PCG Fear Mongering About Ukraine Since 2005

Recently PCG has been spreading alarmist news about the crisis in Ukraine, as noted in a previous post.

PCG has long used turmoil in Ukraine as an excuse to indulge in fear inducing speculations, as they do with many other issues. This is what PCG's Ryan Malone and the late Ron Fraser wrote regarding the Orange Revolution in Ukraine way back in 2005.

You need to watch events as they play out in Eastern Europe! At issue is the future of global order. The stakes could hardly be higher!

Ukraine’s future is held in the balance. But not for long. Soon the line will be drawn between rising imperial Russia and the eastward spreading, reviving, old Holy Roman Empire, in its present guise of the EU. What you see playing out in Ukraine will seal the fate of millions—a fate, in the short term, far, far worse than anything that the first two rounds of world war ever witnessed. 

Thank God that after this holocaust, peace will finally reign under the sway of the only power with real and tangible hope to guarantee it, the very Prince of Peace Himself! (Drawing the Line, Philadelphia Trumpet, January 2005.)

This strong emphasis on fear inducing speculations is a method of social control that the PCG leadership inflicts upon their followers in order to manipulate them into remaining with PCG and continuing to pay three tithes to them.

Sudan's War Against its Southern Minorities

The doctrines of Armstrongism have caused many of its followers to have a rather skewed view of current events. Here is one story their dogmas will lead them to ignore.

Recently Sudan waged a campaign of war against its people in the South striving to destroy their local societies and forcibly unite within the strictly defined national community the leaders at Khartoum have been futilely trying to create for decades. A sad continuation of Khartoum's bloody attempt to crush the non-Muslim, non-Arabic population of the south that they have waged for decades.

A rare glimpse of this tragic and ignored war can be seen in the documentary, Eyes of Nuba, which chronicles the life and struggles of Ahmed Khatir as he documents the deadly campaign of violence Sudan has been inflicting upon the peoples of the south. 

Among the events in this program include a remarkable interview with anti-Khartoum rebels while standing around a tank they had captured from Sudanese governmental forces, an interview with a civilian whose house had been bombed by Sudanese forces, and a screening of his footage to the people at night.

At one point, Ahmad Khatir, who happens to be a Muslim, notes this war is not about religion, as it is often portrayed, noting that Sudanese governmental forces have destroyed mosques in their brutal campaign to subjugate the south. 

Here is a real news story that deserves more attention.

The documentary is Eyes of Nuba.

PCG: Vladimir Putin is the Prince of Rosh

Gerald Flurry has stated he is about 99% certain that Vladimir Putin was prophesied in the Bible as the Prince of Rosh. I stated this in a previous post but this deserves its own post.
 
What is he going to say to his followers when Putin inevitably losses power and is succeeded by another?

Considering the dreadful track record COG leaders have in predicting events they are the last people who should claim they can predict the future.

How Gerald Flurry Deviated from HWA's Way

Recently I saw this intriguing Anonymous comment from Banned by HWA. The commenter appears to continue to believe much of HWA's teachings, but this is quite insightful. The highlights are mine.

"Why didn’t all the ministers go with Flurry when he split, he holds HWA in high esteem."


Everyone should THANK GOD that at least the WCG ministers DID NOT go with a drunken false prophet like Gerald Flurry. Give them some credit. For all their faults, which were legion, at least they knew better than to do that. Of course, Gerald then proceeded to set up various ignorant, wicked, power-hungry, local perverts and abusers as PCG "ministers."

Also, it needs to be clearly pointed out that Gerald Flurry from the very start has falsely claimed to hold HWA in high esteem even as he always does the EXACT OPPOSITE of what HWA taught and did, even with what HWA thought were the most important things.

For example, Gerald Flurry quickly did away with the "great commission" to the church to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the whole world by saying that HWA had already done that and that with a new church era comes a new commission to the church to warn the "evil Laodiceans." It was a HUGE change done quickly.

The understanding in the WCG under HWA was that the prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy was Jesus, but Gerald started to teach that it was referring to himself. Even when forced to flip-flop a bit on this, he still kept for himself the title of "That Prophet." Very interesting considering that HWA had taught that there were no prophets in the church today--EXCEPT FALSE PROPHETS!

