COGWA had the opportunity to start afresh with new ideas and new ways of doing things when they had their hissy fit and left United Church of God late last year All indicators over the last year have proven that they have no new ideas and that they are deeper entrenched in the worship of "all things Herb, all the time and in all ways."
Armstrongism has always taken a deep seated hatred against therapy, counseling, and psychiatry. HWA, GTA and Rod Meredith have always made tremendous effort to mock and ridicule therapy and psychiatry.
So what words of wisdom has COGWA spelled out for those suffering from anxiety, mental health issues and psychological problems in the Church of God?
Christians are not immune to the emotional and psychological problems facing many in the world today. We aren’t comfortable talking about them, but ignoring them doesn’t make them go away. How can we begin to deal with these challenging issues?
As Christians, we know that we will suffer various kinds of trials and tribulations and that our trials can test us and help us grow. Jesus Christ mentioned this reality and gave us encouragement: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Many in the Church of God suffer from anxiety disorders and/or other sorts of emotional and psychological problems. Speaking from personal experience, these are difficult things to deal with, and the subject is not talked of often within the Church. When facing difficult times, my searches generally uncovered little help beyond the advice to pray about it and try to overcome fear.
The second paragraph translates into Armstrongite speak that, mental health issues are "trials and tribulations that we bear because we are "aliens in this world." Because we live in this world we are filled with anxiety and suffer greatly.
Could that anxiety be coming from horrible aberrant doctrines and sermons by evangelists and ministers threatening the members with every imaginable kind of curse unless they follow their jack booted masters diligently?
What about the anxiety that is produced from endless speculation and silliness regarding the end times, the books of Daniel, Ezekiel and Revelation? How much blood, guts and gore can people take before they have mental issues?
We saw that first hand when one of Rod Meredith's cult members snapped after listening to one of Rod's sermons and went on a shooting spree killing several members. We see it in action with all the end times speculation that is rampant in Armstorngism. In Bob Thiel's 2012-2016 bullshit, in Apostle Malm's specific date setting, to Wiener Dude Weinlands moronic prophecies which had ALL failed, to LCG's sick obsession with violence, death and torture in the end times. The list can go on and on.
So what is the magical COG fix for mental health issues?
The first thing they are told to do is pray about it. While this may work for a select few, this will NOT cure the vast majority of people with mental issues. Working with a 'higher power' along with good therapy and counseling techniques will work together for the better. But when "prayer" is mentioned in COGspeak it has different meaning than it does for most Christians. COG prayers are heard before all other prayers in the world. COG prayers have a direct pipeline into God's ears where it will be dealt with in some magical way.
Praying is our most powerful tool as a Christian; being able to take any problem to our Almighty Creator is an incredible blessing! And overcoming fear is also important, although those who suffer from anxiety are obviously going to have a harder time with that—and it doesn’t necessarily mean they are short in the faith department.
Next they are told to "overcome fear." as if it is their fault they are in this condition. Why are they fearful? Could it be because of aberrant doctrines and church teachings? Fear of theologically bankrupt ministers? Or, a deep seated fear of a god that they think is sitting there in glee waiting for them to commit some kind of sin so he can dish out well deserved punishment?
The author goes on:
I’ve grown up in the Church and am a baptized member of the Church of God, and I have an anxiety disorder. I’ve learned a lot through the ups and downs. Here are a few things I’ve learned:
Never give up on God!
No matter what, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, despite how impossible it may seem. The following scriptures helped me through troubled, and often scary, times.
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1).
“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).
Seek God’s help
Pray; fast; get anointed. God will bless you for seeking Him. Go boldly before God and ask for help.
Pray, fast and get anointed. You fast because you know you must have something topower to do what a real therapist cannot do. When this method is used it is an endless circle of disappointment. "Why haven't I been healed, I need to fast more and pray more because I still must be doing something wrong!" Years go by as the person does this cycle over and over as they sink deeper and deeper into mental health issues.
Don’t keep things inside
I know it feels like you’re the only one who has ever felt this way; but you’re not. Opening up to my pastor and to my family was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but it was the first step in getting where I am today—and believe me, I am in a much better place today!
