OIU Volume 6 Part 3 of 3

I am a survivor of the WCG system and endured 34 of my 37 years in the cult and believe my experiences could greatly add to your survey.

Writing about your WWCG-get-away-site on Internet. Some impressive file material, to be sure. I'd be interested in knowing what your religious views, or denomination, may be today? I remember the interview between the Jewish Mike Wallace and Stanley Rader on 60 MINUTES, of 25 years ago. A great deal of evident venom and vile nature was much evident in the interview on the behalf of Rader--he could clearly see that the game was up.

Keep in mind that, today, I STILL like much of the Armstrong's old precepts: keeping the Sabbath, the Holy Days, no Trinity, British-Israelism, etc. ...

I also am pleased with your analysis of Dr. Walter Martin and his phony successor at the Christian Research Institute. On the Internet with DejaNews there are a lot of "fronts" [for different organizations and cults]--you name it. Nothing is quite as transparent as it may seem.

Getting back to so-called "cult experts" such as the deceased Dr. Walter Martin, another expert is the acclaimed author J. Gordon Melton, "Professor, Santa Barbara." You will notice that, in fact, Melton is NOT a professor at UC Santa Barbara at all. The User Group messaging shows the good professor to be fronting for Scientology. Though I am not a member, I have no opinion on that religion either.

[Update: J. Gordon Melton is alleged to be a prominent New Ager. (Go to: "Constance Cumbey on EMNR Disinformation Conferences" in this offsite article.) Other sites have reported that he has received money from groups considered cults. In addition he is also listed as a professional referral on the new CAN site, which was bankrupted by Scientology. More information on CAN can be found in this offsite report.]

I would like to request a copy of Vol. FOUR of the Outsider's Inside Update. Is it possible to get copies of volumes 1, 2 & 3? You are one of the few that seem to be getting the truth out about Armstrong and his cronies. I just wish that I had heard this 20+ years ago.

I was happy to see Church of God Accountability Coalition (COGAC) info on the Internet. My husband and I left the WCG in Feb 97 after 30+ years each in this destructive organization. I am glad to see there is a lot of help for wrecked lives -- emotionally, spiritually and physically. I had a lot of support from ex members, going to a psychologist for several months, reading numerous books on cults and just getting educated on truths that were hidden from us. Now I am having to deal with the shockwaves that are beginning to surface. I can't even begin to tell you what it has done to my life and others I have known over the years. So many needless suicides, child abuse, broken marriages and broken lives...

I came across your website the other day and have been reading it for hours until there was nothing left unread!

I grew up in the WCG, attended AC in Pasadena (working for Ambassador International Cultural Foundation [AICF] in the Auditorium) and was a senior the year of the closing of Pasadena and consolidation to Texas. Growing up I respected the church more than anything...including my parents. However, once I got to Pasadena and was involved with Headquarters, Ambassador and the Auditorium, my respect for "God's" Church began to lessen each year I was there. I watched as hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent in auditorium/AICF events that had absolutely nothing to do with religion or spreading of a gospel. From the looks of it, the church may not have known how to manage themselves, BUT THEY COULD REALLY THROW ONE HELL OF A PARTY!!!

Once I got to Big Sandy I was very bitter about many things I witnessed at headquarters. And the general thinking among many was that the Pasadena campus closed to get the "curious, question-asking" student away from the corruption before something was exposed. (i.e., many purchase orders having descriptions left blank which would be filled in later and copies never to be seen...to name just one of many).

Upon graduation I was over the whole thing. It was amazing to me that I grew up in total support of the WCG and was prepared to give my life (literally) for what I believed, only to graduate and have such animosity toward the church.

As Tkach Sr. marched forward, making the church (and himself) look absolutely silly with double talk, I decided to get out while I could. I was confused, hurt and exhausted. I literally came to a point where I could just not find the energy to continue with the continual banter I heard from the lectern each Sabbath.