In his later years, HWA had emphasized the prophecy in Malachi that talked about turning the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. In direct contrast and opposition, Gerald Flurry came up with a "no contact" rule to get grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren to totally cut off all contact with each other. How satanic is that?

Any teachings about morality in the WCG under HWA got totally turned around backwards in Gerald's PCG, ...

People who just carelessly repeat Gerald Flurry's lies about how he is faithfully following HWA's example simply do not know what they are talking about.

The PCG is a satanic fraud, and satanic frauds are not known for being nice.

I was particularly taken with the paragraph about changing the commission. Let me quote it again.

For example, Gerald Flurry quickly did away with the "great commission" to the church to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God to the whole world by saying that HWA had already done that and that with a new church era comes a new commission to the church to warn the "evil Laodiceans." It was a HUGE change done quickly.

This is true. This statement is supported by evidence, namely what Gerald Flurry wrote in page 78 of the 1990 edition of Malachi's Message.

If the work to the world is basically finished - most of what remains to be done is separating the Laodiceans and the Philadelphians.... That should not taken very long - but it will be painful! Very painful - in some cases it will break up families.

I was shocked when I saw that passage. This is what I said about it when I read it. Highlights are added.

My word! This has to be one of the most disgusting, horrid and shocking statements Flurry ever says in this book. Here is the terrible no contact policy in embryo. Although (as far as I know) the no contact policy was not yet in force then, it seems clear that the seeds of self-righteous hatred against so-called Laodiceans (WCG members and members of other COGs) is already there in Flurry's heart.

He knows the hatred he is teaching towards those he defines as Laodiceans will tear up families. But it seems clear from these words he is determined to do it regardless, as early as February 1990.

It is a terrible tragedy that Flurry found himself in just the right time to gain enough converts from WCG to became one of the major Armstrongite COGs. (Source.)

Anonymous also said:

Everyone should THANK GOD that at least the WCG ministers DID NOT go with a drunken false prophet like Gerald Flurry. Give them some credit. For all their faults, which were legion, at least they knew better than to do that. Of course, Gerald then proceeded to set up various ignorant, wicked, power-hungry, local perverts and abusers as PCG "ministers.

When I looked at Philadelphia Church of God while I was an Armstrongite I could not help but notice that the leaders of PCG were of no importance within old WCG, while other splinter groups had more prominent WCG personalities within their groups. That is a major reason why I decided to ignore PCG after investigating them for a little while.

HWA Disfellowshipping his Son (June 28, 1978)

Let us take a look at HWA's co-worker letter disfellowshipping his son, Garner Ted Armstrong, published June 28, 1978.

Let us begin.

[Satan] used the secular and worldly faculty members -- the ONLY KIND then obtainable -- to turn Ambassador into a rubber stamp of the schools of higher education in Satan's world. There was every subtle effort to THROW CHRIST OUT OF THE COLLEGE. But Christ was on His Father's throne. I looked solely to HIM -- trusted solely in HIM. And Ambassador became truly God's college. AND IT GREW!

That highlighted statement is quite deceptive because as is well documented elsewhere HWA in fact relied on his co-workers by manipulating them with co-worker letters begging them for money.

Ambassador College was started October 8, 1947. It was started for the SOLE PURPOSE as GOD'S OWN COLLEGE of training ministers and other needed administrative personnel for the Work.

Aha! HWA finally admits what was apparent to so many observers, it was not a true liberal arts college. He many times claimed Ambassador College was not a Bible College but a liberal arts institution.

He then presents his fairly lengthy account of Garner Ted Armstrong's history in WCG.

First he mentions how Garner Ted Armstrong viewed his father's religion with more than a little weariness as a young person.

As a little boy growing up, Garner Ted was one of the most lovable boys -- with a most lovable spirit -- I ever knew. However, what Christ was preaching through his father, even then, (as he himself has said publicly many times) was merely "Dad's religion" held naturally in some degree of boyish contempt.

 Then HWA tells of how he left home to join the navy, without his parents' approval.

At age 18, as the college was getting started, he "ran off" -- so to speak -- and without our parental knowledge joined the navy. His four year "hitch" ended in, I believe, late spring or early summer of 1952. The first three years in the navy he had become assistant manager of the Naval Office at San Diego -- his last year, in the war in North Korea on the carrier "Antietan."

