What Was WCG Before 1970 Like?

One famous writer, Ernst Renan, said that a nation in order to maintain its identity as such, requires it to remember things about their past and also to forget unhelpful things about their past. This idea also applies to the COGs.

COG followers, when presenting WCG history, often say that before the 1970s all was well within the Radio/Worldwide Church of God.

John Ogwyn in his 'church history' booklet presents RCG/WCG as having everything working out well for them. The pre-1970s in the RCG/WCG is portrayed as a dynamic period where the truth was exploding into its full brilliance and of dramatic expansion, when the church bore much fruit.

According to this version of history it was only in the 1970s that things began to go wrong in WCG. "The 1970s saw in the Church, as in America as a whole, the emergence of an increasingly liberal, permissive spirit", Ogwyn writes.

That is the nostalgic, romantic view of RCG/WCG before 1970 which is very common among COG followers.

Many things are often left out from this narrative.

HWA made many false prophecies. HWA taught that the Great Tribulation would occur in 1972 and that Jesus Christ would return in 1975. During this time most members lived in fear that their time was up and that they could never lead a normal life because of this false prophecy. Indeed the failure of this prophecy was one of the contributing factors for the turmoil of the 1970s.

But that's not all.

During all of this 'wonderful' time before 1970 RCG/WCG engaged in what can only be described as an unspeakably awful and shameful policy towards Divorce and Remarriage. HWA required potential members who had been divorced and remarried or who were in such a marriage to divorce before they could even enter the church. It was only in 1974 that this insane policy came to an end within WCG.

During all of this 'wonderful' time HWA taught an anti-medicine superstition that viewed using medicines as idolatry that must be shunned by church members. HWA claimed that this was from the Bible, but he had actually plagiarized this superstition from Rutherford era Jehovah's Witnesses. HWA did not follow his own teaching but freely used drugs whenever he pleased, but he refused to relax this restriction. This superstition has caused unthinkable damage and heartache among many who were associated with WCG or its offshoots and some COG sects still adhere to this murderous doctrine.

Also RCG/WCG was observing the wrong Pentecost. Until 1974 Pentecost was observed on a Monday. Some people in RCG became convinced that Pentecost was on Sunday. Around 1948-9 a controversy erupted in RCG. It has been described as traumatic. Anyone who disagreed with HWA's Monday Pentecost was cast out of the church, only to learn 25 years later that they were right.

This does not sound like a happy place. This does not sound like an idyllic place where the truth of God was proclaimed. This does not sound like a place where God's righteousness and goodness is made manifest to be admired by the people.

This sounds like an insane cult. This sounds like a group enslaved by heartless legalism. This sounds like a group deceived by a false prophet who had no shame in spreading fear inducing prophecies no matter how many times they failed. This sounds like a group that regards the words of their cult leader as more important than the well being of its members and their loved ones. This sounds like a group enslaved by false fear of false prophecies.

"New Light": Now Where Have I Heard That Before?

So I reading writings from the Bethel Church of God, an offshoot of Raymond Cole's Church of God, the Eternal, which split off from WCG after the 1974 changes. Bethel Church of God continues to adhere to the two doctrines which WCG changed in 1974. Monday Pentecost and that ghastly Divorce and Remarriage doctrine which required divorced and remarried spouses to divorce in order to even enter the cult.

So I was reading their article, The Doctrine Of Pentecost – How And Why It Was Changed!, and while discussing the change in regards to Divorce and Remarriage it mentioned something that caught my eye.

Take a look.

Mr. Armstrong wrote to the entire Church about the “new light on marriage and divorce.”

Where did he get that expression from?

From the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Whenever they change a doctrine, which happens on a regular basis, they simply say thought restricting cliches that it is 'new light,' 'the light gets brighter,' etc.

Here is further evidence of how much HWA was influenced by the Watchtower Cult.

Protest for Health Care Reform

I see that right now Health Care Reform for America Now are holding a protest directed against the health insurance lobby in Washington, DC.

I hope they do well.

