Questions and Answers (Pt. 2 of 3)
Questions About Worldwide Church of God (now known as Grace Communion International):
Has WCG (GCI) whitewashed Herbert W. Armstrong?
During their doctrinal changes, WCG added more contradictions to the confusion by saying that HWA was a "sincere Christian," "made some mistakes," "didn't completely understand the Bible," had a "lack of theological education" (Charisma and Christian Life Magazine, 1996) which led to "wrong interpretations," held "unusual beliefs," "unusual views," and "unorthodox doctrines" but...."was a minister of Jesus Christ" and "devoted to Christ." (March 7, 1995 Worldwide News, Vol. XXIII, NO.5, p. 3). In April 1995 the leaders said that they "regarded HWA as a minister of Jesus Christ" and "do not believe he needs to be condemned." ("MacGregor Ministries, News & Views," p. 4) Then on 4-30-96 and 5-1-96 Joseph Tkach, Jr. was interviewed on D. James Kennedy's Christian radio program "Truths that Transform" and stated that Herbert Armstrong was a "very sincere Christian who was dedicated to Christ." (WCG's 1998 book Transformed by Christ: a Brief History of the WCG [title now changed to A Short History of Grace Communion International - Transformed by Christ] includes such statements. Read ESN article: Transformed by Christ (A Review of Worldwide Church of God's Book.) WCG stated: "Mr. Armstrong's greatest legacy is his commitment to live by every word of God - to believe the Bible and faithfully obey its teachings." ("Where We Have Been; Where We Are Going," Welcome to our Fellowship, 1995, 1999.) Joseph Tkach, Jr. said: "Herbert Armstrong, in spite of errors he taught, had a high view of Scripture." (Interview of Joseph Tkach at the January 1997 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention.) Joseph Tkach, speaking to an audience from the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches in Quezon City, Philippines in 2006 said, "Mr. Armstrong, a sincere Christian, unwittingly made some mistakes."
Yet Herbert W. Armstrong stated, "Christ is not the gospel. Believing on Christ is not believing the gospel." (Voice clip of HWA giving a Bible Study and marking Buck Taylor; heard on tape two, pt. 2 of: "My Story" by C. Wayne Cole, 5-19-79.) He also wrote, "It is faith--not in Christ--but in God's coming world government, man's only hope! And it's faith in that and not faith in Christ that saves." ("What is The Good News?" The Good News, March 1963)
Deception Surrounding Worldwide Church of God Changes (covers how Joseph Tkach, Jr. said the source of the changes were Herbert Armstrong himself and also how Tkach, Sr. said that HWA "changed his mind" before he died in regard to what he previously taught)
Neil Earle Whitewashes Herbert Armstrong
Why are you critical of the new WCG? (GCI)
In order to be discerning, one needs to look not only at the roots and fruits of an organization and its leaders, the methods used in making their changes, and the direction they are headed. If we see that it is necessary for the leaders to cover up the sins of the founder, focusing mainly on his "doctrinal wrongs," to whitewash him by using history revision and twisting of facts, to discount and denigrate any who would speak up and expose these things, including blaming the members for believing what they did, then we are seeing the same abusive methods that the old WCG has always resorted to. It should also raise a big question in our minds as to why any would want to stay connected to such a "church" and not instead remove themselves as far away as they can. This is not to say that there are not individual congregations who are unaware of the facts about WCG and who believe they are sincerely trying to serve Jesus Christ and their brethren. But a question again is, why do they find it necessary to remain tied to a HQ that has the job of imparting to their members their belief system, their discipleship training, their direction, etc.? Why have these people not broken free and formed completely independent Christian churches? Why are they still sending their tithes and offerings to HQ? Would it have anything to do with their feeling comfortable staying in the same place and being instructed as to what to do? Do these members still see Worldwide Church of God (HQ) as "their church"? Have their leaders somehow made them believe that "God did something special with us"?
Along with all this, WCG (GCI) is now embracing New Age Teachers and philosophies (although in their double-talk and ambivalence they will deny it). (See: Grace Communion International: New Changes, Ecumenical & New Age Connections) They have also become a part of the Emergent Church Movement.
While we have covered these issues in many places on our site, especially on our Research info on WCG and Research Letters Concerning Worldwide Church of God Changes, it is important for members to think for themselves instead of going along with what they've always been told by their leaders. It is also important for them to understand that mind control was used on them.
Research and Exposé on Worldwide Church of God (CGI) (includes links to those mentioned above, plus many more articles concerning their history and changes)
Do any cultic mentalities remain in the present WCG (GCI)?
There have been reports/testimonies (even since 2009) that there are still problems with cultic mentalities and mindsets (several are posted on our site). This has especially shown itself in regard to how former members have been treated when they attempted to confront WCG leaders or ministers with abuses or errors. Edgardo Meneses, who wrote hundreds of letters to HQ and to many WCG ministers, is a case in point (Read: Last Wake-up Call to Joseph Tkach, Jr.)