I have been out of WCG (and not attended anywhere) for nearly four years now. This past year I have been dedicating much of my free time to researching the WCG and its history (biased, distorted, and sometimes created as it is). I appreciate sources such as yourself, and others that provide other sides of the story. For some reason I must prove to myself that I made the right choice. You know, it is interesting how I could have become so bitter over the WCG and have left over four years ago and still have such horrible fears entrenched within my mind about leaving the "one true church." All those "Lake of Fire" sermons . . . what "fond" memories . . . memories that just won't go away.

I am interested in your organization. I am trying to piece together exactly who you are and what you do. If you have any information that you could pass on to me, I would greatly appreciate it. There are so few places to turn!

Thank you for your site. I am hoping to read more posts soon!

I'm a former member of the WCG in the Hamburg congregation. My reasons for leaving the "church" were lies, hypocrisy, abuse of authority, manipulations etc. of the pastor of the congregation of Hamburg and the leadership of the German-speaking area. I had to recognize that the leaders were not willing to follow Jesus Christ and practice what they themselves teach the members. I saw this couldn't be a church having the spirit of God. In this "church" the spirit of God is getting depressed. Yes, it's a cult filling new wine in old skins.

Therefore, I'm glad to learn about your organization through friends. I think many members and former members of the WCG in the German-speaking area are in need of information about the "church." It's very important. I know that you have in the Internet a Web Homepage. It would be very helpful for many people to get more information about the WCG cult.

I just wonder if it (the ESN Website) will open any more eyes of those still in WCG. I know that down here in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico, those still in WCG have no idea as to what is going on in Pasadena and Joe Jr's connections with the NAE, among many other things. Some people act like nothing has changed. Keep up the good work. Make sure your webpage is safe from the WCG Gestapo <g>.

Just read the information you posted on Billy Graham!! Yes, Ecumenicism is gaining ground. It's the gospel of WORKS!!!! Have you read anything about Catholics and Evangelicals together? Things are definitely moving to the "World Tomorrow."

I want to thank you for all your hard work and for the great Opus Magnum, which is the Outsiders Inside Update Newsletter. I have already started to "wield it as a sword" to open someone's eyes. Best Wishes from South Africa.

Thank you for this labor of love you have provided. Tomorrow 9/13/97 will be my second week not attending WCG. I had been a member since 1986. I am interested in any correspondence pertaining to the WCG deception.

Attended WCG for 20+ years. "Grew up" in WCG -- parents started attending in early '70's. Left in 1994. Please send me info you have on [contacting] ex members. I would like to be able to discuss what happened to me and my family with others who understand. Thank you.

Hi guys. I'm just anxious to see the next newsletter. Don't mean to be pushy, I know you've got to live, but I'm curious as to what's happening with UCG now. Thanks for all you've put out so far and .......hurry? with the next.

I would very much like to connect to ex-members who are trying to put their lives back together. Perhaps sharing experiences would help the healing process. Nobody could possibly understand who has not come out of a cult what one goes through. Most people I know who left WWCG float in and out of other offshoots of the same old cult. It's just a rehash and they can't even see it. The psychologist I counseled with said they just do not want to face the pain. Anyway, keep up the good work. Hope to hear from you soon.

I am a graduate student at Kansas State University in industrial psychology and an ex-WCG (teenager) and ex-CGI (adult). I am interested in helping to protect the people in the various branches from abuse by the leadership.

If you have anything on financial corruption in United [UCG], please send it to me when you get a chance (I know you have a lot going on so whenever you get a chance). Thanks for your love and concern for the people in the churches!!!!!!!

Thanks again for your efforts. Two weeks ago I received a call at my place of business from CRI. I listened to Hank's pitch for money. I told the caller to tell Hank to get a real job. Do these people have a clue how offensive they are? [CRI's Telemarketing]

Congratulations ESN. Welcome to the elite group of the strong, the few, the Gladiators. You are recognized by your faith, your strong heart and your good deeds. May truth continue to light your path in the darkness, and your faith act as your shield against evil, and your strong heart continue to carry you through the perilous journey of exposing those abusive tyrants over God's people. You will at times come face to face with the wrath of Satan, but the greater wrath of God will be on your side. This Gladiator stands with you in your noble deeds. God bless you. Thank you

