Exit and Support Network

Letter to Alan W. Gomes

Concerning Worldwide Church of God changes and mind control

 

Letter from ESN Founder & Editor of OIU Newsletters

Dr. Alan W. Gomes
Talbot School of Theology
13800 Biola Ave
La Mirada, California 90639

Dear Dr. Gomes,

I appreciate the time we spent conversing about the WCG and related issues. I feel reassured that you will be increasing your investigative studies regarding the history, past, present and future of the WCG.

It is so easy for anyone dealing with the WCG to be manipulated by vague generalities that the system presents. Because of its complexity, it is vital that all concerned with the WCG doctrinal changes look closely at the big picture and incorporate all vital information in order to draw proper conclusions.

The point of my contacting you is solely to inform you of the duplicity and confusion prevailing within the WCG. Many individuals have taken great interest in this organization throughout the past sixty years and have documented their thoughts and findings. It is imperative to have as much information necessary to gather the total perspective. Many have done just that during their specific era and formulated trenchant conclusions.

Organizations like the WCG do not accumulate annual revenues of over TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS just by chance. Strategy and growth oriented decision are well thought out. The necessary professionals are hired to implement specific jobs at whatever cost.

I'm sure we could debate for weeks, our positions on Mind Control, programming, coercive manipulation, control, deception, and abuse under the categories of physical, mental, emotional, sexual abuse. I do understand your position and interpretation on "cults." You are correct with your definition on cults in regards to the root and origin of the word. However, as seemingly wrong it may be, whether we agree or not, the twentieth century has inspired a broader interpretation beyond the theological explanation. The current definition is sociological in nature and includes psychological factors. It is not defined on the basis of Christian doctrine alone. As society progresses on the study of cultic groups, we see they are being evaluated by their sociological and psychological features, as well as their theological features.

We all utilize our own perspectives when assessing information. We may all want to hold on to what a definition "should be"; however, society has forced the thinkers to view situations from several angles. An example might be the word "gay." The earlier understanding denotes happiness, excitement, merry, bright and lively. Unfortunately, we think twice before labeling a person "gay" in today's culture.

"Abuse" seems to also cause a bit of confusion. Second College Edition, American Heritage Dictionary states the following definition; v. To use wrongly or improperly; misuse, to trick or deceive. 2. To hurt or injure by maltreatment. To assail with contemptuous, course, insulting words; revile.

Groups like the WCG are considered abusive because of their management behavior and doctrine. When an individual is convinced that he/she is following Christ and obeying God and is repeatedly indoctrinated with words like "You are only rotten smelling flesh in God's eyes," or, "You're only a hunk of junk," that individual tends to incorporate the meaning of those allegations over time.

It is important for all to understand the process of becoming involved with supposed "churches" like the WCG. When an individual finds The Plain Truth sitting in the Dr.'s office waiting room table or just happens to turn on the "World Tomorrow" television program, they seem to be seeing and hearing information that relates to how they think on a social level. It also gives them the spiritual impression that this must be the way God thinks. To top it all off, they soon find themselves enmeshed in heaps of literature showing them how to prove all things right in their Bible. If you haven't had the opportunity of viewing the "HUNDREDS" of pieces of literature WCG members were highly indoctrinated with, you are missing a real treat. I've included for you, the literature listing that was current until just recently.

It has been said that there is a cult for everyone. Well, WCG does not seem to attract many successful researchers. Anyone could be caught in the snare, but usually it is someone without fancy credentials whose immediate goal is to please God.

You should direct yourself to past literature in an effort to grasp the "hooking" technique. You stated on the phone that "people in cults buy into a lie, and that they are just as responsible as Hitler's lieutenants; they need to admit that they have accepted something false and that they were not hypnotized." I know that it is very difficult to empathize with a cult-exploited victim unless one has personally experienced the trauma. The devastation to personal life is beyond words. I will be happy to refer you to several individuals who are recent ex-members with WCG affiliation ranging from five to twenty-five years. Some who have had prominent' positions and served as ministers. I'm sure you will find personal views very enlightening.

You stated your philosophy and views must be accepted on evidence or rejected based on evidence. I'm certain that you will clarify all evidences as you scrutinize the organization's literature, Sabbath services, present strategies, sermons, testimonies, past and more recent publications.

My role as founder of the Exit and Support: Network™ is to aid the inside membership in any necessary capacity that seems appropriate and to provide resource and guidance to exiting victims. My motive is altruistic.

You stated, "Anyone who does not accept Christ is demonic. The god of this world blinded the minds of those who believe not." I truly understand your thought. You are a theologian and your beliefs are based on that premise. That is one of the reasons I feel responsible in making contact with individuals like yourself. I don't believe you could find one person within the eighty-five thousand membership who would say they do not accept Christ. You would probably hear them express their emotion for Christ in heartfelt ways. It is the understanding that differs greatly.

I am thankful for your objectivity regarding the changes in WCG doctrine. I am also pleased you are pursuing more studies on "cults" in general. The area of Mind Control, programming; propaganda is so controversial that it is imperative we all look at all sides of all issues. This, of course, is easier said then done. The academe differs immensely from the trenches.