They Believe HWA, Like I Did

One of True Christian Ministries' articles, Does God Speak to us Through Our Dreams?, (which seems to have been written in 1999) the author, Joseph Santora, relates an encounter with some friends of his. According to him one of them has had a dream which Santora interprets to be God warning him about the coming Great Tribulation, which was supposed to come in 1975.

According to Santora:

In the past 11 years [since 1988?] that we have been friends, they have witnessed many of the things I had told them come to pass, no matter how far-fetched or unlikely they may have seemed at the time it was said.

Jim and Freddie say that they believe the Biblical truths I have taught them through the years and know that they should be following the True Christian ways that God is calling them to-
But they still do not.

According to Jim and Freddie, there is just no way they can fit God's calling into their present lives:

"My wife won't stop celebrating Christmas"

"I can't keep the Sabbath, I work on Saturdays"

"Friday night is when I party with my friends"

"I can't ask for Passover off at my job, they'll laugh"

"Is believing in the Easter Bunny that bad a thing"

"My parents would disown me if I changed my religion"

These are just a few of the reasons I have heard them and others offer through the years, as to why they can't do the things that Christ requires of those who believe in him.

You see - It's not always easy or convenient to be a True Christian, especially in a world where God's ways are so misunderstood and frowned down upon.

He then expresses hope that the dream will cause Jim, one of the friends, to dedicate his life and follow the ways of 'true Christianity' (Armstrongism).

That story spoke to me.

Because while I was a follower of LCG from 2000-8 I was just like those friends. I passionately believed in what LCG told me was true Apostolic Christianity. I actually tried to follow the dictates of Armstrongism. No pork. Strict Sabbath observance. No TV shows on the Sabbath. No Christmas.

Throughout that time I had this gnawing sense of failure because I had not joined the church. Then when I made contact with an LCG minister, he refused to meet with me. I still believed in them nevertheless.

I was like those two friends who "believe[d] the Biblical truths [Santora] have taught them through the years and know that they should be following the True Christian ways that God is calling them to- But they still do not."

Let me just say that I am very glad that I have proven to my satisfaction that Herbert W. Armstrong did not restore Apostolic Christianity but was in fact dreadfully wrong on many issues. He in fact shamelessly stole many ideas from various sources, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and British Israelism. He was a false prophet who predicted that Christ would return in 1936, 1975 and by 2005.

God could not have worked with Herbert W. Armstrong.

Herbert W. Armstrong is a false prophet.

"When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath NOT SPOKEN, but the prophet [like HWA] hath spoken it PRESUMPTUOUSLY: thou shalt not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18:22)

If only I could tell those friends that they don't need to worry about failing God because they are not in a COG. HWA was a false prophet whose words fail. HWA just made up his religion.

I hope that one day, maybe it has already come, that these two precious souls will realize that what HWA said is not true and that they get out of it, just as I did in 2008, and be free of any false sense of guilt they have.

True Christian Ministries: Another Armstrongite Offshoot

Another website I encountered in my early days with Armstrongism, True Christian Ministries.

It seems to be a one man show, led by one Joseph Santora.

It appears he had a negative reaction towards HWA at first but later came around to his line of thinking.

The first time I saw H.W. Armstrong on the "World Tomorrow" broadcast I laughed so hard at the things he said I almost fell off the sofa. I remember how ludicrous I thought everything he said was. If he's right, I thought, everything I was ever taught about Christianity is wrong.

Now, 16 years later, with the equivalent self-study to have probably earned doctorate degrees in Theology, History, Linguistics and the Migrations of Ancient Peoples - I realize - everything I was taught is wrong...

The Gospel Jesus preached during his Ministry has been syncretized to the core with pagan doctrines, and man-made traditions.

He claims that he predicted that there would be great changes upon HWA's death and that the Tkach changes fulfilled his inkling of dread.

It was a little more then a year later that the first signs of the changes that have since wreaked havoc on the W.W. Church became manifest.

A close friend and member of the WWCOG brought me a copy of the March 23, 1987 edition of the "World Wide News" - the Church's internal news journal which is distributed to members of the congregation for the purpose of keeping them informed of church activities.

