tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post8762603438099289432..comments2024-03-28T01:47:50.775-07:00Comments on Banned by HWA! News and Observations About Armstrongism and the Church of God Movement: Dennis Says: "Forget All the COG Drama...How Are YOU Doing?"NO2HWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02018654662518613623noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-16153914846651336792013-03-04T12:27:38.743-08:002013-03-04T12:27:38.743-08:00Some people prefer the fiction of the holohoax. T...Some people prefer the fiction of the holohoax. That says a lot about them. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-2988873349128829292013-03-04T11:51:15.964-08:002013-03-04T11:51:15.964-08:00Velvet, don't dismiss fiction out of hand, esp...Velvet, don't dismiss fiction out of hand, especially in the context where Anonymous mentioned it. You can tell a whole lot about what people believe, and what they hope for, by the fictions they prefer.Retired Profnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-80260056802049960722013-03-03T17:19:18.146-08:002013-03-03T17:19:18.146-08:00...and that was my mistake for not reading the res......and that was my mistake for not reading the rest of your comment. You accuse ME of stereotyping Evangelicals, and then you go on to state that the Evangelicals believe the Left Behind books...which are works of FICTION.Velvetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-85448283031864078062013-03-03T17:17:14.283-08:002013-03-03T17:17:14.283-08:00"How do you know that all Evangelicals behave..."How do you know that all Evangelicals behave according to...?"<br /><br />I don't know, nor did I say, that all Evangelicals behave that way, Anonymous. <br /><br />Anywhere I mention Evangelicals in my comments, I am speaking of my direct contact, and personal experiences with, professing Evangelicals in the Church. <br /><br />I neither want, nor need to have, contact with Evangelicals outside of the Church; dealing with the ones IN the Church is quite more than enough character-building for several lifetimes, thank you!Velvetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-63480455832370908792013-03-02T22:03:32.915-08:002013-03-02T22:03:32.915-08:00Anonymous said..
"I do not forgive the fil...Anonymous said..<br /> "I do not forgive the filthy lying scum and never will. Forgiveness is weakness. Forgiveness is for people who won't do anything, so they can feel they are doing the right thing by giving up."<br /> <br />I find it damn near impossible to forgive someone, if they never apologize or seek for your forgiveness. Some will say "bury it in the past" or "get over it" but that is mostly bullshit. Don't forget the past, learn from it and move on to better things. "forgiveness is weakness"?!? Well yea, if it's forced. The bitterness I understand all to well but, you have to be FREE to forgive for it be true. If I happen to cross paths with them sometime in the future and we seem to both be heading in the same direction then forgiveness would probably be a benefit to us both.<br /><br />seekeroftruthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-89912003591539321072013-03-02T19:54:19.911-08:002013-03-02T19:54:19.911-08:00If you are depressed, NEVER admit it or seek profe...If you are depressed, NEVER admit it or seek professional help. You could end up in an institution for life. That is what how the psychology industry makes their living. They do not want to make you better, they want money. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-52298303293968087392013-03-02T19:21:49.379-08:002013-03-02T19:21:49.379-08:00Joe, there were no NAZI death camps; it's all ...Joe, there were no NAZI death camps; it's all bullshit. Do your research. If anything, you should have learned by now to listen to both sides, and with so much truth about that on the Web nowadays, there is no excuse for such ignorance. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-88490108461084752152013-03-02T19:18:26.695-08:002013-03-02T19:18:26.695-08:00I do not forgive the filthy lying scum and never w...I do not forgive the filthy lying scum and never will. Forgiveness is weakness. Forgiveness is for people who won't do anything, so they can feel they are doing the right thing by giving up. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-7718389466207860782013-03-02T11:43:03.359-08:002013-03-02T11:43:03.359-08:00Velvet, have you found a new group to stereotype a...Velvet, have you found a new group to stereotype and trash? How do you know that all Evangelicals behave according to your stereotype? <br /><br />On another forum, a number of years ago, someone once suggested that to kind of proof a statement for irrational prejudice, it's good to substitute the name of a minority group for the group you are making a blanket statement about. If the statement would be unfair or offensive to that particular minority, then it may be best to reconsider or modify.<br /><br />Do you really fear that Evangelicals are going to come to your house and torture or martyr you if the tribulation starts in our era? How do you define "Evangelicals" and who do you consider them to be? Do you think the mainstream Evangelical community sanctions the bombing of abortion clinics? Have you ever read the "Left Behind" series to gain an understanding of what Evangelicals themselves fear, and how they see themselves? You may be surprised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-33795648045862232552013-03-02T11:32:10.035-08:002013-03-02T11:32:10.035-08:00There would seem to be one common thread amongst t...There would seem to be one common thread amongst those once exposed to Armstrongism. Most of us have needed to deal with 1) Depression (from having all of the things in life which humans normally delight in seriously delustered) and 2) Paranoia (from living in constant fear that the ministers would swoop down upon us).