tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post6404997682184877796..comments2024-03-28T22:34:16.707-07:00Comments on Banned by HWA! News and Observations About Armstrongism and the Church of God Movement: Prophet Bob Thiel and the Bible News Prophecy Channel. Watch And Be Amazed!NO2HWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018654662518613623noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-51731554529939762342013-01-12T13:38:18.824-08:002013-01-12T13:38:18.824-08:00But Thiel's craziness does show where certain ...But Thiel's craziness does show where certain mindsets can potentially lead to, and I do think it's important to not allow these things to be swept under the carpet and forgotten as if they had never happened, which in times past the WCG easily did. This is what has kept the mind virus alive for so long, at least that particular strain of it. But this is no longer possible in the modern Internet age.<br /><br />Armstrongites aren't taught nor encouraged to ask questions, especially meaningful, foundational ones. As a long-time, hard-core and genuinely sincere member I eventually bucked the trend and started to make such inquires, and it proved very destructive to the entire supernatural belief system Armstrongism (and any other form of Christianity) is ultimately founded upon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-55357286596725164872013-01-12T11:39:51.504-08:002013-01-12T11:39:51.504-08:00Years ago, my wife at the time and I were at a dir...Years ago, my wife at the time and I were at a dirt track sprintcar race, as was our custom every Saturday night. My wife needed to go to the restroom, and chose a time when the big cars were cooling down and prepping for their main event. While this was happening, it was customary at that track for some little, entry level cars to be having their main event. Anyway, when my wife returned to her seat at the end of the little cars' main event, she inquired as to who had won. I replied to her that it didn't matter. We laughed about this for the rest of the evening.<br /><br />However, this statement also has application for those in COGdom who suddenly may find themselves accidentally being ordained as prophets while they are being annointed for some totally unrelated illness. "It doesn't matter!" We have yet to see anything like prominence or street buzz come to any of these self-important people. One of them might get arrested for not setting a Christlike example, banned from visiting Israel, or in financial trouble over attempts to build an Armstrong-cookie-cutter empire, but for the most part the all pervasive gospel that is going out around the world emanates from mainstream evangelical Christianity. You'd think that would make Armstrongites ask a few very poignant questions.<br /><br />BBByker Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15602697337552385535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-44026141902744756872013-01-12T10:27:26.640-08:002013-01-12T10:27:26.640-08:00NEWS FLASH!!!
Bob Thiel's church, which consi...NEWS FLASH!!!<br /><br />Bob Thiel's church, which consists of just himself, has just split into two parts. <br /><br />Time will tell which one is the Philadelphian Remnant and which one is Laodicean. <br /><br />Joe Moeller <br />Cody , WY Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-14884147766543776652013-01-12T00:50:54.657-08:002013-01-12T00:50:54.657-08:00This guy's presentation style is about as comp...<i>This guy's presentation style is about as compelling as a water newt.<br /><br />Clearly this man has greatly deceived himself if he thinks he's been called to be a prophet.</i><br /><br />Laura Weinland is the Silent Witness. Maybe Prophet Bob is supposed to be the Silent Prophet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-63794228603797310012013-01-12T00:13:31.227-08:002013-01-12T00:13:31.227-08:00I don't think Rod Meredith will have to worry ...I don't think Rod Meredith will have to worry about Prophet Bob drawing away many people from the Living Church of God. This guy's presentation style is about as compelling as a water newt.<br /><br />Clearly this man has greatly deceived himself if he thinks he's been called to be a prophet.<br /><br />The capacity of the human mind to delude itself is truly amazing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-58218694155835177332013-01-12T00:00:06.597-08:002013-01-12T00:00:06.597-08:00I don't think that's a podium - it looks l...I don't think that's a podium - it looks like the backside of an old dresser drawers.<br /><br />Well, it's fairly obvious whatever Bob's talents are, effective speaking is most definitely not one of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-65087827983177941192013-01-11T20:59:09.426-08:002013-01-11T20:59:09.426-08:00Since uploaded, He's had 43 views on Part 1 of...Since uploaded, He's had 43 views on Part 1 of his sermon, and then the number dropped to 22 views on Part 2 of his sermon. Simply put, 21 people, roughly half, didn't think it was good enough to listen to even the second part. I wonder how many actually sat through the whole first part. That's some telling statistics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-24235331851614069212013-01-11T20:52:17.617-08:002013-01-11T20:52:17.617-08:00He FINALLY got his podium it seems.