Seeking help from a trained and qualified pastor will work wonders if he is trained in good counseling methods. Sadly, there is not a single COG minister alive that has had proper training in counseling techniques and therapy! Almost all counseling training is "in house" training, because it is not tainted by the "world's techniques". That's why we have ministers in the COG refusing to deal with rapists and child abusers. With violent husbands, alcoholism and rampant drug abuse.
Get help
I think that in the past, a negative stigma has been associated with mental health problems and with seeking professional help for them. The stigma is not without cause. There are psychiatrists, psychologists and therapists who look negatively on religion and God and do not work within biblical principles.
On this the author is correct. The COG has mad a mockery out of mental health professionals. A well trained therapist or psychiatrist can easily see if dangerous religious beliefs are causing issues. The problem is that COG members think there is no issue with their beliefs. "There is no way what I have been taught is wrong. God revealed this lost information after 1,900 years to God's Apostle and there is no way he ever made a mistake!"
A wise therapist! A foolish COG member!I met with one therapist who was convinced my religious convictions were somehow to blame, but obviously that is not the case. I think he would be shocked if he saw the positive change in me, even though I still attend church and have the same beliefs!
But, after praying and searching, God has led me to other professionals who have helped me, and who were supportive of my beliefs.
The decision to seek treatment and the treatment you choose are very personal choices.
At least this person did go outside the COG to get some help. However, like all god COG members, not too much credit is not given to those people, all the credit goes towards the church and the "truth" they have that they think magically cured them.
As long as any person remains part of an Armstrongite Church of God, there will never be totally mentally healthy.
It's not that a good therapist would have issues with "religious convictions"; the issue would become about control and I think a lot of cog leaders know it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a problem about the way you are being told to live and someone else confirms that it may be true, you are more likely to do something about it. And that's not good for church income.
Prayer is not a cure to anything unless one finds selftalk helpful.
ReplyDeleteIf God has to be begged and pleaded with to help, what kind of God is that when his "statements and promises" in the Book are much more clear than that about asking. Jesus seems to have the same approach..beg me.
Much, not all, depression is the anger based in the past that either one feels they have no right to express or the price of doing so is too high...thus the anger repressed leading to depression. Religion can bequeath one with both of these circumstances.
Anxiety is the fear of the future. Religion can bequeath one with this circumstance as well.
Jobs do it, work does it and living on the planet these days does it.
Medication can help but is not ultimately the problem. Facing things is better but takes time and sometimes we need help just to calm down or see the light until we can.
Reality is ultimately our friend and our mental illnesses often reflect our inability to face it at times.
M.T.Ativan
As I walk in faith and obedience to what I understand as the will of the Creator, I know that there is a hedge around me.
ReplyDeleteAs Romans says, [paraphrased] ALL things happen for good to those who love the Creator and are called according to His purpose.
If you think I'm deluded, well, my 'delusion' is just as good as your delusion, but mine has peace of mind, purpose, and a happy family and extended family.
Therapists are by-in-large 'out of their minds.' Their suicide rate is too high to ever trust anything they would say.
ReplyDeleteI never gave up my right to think while in WCG, I only followed what I believed was right.
Surrendering your own volition is why some got badly hurt - and that was PURELY THEIR OWN FAULTS. Didn't your parents teach you better than that?
Prayer is the most wonderful experience in life, communion with the Creator. The most inspired thoughts come at that time for me, twice-a-day
If you think its just 'selftalk,' that's fine, because it sure works. Most are so full of HATE, BITTERNESS, or GUILT that they can't make themselves get down on their knees and praise their Creator through His Messiah.
Too bad....
Prayerful said..."Prayer is the most wonderful experience in life, communion with the Creator. The most inspired thoughts come at that time for me, twice-a-day"
ReplyDeleteMY COMMENT: So, what has he said to you?
"If you think its just 'selftalk,' that's fine, because it sure works."
MY COMMENT: How does it work?