<br /><br />Basically, we were not taught that living the Christian life can be a life of lessons and blessings right here on planet earth. Instead, we were taught that virtually everything had pagan roots, we should not be close to our family members who were not in the church, and that there were no real solutions (or even workarounds) to any of our problems until Jesus Christ returned to institute Armstrongism as God's government on earth, with the same negative people who had so afflicted all of us acting as gatekeepers and administrators. If that doesn't fuel depression and paranoia, I don't know what does!<br /><br />I've shared before how hypnotherapy and wide reading helped me to deal with these problems, but must add that it often requires quite a bit of time. Often, it helps to read what other teachers have to say about life, but the trick is to never again fall under the full power of a "guru", or to allow such a person to equate what he or she is all about with Jesus Christ.<br />Never, ever, ever take another person's word or teachings as if they had come directly from Jesus Christ. Keep doing your due diligence, and never ever check your mind at somebody else's door. The fact that another person would even expect that of his acolytes should automatically raise huge red flags about him being a charlatan.<br /><br />BBByker Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15602697337552385535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-23904229105623823762013-03-01T20:29:20.920-08:002013-03-01T20:29:20.920-08:00Ooops, I didn't answer the question either, di...Ooops, I didn't answer the question either, did I?<br /><br />How am I doing? Much better, since I was called back to the truth, and then back to the Church. (WCG/GCI that is). The Holy Days are once again the highlight of my year. <br /><br />Before you ask, yes, I keep the Feast with the Church. Junior hasn't managed to shut that site down yet, and at close to being active for thirty years, he'll have a VERY large mutiny on his hands if he tries; from the faithful, the hardliners (who have been led astray by the Evangelicals--it's complicated) and the Evangelicals alike. <br /><br />Sure, I get a lot of flack like people insinuating I'm not a Christian, or flat-out saying I don't deserve grace, or exhorting me to "come to Jesus" (Yeah?? Who do you think I'm following, you moron??? Why do you think I'm HERE, AT THE FEAST, if not to follow the LIVING Head of the Church? Please take your Evangelical self with your huge freaking crucifix out of my face, please and thank you. Er, not that I actually said that.)<br /><br />But, eh, it's a lesson in character-building, if nothing else. And with the two "sides" becoming increasingly polarized, it's much easier to see the RIGHT path, and to follow it. In my experience, anyway.<br /><br />And on the plus side, the Evangelicals haven't even started re-enacting <i>Foxe's Book of Martyrs</i> (with the faithful as the titular martyrs) yet!Velvetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-6577250281048272002013-03-01T19:21:01.703-08:002013-03-01T19:21:01.703-08:00:):)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-5214328234130420452013-03-01T11:01:33.360-08:002013-03-01T11:01:33.360-08:00Dennis,
I am doing well. Thank you for asking. ...Dennis,<br /><br />I am doing well. Thank you for asking. I hope you continue to evolve in positive fashion as well.<br /><br />At 68 I am the most anxiety-free I have been in my entire life. Have not had a significant, extended depressive episode in 12 years. I am no longer ashamed to discuss my life in wcg and the "what the hell happened to you?" questions I get from people who knew me as a young man with a bright future. It "only" took me 20-25 years of life after leaving wcg to get to a healthier place, mentally and physically, although the improvement started the moment I made the mental decision to leave.<br /><br />I don't really care much about what happens in the world of cog-dom these days, although I am still interested in what some of my former friends, fellow students, co-workers and fellow members are up to these days.<br /><br />I have been watching the "King of the Nerds" tv show recently. I sit with my son and say things like "Your mom and I got married in that lecture room and had our wedding reception right by those fountains" and "That bedroom used to be the classroom in which I learned to speak Spanish" and "I was baptized in the swimming pool in the basement of that building."<br /><br />None of that bothers me now. It is part of who I was back then, all of which shapes my "Now." Still learning to live in the moment. Bought myself a Honda S2000 convertible a few months ago. Love to put the top down on a sunny day like today in Austin, Texas and wind it up to 7000 rpm (redline is 8000).<br /><br />So, life is good. Hope it remains good for another 20 years or so. I intend to start a software development business with my son and daughter in about 6 months.<br /><br />Best wishes to all current and former xcg folk who are working to find themselves and a way of life that is true for them and in accord with their own beliefs and values. Don't be mean, don't hurt others, speak up for yourself. <br /><br />Glenn Parker<br />Austin, TexasAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-57694944662519054042013-03-01T08:35:01.383-08:002013-03-01T08:35:01.383-08:00I guess I didn't really answer the question.