In addition, there are still members in WCG, especially overseas, who are secretly holding to HWA and his dogma (with an accompanying cultic mindset), and who say they are "waiting until God changes the church," and many other congregations in Europe are still "traditional." Other WCG members we have been in touch with in the U.S. continue to talk about "changing their attitude," "praying about their attitude" (i. e., if they get angry) and "acting out behavior which is the opposite of how they feel." These are some of the same mind manipulating methods members were taught to use on themselves before the new changes.
Questions About Herbert Armstrong:
Haven't HWA's prophecies just not come to pass yet?
This is an excuse which certain ministers in some of the WCG splinter groups (i.e., Church of the Great God, Philadelphia Church of God, The Church of God-PKG, etc.) use. The argument is that, given enough time, all the prophecies (or "predictions") which HWA gave will eventually come to pass. It was HWA himself that first said only his "timing was wrong"--and this after giving 21+ prophetic failures during the 1930's and 40's. (I supposed we could say Ellen G. White's timing was off also--by 150 years plus.) What these ministers do not tell their members is that the prophets in O.T. times not only prophesied what was coming in the future, but they told what was going to happen locally in the immediate future. This was how people knew whether someone qualified as a true prophet of God. The local event had to transpire exactly as it was predicted. When it did, the people knew it was a true prophet compared to a false prophet.
Did Herbert W. Armstrong Really Set Dates? (includes several of his false prophecies)
Memories of Petra (shows how members excused false prophecies)
Why are you attacking a dead man?
It is common for those who have been conditioned by Herbert Armstrong to accuse and resist any who would expose him as "attacking a dead man." This is a simple way of ignoring and dismissing the facts that he was a false teacher and false prophet. Even decades ago when HWA was alive, there were many others who publically exposed and criticized him not only as a charlatan but as one who had altered and twisted the Word of God. (See: Was Herbert W. Armstrong God's True Servant? for a list of some who have exposed him.) Any "attacks" on the site of HWA are backed up with supporting evidence and documentation. (This also applies to his son Garner Ted Armstrong.)
Questions About Philadelphia Church of God:
Why do members emphasize the government of God? [Note: the phrase "government of God" is also used in other controlling WCG/PCG splinter groups]
"Government of God" are words which are intended to connect with the group's leader and its headquarters, which members are to unquestionably obey in all matters and at all times. Those who don't are said to have "a government problem." This total obedience opens the member up to the mind control abuse of the system.
While the leader of the group will state that members are not "forced to obey," but "choose to obey God's government," their minds are, in fact being manipulated through fear to submit.
"Those involved in a totalistic Bible-based group become enmeshed in the government of that organization." (Taken from: Recovering After Exiting a Deceptive, Abusive Group)
Members in PCG (as in all totalistic groups) believe that to question Gerald Flurry is the same as questioning God. They believe they are building more and more of the "character of God," when, in reality, they are only becoming more submissive to the government of the organization.
The words, "government of God" are not mentioned in Scripture. In fact, there is no military model of government even found in the New Testament. (See chap. 9 of Damaged Disciples by Ron and Vicki Burks). Although PCG will try and use 2 Peter 2:10: "...despise government.." to try to correlate this somehow with "God's government" (which translates in their minds to PCG headquarters), the verses 10 through 16 are describing false teachers in the first century of the church. The word "government" in II Peter 2:10 really means "dominion" and occurs few times in the Bible.
PCG's teaching about the "government of God" comes from Herbert Armstrong who hammered this home. Those in the group who were disobedient to the "government" were considered rebellious and were disfellowshipped and/or marked. HWA even stated that in the "World Tomorrow" rebellious mortals would be forced into a life of obedience and submission as a result of this government. He called this "compulsory joy." (AC Bible Correspondence Course, Lesson 4) However, the Bible shows that God never forces anyone into anything. Did Christ Reorganize the Church? (1939 article by HWA showing he condemned hierarchal church government in the early years)
Did Christ Reorganize the Church? (1939 Good News article by HWA showing he condemned hierarchal church government in the early years) [offsite link]
Where do I go if I'm considering a lawsuit against PCG?
Read January 17, 2003 email to ESN: "A Class Action Lawsuit Could Put PCG Out of Business."
Questions About Members:
What do I do if my loved one (or friend) has been deceived by one of these groups?
If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group (Includes what to do and what not to do)
How do I help a friend or loved one leave?
A person in any of these groups may not be able to leave until they start having doubts and/or questions. You should never try to force them out. Their decision to leave could come about by seeing a contradiction in what the leadership says in contrast to with what they are actually doing (hypocritical behavior, etc.), discovering the real history of the group, including the history of WCG, or by being abused by the leadership. Hearing from others that have left the group, and getting them to question many things is important. It is only through awareness and education, and learning the facts he didn't have upon joining, that an individual can regain his critical thinking skills. A thinking person can then make decisions to leave. Research in the United States has shown that if members have been away from the group for a period of time; i. e., three weeks, most of them tend to leave without exit counseling.