How I Came to Understand the New Covenant:

Having been born and brought up in a typical Christian "Bible believing" denomination with the usual legalism, I was nicely set up to go into a more legalistic church that is actually a full blown cult--the Worldwide Church of God. As a sincere and devout "born-again" Christian I naturally wanted to please God in every way possible. The WCG mandated that if one does not obey all the moral law (i. e., the Ten Commandments) he is guilty of all. By living under the law, I was commanded to be obedient to the law or face the Lake of Fire. Obedience to Sabbath and Holy Day keeping was essential to be counted as one of God's children. I went deeply into bondage even to the point of going off of life saving medication. The WCG preached against relying on doctors and medicine. I personally knew people who died because they stopped using insulin or other medications under the mandates of ministers who were, at the time, obtaining medical help for their personal well being. I, like others, have suffered greatly because of these hypocrites. I'm thankful God allowed me to survive.

I remained a devout follower thinking I was in "God's True Church" for about eighteen years. Then in 1978, I learned of some of the awful corruption and wrong doctrine. At one of the last Holy Day services I attended I heard Garner Ted Armstrong say that the New Covenant will not be in effect until Christ returns. I knew immediately that was a false statement because it went into effect the minute Christ died. I left the WCG and attended several other churches and groups for fifteen years. Then in the wonderful providence of God, I learned of a book called Classic Christianity by Bob George. Through him, I understood the New Covenant. I now realize that the WCG and Seventh-day Adventists are not the only ones that do not understand the New Covenant, but the greater part of Christianity doesn't discern it. I highly recommend this book to all who are involved in controlling, obedience commanding, legalistic churches. For those seeking love, reverence and trust in God, reading this book will be an eye-opener. I have counseled with several from law-keeping groups who have been greatly helped by Bob George, even ex-WCG ministers. Once we see how the Bible is often twisted to make false doctrine sound like truth we begin to understand the Gospel of the New Covenant.

Transformed by what?????

I have just finished reading Transformed by Truth and I'm currently documenting the distortions with the real facts. Practically every sentence in the book is twisted and there are manifold lies and omissions on every page. The worst thing beyond the lies is his obvious lack of feeling for the abuse, suffering and trauma the members and exiters have endured.

Almost all of the important dates for significant happenings, i.e., when the WCG leaders met with evangelicals are cleverly omitted, and there is also no index in the book to enable one to quickly compare statements.

In chapter 7, "What We Believed," Tkach uses the word, "doctrine" in its various forms, twenty times, yet "heretical" is only used three times. In chapter 11, "How Could We Have Believed These Things?" he uses "heretical" once and "doctrine" in its various forms, four times. Instead of using the word, "heresies," for what HWA taught, he labels these beliefs with such terms as, "unique teachings," "doctrinal distinctions," "esoteric doctrines," "unbiblical interpretations," "error,' "misunderstanding," and the best one of all--"cognitive dissonance," which was used twenty-four times in chapter 11 alone! He used the word "denomination" in its various forms, seventeen times throughout the book, the word "cult" in its various forms, sixteen times, and the word "we" was used so extensively as to be beyond counting.

Tkach is so cunning that he has studied thoroughly not only the doctrines, but also the terminology, of the evangelicals today. He uses words such as, "minister to," "a blessing to me," "came to know the Lord," "my personal testimony," "godly," "lordship," etc. The WCG members don't talk like this unless they have been around other Christians for a long time; therefore, this language will be completely foreign or uncomfortable to them for quite awhile. Yet Tkach starts right off using these words like he has no problem in the world doing so. In other words, he is now one of them-or so he wants others to believe. He's also an expert at using a lot of psychology words, which should be of no surprise, since he has a degree in psychology-no doubt to use to his own advantage.