HWA then describes how he gave his son a job after he returned from the war.

On his return to civilian life, I made him manager of our general office. He entered Ambassador College that fall in order to hold his job -- for all such jobs had to be available for students working their way through.

HWA then describes how Garner Ted Armstrong become persuaded that HWA's group was worth following.

During his freshman year a series of articles was running in LOOK magazine on the religions of the world. Ted became enamored with the article on "What Is Christianity?" written by a famous New York minister. What grabbed his interest was the statement that first the writer would tell readers what Christianity IS NOT. It is NOT, the article said, "a way of life." Then it so happened that in freshman Bible studies Ted noticed on an open two pages in the book of Acts in his Bible that Christianity was some four or five times referred to as "THIS WAY." Ted has related publicly many times how shocked he was to see that -- IN HIS OWN BIBLE. He underscored these four or five references to "THIS WAY." That, he has said publicly, led to his conversion. And I certainly BELIEVED he had become a thoroughly converted young man.

And so Garner Ted Armstrong fell into HWA's clutches, only to be spewed out and demonized as filth twenty five years later.

HWA then relates how he worked with HWA in his brief foray into TV broadcasting, which was the start of his extremely successful career at preaching WCG's message.

As the years went by, Ted had become president of the Student Body of the College, and had begun preaching sermons in the Church. In June 1955, I went on television. I think Ted had participated in at least one radio broadcast by that time. His brother, Richard David, had spoken on a few radio programs -- once from Paris. During this TV series, I let my two sons participate with me on a television program. Ted seemed to take to television, as I often expressed it, "like a duck to water."

This TV series was consuming my entire time. It was leaving no time for my other duties of heading the day-to-day executive leadership in God's Work. In January 1956, I went off TV. Experience up to that time had shown me that it was daily radio broadcasting that was building the Work. ...

Ted had shown aptitude on the TV series -- in fact, I had let him do one program by himself. Naturally, I had encouraged him to begin doing occasional radio programs. At times his voice sounded so much like mine that people could hardly tell which of us was speaking.

HWA then relates how Meredith encouraged HWA to appoint Garner Ted Armstrong as vice-president.

Meanwhile, Rod Meredith had been making strides towards becoming one of our top ministers. Dr. Meredith began urging me to make Garner Ted vice-president. The Work was GROWING, the organization was expanding. So I did make Garner Ted vice-president and later Dr. Meredith second vice-president. As we were passing through the sixties, Ted began gradually doing more and more of the radio programs

Reading that statement I could not help but wonder if HWA was putting his son down by portraying Meredith as working within the ministry longer than him. Reading this letter it seems HWA's relations with Meredith were quite good at the time. That would not last. Later HWA turned against Meredith in 1980 and sent him to exile in Hawai'i, sent him a most scathing letter in which he said Meredith was not qualified to succeed him, and he never restored him to his previous prominence. Again it appears HWA removed Meredith to protect Rader.

HWA then relates how Garner Ted Armstrong was temporarily removed from preaching duties in 1971 but was later allowed back, but then HWA again removed him from preaching duties after his son did even worse things. He accuses his son of drinking beer and gambling in this letter, but it appears from other sources that the real reason for these acts of discipline was that Garner Ted Armstrong was having an affair with another woman.

This time I was unable to keep it private -- and the news media picked it up. But I still tried to protect Ted by refusing to reveal the real reason for his disfellowship. News media hounded me, but all they could get out of me was that he had been sent away because of "personal emotional problems."

That last statement is very misleading.

In an interview with Time magazine HWA hinted at Garner Ted Armstrong's transgression. He was quite oblique about it, he did not speak plainly, but he gave away more than he claimed in this 1978 letter. At least that was my impression when I read HWA's remarks in Time's article, Where are You, Garner Ted? HWA was more open about the scandal then he lets on here.

After Time magazine learned that HWA apparently sent a secret letter which stated that Garner Ted Armstrong was "in the bonds of Satan" a reporter from Time magazine naturally asked the question everyone wanted to know.

