Beware the next time you are in a UCG church service and you are asked to hold hands with the person next to you in prayer. It seems that Denny Luker has been over taken by the spirit of witchcraft and is encouraging the membership to join him in bringing forth demons........
Did you know by clasping the hand with another in prayer that you will be participating in witchcraft! I have never heard that one in all the years I was part of Armstrongism! Little did I know that UCG is being invaded by pentecostal witchcraft! The Apostle Malm seems to think that you are indirectly participating in a seance to bring forth demons!
HOLDING HANDS IN PRAYER is a Pentecostal custom coming from witchcraft which is very popular with Denny Luker and is creeping into the UCG. The pagan concept behind this tradition is to demonstrate UNITY by holding hands together. This is believed to multiply the power of the prayer by indicating to the deity that many are fully united in making the request. Seances to contact demons are always accompanied by hand holding. This also creates an emotional bond between the participants. Hand holding is a definite emotional bonding between people; instead of a personal contact with Almighty God.
The holding of hands during prayer degrades a spiritual matter of contact with God, into an emotional experience. Prayer is degraded into an emotional experience; indeed much such prayer is not to seek God, but to impress those present by voluminous flowery and impressive language. Such prayer may impress some people but it does NOT impress God.
It is certainly not wrong to touch others, to cry on someone’s shoulder if the need is there, or to hold hands; however to do so as a means to try and influence people or God in prayer, is most definitely wrong and has its roots in witchcraft [Satanism].
It's no wonder people in the world look at Armstrongism with such derision and non-interest! Who in their right mind would follow such idiots?
UPDATE:
The Apostle has had several of his acolytes write in with questions. The appalling thing is that people actually value The Apostles' opinion on this matter!
How dare men hold the hand of a man or a married woman in prayer! Does this imply you will turn gay or be committing adultery? The idea that any person needed to ask such a question shows how simple minded Armstrongism has become!
Do you mean brethren holding hands with each other during opening and closing prayers at UCG Sabbath and Holy Day services ?? If so this is complete madness and would cause all manner of problems and it’s so weird.
Would a married man have to hold the hand of another man ??? Or another married womans hand ??
What will they think of next …. the mind boggles…….
It might eventually come to that, but right now it is more a matter of a few more pentecostal type elders who ask for this in smaller meetings and also tend to want to include this type of thing in counselling sessions etc. james
Concerning the issue of holding hands.
As a family, we have always held hands as we give thanks over a meal as well as when we ask God to watch over us as we travel. Since our children are small this helps them to focus their attention on what we are doing. It does foster a sense of being together as we do this. As a family we do a many things together to foster unity – especially to teach our children the Faith (Bible studies, singing hymns, etc).
Other than that some “pagans” hold hands in their practices … is there a reference in scripture condemning the practice? I wouldn’t want a family tradition to replace Scriptural commands or examples. I am sure there are many things that non-believers do when they come together that we might unknowingly imitate in our practices and worship. Is the fact that they also do them make them inherently wrong?
We have been for the last year looking at a great many things we do in the practice of our Faith. Some areas are stall wanting – some areas have been strengthened. Above all, we must do all we do in Faith to our Father within the bounds of His commands. Is this a matter a practicing sin or a matter of personal conscience?
We are commanded not to learn the ways of the heathen to do them. We are not to use paganisms in our worship or religious practrice. We are not to worship our God as the pagans worship theirs. We are to keep all Gods commandments and are not to add or take away from them. We are to worship God ONLY as HE directs. Our children are learning what we teach them and if we teach them the ways of the pagans it will need to be overcome later in life. We are to dilligently teach our children to serve the Eternal as he commands and not by our own methods and the imaginations of our own hearts. It is not necessary to point every single possible false way in scripture; for we would run out of years in which to read the list of errors that men contrive. There are millions of counterfeits and the only need is to teach the real thing, then the false will be recognized as anything that deviates from the real thing. We are to cleave to God’s commandments and to worship him as he commands, not as we devise for ourselves. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is death. James
23 comments:
Wicca style Witchcraft, as I understand it from those Wiccans I have met, is much more healthy, wholesome and beneficial than what the ACoGs do and believe.
