Of course it is conveniently ignored that HWA taught from 1953 onward that the Great Tribulation would begin in 1972 and that Christ would return in 1975. These words sound far less impressive if one is simply aware of that crucial context.
Ironically the quoted words are from HWA's 1956 booklet, 1975 in Prophecy. (See the heading, "What Communism Really Is.")
One wonders if PCG's writers will bother to mention that booklet by name?
They are consistent in using the same basic methodology to verify their prophecies as they use in their research verifying their doctrines, pick and choose, lift from context, and go to any source which appears to support them, even if that source has been impeached or discredited.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how HWA was able to make the statement that Germany was the economic and military center of Europe. To my knowledge, the mark was never the international reserve currency. Prior to the dollar, that honor had belonged to the pound sterling. Also, the Germans had hyper-inflated the mark to pay off the war reparations from WW-I, leading to economic chaos and the rise of the third Reich. By 1956, Germany was emerging as a manufacturer, after the allies rebuilt all of the destroyed factories using our new technology. The most noticeable German product in the US in 1956 was the early Volkswagen Beetle, which was beginning to be popular. However, there had been British cars on our highways, particularly the very popular sports cars, for perhaps a decade by that point in time.
HWA actively championed Germany following his earlier failed prophecies of WW-II vintage. He was still theorizing in the late 1950s that Hitler was alive somewhere in South America, and would soon reemerge to start WW-III.
BB
HWA over the years said he didn't know if the Brits would remain in the EU. I don't see where the cults get this crap that he certainly predicted they would not remain.
ReplyDeleteLike many other conditions and doctrines of Armstrongism, HWA's statements about Britain and the EU seem to have changed with time. During my childhood, and membership, he never wavered in stating that by the time a German-led Europe attacked the USA, Britain would no longer be a member of the United States of Europe. In conversing with bloggers over the years, I've become aware that after 1975 (when I left) there were some changes about which I was totally unaware. Apparently, these were all part of the massive reprogramming that was required following the failure of '72-'75.
ReplyDeletePeople who came in after '75 may have heard something different from the pulpit, but it is difficult to argue against the direct quote above from "1975 in Prophecy", a booklet that was pulled from publication in the aftermath of the disappointment of 1975.
BB
Yes BB,
ReplyDeleteYou are quite right. Listening to what all the pre 1975 exiters write about their experiences in wcg is like listening to people from another planet. Although Armstrongist fascsism remained strong in the American Churches. I have called that a part of American culture. (For instance to this day the US is one of few countries to not ratify the treaty on child beating).
I have read 1975 in prophecy several times and I do not find it as disturbing as many of the pre 1975 exiters make it to be. To me a post 1975 entrier it is just part of the speculation that was always around. We lived like Christ could come any day but planned for 30 years ahead.
This planning for the future did not seem to be a part of the US church membership if I must believe the dissident websites and blogs. Although of course we all witnessed the 1974 real estate boom in Pasadena. If that is not planning for the future than I ask you what is.
People call is distopia, utopia, craziness. To post 1974 members it was very clear that we lived like Christ could return any day but to plan for a long live.
Remember. Some 60.000 members are still in one or the other schism of the wcg. That means that it is a minority that feels like the people on the dissenting blogs.
To be clear. I am against Armstrongism. But the particular 1950's 1960's experience particular blogs harp on. Like the 1975 booklet. Was non existent for the growing post 1974 Church that reached its Zenith in 1989.
nck
Another factoid that might interest you.
ReplyDeleteGermany made its last World War I installment somewhere around 1994.
The entire 1970's. 80's, 90's they had peen paying world war one war reparations.
The Second World War ended somewhere around 1995. With the commissionars of the occupying powers handing over their formal powers to th government of the Re United Germany.
nck
"HWA actively championed Germany"
ReplyDeleteNo.
The Unites States actively Championed a United Europe as a strong ally against the Soviets. (albeit not strong enough to turn against its creator)
This official policy was translated by HWA into the image of a statue with feet of clay.
Armstrongism EXACTLY fitted the Cold War foreign policy aims of the USA in ALL its aspects. And it was the Carter administration that actively pursued Foreign Policy on "moral" grounds therefore inserting MANY religious figures into its diplomatic effort.
nck
To summarize.
ReplyDeleteIt is my personal opinion that to discredit Armstrongism the harping on the "1975" booklet is ineffective. Since it did not seem to affect a church membership that reached its peak in 1989.
There are far stronger arguments to discredit armstrongism than a booklet of speculation that was taken out of print after the speculation proved wrong.
It's a bit like trying to discredit CGI for taking Mystery of the Ages out or print. That is ridiculous.
nck
Class of '75 was huge, nck. We're talking mass exodus of members and ministers alike. Many of the ministers who left at that time were considered to be the humane ones with stable, reasonable personalities. Basically, WCG went out and attracted a whole new group of members leading up to the peak of '89.
ReplyDeleteIn the early days of the internet, most of the participants in the Armstrong recovery sites were Class of '75. That is why you see so much material based on that era. Ambassador Reports forms the backbone of all that. In the early 2,000s, we were still looking forward to the people who would face similar disillusionment at the hands of the splinters, and would begin to share their experiences. That they would arrive was a foregone conclusion. It was a big thing when people started to join us from Flurry's group, and Pack's group, and then a little further down the road, people from UCG and LCG started dropping by. Weinland went to prison, and blogs entirely dedicated to his exiting followers became popular.
Class of '95 involved the people who couldn't countenance the Tkach corrections, or were burned by their heavy-handed implimentation, and the latest class seems to be composed of people who went with the splinters to stick with the doctrines but have since become astonished and put off by everything going on in those groups.
BB
I haven't been involved since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the accompanying Perestrojka by the Russian leadership of WCG.
ReplyDeleteI am indeed astonished with what has expired since 1995. Through my personal contacts I can read through some of the more imbalanced comments on some blogs. On the other hand what is expiring in Pack's minimeempire, current LCG situation and well weinland with a little w and other groups is mind boggling even to the fun loving guy that I am. Thas is not funny. That is complete mismanagement (of trust, finance and the holy oracles that have been entrusted to people that made huge sacrifice). They should be on their knees praying. Even the pope is asking forgiveness from the gay community. How can that be that a hard liner like me am citing the pope as an example?
nck