http://www.y...He FINALLY got his podium it seems. <br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89j7JveXxPQ<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-9028205569327245452013-01-11T20:49:08.785-08:002013-01-11T20:49:08.785-08:00Thiel posted today:
"As many of you have com...Thiel posted today:<br /><br />"As many of you have commented, it is disappointing and amazing to see the amount of misinformation about me and the Continuing Church of God on the internet. However, those who tend to have the greatest “love of the truth” should be able to see through this, study, and pray. "<br /><br />I don't even know what to say about this. Dissapointment? Amazing? Misinformation? SERIOUSLY! Absolutely unbelievable. <br /><br />He sounds JUST like Weinland In my opinion, and he doesnt even see it. I'll say more another time. UGH!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-6108389292119354702013-01-11T16:48:19.516-08:002013-01-11T16:48:19.516-08:00Well, the reason I posted the question to begin wi...Well, the reason I posted the question to begin with was merely out of personal curiosity, as I was kind of thinking out loud. My intent was truly not to denigrate Joyce Thiel in any way at all. Her husband is the one making the public claims to biblical prophethood, not her, so far as I know. I just wondered what she may be actually thinking about this entire episode. She may indeed be on the shy and reticent side, but that doesn't mean she has no personal thoughts and feelings of her own with respect to Bob's shenanigans.<br /><br />On the overall subject of minister's wives: through the years I've known some very genuine, kind and sweet-natured ones. Others, perhaps the majority, not so much. Something about the prestige with which the ministry is held within the confines of the COG's...well, it can produce sinister effects in some people over time.<br /><br />I remember going to Ambassador College out in Pasadena with a fellow student, a sweet little thing who was very feminine, a bit on the quiet side yet with a most gentle, friendly and approachable temperament. I always thought well of her.<br /><br />She ended up marrying a nice guy who was eventually ordained into the full-time ministry. By chance, I ran into her about 15 years later up at the S.E.P. summer camp in Orr. We worked together on some rather minor project for awhile along with some other folks, and her entire demeanor had changed into something that astonished me: over time she turned into a bossy, haughty, loud-mouthed bitch - absolutely NOTHING like the sweet thing she was in her younger years during college days. She just arrogantly strutted around like a modern-day version of Jezebel, telling everybody what she wanted done, how to do it, when to do it, etc. Honestly, I was utterly stunned by the change. It was hard to believe this was the same gal I knew in her younger years. Perhaps the personality shift had other causes, but I can't help but think her years of being sucked up to a pastor's wife had at least something to do with it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-48784138203315618312013-01-11T15:50:02.201-08:002013-01-11T15:50:02.201-08:00Then out of respect for Mrs. Thiel I for one spea...Then out of respect for Mrs. Thiel I for one speaking only for myself - won't be speaking of her any longer on this forum. If Commenter Joe is right, Joyce would probably be very uncomfortable about us talking about her when we do not know her. I'm only speaking for myself of course, out of personal conscience. <br /><br />I will only say one last thing in this thread concerning: For such a shy, reticent, quiet and private person to be thrown into the COG limelight with a vocal and outspoken husband who thinks he's a prophet and supposedly and seemingly has the answers to all biblical things - when he is absolutely NOTHING of the sort - having to witness her husband being scrutinized by his critics - is a shame. I wish the very best for her. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-387774475957939082013-01-11T15:29:34.892-08:002013-01-11T15:29:34.892-08:00Thiel's wife Joyce is a very shy, reticent per...Thiel's wife Joyce is a very shy, reticent person, very quiet and private. <br /><br />She is the exact opposite of her prophet husband. <br /><br />Joe Moeller <br />Cody, WY Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-10274761706505476932013-01-11T14:05:03.208-08:002013-01-11T14:05:03.208-08:00Yes, that's why I said IF she was a typical CO...Yes, that's why I said IF she was a typical COG wife. :) <br /><br />"This is also true in GCG/LCG, where Eve McNair could get whatever she wanted from her husband Raymond."<br /><br />I remember reading somewhere that Eve allegedly gloated she was "an EVANGELISTS wife" as if she was married to a high ranking politician or something. Clearly there was seemingly a lot of pride among COG high ranking wives and how fortunate they were to be in the position they were in. I'd LOVE to hear what their conversations were about over lunch sometimes LOL. Or maybe not. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-49932321940141741872013-01-11T13:42:09.749-08:002013-01-11T13:42:09.749-08:00Speculation - she is indeed a typical COG wife, Bo...<i>Speculation - she is indeed a typical COG wife, Bob is probably the complete Head of Household - and I doubt, if COG history may be correct, and of course I don't know for sure, if she has much of a say on anything.</i><br /><br />I wouldn't be so sure. There are many top ACOG leaders who are or were pretty much run by their wives.<br /><br />Even HWA, it is said, was largely doing Loma's bidding for most of her married life. Notice how WCG changed so drastically after her death, when her influence wasn't running HWA any longer.