What sort of transgression? TIME Correspondent Sandra Burton posed the question to Herbert Armstrong in a rare interview last week. "Look up I Timothy, Chapter 3, first five or six verses," replied Armstrong, "and Titus, Chapter 1, verse 6" Both passages make two points in common: that a bishop or church elder must be faithful to his wife and rule strictly over believing children. Had handsome Garner Ted succumbed to an old and common temptation? His father was cryptic: "The fault was spiritual, not moral." In the heterodox, rigidly disciplined Christianity of the Worldwide Church of God, that could mean anything. ("Where are You, Garner Ted?", Time, May 15, 1972, p. 46.)

(Link is subscriber only, alas.)

For the sake of completeness here are the Scriptural passages HWA cited to Ms. Burton.

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. (I Timothy 3: 1-6.)

If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Titus 1:6.)

After being directed to these verses how could one not think that Garner Ted Armstrong must have committed adultery? Once again we see that HWA is not telling his followers what really happened. HWA gave a cryptic answer to the media that did absolutely nothing to stop rumors (which were later proven correct) that Garner Ted Armstrong was engaging in an adulterous relationship, but instead simply inflamed such speculation.

We now return to HWA's 1978 letter disfellowshipping his son.

HWA accuses his son of bearing an intense grudge against Meredith.

By this time, Ted had come to have a very special aversion against Dr. Roderick Meredith, who had urged me to put Ted in an executive vice-presidency in the first place -- years before. Ted had exceedingly hot and angry words against all ten or twelve of us in general and Dr. Meredith in particular.

HWA then clumsily compares himself to President Nixon and his cover up of the Watergate affair. 

Brethren, let me interject at this point to remind you of GOD'S TEACHING so contrary to this world's in regard to publicizing the wrongs or sins of another. God teaches us that "LOVE COVERS." In the worldwide notoriety about "Watergate" President Nixon was accused, condemned and forced to resign because of what Satan's world called the sin of "COVER-UP." In other words, the world regarded it a sin because Mr. Nixon did not come right out in public and before the whole world defaming the United States by reporting the whole affair. If Jesus Christ had been in office (of course He could not take such political office in this world), He would have properly CORRECTED those guilty -- in whatever punishment was in His sight fitting to CORRECT AND ABOLISH such evil and, IN LOVE for both the guilty and for this nation, He would have COVERED IT UP! I have only followed the WAY OF CHRIST, trying desperately through the years to COVER UP my son's sins and mistakes -- while at the same time NOT condoning his sins, but trying to give God's kind of punishment which CORRECTS AND RESTORES to the grace of God, rather than to act in hostility and revenge.

HWA seems to not have a very good understanding of the Watergate scandal. I would have thought perjury was indefeasible according to the laws of God and humanity.

After this HWA then gets to the point, he defends Stanley Rader. HWA claims Rader could not possibly have a grudge against Garner Ted Armstrong because he supported his reinstatement in 1972. Just because Rader did that in 1972 does not mean he would treat Garner Ted Armstrong so amicably in 1978.

I STOOD ALONE among the higher rank ministers of the Church in trying to bring my son to the real repentance and restore him IN THE WORK. The ONLY man who stood with me -- working for Ted's repentance and restoration -- was the man he now HATES apparently above all men and without cause -- Mr. Stanley R. Rader! It was Mr. Rader who was constantly helping me to restore Ted into God's grace and forgiveness and to his place in the Work! Because of the slanderous innuendos of character assassination my son has cast out of his mouth against Mr. Rader, there are some -- even ministers -- in the Church who would GO OUT of the Church rather than show any of the milk of Christian kindness towards Mr. Rader. And yet NONE of these has seen or had one iota of PROOF of any wrongdoing by Mr. Rader. He is my assistant and I regard him BY HIS FRUITS -- which are of VERY GREAT VALUE TO GOD'S WORK -- rather than unfounded emotional prejudices and hatred. After I had worked tirelessly with Ted by continuous letters trying to restore him to grace, right conduct and his position in the Work (always with Mr. Rader's invaluable help), by June 1972 I felt that PROBABLY my son -- my ONLY living son -- had made the necessary CHANGE OF MIND and attitude.

I love that last highlighted statement "(always with Mr. Rader's invaluable help)". It is so fawning to Rader. It is odd to see the leader being so docile with Rader. With servile statements such as these it is no wonder so many in WCG feared Rader would take over leadership WCG.

It appears the real reason Garner Ted Armstrong was cast out of WCG was to protect Rader's power within WCG. There was a power struggle brewing between Garner Ted Armstrong and Rader for HWA's favor. HWA eventually decided to side with Rader and cast out his own son for being in Rader's way.