Members that are passive, positive, agreeable, lacking in critical thinking skills, having a need to be led, and who never cause any trouble to those in authority, are valuable assets to mind-controlling groups. The ones that speak up, or start asking too many uncomfortable questions, are soon gotten rid of. Those who are individualistic and inquisitive are more likely to leave.
People rarely come out of the deceptive and exploitive Armstrong groups because they discover the theology is wrong (although some do). It is rather when they are so abused by the leadership that they finally say to themselves, "this all cannot be of God." But if they do leave still believing HWA was "a tool in God's hands" and that "God's true church" exists out there somewhere, they will most likely start looking for a suitable offshoot. It is very difficult for most of them to accept that Herbert Armstrong was a fraud and the WCG his apocalyptic cult. Only by understanding the deceit and corruption, as well as the false theology, can they begin to see things as they really are.
If You Have a Loved One in a Deceptive, Exploitive Group
How can intelligent people become deceived?
Anyone can be susceptible to sophisticated thought reform methods. Leaders of deceptive, totalistic groups are skilled in coercive persuasion and mind control techniques. A number of them exhibit the behavior characteristics of sociopaths and have no conscience or scruples in regard to exploiting others. Setting themselves up as "spiritual authorities," they take advantage of people's vulnerabilities. Those who have carefully studied the literature of these groups will see that it is saturated with fear. This type of manipulation is called "fear phobia induction." Once the person is fear phobic, they become submissive to the authority in the group.
All human minds are open to influence and persuasion, including intelligent people that are simply looking for answers to the many problems they see in society. Some may be going through a difficult time in their life and the group's literature appears to provide answers. Other people may be idealistic and naïve.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing [offsite link]
Why did my loved one go into an abusive group?
Many who are recruited into abusive groups are often emotionally distraught at the time, or searching. The group promises black and white answers. But those that join were not given all the facts upfront or been informed ahead of time all that will be expected of them once they become a member. If people knew all that was behind the exciting and informative literature that they become immersed in, they wouldn't go in. Recruitment is very subtle; therefore, if someone doesn't research the history of the group, or its founder, and be sure all their questions are answered ahead of time, plus understand how controlling, exploitive groups work, they can fall prey to this kind of deception. Once they read many of the group's free booklets, start sending in money to the organization, and finally come to distrust all other literature, churches, and other sources of information, they come to believe the propaganda that they need to ask a minister of that group to baptize them and to begin attending services on a regular basis. This last step may take years as the organization wants to make sure the person is thoroughly indoctrinated in their belief system and is sending in money on a regular basis. The end result is exploitation, abuse, and promises that never materialize.
How Did Herbert W. Armstrong Recruit People? (the step-by-step process)
What happens to their personality?
Members in the high demand, totalistic groups form what is known as a "cult personality," or new personality, which is different than their personality before joining. (Refer to the book, Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change by Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman.) This is also known as "doubling" and it can happen quickly or take approximately 3 l/2 years. They can also behave quite differently with the group (happy, upbeat), but switch and be totally different at home. They often become negative, sarcastic and judgmental toward "the world" and those outside their religious frame of mind. After exiting, the personality begins to re-organize itself. Reading some of the books on our Booklist will help you understand how these groups work and how people are being harmed psychologically and spiritually in such systems. Members become, in most cases, "religious addicts." While very sincere in their desire to obey God, their trust has been used against them in order to exploit and control them.
There is no unconditional love in these groups, only "love-bombing." This is a manipulative technique where the new recruit is showered with positive attention and reinforcement which helps them to feel that joining is in their best interests. This "loving atmosphere" also enables the recruiters to access the psychological needs, fears, dependencies, and resistance of the person who is thinking of joining. Methods of shame and guilt are also used to keep them in line.
To be happy and contented with one's faith is entirely different than being tricked into believing (as a result of fear and coercion) that one is in "God's true church," and all others outside of it are lost and headed for the Great Tribulation or eternal death. Totalist (authoritarian) groups have done great damage to individuals by causing them to hold to the belief of unconditional submission to a man that claims to be "God's representative." For anyone to manipulate another person's mind for one's own gain is a great evil.
Understanding Mind Control and Exploitive Groups
Why do they stay in these groups?
Members that have considered leaving, but don't, often feel trapped. They stay because they are held by their fears: fear their mind will be taken over by Satan; fear of the Lake of Fire; fear of the Great Tribulation; fear of being cut off from family and friends in the group; fear they will cut themselves off from "the vine" and wither and die; fear of losing their salvation; fear of being cursed by God, fear of nowhere to go if they leave (they believe it is "the true church") and fear that they will "cease to exist" if they find themselves on the outside, since their existence is in the group.
When taking on a new identity and new belief system after becoming a member (refer to the previous Q&A), they will become what the group leader desires--submissive, powerless, yet highly devoted and offering undying loyalty and servitude. In this state of mind, they discard and avoid all information which disagrees with what the leader teaches. They are taught to tell themselves and others (concerning whatever problems they see or experience as a result of their allegiance) that "God will take care of it" or "I'm leaving it in God's hands." Therefore they dismiss any thoughts that something may be amiss. Outside their awareness, they are being exploited and controlled for the leaders' purposes.