"Most are so full of HATE, BITTERNESS, or GUILT that they can't make themselves get down on their knees and praise their Creator through His Messiah:"
MY COMMENT: If your kid talked to you every day, twice a day, for 30 years, and you never said a word to him, never even acknowledged that he was in the same room, never answered him when he cried out to you in pain and anguish, never helped him get a job or helped him to keep his electricity on, or gave him food(he's on food stamps), do you think he might get a little disallusioned, or had the right to be? If he begged and pleaded with you to right the wrongs in the COG that you were in, but nothing was ever done, the "ministers" just kept prospering, and you were the one who was left on the outside looking in after all was said and done, do you think maybe he would feel like you let him down? Is he just talking to himself?
Too bad....
And sad....
What an odd coincidence: I was talking to my Psychiatrist at Group Health yesterday about this very thing....
ReplyDeleteI have three words for the Cult Obsessed Gullible with Aberations:
Useless. Incompetent. Monsters.
In the week after I lost my job in 1998, I went to the Feast in British Columbia and the very first sermon at the opening night by David Register was about a young baptized woman who grew up in the church who worked at Pasadena committing suicide. Talk about a double whammy. The next morning I went nose to nose and toe to toe with David Register, literally, and I told him in no uncertain terms that his sermon was completely inappropriate to open the Feast of Tabernacles. He stood there in front of me with his arms folded -- he wasn't having anything with what I was saying, and justified himself by saying that one woman told him how much the sermon helped her. Typical with someone with Stockholm Syndrome. The centerpiece of his crafted sermon was that "no one knows why she committed suicide".
I can guess: According to the Mental Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 90% of all suicides are a result of depression. Depression is treated with an affective regimen of drugs, not psychobabble of psychotic ministers and not by thinking "happy thoughts". Any other method is a death warrant.
Sadly, there is not a single COG minister alive that has had proper training in counseling techniques and therapy!
Actually, that's not accurate... quite: There is one minister in the UCG who has qualified with a certification in counseling. One. Pretty much ignored. He told me of the story about how he went to Headquarters to report the minister who had committed adultery with 16 teens in the church and 8 of their mothers. Totally ignored. He said their response was, "but he gives such great sermons".
The Armstrongists are already delusional -- staying with them will make you nuts. You, as many others, may very well need to be treated for PTSD which may last for a very long time.
It never ceases to amaze me that people within the Armstrongist cults can see this all around them, but are blind to it. At minimum you'd think that they would catch on to the idolatry.
But the prisoners keep being abused by the guards in a perverted Das Experiment and there is no relief until death.
The CoGs are not the solution, they are the problem.
Response to Steve:
ReplyDeleteThe Creator is a Spirit, not a human being.
Anything that you 'hear' or receive from Him will be spiritual. I spend most of my twice-a-day prayer time, not asking for physical things, like my child might want, but PRAISING the Creator for what He is and what He has done, THANKING Him for all we've been given, BLESSING, WORSHIPING, and SEEKING to PLEASE HIM.
It may sound strange, but we are called to be 'spiritual Jews, Yahudim,' those who 'praise.'
The rest of my prayer time is spent requesting things that are in His Will for my family, those in my local ecclesia, those in the 'body' worldwide, and those who are in need and suffering in the world at large, like those starving in Africa, those murdered by war and cruelty, those helpless and victimized, that the Kingdom may come soon.
Then I pray for my own spiritual growth: confessing my sin, and requesting faith, repentance, truth, agape love, etc. through the Messiah.
In prayer, The Father speaks to me (and all others who will seek Him in Spirit and Truth) through ideas and thoughts. Once in a while, as soon as I kneel and bow down, my mind is flushed with a rush of ideas and before I know it, minutes have gone by. If you have never experienced this, don't knock it until you try it.
The reason that He doesn't directly talk to us should be obvious. If He did, there would be no need for FAITH would there? Blessed are those who have not heard or seen but yet have believed. That's FAITH in His Spirit and His word.
Scoffing is easy, faith requires work and sometimes struggle.
If you think in the Spirit, His promise is very clear:
If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
This works, but not for the proud, scoffers, arrogant, and faithless.
Scoffing is easy, faith requires work and sometimes struggle.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where this "Prayerful", but I've personally found scoffing a lot of work because it takes time to gather all the facts to prove fraud. It isn't easy to express the contempt properly without an extensive background and quite a lot of research. It's slow, challenging and often, not that much fun, really.