It also appears that Stanley Rader might have been blackmailing HWA with help from a Dr. Floyd Lochner, who was a trusted companion of HWA's and apparently had access to embarrassing information concerning HWA. He was allied with Rader.

Rader was trying to set himself as HWA's right hand man and anointed successor so that in time he would gain control of WCG. After reading John Tuit's book, The Truth Shall Make You Free (which has often been discussed here), I am persuaded that was indeed the case. It is a remarkable testament to the dysfunctional nature of WCG that Rader nearly succeeded.

HWA says he decided to restore his son to some of his former duties and unexpectedly restored his son to his duties sooner then he had planned. HWA then complains that his son was overstepping his boundaries and covertly making decisions HWA should have made.

Apparently Garner Ted Armstrong has the power to keep God the Father and Christ out of communication.

When Garner Ted maneuvered to shut off communication of what REALLY was going on, -- when he SHUT OFF ALL AUTHORITY ABOVE HIM -- he not only shut me off, but also HE SHUT OFF CHRIST AND GOD ALMIGHTY WHO STAND ABOVE ME!

HWA then vehemently denies that Rader is in charge.

whether you realized it or not -- Satan was craftily leading my son to say -- or imply -- that his father was now old and senile -- my mind was in a fog -- I did not know what was going on -- I was being manipulated by those in top administrative positions, and Mr. Rader. He has spread the POINT BLANK LIE that Mr. Rader is now actually heading the Church and Work. Brethren, I brand that as a Satan LIE! Mr. Rader does not even have any administrative position -- except in the AICF

He then states that he has ordered Rader to fold up Quest magazine to show WCG members he is in charge.

I HAVE GIVEN THE DIRECT ORDER TO MR. RADER TO SELL OR DISPOSE OF THE MAGAZINE QUEST 78 as soon as possible. I was never enthusiastic about this magazine, but I went along with it under the understanding that I was to write the LEADING ARTICLE in every issue. I said emphatically at the beginning that the magazine could not succeed otherwise. But men of SECULAR EXPERTISE hired to run it deceived Mr. Rader. The magazine now is showing a slight profit through advertising sales and subscription price, but I have given a firm order which Mr. Rader will at once follow: "SELL IT OR GET RID OF IT!"

HWA then explains how relations with his son gradually deteriorated until HWA ordered his own son to be shunned by all WCG members.

Intriguingly HWA notes what his son said during their last personal meeting.

we had one more private talk in which he rose and said to his father, "I could DESTROY you, Dad!"

It was later revealed that this was a reference to Herbert W. Armstrong's incestuous relationship with his daughter from around 1933-44. At the time the incest was not public knowledge so WCG members at the time had no idea this statement was about HWA's incest.

Relevant to this discussion is what Ambassador Report 27 (April 1984) has to say about this meeting.

In spite of church upheavals, arguments with his father, personal emotional problems and considerable notority about his own sins, Ted said nothing about his father's shameful past. Not until 1978.

That year, during a heated argument between GTA and his father, HWA threatened to "destroy" Ted through making public certain information about his personal life. But Ted responded in kind saying he could destroy HWA with the information he had. Ted charged his father in no uncertain terms, yelling: "You fucked my sister!" Herbert, shocked at Ted's knowledge of the incestuous relationship, could only reply, "Well there have been times in my life when I have gotten far away from God." The conversation - overheard by GTA associate Benny Sharp - was the last face to face meeting between the two men. And Ted has since related how the hateful look he saw in his father's eye made him suspect they would never see each other again. 

Alas, Garner Ted Armstrong proved correct with that suspicion.

Yesterday I sent to him the official letter, heartbreaking as it was to me, disfellowshipping him from the WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD! That means, brethren, that on pain of being themselves disfellowshipped and PUT OUT of God's Church [WCG], you are all, according to CHRIST'S COMMAND, restrained from contact with, or conversation with, Garner Ted Armstrong -- no longer a member of this Church!

How terrible it is that HWA falsely assumes to himself the authority of Christ to inflict this vicious and hateful order upon WCG members. A group ordering people who they can or cannot talk to is a telltale sign that it is a destructive cult. This is a terrible abuse of power and it should never be given to any self appointed false prophet like HWA.