...I guess I didn't really answer the question.<br /><br />Since I double my technological knowledge every year, I'd say I'm doing well. No real worries, except... "Lookup on object of indeterminate type based on information prior to this program point. A type annotation may be needed prior to this program point to constrain the type of the object." from F#.<br /><br />I don't understand. Obviously I need help. Perhaps I will get in later chapters of Expert F# 3.0.<br /><br />[I'm planning to use F# to build a new kind of personal budget / accounting software like Microsoft Money, but with many more useful functions and features, replete with being able to have continuous and instant reconciliation with bank and credit card accounts. The major downside is how much time this stuff takes, but it's still fun.]<br /><br />Science rocks.<br /><br />Technology rocks.<br /><br />Armstrongism does not.<br /><br />(It could be argued that since God created the entire Universe, He would be the Supreme Technologist, so people who understand science are probably much closer to knowing God than someone who makes up lies and false prophecies on unscientific nonsense like British Israelism. Science makes Armstrongists look like the nuts they truly are. You Armstrongists holding on to psychotic imagery just need to "GET OVER IT!".)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-27628377625025012992013-03-01T07:24:46.240-08:002013-03-01T07:24:46.240-08:00Or, as Wendy Williams would say, "How you doo...Or, as Wendy Williams would say, "How you doon'?"Assistant Deaconnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-6666363226936626382013-03-01T06:22:52.921-08:002013-03-01T06:22:52.921-08:00I just want my money back.
Paul RayI just want my money back.<br /><br /><br />Paul RayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-40508660348772842602013-03-01T01:49:40.159-08:002013-03-01T01:49:40.159-08:00"It so happens to be a Jew who was on the way..."It so happens to be a Jew who was on the way to becoming a Rabbi but instead found Christ"<br /><br />http://www.jewsforjudaism.com<br /><br />You do realize these self-professing "Messianic Jews" fulfill the prophecy in Rev. 2:9, right? And that their entire goal is to convert faithful Jews from worshipping the living God, to worshipping their pagan trinitarian idols? Just FYI.Velvetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-17465204139396859072013-03-01T01:46:12.428-08:002013-03-01T01:46:12.428-08:00"a better alternative, more Biblically accura..."a better alternative, more Biblically accurate and honest about the contents of the Bible"<br /><br />It still is, if you ignore the Evangelicals' inane babbling and random pleadings to convert to their pagan idol-worship and just got on with your own life regardless.<br /><br />As for Tolle, anyone considering looking him up based on Dennis' recommendation (this is a "guru" Dennis has been following since at least the AW days) please read up on the fellow over at the Rick Ross forum. And also read a book called "Stripping the Gurus" that talks about Tolle's "guru" and his own corrupt worldview.<br /><br />One thing the Church did teach those of us with "the ears to hear" was to think for ourselves. Not always a good thing, as the splinter groups prove...but the members of same are those who DON'T think for themselves, which is proved in spades.<br /><br />I loathe "How Great Thou Art." I never have been able to tolerate it, since one of the preaching elders would get up and choose it EVERY SINGLE TIME he was the songleader and blather about how he loved singing it when he was a Protestant and he was so happy we were Protestants now.<br /><br />Strange though, even the hardliners at the Feast who didn't sing the garbage like "Shine on" seemed to be OK with "How Great Thou Art" which I found exceedingly odd, given that it was one of the pagan hymns that was forced upon us after the changes.<br /><br />Doing up PowerPoints from the blue book for the congregation has been quite an education. Junior threw everything AND the kitchen sink into that thing. There's a reason he bleats on and on about being "many things to many people" (he's trying to promote the idea that we are a house divided); there are Catholic and Anglican hymns aplenty; but there are even Mormon hymns, at least one hymn from Spanky's outfit (I know I know my jaw dropped when I found that out) one written specifically by an ex-military Baptist that was recruited to the Church (to a position of respect (by the Evangelicals), of course) after the changes, but the thing that shocked me the most, was the preponderance of SDA hymns in the blue book.