Anyway, much is going on regarding the direction WCG seems to be pursuing. In the near future, I will issue an "outside looking in" strategy report with supporting data [OIU Newsletters]. In order to track WCG's message, you need all the available current literature on hand. It takes a keen sense of discernment and skills in detecting deception. Unfortunately, the innocent, trusting, faithful (in Jesus' name), WCG member cannot formulate the message being permeated. WCG appears to be moving toward orthodox Christianity.

My concerns are the following:

  1. Double agenda/double speak throughout all inside literature and message to inside congregations.
  2. Once WCG can convince the Christian Community that their Doctrine is Orthodox, they WILL continue to do what they have successfully accomplished during the past sixty years. Gain much power and money using an unquestioning product. GOD/JESUS CHRIST AND RELIGION.
  3. Continue to lead "God fearing people" astray by outwardly preaching their own interpretation of the "Gospel" while continuing the same manipulative, coercive, threatening programming subcutaneously.
  4. Continue to pursue the theme of "works" by using more updated and approved terminology such as, "You were called into Christ's body to serve," or "slave" as Joseph Tkach puts it so often.
  5. Water down or modify the Orthodox Christian doctrinal understanding in several negative ways that will impact true Christian understanding.

These are just a few of my concerns. This whole issue is no simple matter. All concerned MUST be fully aware of the strength this organization has acquired through the years. WCG and its leaders have always been skillful in deceptive advertising and intelligent in its subtle coercive recruiting tactics regarding growth. In the name of "God's Truth," WCG has accumulated wealth, power and sixty years of destruction. That destruction manifested itself under the headings of the Healing Doctrine (hundreds died from lack of medical attention); family disintegration (marriages were made to split if a member was previously divorced); cult induced divorce due to ministerial involvement and suicide, just to name a very few things. I am sure that when you thoroughly investigate WCG's exposé materials and learn the reasons why the" innocent until proven guilty" theme just does not justify itself under the Freedom of Religious Rights, you will understand how abuse can go unchecked or unproven in the court of law. Yes, members can now receive medical attention and several other changes have been instituted; however, the prevailing tendency to repress, violate, exploit, deceive and manipulate is still there, causing many negative repercussions. In the past, as I said, this was achieved by the "God's Truth" theme. The skill to acquire has not diminished. I prayerfully hope that the avenue to acquire power and wealth has not changed to mainstream Orthodox Christianity The doctrine is by far more acceptable to the world than the mixed bag of ARMSTRONGISM. It can open many more doors. If the past and present offers any indication of what the future holds for the organization, I shutter to think about the negative ramifications that will be attached to Orthodox Christian understanding.

I have compiled several pieces of information for you. I tried to include several perspectives on various topics as we discussed. I look forward to receiving the information you have regarding Trudy Solomon's research data on Mind Control.

In my experience I have done only Exit Counseling. Deprogramming is not an avenue of treatment or choice that is employed by many. Actually, very few people can be hired to deprogram cult victims. Exit counselors perform excellent services that aid the individual in all areas. The goal of exit counseling is not to extract the person out of the cult against his will, but to supply that person with as much education as possible regarding the group he has surrendered his life to. It is only through awareness and education that an individual can regain his critical thinking skills. A thinking person can then make decisions to leave the group. Once the individual has education, he learns the facts he didn't have upon joining, to no fault of his own.

One of the reasons why exit counseled ex-cult members adhere to Mind Control techniques, is because they are educated to the techniques employed within their own organizations. They are able to assimilate the tactics used against them at the time of recruitment. Walk-aways who do not self educate or question their cultic experience carry the negative experiences with them through life.

One of the reasons why the WCG has over forty off-shoot organizations1, many which are very cultic, is because the walk-away looks for a similar organization that agrees with the "garbage" stuck in his head. You can dispute that, but first do a study on the five largest offshoot cults from the WCG.

If you know of any ex-cult members who walked away smoothly and are indifferent about their experience, I would appreciate communicating with them. Possibly they can provide insight into the exit process. I have never met anyone who was not left scarred from the cult experience in negative ways.

I have many other tapes. I picked several that should offer priority listening. You will need patience to get through them. Please do listen to each one (note the comments on tape info).

Dr. Stavrinides is WCG's current leading theologian [no degree in theology]. He is the minister who is putting the doctrinal package together. References on him are most interesting and available upon request.

I'm sure you will find these tapes to be most interesting. These particular tapes are the only training given thus far on the "Nature of God," known to you as the Trinity. The mind-set, if you will, is statement followed by confusion and topped off with a joke.

These tapes can be taken out of the churches' libraries ad lib. Most churches have not played them as sermons. It was reported to me that Canada areas have not made "any" changes in the doctrines. That resource is also available upon request.

All of these tapes are current and all sermon givers are headquarters' leaders. I look forward to your comments and hope you realize I appreciate communicating with you. Please keep the channels open. I learn information every day that sheds much light on the WCG developments.

Sincerely,

L. A. Stuhlman
Exit & Support Network™ 

UPDATE on WCG:

In November 2004 the WCG moved its headquarters from Pasadena to Glendora, California. In April 2009, they changed their name in the United States to Grace Communion International. (Some local church areas and countries may still carry the former name or a different one.) Today they have gone on to embrace New Age Teachers and philosophies. 

Footnote:

1 The number of offshoots from WCG has increased to several hundred since 2005.


Facts, Points and Questions Surrounding the Coalition of WCG Propagandists

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