Well it is almost that time again. It is the only thing about WCG that I really miss. I loved the travel opportunities, but hated the boring worthless sermons. It's time to take you kids out of school and have to write those absurd excuses that embarrass the hell out of your kids. It's time to tell the boss you are taking off work during a failed economy. It's time to start volunteering for the Ministerial Dining room so you can watch the ministers drink themselves under the table and gorge on expensive food. It's time to stop the newspapers and mail delivery till you get back. Get your passport and umbrellas ready.
Or, you can take a trip back in time with Donald/Leroy Neff with some films from Big Sandy.
Or, you can take a trip back in time with Donald/Leroy Neff with some films from Big Sandy.
NO2HWA,
ReplyDeleteI fight back tears when I think of the Feast of Tabernacles, and my childhood memories. When you think of what we were taught about the FOT and what it portrayed - 1,000 year millenium reign of Jesus Christ on earth - even today, I am reminded of the proverb "Hope deferred makes the heart sad".
We were taught in the WCG that the millenium was "right around the corner".
Oh yes, and I volunteered to serve in the ministerial dining room during the feast at Jekyll Island. I remember I had to wear a bright red server's vest. I got to listen to Garner Ted Armstrong talk to the ministers during a lunchean as he stopped at Jekyll Island during his whirlwind tour of all the US feast sites during the Feast of Tabernacles.
I too enjoyed the travel to the Feasts sites. It was a reminder that we were part of a much larger organization, and I enjoyed hearing and seeing the Armstrongs in person.
Richard
Plenty of COG (and affiliated) Feast sites would be happy to welcome you back, you know. Some might not even ask any questions.
ReplyDeleteBut one longtime COG minister sent an e-mail this week admitting in all his years, he's not sure he ever really kept a "spiritual Feast of Tabernacles." He said too much of the emphasis was on eating, playtime, etc. He's hoping to change that next week, at a Feast site in Alabama.
I fight back tears when I think about being in that cult, never having a good job because I couldn't work on Saturdays, or "holydays", or losing a job because of it. I fight back tears for not getting a good education because I was always told that time was short. I fight back tears when I think of spending 40% of my income and very little income to begin with, coming home to face reality, from Saturday services, or the FOT, to find mountains of bills waiting for me, and people wanting to sue me, or my electricity turned off, and no money for food. I fight back tears when I think of all the wannabe "deacons" at the feast sucking up to the "ministers" for a high-profile job to be seen of men and how important they think they were with the false pretense,"I just want to serve". I fight back tears when I think of people with small children, the elderly and the widows having to park out in the boondocks and walking a couple of miles while the "ministers" had the good parking and the best seats reserved. I fight back tears when I think of the widows having to stay in roach motels and eat out of cans, while the "ministers" stayed in the five-star hotels and ate steak every day. I fight back tears when I think about how well dressed the minister, his wife, and their children were, driving a new car, while those who didn't have anything were poorly dressed and drove an old jalopy to church. I fight back tears when I think about the facade that Herbert and Teddy put on when they would meet on stage at Big Sandy during the feast and give each other a hug, and everyone would stand up and cheer. I fight back tears when I think about all the time and money I wasted year after year going to the FOT just to be told how I was the scum of the earth and how"I wasn't doing enough to be counted as worthy when I had to stand before Jesus Christ" by asilver-tongued wolf in a $500 sheep's suit. I could go on and on, but I'm fighting back tears.
ReplyDeleteSteve, you are so wrong: It was a $1,200 wool suit.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, you're right on the mark.
I'm sorry. I was thinking about 70s and 80s prices.
ReplyDelete@ Steve:
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it any better myself.
@ Anonymous:
Oh, I'm sure they'd be thrilled to welcome any and every potential tithepayer back into their fold. The only question is: When can we expect your check?
Sorry to get mushy on you folks. The Feast photos triggers memories from my childhood and teenage years growing up. For better or worse, it is my childhood memories - the only memories I have growing up in the WCG. My earlier comment reflects how I felt at the time many years ago.
ReplyDeleteThose who have followed my posts here on this website know I have long since renounced Armstrongism, although I do believe in a God deity and what the Feast of Tabernacles portrays.
No Church of God would ever welcome me back - tithe check in hand or not. Nor is there any desire on my part. I will not allow any church organization to come between my God deity and myself, nor will I allow myself to be a tithe slave income stream to finance the lifestyles of those who "come in my name, and deceive many".
I hope everyone understands - because "the wise" will understand, but the fools will not.
Richard