<br /><br />After all those years of bleating "If you keep the Sabbath you're a sinner!" they threw SDA hymns into the book. Explain that to me, please, because I just can't wrap my brain around it.<br /><br />I will always despise the vapid, vainly repetitive, and inherently unsingable Protestant dirge that is "How Great Thou Art," however.Velvetnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-17434246036847271232013-03-01T00:57:11.510-08:002013-03-01T00:57:11.510-08:00The comments of Anon dated February 28, 2013 at 6:...The comments of Anon dated February 28, 2013 at 6:38 PM are excellent! That person sounds like a well matured and wise one. His perspective at life is what we all should attain. I already understand much of what he said and take to heart to the rest. Very much appreciated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-53034518736163846362013-03-01T00:48:39.138-08:002013-03-01T00:48:39.138-08:00I've been reading "Mindsight" by Sie...I've been reading "Mindsight" by Siegel and learning about the plasticity of the brain--very interesting stuff! The brain seems to like repetition maybe because of the neural pathways that have been created and are so much easier to follow than creating new ones through new experiences. We are creatures of habit it's true. But, what's needed are new experiences to fire up new neural pathways that'll help us be more flexible and adaptive otherwise the brain tends to go from one extreme to the other i.e. rigidity and being "stuck in a rut" or chaotic and being a total mess-up. And neither are good. Anyway I know I don't know everything and won't this side of heaven, but am more up for saying "Yes" when in the past I would habitually say "No" (kinda like the mantra of that Jim Carrey movie "Yes Man"!). Have I "gotten over it"? Do I still have "emotional baggage"? Sure I do, hell who doesn't in this seriously effed up world? But, I know that the only way out is through and so I take it a day at a time. And like I heard on Dr Phil a while ago: "God is too wise to ever make a mistake and too kind to ever be cruel." My life, like the entire world, is in Christ's hands and I know everyone who turns to Him will never be turned away. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-55690231523240670032013-02-28T21:52:31.095-08:002013-02-28T21:52:31.095-08:00Dennis wrote:
"These give me perspective a...Dennis wrote:<br /> "These give me perspective and somehow it helps to realize...that is make real, the fact that we are all a part of the one grand thing."<br /><br />Add this one to your list....<br />We Are Here: The Pale Blue Dot<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pfwY2TNehw<br />We Are Here: The Pale Blue Dot in HD<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i2y4sEQpRI<br /><br />Dennis wrote:<br /> " It's a simple question. With all that has transpired. With all that has happened and all the drama. With all the disappointment. With all the emotions. With all the various splinters and slivers that have arisen to claim ownership of the truth. For all the pain this process has caused. With all you/we/us have been forced to face and admit... How are you doing?"<br /> <br />Good, but still struggling at times. However, journeys are never as easy as they appear if they are to be worthwile. My journey twisted through many people and places and has lead me to see that all change comes to be the right direction when the heart grows tired of the mind and not the reverse. Hopefully then, our journeys will lead us to something more worthwhile. Just remember that life gets better when you're headed in the right direction and you'll know it's right because you're sure enough to be unsure about but never unsure enough to not do it.<br /><br />another seekeroftruthAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-61467110961015684642013-02-28T19:33:53.666-08:002013-02-28T19:33:53.666-08:00I came from a very dysfunctional family. My mother...I came from a very dysfunctional family. My mother was schizophrenic and my father extremely eccentric. He was the one who joined WCG, and I went along with him. My mother hated it and railed on about all the money he was giving them, of course I paid no attention to her, she was insane. The Church gave me an escape route from my unbearable family and welcomed me into Ambassador College when I was 17. I guess I needed somewhere to go and I couldn't stay home any longer. I was a very sincere believer too. My mother predicted I would leave the church when I grew up, and so I did. After traveling all over Europe, Israel and U.S. with WCG, I left after graduation and moved to Canada. The church was really a family for