Of course, there would be protestations. If one were to discover the wonders of Wicca, they might actually see the similarities between Wicca and ACoGs, except Wicca makes more sense, not that there's any real science to it.
One wonders if more people are healed through Wiccan practices than by anointing by ACoG ministers, because not a few of ACoG anointings result in death less that 48 hours later, not that there's any direct relationship, mind you... or maybe there is (Malachi 2:2).
Douglas: Check this information out about Wicca and it's supposed Christian base:
http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2011/08/29/is-wicca-a-christian-heresy/
http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2011/08/28/the-watchtowers-and-abrahamic-wicca/
I was being facetious -- to an extent -- with the idea that maybe Wiccan values and ideas predate most religions, particularly Christianity, from some distant incarnation.
In one of the many required classes and seminars in the County workplace, there was an example of a Catholic Wiccan (a realtor) who saw no conflict between the two and sincerely wanted to be part of both of them.
As I understand it, Wicca is all about being in tune with nature -- nature being magical and all. I don't believe in it, but a Wiccan told me fascinating things. For one thing, he told me that Christianity has powerful wards. This is good news, since I don't really want to bury urine soaked nails and razor blades in a jar in my back yard to keep evil away.
I keep evil away by opposing Armstrongism.
holding or touching hands is a connection of sorts. Many a time have I done hand massage to have the client react and hold my hand back in a way that makes a connection. It is a wonderful connection and can be done in friendship and caring.
This world is touch deprived and disconnected. I love being a part of the reconnection and conact that makes people come back from the dead.
Of course, from your casual knowledge you deem witchcraft as wonderful, wholesome, and healthy. Because it worships the serpent rather than the Creator.
The 'logic' and premise of this forum dictates that WITCHCRAFT, or any other 'spritual endeavor,' in worshiping an imaginary 'god' should be STUPID, FUTILE, MENTALLY ILL, WEAK, HATED and DESPISED.
Yet because it opposes THE faith, it is lauded and honored.
Your open hatred and rebellion to the Creator is CLEARLY EXPOSED in this glaring gaffaw! 'Out of heart the mouth speaks...'
You are like Whitman, magnified in your great self-contradictions.
"What a Wonderful Wiccan World said..."
Personally, I find Wiccan beliefs stupid.
But then, I find the teachings of the Armstrongist thugs stupid and abusive.
You are like Whitman, magnified in your great self-contradictions.
Walt Whitman, the poet?
I don't see anyone here promoting Wicca. But, even if hey did, it would certainly be better than any of the junk that is Armstrongism!
Modern FICTION like those overly long and over-rated Harry Pothead novels and movies try to make witches and sorcerers out to be good heroes. Well, they are not. Witchcraft is bad. The Bible is still right after thousands of years.
I met an ugly, fat-bottomed woman in her late forties who was a Wiccan. What a bunch of evil, ongoing noise! There was nothing good about any of it. There was nothing intelligent or nice about her. It was obvious that witchcraft and illegal drugs make a bad combination.
Interestingly, an evolutionist at the same place did not seem to mind either her or novels about witches and sorcerers, which he liked to read. The only "superstition" that the evolutionist hated was the Bible. He actively supported abortion, same-sex marriages, etc. It reminded me of the verse that says, "The fool [morally deficient person] says that there is no God." It does seem to be morally deficient people who choose evolution to be their religion.
As for the UCG people, they might as well just hurry up and turn to the evil that they really love anyway, and stop wasting everyone's time with their delays and their denials that they want to go back into the world. There is little point in trying to tell them to repent, as most of them don't seem to have ever really believed anything anyway.
As for the UCG people, they might as well just hurry up and turn to the evil that they really love anyway, and stop wasting everyone's time with their delays and their denials that they want to go back into the world. There is little point in trying to tell them to repent, as most of them don't seem to have ever really believed anything anyway.
Sensing the moral bankruptcy, are we?