HWA ends the letter with these words.

The Work GREW AND GREW with God's blessing for the thirty-five years up to 1969 -- SINCE THEN GOD'S BLESSING HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. We had been tending to forget GOD, letting Laodicean lukewarmness leaven us. CHRIST SAYS NOW, AWAKE! Rise up from this stupor that has drugged us! RALLY BEHIND CHRIST AND HIS APOSTLE! LET'S GET ON WITH GETTING THE JOB DONE.

Brethren, THANK YOU for your loyalty!

With deepest love in Jesus' name, 

Herbert W. Armstrong 

It is nonsense for HWA to portray WCG before 1969 as being some sort of golden age as he does here. This is nonsense. 

And so now we have seen how HWA announced the disfellowshipping of his own son to WCG members and co-workers. It is a sad reminder of the viciously authoritarian nature of HWA's rule over WCG members. It reveals once again what a terrible cult HWA had created around himself.

(Update: March 29, 2014. I have changed the link to HWALibrary.com.)

Is Ukraine Crisis is "a Giant Step [towards] World War III"? (PCG)

No doubt the current crisis in Ukraine must be very severe. It is a terrible crisis Ukraine is going through at the moment.

But is it a sign that World War III is just around the corner?

PCG seems to think so.

Here is the blurb for a recent episode of their Key of David show.

There has been a supreme crisis in the country of Ukraine, located between Russia and Europe—some of our best media journalists have said it is a monumental crisis. This event will change the course of world history. It’s going to take us a giant step closer to World War III, and you’re going to see that happen.

PCG has been utterly shameless in trying to claim that they predicted events before they happened when in fact they did not. They did that after 9/11. They did that when the Libyan Revolution began. They are doing that again. Other COG splinter groups such as LCG and the unordained, self appointed false prophet Bob Thiel have indulged in these absurd and ludicrous ideas and speculations.

Gerald Flurry says he is 99% certain that Vladimir Putin is the Prince of Rosh mentioned in Ezekiel 38.

HWA, the man PCG claims to follow, said Jesus Christ would return in 1975. He said in his last book, Mystery of the Ages, that Christ had to return within twenty years, by 2005, at the latest. (PCG has since removed this statement.)

I wonder how many Key of David viewers know that Gerald Flurry has historically been bizarrely fixated upon shunning unwanted people.

I wonder how PCG will hide this when this false prophecy fails?

Stephen Flurry on the Situation in Fallujah, Iraq

On January 8, 2014 edition of PCG's Trumpet Daily, Where Americans Died in Vain, discussing Iraqi insurgents' capture of Fallujah from the Iraqi government.

Considering that the PCG leadership were going to discuss recent events in Iraq I was curious what they had to say. The following are some notes I took while watching this show.

Let us begin:

Steven Flurry says these events are not surprising. "Not that any of this surprises us by any means. But still to see how fast America is falling ... it's stunning in many ways."

Says of Fallujah's fall: "Devastating blows to America's might and prestige around the world."

Brings up Leviticus 26 within two minutes.

"As if we've shifted into the fast lane" towards national destruction since 9/11. (2 minutes.)

He cites HWA's book The United States and Britain in Prophecy. Says you should read it and study it.

He says "sins curses". It should be "curses sins." (3)

Seven minutes in and it is just a rehash of HWA's false prophecy that America is doomed.

Says Iraqi insurgents' take over of Fallujah is a foretaste of what will happen once America falls.

Afghanistan invasion was "fairly impressive show of strength." (In Stephen Flurry's speaking style faint praise is damning, at least in these Trumpet Weekly shows.)

Mentions how George Bush labeled Iran as a member of the "axis of evil." Says it is one thing to say it is, another to actually do something about. Says we, meaning the PCG leadership, identified Iran as "the head of the snake." (9)

What more should the US have done? He does not say. As far as I can tell he seems to imply the US should have invaded Iran.

(I hope no Iranians are watching this. I hope they understand PCG is a pathetically small and insignificant group outside of the small bubble it has.)

Let me digress here. It is PCG's peculiar dogma, set by Gerald Flurry, that Iran will be the King of the South. He is following this dogma. This idea that Iran is somehow the mastermind of terrorism, the head of the snake, is based on delusional dogma, not on reality. It completely ignores the complicated political situation in the Middle East. This is why PCG stated Iran is the true threat immediately after 9/11, even though Iran had nothing to do with 9/11.