me, although I suppose a dysfunctional family too. When I left in my early 20's I concentrated on making up for lost time in the fun and sin department. I guess it was fueled by rebellion, but I survived. I had a useless husband (an atheist and an alcoholic) who I left after a few years and became a single mother with 2 children. I got a good job and supported us reasonably well. The main thing I regretted about AC was that my degree from there was useless in the real world, and I had to spend many years going to evening classes as well as working and being a single parent. All of that wore me out. <br />Then after my kids were grown up I got cancer and was supposed to die. I became some kind of a miracle and survived instead. It seems life is an exercise in surviving things. I have met people who survived the holocaust and many of them never do become normal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-18559152382972725212013-02-28T18:38:53.908-08:002013-02-28T18:38:53.908-08:00As I read some the posts and the comments associat...As I read some the posts and the comments associated with them, I see problem areas that are difficult for me to relate to personally. It isn’t that I do not understand them, but due to personality differences, life in WCG did not affect me in the manner often described here. <br /><br />To me it was just a way of life I had chosen and I maintained control in it. I committed my life to God not a man or an organization. I willingly did what may not have been necessary, but as far as I know never yielded to any pressure that I felt unreasonable or detrimental to my family relationship and my personal understanding of what I believe to be the goal for human relationships. My financial support never went beyond what I could afford.<br /><br />I may have been an enigma, but realistically I didn’t need the church to fulfill my spiritual life and still do not. The church was our social life and to be honest the social life was good for, my wife and our sons and daughters and me personally. <br /><br />When the organization went through all the so called changes and the political infighting was creating social problems it no longer served the purpose for its existence and it was a simple matter of disengaging and filling the social needs in another way. It our case it was focusing on family members that were associated with other church organizations or community organizations with diversified religious affinities. Since our religious commitment is with God it is very much intact through private devotions.<br /><br />I will admit that I do not try to please other people, but neither do I put people down for being what they are. I have no animosity toward anyone and have come to recognize that each individual is fighting their own battle, but I have found that more knowledge generally expands the battle field rather than wining the battle. My solution has been reduced to sharing everything with God in prayer and making the wisest choice possible in what I think, say, and do when taking action each day. <br /><br />There is one thing that we may overlook at times and that is the reality that it should be obvious that this human life is built to serve its purpose for a very limited period of time and we do not know what the new and improved model will be like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-72877495817115390222013-02-28T17:37:53.626-08:002013-02-28T17:37:53.626-08:00Science rocks!
It's even better now that I re...Science rocks!<br /><br />It's even better now that I realize that the Armstrongist leaders will never comprehend how much they miss by being unscientific.<br /><br />Understanding science is the best revenge.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-226103369043606765.post-64628491129931216502013-02-28T16:45:39.105-08:002013-02-28T16:45:39.105-08:00Yes, I pretty much agree with Joe's above comm...Yes, I pretty much agree with Joe's above comment that "...I forgive ministers, as they are trapped in unrealistic expectations, bad training, paradigms, and lack of skills..."<br /><br />I suspect many if not most COG ministers are folks who just got caught up in HWA's wild imaginings when they were young, and fell into the stranglehold that supernatural religious belief has on people in general.<br /><br />We all did, at one time or another.<br /><br />On the other hand, there are some (hopefully in the minority) who knew they were (or still are) screwing with people's lives for personal gain. Some of these guys are just too smart NOT to realize the sham they have made a good living at for many years now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com