As for prayer, I do believe in that and I do believe in the goodness of God, it's just that in my experience, God only helps those who help themselves. Sure, pray, but when everything is said and done, make that appointment with the psychiatrist. You will be glad you did. You might find out something when you actively seek correction -- a very unpleasant prospect for those who are lazy and prefer to show their faith by performing no works at all.
Be warmed and filled. We will pray for you... but not much else unless or until you get treatment.
Why would anyone seek a psychiatrist before meeting with a psychologist first to see if there was a need?
ReplyDeleteThat's like having surgery and then checking with your family physician to see if you needed it. Do you work for a pharmaceutical company by any chance :)
As I mentioned earlier, if I want to learn about suicide I'll consult a shrink.
The Creator has all the answers, we just have to ask.
Prayerful said...
ReplyDeleteResponse to Steve:
The Creator is a Spirit, not a human being.
MY COMMENT: Oh, DUH!
Anything that you 'hear' or receive from Him will be spiritual.
MY COMMENT: This is a copout. You don't know your bible very well,do you?
I spend most of my twice-a-day prayer time, not asking for physical things, like my child might want, but PRAISING the Creator for what He is and what He has done, THANKING Him for all we've been given, BLESSING, WORSHIPING, and SEEKING to PLEASE HIM.
MY COMMENT: Blah, blah, blah. Well, aren't you so righteous and spiritual!
It may sound strange, but we are called to be 'spiritual Jews, Yahudim,' those who 'praise.'
MY COMMENT: Yep, you're sounding stranger all the time. Come on back down to earth, holy one!
The rest of my prayer time is spent requesting things that are in His Will for my family, those in my local ecclesia, those in the 'body' worldwide, and those who are in need and suffering in the world at large, like those starving in Africa, those murdered by war and cruelty, those helpless and victimized, that the Kingdom may come soon.
MY COMMENT: Everyone on earth claims to pray like you do. What's been the result? Take away your job, your house, your food, your clothing, your family, and then let's see how "spiritual" your twice a day American prayers sound like.
Then I pray for my own spiritual growth: confessing my sin, and requesting faith, repentance, truth, agape love, etc. through the Messiah.
MY COMMENT: How selfish! "Lord, I'm glad I'm not like other men. I pray twice a day..."
In prayer, The Father speaks to me (and all others who will seek Him in Spirit and Truth) through ideas and thoughts.
MY COMMENT: What an out of touch god you have!
Once in a while, as soon as I kneel and bow down, my mind is flushed with a rush of ideas and before I know it, minutes have gone by. If you have never experienced this, don't knock it until you try it.
MY COMMENT: What superstitious ideas!
The reason that He doesn't directly talk to us should be obvious. If He did, there would be no need for FAITH would there?
MY COMMENT: Another cop out.This is religious people's answer to why their talk with their god has always been one sided.
Blessed are those who have not heard or seen but yet have believed. That's FAITH in His Spirit and His word.
MY COMMENT: More blessed are those who have heard and seen.
Scoffing is easy, faith requires work and sometimes struggle.
MY COMMENT: Faith doesn't require any work. All you have to do is say, "I pray for God's will to be done. I pray for the hunger in Africa, the murder and cruelty. I pray for God's kingdom to come, sit on my ass in church, let God fill my mind with ideas and thoughts so I don't have to work with my brain, flush my rushing mind, while I just sit back thinking I have the Holt Spirit, and don't do anything."
If you think in the Spirit, His promise is very clear:
If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.
This works, but not for the proud, scoffers, arrogant, and faithless.
MY COMMENT: Just for the proud self righteous holy ones, right?
Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI prayed for help.
Shortly afterward, I was led to the psychiatrist.
It was a real blessing.
I was able to get off 7 weeks work under FMLA and it was a great help. The local congregation also prayed. Perhaps -- and there is no way of knowing for certain -- the psychiatrists at Group Health were the very answer to prayer. Maybe not. Who can say for sure? (And I know what some of you are thinking, but frankly, opinions don't cut it -- only hard evidence with scientific logic counts -- sort of like the difference between disproving British Israelism pragmatically versus expressing opinions about musical tastes.)