When Tkach tries to present his own--almost nostalgic view--of HWA, he fails to quote the "miracles" from HWA's autobiography. You know the ones--about HWA praying for and receiving ten cents for a vitally needed bottle of milk for his baby (p.401-402 Vol. 1), about the angel taking hold of his steering wheel and forcing him to go down the street where he talked to the "Pentecostal" crippled man (p. 336 Vol. I), and many others. This surely would show those evangelicals HWA was a "sincere Christian man," as Tkach describes HWA!!! (See Q&A)

Lastly, Tkach tells the world that the WCG is "Trinitarian" now, but his mention of the Holy Spirit in the book approaches zero. Furthermore, when I talk with current WCG members about the Trinity, they have this blank stare on their face like they don't know what I am talking about. I'll send you the report when I complete it.

[Read the finished report: Myths in Transformed by Truth]

An Internet opinion:

Several things about the WCG turn me off and have caused me to stop attending in exasperation. First, the ministers simply don't know what they are talking about. They did not learn Christian theology at Ambassador College; they learned Armstrongism. Since they can't preach Armstrongism any more, and they don't know anything about Christianity, they really don't preach anything at all. Attendance at my WCG congregation continues to drop, and most of those who have left tell me that they will come back only if the sermons become more interesting.

Secondly, the WCG administration is trying to play both sides of the fence. They will not address the abuses of the past because they don't want to alienate the Armstrongists. There are too many people in the WCG who still reverence his memory and have no idea what Armstrong wrongs he committed as pastor general (e.g., using the third tithe fund to purchase and operate his jet plane, permitting the use of make-up to convince his second wife to marry him, prohibiting make-up when he wanted to divorce her, taking advantage of the medical profession while at the same time forbidding the membership to see doctors, paying 106,000 British pounds for a meeting with Prince Charles and Margaret Thatcher, paying half a million dollars to meet with the leaders of Communist China, paying $5 to passers-by in Manila to attend a lecture he gave in the Philippines so that pictures of a packed meeting hall could be printed in his magazines, his estrangement from his family, including allegations of an incestuous relationship with his youngest daughter, etc., etc., etc.).

All I would like to see is for the WCG leadership to be straightforward about the past. Instead, you can't get a straight answer from them. Joe Tkach can have all the friends he wants in the evangelical community, but they are not going to tithe to his organization. They have their own to worry about. Meanwhile, the neglected membership continues to shrink, and he worries how the WCG is going pay its bills. In almost every member-letter he sends out, he implies that the true Christians in his organization send in lots of money while those who hold back really don't love God. Shades of Armstrong. ~ M. M.

Recent emails to ESN

Stay tuned with the OIU for details on:

The latest attempts to unite the COGs- just as they planned
WCG 1997 ecumenical timeline
The architects behind the cover-up
The Church of the Foursquare Gospel and Pastor Helms
The ecumenical Charismatic Pentecostal men behind the WCG transition
George Mather, Pasadena based Freemason apologetic and author of the latest pro-WCG propaganda book, Discovering the Plain Truth: How the Worldwide Church of God Embraced the Gospel of Grace
The WCG's support and partnership with Promise Keepers
The Promise Keeper deception
The WCG's Masonic and political connections
Hank Hanegraaff's support of the Roman Catholic Church
The National Association of Churches and its push for the hyper-Charismatic Pentecostal mission
The mission of United Religions
WHO is behind the conspiracy?

newsflash!!

The United Church of God, an International Association is currently faltering. With membership now at 13,000 and declining, the leadership is falling apart. January 21, 1998, David Hulme suddenly steps down from President of the UCG. The following was recently posted:

STATEMENT TO BE READ IN ALL CHURCHES
From the Council of Elders, Monrovia, CA. January 21, 1998
The Council of Elders of the United Church of God, an International Association, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 20, that David Hulme will no longer serve as President. Robert Dick, Chairman of the General Conference of Elders and the Council, assumes that responsibility until a new President is appointed.

In a meeting with the Home Office employees, Mr. Dick announced Mr. Hulme's departure, and stated, "According to the governing documents of the United Church of God, an International Association, I will serve as President, until a new President is appointed by the Council of Elders."

The OIU will explore the reasons behind these events as we continue to piece together the real story. Of course, the ESN is not surprised at these developments as earlier OIUs indicated the UCG was keenly orchestrated for purposes complementary to WCG goals. It has been our position that the UCG was splintered and functioned as a holding pattern while the mother church transformed into its new ecumenical image and re-transformed its financial empire.