He quotes November 2001 Philadelphia Trumpet article saying Iran will survive intact and survive stronger than ever.

Again, why bring up Iran? They had nothing to do with 9/11. Iran is hostile towards Al Qaeda. They went to war with each other in the Iraq War.

He quotes Melanie Phillips, a right wing commenter from Britain, who says America faces the prospects of seeing its sacrifices in Iraq rendered in vain.

He says Iraq has returned to chaotic state and is now more dangerous than before 9/11, he says. (12)

Says Iraq is under Iran's control. Even if there is a civil war Iran will maintain a secure hold over Iraq.

He portrays a 2003 Philadelphia Trumpet article as a remarkably far seeing prophecy that Iran will seize control of Iraq. (13)

What have we show for what we did in the war? he asks. Strength spent in vain. (15)

The same thing will happen in Afghanistan, he assures us. Quotes Melanie Phillips to support his speculations and says that things will get even worse. (16)

Laments that McCain and Kerry are unwilling to do anything to gain victory. He cites this as evidence of America's weakness. Says Iraq was certainly better with US troops in it. (17)

Scares people by citing larger US debt and then punch line: says it will get worse. (18)

Quotes Melanie Phillips to say the US is extremely foolish to loosen sanctions against Iran and claims it is setting the stage for Iran to get nuclear weapons. (19)

At one point Phillips says Iran is now America's best friend. This is a factually absurd statement. She is simply being dramatic with her words, which is part of her job as a columnist.

Stephen Flurry uses these to say that PCG's prophecy that Iran would survive the initial lashing out in 2001 to become stronger than ever has been fulfilled. (19-20)

"We have empowered the King of the South." (20)

Fallujah "tiny preview" of the chaos soon to come. This will lead to world war. (21)

If you scoff at that look at the articles in 2001-3 and you will see that what we said occurred as we predicted. (21-22)

I remember very well reading the November 2001 article when it first came out. What Stephen Flurry does not mention is that his father (and leader) Gerald Flurry also stated that 9/11 symbolized the start of "the last hour." Later, in 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, an article in the Philadelphia Trumpet stated we had entered the last half of the last hour. All of this is well documented in Bob Thiel's article regarding PCG. (Please note Bob Thiel runs his own COG cult group and will try to persuade you to support him.) None of this is mentioned by Stephen Flurry. He selectively ignores these statements because he knows it will not sound persuasive if he mentions these inconvenient facts.

Boasts six million copies of United States and Britain in Prophecy have been sent since it was first published. (22)

Britain's sun has already set and America is afraid to use its power. Raises his voice. (23)

Quotes HWA's lament that the US could not conquer North Vietnam. (24)

Promotes PCG's booklet, He was Right, insisting HWA was correct. (24-25)

There are numerous false prophecies that most powerfully states that HWA was wrong again and again and again. HWA was wrong when he said Mussolini was the Beast, that Hitler was the Beast, that Christ would return in 1936, then after World War II, then in 1975, then in Mystery of the Ages he said Christ would return by 2005 (PCG has removed this statement in their copies), etc.

Cites an article, America has won its last war. Insists no war has gone well for the US since World War II. Can you think of any? he asks. "No You can't." (24-25) 

I can. Grenada in 1983. Libya in 2011. (You try telling Gaddafi the war did not end well for the US.) America won the Gulf War of 1991 in that it succeeded in forcing Iraq to leave Kuwait. This is contrary to HWA's insistence that America won its last war. HWA was certainly wrong on this matter.

Also The Painful Truth has useful comments on this matter.

39) 1950's/60's/70's [Plain Truth]: US will never win another war; note - 1982 Grenada [sic]; 1989 Panama; 1991 Iraq, then rated 4th largest army in the world, destroyed in 40 days.

Stephen Flurry states He was Right will be updated and reprinted in April or May. (25)

Says of The United States and Britain in Prophecy, "You need it. You need this book today. ... It explains what is happening in the world." (25)

The United States and Britain in Prophecy does this by insisting that Americans are descended from ancient Israelites. This idea is known as British Israelism, an idea which has been around since at least 1794. There is a problem. British Israelism is not true. The DNA evidence is 100% clear. There is no genetic link between the ancient Israelites and white Europeans. HWA was wrong again.