Psychatrists are better than psychologists because the Psychiatrist is a full medical doctor and has a broader and deeper understanding of mental health issues.
Anyway, trusting a qualified psychiatrist with an established reputation for success is a whole lot superior than throwing the dice and going to wolves for help.
If there is any group that needs therapy, it would be a group that believes that a man receives special insights and becomes an apostle after inserting his penis into his daughter.
ReplyDeleteI, too, sought out therapy. I don't believe I was really that bad off, but just had a lot of WCG related issues that were holding me back in my career and personal life. A non-WCG friend had shared that hypnotherapy had really helped him, and frankly, I was familiar with his before and after situations. So, for a couple of months, I underwent hypnotherapy.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was an AC student, required reading for one course was "Psychocybernetics" by Maxwell Maltz. I've since read Joseph Murphy's book on the subconscious mind, and found that these two somewhat similar works also tie in with hypnotherapy, while providing some elementary truths about the human mind.
Basically, we have a subconscious mind, in which our primal instincts from genetics, and our personal experiences are all stored. This part of our mind is totally subjective, and actually becomes the control unit, or autopilot of our brain. Anything which our subconscious "knows to be truth" will dominate, and in some cases actually limit our conscious thought processes, and behavior. The subconscious is the part of our brain that we have to worry about regarding embedded programming, or brainwashing from Armstrongism.
Fortunately, our subconscious mind is subject to reprogramming through several different techniques which can be applied using the conscious mind, which is often capable of objective thinking. In fact, just knowing about these two components of our brain or thought processes is often helpful. You've got to fill it with good, edifying, positive, peaceful,and altruistic thoughts to function on a joyous or peaceful level, to get a flow of goodness going out to others, and to receive that same goodness back.
Unenlightened ACOG teaching, for the most part, works compeletly against that whole process. Murphy has a good deal to say, for example, about fear, which is the process of our minds dwelling on imagined negative outcomes to events in our lives or the world around us. The ACOGs actively foment fear, and then feign ignorance when some of their own go off balance. Worse, they teach against seeking professional help outside of their own ministry. Thus, even years after leaving these toxic ACOG cults, former members are left with needless distrust for the very people who have made lifelong studies of mind problems, and could tangibly help them.
Confidential to Prayerful:
Right on! I couldn't find much to disagree with in your posts! People need to keep on being reminded that this stuff works!
BB
"If there is any group that needs therapy, it would be a group that believes that a man receives special insights and becomes an apostle after inserting his penis into his daughter."
ReplyDeleteTouche!
I wish I had thought of it. Nothing illustrates blinded Armstrongist dogmatism better.
"This works, but not for the proud, scoffers, arrogant, and faithless."
ReplyDeleteHumans who have had difficult religious experiences are generally more sincere than the average person who has not which is why they have more dramatic reactions when they become skeptical.
It is not a case of 'I, the good Jesus person, know God, but you, the bad person is a scoffer, faithless ..." etc. That's a very shallow and rude assessment of the experiences of others.
We can be happy for your amazing faith and understanding of all things God. You have no business judging or labeling those who do not find the same experience "in Him" for them.
Owen Onemorething :)
(Thanks BB)
Concerning my comments:
ReplyDelete"This works, but not for the proud, scoffers, arrogant, and faithless."
Proud means 'I don't need the Creator,' scoffers say 'this is no god,' arrogant means so proud they're angry. If you have these traits, is that my fault? Am I condemning you for what you readily admit?
All these labels are the opposite of 'humble, humility.' Anyone who prays expecting to receive will be humble, that's common sense.
Do you go into your boss's office proudly, arrogantly, scoffing, faithless and ask for some extra time off? How much more the Creator who made you, your job, your boss and the office where you make your money?
Those offended by these well-intentioned comments need a thicker skin and a better attitude, especially for what's coming down the road in the next few months and years. It ain't gonna be pretty, gents.
To Steve (part 1):
ReplyDeletePrayerful said...
The Creator is a Spirit, not a human being.
MY COMMENT: Oh, DUH!
You compared your relationship with a son to one with a spirit being. Its not comparable for the many reasons I gave, hence my comment above.
Prayerful said...