Garner Ted Armstrong reluctantly resigned from the Church of God International and formed an independent ministry as the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association. This latest development comes on the heels of Criminal Charges filed against him by Sue Rae Robertson for sexual assault. Attorney for the Plaintiff is filing a writ before the Texas Supreme Court for another hearing, requesting that the Church of God International remain on the lawsuit. More allegations of another "affair" have induced another COG media frenzy. A plethora of sordid details are attached to this latest development that most likely have much to do with sparing the church assets from the Sue Rae Robertson lawsuit. Brace yourself for the continuing saga with Garner Ted Armstrong and the reasons behind the event. It was the ESN that broke the Garner Ted Armstrong and the Masseuse report! [ESN obtained a copy of the court report and other pertinent documents surrounding this story with GTA.]

[UPDATE: Garner Ted Armstrong died of pneumonia at age 73 on September 15, 2003. His son, Mark Armstrong, has taken his place in Intercontinental Church of God with the same HWA doctrines.]

Other important webpages to research:

Willow Creek - Hegelian Dialectic & The New World Order (the church growth movement and its agenda)

Renovaré (considered a mystical movement; this site lists their board of reference and steering committee) [Note: WCG has accepted New Ager, Richard J. Foster from Renovaré. They have quoted from him and endorsed his book Celebration of Discipline. See ESN article: Worldwide Church of God: New Changes, Ecumenical & New Age Connections. Also refer to the exposé articles: Richard Foster - General Teachings and Activities and A Critique on the Ministry of Richard Foster.]

Lighthouse Trails Research Project (Exposing the Dangers of Contemplative Spirituality) (WCG has endorsed some of the authors that are into contemplative spirituality)

The Lamp Ministry (Many articles exposing apostasy and error within Christendom; includes ecumenism and Charismatic issues)

Seek God (Many research articles exposing the global ecumenical movement)

Letter to NAE and other concerned Christians

Is Billy Graham Right or Wrong? (Problems of Ecumenical Evangelicalism)

The Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability - Con Artists! (Wolves in sheep's clothing; mentions several Christian ministries, including BGEA & Samaritan's Purse)

Smoke, Mirrors and Disinformation: The New Age Ties of the Apologetics Ministries

Database of Council for National Policy (Past/Present Officers and Prominent Member Profiles)

Freemasonry Exposed

Hank Hanegraaff Lawsuit

Consumer Fraud (Protecting yourself against scam artists)

California Attorney General Report on Charitable Solicitation ("Where Does That Money Really Go?)

References used for OIU SIX:

We recommend the following research pertaining to every topic discussed in this issue.

The Strange History of Pentecostalism

Jack Hayford--"Though I Speak in Tongues"

United Religions Initiative (Making Peace Between Religions)

Honey I Shrunk the Church (exposé article on WCG from New Times LA)

Promise Keepers research:

The Militias and Pentecostalism (Executive Intelligence Review)

The Promise Keepers Movement (connections; Vineyard movement, etc.)

What's Wrong With the Promise Keepers?

The Promise Keepers

Organizations outwardly connected to WCG:

Church of the Foursquare Gospel

Mission America

National Religious Broadcasters Cut Ties With NAE

Fuller Theological Seminary [Note: Most of the "church growth movement" can be traced back to Fuller Seminary.]

National Association of Evangelicals board members (you will find "Dr." Joseph Tkach listed on here)

Azusa Pacific University (APU is a member of Willow Creek Association)

Organizations indirectly related to WCG:

World Council of Churches (WCC) General Assembly [NOTE: In 1985 the WCC changed, or questioned, some of the basic Christian beliefs about Christ while promoting a one-world religion.] Read: The World Council of Churches, the Cup of the Lord or the Cup of Devils?

The Lutheran World Federation (Department of Ecumenical Affairs)

National Council of Churches in the USA

ADDITIONAL Reading and Resources:
The following references carry research and investigative materials on freemasonry, occult, Promise Keepers, ecumenical issues, Roman Catholicism, Billy Graham, deceptive/false groups and much more.

