blinded them to the truth. A very sad and tragic situation indeed.
I personally believe that Christianity is a unique gift that is handed
from person to person and it doesn't necessarily entail a lot of
complicated doctrines. I believe there are definitely some essential
beliefs, but not as many as most Christians believe. I know now that one
is not a Christian because of their doctrines. Head knowledge without love
from the heart is anti-Christian no matter what doctrine one espouses. So
no matter how much doctrine one pumps, whether it be false, or true, makes
no bearing upon their Christianity. Jesus said we would know them by their
fruits, not their doctrines.
When I came into the WCG and was baptized, I believed in God and Jesus
Christ with all of my heart and soul and wanted to serve Him with all of
my being.* I was idealistic,
naïve
and uneducated enough to put my trust in an organization that grossly
misrepresented Him. I see how so many in PCG have done the same thing. But
I now know what it is like to have a true personal relationship with Jesus
Christ without the baggage of organizations. I also know that God will
never leave me or forsake me. He promises us that, and God cannot lie even
though so many do.
By Marianne
April 3, 2007
*There were a few in WCG who were
true Christians. Some
accepted Christ as their Savior before joining.
|
"For the law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." ~John
1:17-18 |
A Letter to
Those Who Are Questioning Whether They Should Stay in Philadelphia Church of God
Questioning Why I
Was in A Deceptive Cult
Articles on Understanding Mind Control and Exploitive Groups
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