And so the show ends.

I will also say now this show would be misleading to the uninitiated as there is no indication in this show that PCG believes it will be Europe that will destroy America. 

All in all it is an utterly derivative and unimaginative regurgitation of HWA's false prophecy that America is doomed based on the completely false idea of British Israelism. There is nothing worth seeing here. He hardly even discusses what is actually happening in Iraq.

David Hulme The Shunner

I just read this horrifying story written by Sasha Veljic, an ex-member of David Hulme's cult, (who apparently devised the group's name), which may be read on page two of the latest issue of The Journal.

(Hat tip: Gavin Rumney at Otagosh.)

I have just learned of the most recent developments in the Church of God an International Community [CGIC] organization. [See the related articles beginning on page 1 of this issue of THE JOURNAL.]

As you know, I used to be a very active member in it once upon a time. In fact, it was I who suggested its name in a letter and that is how it got the name. In fact, I was one of the founders of that organization in Europe.

However, I constantly faced all kinds of obstructions coming from David Hulme. Eight years ago I was silently removed from it by the order of David Hulme. The reason was that I maintained contact with various Sabbath- keepers and I refused to be fenced into the boundaries of the CGIC.

Anyway, my point is not to dwell on David Hulme and his fallacies. I would rather say a word of condolence to the grieving brethren.

I was strictly forbidden eight years ago to communicate with anyone from that organization. So what is going on right now with other members is what I experienced eight years ago. Therefore I empathize with their pain and sorrow.

If I could offer a comforting word, an encouraging comment, an optimistic statement, that would be fine with me. I will be happy to answer any questions in that regard.

One major change that happened with my beliefs is that I have rejected entirely the hierarchical “government of God” concept and, over the years, especially from 2009, I have strengthened my belief about Israel.

What a horrifying glimpse of the cruel oppression David Hulme and collaborators imposes upon his followers. One good thing about this presently unfolding schism is that it has brought cruel acts such as this to public attention.

Rumney also points out that The Journal "includes a photograph of Hulme's house on Marengo Avenue in Pasadena, which also serves as church HQ. How convenient." You may see this photo on page 8.

Confirmed: Gerald Weston Now No. 3 in LCG

Back on January 13 I posted an overview of the latest Tomorrow's World issue and I commented that Douglas Winnail did not have an article in that issue. On January 15 I devoted another post to this topic after reading an Anonymous comment at Banned by HWA saying it was Gerald Weston had displaced Winnail.

We now have confirmation from James Malm's blog, who has reported that Gerald Weston has been chosen as LCG's number three man, behind only Richard Ames and Roderick C. Meredith.

I have been waiting for confirmations and it is now confirmed that Rod Meredith has announced on several occasions that Gerald Weston is now #2 in the LCG succession list, right behind Richard Ames.

James Meredith has managed to offend most of the leading elders and has proved himself unworthy of the succession at this time.

I would like to thank the anonymous comment for helping me to bring this news earlier.

Dave Pack's Latest Announcement

Banned by HWA has reported (here and here) that Dave Pack has released another letter (about 7779 words long) insisting his church is the one true church.

I was amused when he said

great numbers of brethren have become content to let their leaders do their thinking for them—and with ETERNAL LIFE at stake! This letter will not help such ill-informed, easily seduced, “obedient” people.

What a blatant example of projection. The COG members were taught to behave obediently by HWA and the leadership in old WCG, including Dave Pack, and are simply faithfully following what HWA and Co taught.

I was disgusted when I saw this. 

United’s leaders are now working in a “cooperative” tandem with a large group that Mr. Armstrong’s son led away in rebellion over 35 years ago [Church of God International] is merely the latest outrage they commit against God, Mr. Armstrong’s legacy and their docile membership who are so willing to let them get away with their deceit.

It is disgusting that Pack wishes to incite that old hatred against those who courageously resisted HWA's tyranny out of loyalty to HWA's teachings. It seems to me many COG followers have moved on from that feud.

At present, despite his humiliating prophetic failure last year, there is no hope that RCG will be moving in a positive direction or that Pack will be moving away from his authoritarian way in the foreseeable future.