Christian Truth and Victory Publishing
9088 Co. Rd. 11 N.W.
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308 USA
(320) 846-0835
(Extensive catalog carrying books on Christianity, history, economics, politics and secret societies, freemasonry, Billy Graham, ecumenical one world globalists, and so much more. Send $4.00 with catalog request, which will be deducted from your first order.)

Ohio Bible Fellowship Visitor
Dept. V
3865 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43214-3797
(614) 262-2006
(OBF left the Independent Fundamental Churches of America because of the IFCA's drift into New Evangelicalism. Their magazine exposes Ecumenicalism)

"Pagans of the World Unite" (magazine article)
The New American
August 18, 1997
Vol. 13, No. 17, pp. 21-22.

BOOKS: (For documentation and reference purposes; several of these are available at the library)

Promise Keepers: Another Trojan Horse (They really are breaking down the walls) by Phil Arms, 1997
(Order from: Shiloh Publishers, P.O. Box 770, Alief, TX 77411; 800 829-9673)

The Occult Roots of Nazism: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany 1890-1935 by Nicholos Goodrick-Clark
(The racist and nationalist fantasies of Guido Von List and Jorg LanzVon Liebenfels and their influence on Nazi Ideology)

Psychic Dictatorship in the U.S.A. by Alex Constantine
(Bombing minds rather than bodies is the warfare of the new millennium. Tracts the use of cults by intelligence organization as "cover" for arms sales, mind control and even child abuse.)

The Magic of Obelisks by Peter Tompkins
(Learn the meaning behind the crystal obelisks that Herbert Armstrong gave to dignitaries on his international trips with Stanley R. Rader)

Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us, by Dr. Robert D. Hare

The Secret History of Alcoholism: The Story of Famous Alcoholics and Their Destructive Behavior by James Graham
(Since Herbert Armstrong was known to be an alcoholic, this book is relevant. The author asserts that alcoholism causes egomania, displayed in such behaviors as denial, lying, overachievement, grandiosity, etc. Note: There are different stages of alcoholism and while HWA was not in the latter stage; i. e., a drunk on skid row, he was nevertheless considered an alcoholic and observed drunk on numerous occasions.)

PROPAGANDA: Its Psychology and Technique by Leonard W. Doob
(1935, out of print, check the libraries or used book stores)

In God's Name: An Investigation Into The Murder of Pope John Paul I by David A. Yallop

If you are just learning about spiritual abuse, mind control, cults, post-traumatic stress, and related issues to the WCG experience, check out ESN's Booklist

Check it out:
The editor of the OIUs, was guest speaker on the World of Prophecy radio program in November for two airings with Texe Marrs. The topic was the Worldwide Church of God Cover-up. Part One and Two.

The mission of the Outsiders' Inside Update is to provide the chronology of historic events and current activities, involving the Worldwide Church of God conglomeration. The OIU strives to provide vital and factual information pertaining to the reasons behind the events. The Exit & Support Network, along with the OIU, is a Christian service ministry reaching out to victims and survivors of religious hypocrisy, violation and exploitation. We strongly believe all religious leaders must be held accountable for their negative behavior and undo influence on the unsuspecting. Destructive behavior must be impugned. The OIU: 1) is sympathetic toward Christians who have endured much spiritual abuse and therefore will not, at anytime, degrade personal beliefs; 2) opinions expressed in this research report are not intended to substitute for readers own personal research and investigation pertaining to matters stated. It is with hope, that those who have succumbed to WCG (splinters groups included) spiritual corruption will be freed from spiritual manipulation and psychological slavery through their own education, research and investigation. Recovery is only possible when we understand the cause of the affliction.

Romans 1 vs. 28-32:

"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient: (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
To be continued…

With heartfelt thanks to all ESN supporters and affiliates that made this OIU possible.
L. A. Stuhlman, Editor

Twenty-Five Ways to Suppress the Truth: The Rules of Disinformation

An Open Letter to Our Acquaintances in The Church of God (Important letter by editor of OIU Newsletters; shows how WCG used thought reform in order to instigate their new changes)

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