We were becoming unhappy at LCG [Living Church of God] for various reasons, but one of them was it just didn't seem like we were doing much of a work about prophecy and warning like HWA had always done. We happened to catch the Key of David one weekend, watched a couple weeks and requested the Trumpet. We soon called to talk to a minister, explaining we were interested in the PCG and would like to attend. No minister ever talked to me, but every one my husband talked to--minister 1, minister 2, contact person--all asked if we believed HWA was the Elijah--and "does your wife realize we don't let women wear makeup?" As if these are the two "most important" things you need to "believe" to go to a church! PLLLLLLEEEEEEEEASE!!!

So we went. However, I am extremely upset about the makeup issue. I believe it is not provable in the Bible and HWA just wanted to "control" women. He had one ruling against it, because his wife Loma didn't wear it and then changed it (and the divorce and remarriage doctrine) when Ramona Martin [his second wife] came on the scene. The WCG changed it to "OK" (after HWA died). I was one of the first ones buying it, I'm sure! So I had been wearing makeup for several years, and then PCG says "No."

Not long after we started attending PCG, one deacon ousted another deacon (and two other men). There was a lot of church politics going on there. I was criticized behind my back (but my husband was talked to) about me wearing maternity pantsuits while I was 7 and 8 months pregnant. (I stayed home at 9 months.) EXCUUUUUSE ME, Mr. Deacon Man, have you ever been pregnant? Do you need to worry about dressing for comfort while taking care of two other young children? Get a life!

Everyone there constantly talks about those "lost, evil, deceived, Laodiceans [WCG] and anyone else not in PCG. My parents were (are) in LCG, and of course, I heard plenty of remarks about that. At one time, early on, I tried to convince my parents to come to PCG, but I'm glad now they didn't want to. They heard things about Flurry and PCG through the years, but wouldn't or couldn't be specific. We were warned by my husband's brother about the PCG, but we wouldn't listen to that "internet gossip."

There is a constant elevation of the other members as they "talk down" their non-member families and friends. Everyone talks about being the "bride of Christ." Everyone gives you dirty looks or doesn't hesitate to say something if one of your kids is having a bad day. Try being a child going to PCG services: 1 hour trip each way, 2 hours or more for church, visiting afterwards and before, and be quiet the whole time! The "true church" has never been child friendly. I didn't realize that so much until I had my own to work with.

There is a terrible lack of love in the PCG. I have not been to PCG for 6 or 7 weeks, my husband 3 or 4, and no one has called. We had one note from a lady who thinks we've been sick. (We just quit going one week.) PCG abuse: Threaten to tell the minister your wife is having a problem with makeup and wears a tiny bit when going out. Let's destroy some marriages while we're at it--just like old WCG!

Because of the makeup issue, I began to get on the internet looking into "HWA and makeup" and found a lot of very interesting info! Ironically, I believe the last week I attended (I really did miss 3 weeks in a row, due to colds being passed around). The last Bible study I heard was about the "dissident literature" and "stay off the internet." Also the last week I was there, the sermon was on child-rearing. After church, the "newest" deacon (AC snob at that) said to me, as I was headed to the mother's room we had set up, about how we were really getting the sermons to help us. Prior week, "church government" (they have noticed that I don't kiss any man's butt); this week "child rearing." I smiled and said "yeah" as I had my hands full with the baby (about 18 months old). I should have said that the church government sermon was for him, as his wife and daughter do not attend, and his wife wears makeup when she does!

My husband has decided that HWA is a false prophet¹ and so everything he taught is false. He's been talking to his brother and is checking into this "God thing" too. This bothers me as I have been trying to teach the kids about God and Jesus. I do Y.E.S. lessons with them² and we read Bible stories too. I hate to have them go through this confusion about religion and what to believe and think, etc.³

This is causing some problems now too. It's hard to admit that one has been in a "cult" all those years, but yet to write off everything is hard and doesn't feel right to me either. So we're at home on Saturdays now. Husband off to do his own thing, playing music, playing with kids, enjoying a brewski. Me, I'm still reading and on the internet on Saturday, also reading booklets trying to figure out if its all wrong or what!

Enough already. I feel better. PCG is not what I thought it would be. But maybe looking back now, it's exactly what I thought it would be! My dad has told me he thought Gerald Flurry was a bigger dictator than Herbert Armstrong ever was! (True feelings coming out, Dad?!)

To finish, it's all a big thing about controlling your mind, your life, your marriage, your children, your money, what you wear, how you groom, etc. I guess deodorant and perfume are big deadly sins to some too, huh?

Keep up the great work. Your website is a big help to many I'm sure!

By Rosalie
January 17, 2002

Footnotes by ESN:

¹ HWA gave over 200 false prophecies. Also read: Did Herbert W. Armstrong Set Dates?

² The Y.E.S. Lessons are pure propaganda and will lead children away from the truth about the grace of Christ that is in the Bible. Furthermore, old Herbert W. Armstrong Bible story books contain frightening pictures and twisted stories. Several child survivors of WCG still have nightmares because of these books. The true Jesus is kind, gentle and loving, especially toward children. There are good storybooks available to teach children about Jesus, but one has to be discerning to see if it truly what they want. ESN recommends the late J. Vernon McGee to help in understanding the Bible and comprehending the Person of Christ. See our Links page for a description.

³ Confusion is a result of the mind control that WCG survivors endured.

How Mind Manipulation is Used for Influence and Control