Something she read in the lead article had surprised her - [This is the article which announced WCG's change concerning healing. Before this WCG had this horrific teaching which said one can only go to God to be healed of sickness. It seems to have been plagiarized by HWA from the Jehovah's Witnesses.]

She brought it to me, because she remembered something I had told her just days after Mr. Armstrong's death.

At that time I told her - "Within ten years this Church as it exists today will crumble to the ground, it will not hold to the ideals and truths that Mr. Armstrong had restored."

"How can you say that, this is God's True Church", she said at the time.

"After all", she argued, "Mr. Armstrong had hand picked Mr. Tkach as his successor -
And certainly after his 53 years of Church leadership, had established a precedent in which the Church would undoubtedly continue."

He then states how many teachings were rapidly changed within WCG.

In 1992 the Church published a booklet entitled - "God Is..." It was after reading this booklet that it became clear, the Church had indeed strayed far from the doctrine that had been.

The publication of this booklet has also been cited by Meredith as an important event that helped convince him that WCG had gone too far.

The brethren were baffled. Yet, few spoke out. According to several Church members, those who did were admonished or even expelled from their congregations.

Many became disheartened, and left of their own accord.

Others, though disillusioned remained, many hoping that some how the Church would turn back to the simple Truths once held by the entire Church membership, in the peace, joy and unity that is Christ.

But it was not to be -

He captures the sense of bewilderment that many WCG members experienced during these times.

He also states that during these changes WCG acted in a confusing manner. Sometimes it seemed like they had changed, other times they seemed to try to portray themselves as a continuation of WCG under HWA.

For years they had tip-toed around this - Criticizing the message while being careful not to be critical of the Messenger - who was still held in high regard by most of the Church.

I suppose, by now it no longer mattered - Tens of thousands had left the Church - The World Tomorrow was being broadcast on fewer and fewer stations. The Church's annual income had dropped to less than half of what it had been. Prime Church properties were being sold off one by one - Subscriptions to the Plain Truth had fallen off radically, there was even talk about charging people a subscription price for the magazine that Herbert Armstrong had so many times said proudly - "Was free for the asking".

In fact the Plain Truth was not free. It was paid for by the tithes WCG members were required to pay, tithes which many found to be a great financial burden. The Plain Truth was not free at all.

He then asserts that there is now a famine of the word, referring to Armstrongite 'truths'.

The World Wide Church's abandonment of their former beliefs and resulting Famine of the Word constitute the fulfillment of these End Time Prophecies - If not for the gallant effort of a few small off-shoot groups that are still struggling to re-establish themselves, God's Truth has all, but been silenced...

One need only to walk out of their house or try to shop in the stores around Christmas time to realize, there is no famine of the word that they're preaching. The World Wide Church of God proclaimed a different message than all others.

Actually there is no famine of COG preaching. I would argue that in some ways the transformation of WCG has actually encouraged greater distribution of Armstrongism. When WCG turned its back on its previous teachings many splinter groups emerged, all of them teaching some form of HWA's doctrines.

Indeed if WCG did not change its teachings, it might not have been possible for practically all of old WCG's writings to appear on the Internet. Today just about all of WCG's official writings, the Plain Truth, Good News, books, booklets, co-worker letters, and more are easily accessible on the Internet. I would argue there is no famine of the [Armstrongite] word.

He then ends by asserting that the Tkach changes fulfills the Great Falling Away and that this is a sign that Armageddon and Christ's return will soon occur.

In another page he speculates on what means the coming Beast dictator might be able to use when he (supposedly) will soon gain power.

It should be noted that in his portrayal of WCG under HWA contains many flaws and omissions which are all too common in standard, idealistic portrayals of old WCG.

There is no mention of WCG's dreadful practices like disfellowshipping, three tithes, divorce and remarriage, tragic failed healings, the observance of Monday Pentecost till 1974, turmoil within WCG under HWA's dictatorial rule, such as the departure of his son, Garner Ted Armstrong, and other mass defections, such as that of 1974. There is also no mention of his failed prophecies such as 1936, 1975, by 2005, etc. Also HWA's second wife, Ramona Martin, is also rendered invisible, there is no mention of her or the messy divorce which later occurred. I am always so amazed at how COG followers have seemed to just completely forgot about that.