Anything that you 'hear' or receive from Him will be spiritual.
MY COMMENT: This is a copout. You don't know your bible very well,do you?
I'm nonplussed on this one. I think I know the scriptures pretty exhaustively. Both Hebrew and Greek.
The real cop-out is to say to someone, 'that's a cop-out,' which is a way to discredit without giving any reasons, a cheap emotional debate tactic.
My point again was the only those who desire to converse in spiritual things can converse with the Spirit Creator. Carnally-minded cannot. Its scriptural, look it up.
Prayerful said...
I spend most of my twice-a-day prayer time, not asking for physical things, like my child might want,...
MY COMMENT: Blah, blah, blah. Well, aren't you so righteous and spiritual!
My spirituality and righteousness are NOT MINE, but His who lives in me, and it comes from FAITH alone, and because of that faith, I seek to please and obey the Creator.
I am a SINNER from cradle to grave, but my sin is washed away every prayer time when I see it, confess it, and am justified. There is nothing good in me, but His Spirit.
I pray twice-a-day, again, because its scriptural. Not to be proud.
Prayerful said...
It may sound strange, but we are called to be 'spiritual Jews, Yahudim,' those who 'praise.'
MY COMMENT: Yep, you're sounding stranger all the time. Come on back down to earth, holy one!
I don't want to come back to the world, I've already 'Come out of her, my people,' into the light of the Messiah. I'm not 'holy' [pagan], but set-apart unto His service. I'm still in this world in body, but my heart and mind are fixed on the Creator.
Prayerful said...
The rest of my prayer time is spent requesting things that are in His Will....
MY COMMENT: Everyone on earth claims to pray like you do. What's been the result? Take away your job, your house, your food, your clothing, your family, and then let's see how "spiritual" your twice a day American prayers sound like.
I'm not claiming, I REALLY DO THIS with all my heart and mind. From the scriptures, I believe that there is a small work (firstfruits) now and a larger harvest later. Yes, this world is totally sick, as in Noah's day.
From my experience, most say that they pray for physical things and very few actually care anything at all about spiritual things that matter to the Creator.
Its illogical that you think that when times are relatively fine that I'd pray more. Most people only pray when things are going badly, out of desperation. I am already praying 'without ceasing,' why do you think that it will lessen when the hard times come?
To Steve (part 2):
ReplyDeletePrayerful said...
Then I pray for my own spiritual growth: confessing my sin, and requesting faith, repentance, truth, agape love, etc. through the Messiah.
MY COMMENT: How selfish! "Lord, I'm glad I'm not like other men. I pray twice a day..."
Really? Then when should I pray for spiritual growth? I put all other concerns first. I am JUST LIKE other men, a SINNER, but I know my Redeemer and so I serve Him, unworthy as I am.
Prayerful said...
In prayer, The Father speaks to me (and all others who will seek Him in Spirit and Truth) through ideas and thoughts.
MY COMMENT: What an out of touch god you have!
He's within a prayer's breathe at all times. I know he hears me because I maintain a humble, respectful, repentant mindset.
Prayerful said...
Once in a while, as soon as I kneel and bow down, my mind is flushed with a rush of ideas...
MY COMMENT: What superstitious ideas!
Its a real spiritual experience, not make-believe. But atheists believe in spiritual things too, just not the Creator.
Prayerful said...
The reason that He doesn't directly talk to us should be obvious. If He did, there would be no need for FAITH would there?
MY COMMENT: Another cop out.This is religious people's answer to why their talk with their god has always been one sided.
MY COMMENT: More blessed are those who have heard and seen.
I already told you that He talks to me in ideas and thoughts. Those who have not seen or heard have MORE FAITH, and MORE BLESSINGS.
Prayerful said...
Scoffing is easy, faith requires work and sometimes struggle.
MY COMMENT: Faith doesn't require any work....
Tell that to your son who is about to jump into your arms at the pool.
Faith without works is dead, so I must follow and obey. Going to ecclesia is part of that, and my brain is very busy, sometimes exhausted from trying to follow the Spirit.
Prayerful said...
This works, but not for the proud, scoffers, arrogant, and faithless.
MY COMMENT: Just for the proud self righteous holy ones, right?