<br /><br />Look at Denny Luker; his wife is clearly the pants-wearer in that union.<br /><br />PCG exiters consistently report that Barbara Flurry was the brains of the Flurry union, as well as its heart. She likely fueled her husband's crazier impulses, as in COGland the way for a woman to become important is to have an important husband.<br /><br />This is also true in GCG/LCG, where Eve McNair could get whatever she wanted from her husband Raymond. Even now in LCG, it seems that the top LCG evangelists are basically run by their wives. <br /><br />So, don't underestimate the power of a COG woman who wants to become important through the agency of her COG husband. I would say it's highly likely that Mrs. Thiel is her husband's Number One fan, groupie, enabler and encourager.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-27834229412336086072013-01-11T12:19:50.144-08:002013-01-11T12:19:50.144-08:00correction: IF she is indeed a typical COG wife.correction: IF she is indeed a typical COG wife.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-40850667515290994762013-01-11T12:14:43.316-08:002013-01-11T12:14:43.316-08:00Speculation - she is indeed a typical COG wife, Bo...Speculation - she is indeed a typical COG wife, Bob is probably the complete Head of Household - and I doubt, if COG history may be correct, and of course I don't know for sure, if she has much of a say on anything. The COG's are the one religious group that still is archaic with the role of women in life. <br /><br />So with that, I'd take a guess that her mind is, well, probably thinking that God is leading Bob and she is quietly observing and probably just keeping her feelings to herself while quietly supporting her husband. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-11336130974958469072013-01-11T11:51:35.959-08:002013-01-11T11:51:35.959-08:00I would really like to know what is going in '...I would really like to know what is going in 'the mind of Mrs. Thiel - is she a true believer in her husband's recent self-proclaimed ascent to prophethood, or deep down is she wondering "Oh dear, Bobby is really losing it this time around!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-54106577948414309962013-01-11T08:57:12.239-08:002013-01-11T08:57:12.239-08:00Anonymous observed: "The reality is something...Anonymous observed: "The reality is something they can't see, and I honestly don't think they could handle the truth if they wanted to. I think it would be too much to accept and the truth is way easier to ignore and the traditions too comfortable to separate from."<br /><br /><br />I think much of the reality-denying dynamic so prevalent in the COG's has to do with their mental habit which involves the highly selective use of evidence, which social scientists and psychologists refer to as confirmation bias. The COG (in all it's many splinters) claims adherence to a presumably God-given ideology which asserts that it allows members to understand reality better than other system. So with this as an absolute anchor for them, when overwhelming facts, evidence and events come along that counters their many claims, they simply sweep aside such counter evidence, and act as if it doesn't exist, or that it's a "tool of the Satan", etc., etc. They've been taught to do this for so long that now they really can't properly distinguish between fact and fable, between reality and wishful thinking. I've really come to see something about COG religion that I didn't perceive when I was deeply entrenched in it: it's a religion based on slogans - and there seems to be a slogan they can recite for each and every possible situation they encounter. But asserting slogans repeatedly until one is blue in the face doesn't make them true, nor does it alter the nature of objective reality with which all humans have to deal with. The result: as organizations they are growing weaker and weaker each year, despite their leaders empty boasts that "The Work is growing phenomenally and thundering forth the Gospel message as never before..." In fact I've noted that the louder and more frequent they issue boasts to the contrary, the weaker and less effective they become.<br /><br />It just seems to me that the most effective thing they could individually and collectively do is humbly acknowledge and openly admit - as many here who comment on this website have had to do - that we all were, for various reasons probably unique to each one of us, bamboozled by the sensationalistic claims of HWA and that the vast majority of those claims through time have proven to have been completely wrong.<br /><br />But I'm afraid for many it's just far easier to continue down the dead-end path of denying factual realities and keep stubbornly adhering to wishful thinking instead.<br /><br />“Most men would kill the truth if truth would kill their religion.” Lemuel K. WashburnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-1386305545447332942013-01-10T22:45:54.582-08:002013-01-10T22:45:54.582-08:00The obvious answer we all would take note of in ve...The obvious answer we all would take note of in verifying COG's claims would be simple - it would be a re-united Church of God among the remaining COG's. Where all of the COG's reunite as one as solidarity that they are "God's One True Church". IF that were to happen, which of course it will not, that would be a sign of some sort of mass unification. The reason why it certainly will not happen is a true reflection of the nature of COG's. Power, and Division. A massive reuniting of the COG's CANNOT happen, repeat CANNOT happen, because there is absolutely no spirit of unity within the COG's. Just competing, power hungry, self-serving organisms with a decades long history