So this is just another Armstrongite offshoot which I ran into early in my encounter with Armstrongism. Because it continues to spread the false doctrines of Armstrongism I cannot endorse it.

Armstrongism on Christian Airwaves

Here's a letter from Mr. James Kieferdorf, written in 2006, which document how many Christian radio stations broadcast Armstrongite programs.

It also contains a helpful background on Ron Dart's life as it mainly focuses on him and his sect.

LCG Fast on March 6

LCG has just had another fast on the Sabbath, March 6.

Below, we reproduce Mr. Meredith’s letter sent last Monday to all recipients of The World Ahead [the weekly update], reminding us of the purpose of our Church-wide fast this Sabbath, March 6. Please read Mr. Meredith’s letter at services this Sabbath. (LCG Weekly Update, March 4, 2010.)

One Story of Survival from the Jehovah's Witnesses

Here's a courageous story of survival and escape from the Jehovah's Witnesses. (Note: contains Basil Wolverton like imagery from the Watchtower.)

This testimony graphically shows the cruel heartless legalism and mind control which Jehovah's Witnesses have found themselves gripped in and exposes how cruel this destructive, authoritarian brainwashing cult can be. It is like a dictatorial empire within our free society.

It is a story with which far too many of us who have been involved with WCG and its offshoots would be all too familiar with.

Thoughts on the US National Debt

I don't claim to be an expert on finances but I would like to share some thoughts concerning the US national debt. I do not mean to be dogmatic on this issue, but simply wish to share some thoughts on this topic as many COG followers seem to view this with alarm and fear.

I recall once hearing Meredith insisting that back in the day the USA was owed money by other nations but today the USA is the state most heavily indebted.

This information was presented in order to make followers fearful. In the world of the COGs they are fearful that the US debt will cause the USA to financially fall apart thus paving the way for the European Empire (the Beast) to emerge as the new world hegemon and then conquer the USA and Britain.

First of all the US Government has always owed money. From Wikipedia, United States Public Debt.

The United States has had public debt since its inception. Debts incurred during the American Revolutionary War and under the Articles of Confederation led to the first yearly reported value of $75,463,476.52 on January 1, 1791 [and a dollar back then was worth a lot more than it is now]. Over the following 45 years, the debt grew, briefly contracted to zero on January 8, 1835 under President Andrew Jackson but then quickly grew into the millions again.

The first dramatic growth spurt of the debt occurred because of the Civil War. The debt was just $65 million in 1860, but passed $1 billion in 1863 and had reached $2.7 billion following the war. The debt slowly fluctuated for the rest of the century, finally growing steadily in the 1910s and early 1920s to roughly $22 billion as the country paid for involvement in World War I.

First of all half of it is owed to itself, to the US Federal government.

Then there is the external debt, debt owed to other states. As of December 2009 the US Government owes $3614.0 billion to external states.

According to this list from the US Department of the Treasury the largest external debt is with Japan. As of December, 2009 the US owe $768.8 billion to Japan.

Second is China with the US owing $755.4 billion. Because US-Japanese relations are very good and Japan has no pretensions to challenge US power or to be a rival, while China's power is growing and it will clearly place its interests first just like any other powerful state. Because of this rivalry there is a lot more attention given to the US debt with China than there is with Japan.

Third is Great Britain, with the US owing $302.5 billion. And on and on it goes.

Another thought is that every other state in the world today is also in debt.

The creditors to whom the US owe its debt know that if the US falls apart they will not get any money whatsoever and will invite chaos for everyone. So these factors suggest that the US debt will not yet cause the US to go belly up.

Although a fearful COG follower will probably still be convinced that the US will fall down because of (historically and genetically inaccurate) British Israelism, prophetic dualism (as taught by the False Prophet of 1975), the reluctance to entertain the thought that all those great sacrifices made were in vain, will still cause COG followers to cringe in fear at any mention of the US National Debt.

ADL's Profile on 'Christian Identity'

Here's a report on 'Christian Identity', brought to you by the Anti-Defamation League.

My thanks to soren for showing this to me.