It doesn't work for the 'self righteous holy ones,' just for the humble and repentant, who don't lose FAITH in their Creator.
"...and my brain is very busy, sometimes exhausted from trying to follow the Spirit."
ReplyDeleteThere is a perfectly natural explanation for that exhaustion...
M.T.Promises
Too often that "one size fits all" approach comes from folks who have not been unduly challenged in their experience with the COG. Or those who are terrified that if they don't defend their position they may lose ground in their attachment to the "truth".
ReplyDeleteThe article writer may have been able to learn some good coping skills for his anxiety from the therapist he encountered. And it is possible that his belief system may not have been the main source of his anxiety. Without knowing more, it could be a number of areas in his life. Many people are seeking counseling these days because of the state of the economy and fears of their financial future.
While it is highly likely that his beliefs may be a contributing factor to his anxiety its possible that other concerns may be masking it as a source.
I'm glad to see that they are opening up the door to people seeking help with the mental disorders that so often plague the COGs. As a result it may end up causing other changes.
While I might would wish everyone to be set free right now, it comes back to the fact that the "one size fits all" doesn't work.
Leaving a COG is a choice. First people need to see that they have the right to choose, then they need to see that the consequences of the choice are not what they've been told and finally have the courage to choose.
Keep your "M.T.Promises," mine are working perfectly fine.
ReplyDeleteA famous atheist decided that just in case he was wrong, he would worship 'god' and do some good works on a regular basis.
Besides, it made him feel better and when death came, he'd be prepared either way.
I highly recommend this! Worshiping the Creator makes you feel much better about yourself and others.
Its the IDOLIZING and WORSHIPING of mere men like HWA that makes men feel so STUPID later for surrendering their common sense and volition.
But don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Discard misguided idol-worship, but not worship and honor for the Creator.
This is just REPEATING the SAME MISTAKE, worshiping the ATHEIST who says, 'there is no god.'
THINK FOR YOURSELF! Many originally entered the COGS with good intentions but were derailed; don't let man-worship take away what you once believed.
Cut the pity-party short and get back in the game.
No matter what course we all choose in life, there are going to be sets of challenges or problems associated with them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I left WCG in 1975, having grown up believing that I'd never live as a physical being to live until I was 30, believe me, I had a real zest for life and a passion for the things which I felt that I'd been deprived of or had missed out on.
As a result, by the time I reached the age of 50, I had done everything which I'd ever hoped to do in life. Now, to actually follow through on that, you really have to be self-centered. To say that there were some voids would be an understatement. I'd ended up throwing away some of the actual good (credibility giving)principles that HWA had mixed in with the toxicity.
There are just normal events in life that can be overwhelming, and can cause depression, emotional or psychological problems. When these happen, mentoring and nurturing can be of great help. WCG did not seem to be very adept at assisting people through such situations, although their evangelistic outreaches had indeed promised shelter from the storm. Those particular paints were never on the WCG pallet.
BB
"Cut the pity-party short and get back in the game."
ReplyDeleteNo, thanks. That "game" no longer interests me. Nor am I sitting around in a pity party. Too busy for that just trying to get people to think straight by every avenue open to me.
People have to understand that the ministry of COGWA is not open to new ideas. In fact, they are going to take that organization back in time. They will be closer to Living Church of God in their practice.
ReplyDeleteThat ministry is dangerous. I had a personal situation where someone I was close to had been abused by people in the church. I wanted that person to get counseling (outside the church) before their anger and rage destroyed them and their children.
Doug Horchak was against counseling outside the church. Yet, he was in way over his head with a person of these type issues. He mainly suggested they "pray" and "keep looking to God".
It turns out he was emotionally involved with this woman (and had been with other women in his church).
The ministry was shown proof and covered it up. They really are in business for themselves and power.
Doug Horchak, as I understand it, is now in charge of the ministry for COGWA. If that is the case, it is insane. The man needs help himself.
The article in this blog is reflective of the pabulum they espouse that has NEVER worked with Specific, serious issues that people face.
Like the Wizard of Oz, they keep playing the same fancy words in order to keep people's attention off of the fact there is not any solutions once you pull the curtain back.