Here's the bottom line, if, as Samuel said, that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (it would be well to look at different translations and the commentaries: eSword could be helpful), then the rebel, Herbert Armstrong was the Warlock General of the Worldwise Church of Fraud.
All of the other warlocks of the ACoGs are trying their best to cast their magic spells to recover the empire of mysticism which once was, what with the power of enchantment it held on the people, but you know, the magic is just GONE!
Herbert Armstrong was quite the successful Twentieth Century Simon Magus, selling the Holy Spirit for quite a profit as a Warlock.
You know what they say, Gain is godliness!
As for Dennis Luker as chief warlock, it is not yet clear how successful he will be leading the Coven of Guile, an International Association.
Maybe the UCG is looking into the New Covenant.
Yes Norm, the poet.
The COGs do not yet realize that they are worshiping the 'god of this world.' He has deceived the WHOLE WORLD and especially the ecclesia.
I agree, most of the thousands of COG members will be 'spewed out' for their worldliness and tremendous abominations.
COGs are in 'moral bankruptcy,' because their leaders put their proud legalism above FAITH in the 'blood of the lamb,' in which is the real power.
But some of the 'little flock' may repent and be saved out of their numbers.
King Solomon the wise, also fell and became the "Warlock General" of his day. Modern Qabalah has its ancient roots in his paganisms.
No2Jesus said...
The COGs do not yet realize that they are worshiping the 'god of this world.' He has deceived the WHOLE WORLD and especially the ecclesia.
MY COMMENT: What makes you think that YOU are not deceived by this "god of the world"?
religion is nuts
Malm needs to do more research before he post his articles.
The Penticostals took their form of worship from Jewish Davidic worship which includes standing in prayer with raised arms, Davidic dancing (men and women), standing in song. A very moving and emotional service to watch. Oh, yes, and holding of hands.
Some Penticostals took it a little further.
I have been in Messianic services which are far from what we experienced in the WWWCG. Their service are 3+ hours long and mostly standing with a lot of special music and singing.
Never noticed any witches there or demon possessed folks.
Douglas,
"Herbert Armstrong was quite the successful Twentieth Century Simon Magus, selling the Holy Spirit for quite a profit as a Warlock."
Only one problem with your suggestion that I see. Herbie Magus would have had to possessed the Holy Spirit to have been able to sell it.
In his Cult it was permanently OUT OF STOCK.
Michael, you don't have to have any to sell it. You're in business. You know how selling futures works.
Some people live on empty promises that are never delivered.
That, and prophecies.
Ah, the memories. Like so many extremist religious groups, when I was first associated with RCG (WCG), we saw demons in everything. I guess some of them still do. Herbert often bragged about supposedly casting them out in his early ministry.
I'm not going to worry about lovingly and comradily holding someone else's hand, giving them a hug (or a smile), etc. As long as the intent and emotion is good, don't bother me with evil musings.
"you don't have to have any to sell it."
No, sorry Douglas,I don't know how selling a product or service you can not provide or don't possess works. Please explain that aspect of marketing.
Michael, there are all sorts of scams which sell products which either aren't available through the scammer or don't exist at all.
In the case of Herbert Armstrong, he "sold" the Holy Spirit, but he didn't necessarily have rights or access to it. A better tangeable example is his selling a Place of Safety which never existed, but people "bought" it.
People are sold on promises which never pan out and they never get the goods which were promised to them. Alternatively, they get shoddy products that are more problems than they are worth.
As a businessman, I'm sure you have to watch for these kinds of things all the time.
I have my doubts that Simon Magus ever had the ability to impart the Holy Spirit, but I'm suspecting that he sold the idea to people who thought he could and they paid good money. I don't know that for sure, but from the record it appears he was a scammer -- it's what I would expect.
I haven't heard UCG encourage hand-holding in prayers at all.
The only time I remember WCG encourage hand-holding was at the end of the fall festivals. The 1986 Feast in Pasadena comes to mind, when "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" was brought back as the absolute final hymn after Mr. Tkach Sr. mentioned it during services.
Hmmmm - I wonder if I can fold my hands to pray?!
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