of splitting that then have the gall and audacity to run around each and all proclaiming how God is with them - when the only thing that is with them is everything God is NOT. Yet because of their blind deceit and belief, they all run around proclaiming they are God's One True Church without seeing the destruction that has been happening in the Churches of God in complete denial. Thiel's actions to start his own church is a delusion that he has what it takes to bring back Philadelphia Era to power. He does not. There was no Philadelphia Era when Worldwide was in power, and there isn't now in the few in Thiel's virtual congregation. The reality is something they can't see, and I honestly don't think they could handle the truth if they wanted to. I think it would be too much to accept and the truth is way easier to ignore and the traditions too comfortable to separate from. Sadly, they've accepted division as normal, and everything that is not of God as God's. As the movie says "They cannot handle the truth". So sad. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-41334607888900531392013-01-10T21:53:33.869-08:002013-01-10T21:53:33.869-08:00>>For those like Bob, I think, there is a ho...>>For those like Bob, I think, there is a hope that in their lifetime they can have back what they believe Tkach shattered. <<<br /><br />Absolutely right! Do they ever. <br /><br />Meredith has this booklet called Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return, and number eight is 'The Gospel of the Kingdom is Preached to All Nations'.<br /><br />In it he essentially boasts that LCG will grow exponentially in impact and have its message heard all over the world.<br /><br />"“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation” (v. 9). The coming Great Tribulation will affect the Church as well as national Israel. “And [they will] kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” This verse is quite significant because it says, in effect, that God’s true Church and Work will be known by all nations. People will not hate it unless they know about it, will they?...<br /><br />This Gospel is good news, but it contains a warning. Every nation on earth, not just a few, will hear about this as a “witness,” not to convert them, but as a testimony of God’s future intentions." <br /><br />What madness. As far as I can tell LCG has not significantly increased its impact upon the world at all since I read this booklet way back in 2000-1.<br /><br />Yet another false prophecy brought to you by Roderick C. Meredith.Redfox712https://www.blogger.com/profile/17734930967002040931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-78657847122834375042013-01-10T20:28:39.221-08:002013-01-10T20:28:39.221-08:00
--AND GREETINGS FRIENDS AROUND THE WARD--
<br /><br />--AND GREETINGS FRIENDS AROUND THE WARD--<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-88391872834553762482013-01-10T18:44:18.674-08:002013-01-10T18:44:18.674-08:00All Thiel has to do is put a nice blue curtain and...All Thiel has to do is put a nice blue curtain and a tall plant like what was on World Tomorrow over his door. Then his studio would look professional. The Globe would be the icing on the cake. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-18168758227754401042013-01-10T18:30:03.916-08:002013-01-10T18:30:03.916-08:00Maybe those wanting to bring back the glory days o...Maybe those wanting to bring back the glory days of Armstrongism should hold "ghost dances" and try ti find a white buffalo. Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415271830212951268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-34730312611868546732013-01-10T18:27:05.367-08:002013-01-10T18:27:05.367-08:00"Where there once was so much"
I always..."Where there once was so much"<br /><br />I always felt sorry for GTA in the end, giving sermons in seedy motels followed by potluck. He pretended that he was, like a wandering knight in service to a dead king, doing his duty no matter that he know slept in haylofts when he once feasted at the king's table in the castle. He was like Khan in Star Trek.."I was a prince among men.." <br /><br />I also think that these men believe that if they do resurrect the same conditions that existed in the heyday of the WWCG, they will be really doing God's Work- God will be pleased. If they have no college, no big HQ building, then the Work is substandard and lacking. <br /><br />Anyone want to pitch in to buy Bob T a globe for his video office? A green bankers lamp? A podium with a faux ancient Bible? He needs to polish it up, and quick. <br /><br />Paul Ray<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-6809940551928997642013-01-10T18:07:45.549-08:002013-01-10T18:07:45.549-08:00Psychologically speaking.
It is probably very pai...Psychologically speaking.<br /><br />It is probably very painful for the ultra-strong Armstrong adherents to see everything they believed - and through tithes paid for - gone.<br /><br />Where there once was so much. So many activities, grandiose buildings, HUGE conventions, Sabbath services of 200 to 600 per week, friends, and most of all, SECURITY - all of that is but a memory. Deep inside, they have a hope, since no one else has been able to do it, I am sure they hope that they are the ones God will use to "bring it all back". <br /><br />The senses were overloaded for them back in the day, and nothing can compare for them to the "glory days". It is saddening for their Feasts to be so small, their congregations to be so tiny, their friends so few. For them, this is beyond painful to see. For those like Bob, I think, there is a hope that in their lifetime they can have back what they believe Tkach shattered. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com