This ministers comments speak volumes on what is wrong with Armstrongism. Not only does he never quote anything from Jesus, but it is all about FEAR. It is no wonder Armstrongism is so bankrupt. When you live a live continually fearing the god you are supposed to be worshiping then there is no hope. Armstrongism has always been about never measuring up. We were never quit good enough, we were constantly being yelled at by Herb and crew. "You just don't get it!" was Herb's favorite mantra. Demean, belittle and humiliate were the operational code words for the church. It carry's on into COGWA as they seek to imitate HWA as much as possible. It is almost 2012 and there is nothing about COGWA that is unique. It has no driving force that sets it apart from the rest of Armstrongism to the point it causes a dramatic rise in membership. It exists in the tired, worn out, outdated pre-1986 mode.
On the opening night in Lake Geneva, Mr. Gary Black reminded us in his
sermon that one of the main reasons we come to the Feast of Tabernacles
is to “learn to fear the Lord your God always” (Deuteronomy 14:23).
More Old Testament Christianity.
ReplyDeleteThe bad news is that even when you shed Armstrongism for a personal relationship with God, it is difficult to get rid of the embedded fearful concepts. This serves as a constant reminder as to why I chose atheism and agnosticism for three decades. The God we had been taught about was just so horrible that it was difficult to even contemplate that he might actually exist as if he were HWA on steroids.
ReplyDeleteIn one respect, it really doesn't matter what road we chose after Armstrongism. Our road is going to be difficult because of persistent, embedded wrong thinking.
Those of us who grew up in WCG got a horrible example of our spiritual parent from the behavior of our physical parents, and later learned of all the legalism, micromanagement, and punishment from the church that was supposed to embody Father God and Jesus Christ. Clearly, we all need to take concentrated crash courses in something to even begin to regain sanity!
BB
I disagree, BB.
ReplyDeleteI know many people who are sane, who have once been in the WCG, and simply the time that has passed has helped them immeasurably.
No need for crash courses in anything with those folks.
(Unless you want to count reacquainting ones self with family members and old friends as a "crash course")
Not everyone's experiences need to be like yours.