The Philadelphia Church of God has trotted out another article of Herbert Armstrong's that he wrote in 1971. It is a smear letter against Christians outside of Armstrongism. They are painted as fools because they refuse to listen to HWA's message.
As the supreme leader of the Worldwide Church of God, HWA was THE authority in all matters. Only his books, booklets, articles, TV broadcasts and radio programs were the legitimate manifestation of truth. Therefore, all COG members recognized him as the superior authority over them.
Who can forget the COG organizational charts that the Church passed out in the 60's and 70's. There was God, then
The very source of Armstrongism was Herbert Armstrong. He was the source of our religion. Our belief was professed according to his demands.
Our religion was Herbert Armstrong, the source of all knowledge. It is no wonder the hundreds of splinter groups still can't talk about Jesus but slobber all over HWA. He is their religion. Spirituality, be damned!
What is religion, anyway?
Religion is the obedience, service or adoration rendered to the object of one’s worship—a system of faith and devotion to a superior authority—the profession, practice or observance of whatever belief and practice is required by that superior authority.
The very source of your religion, then, is that superior authority. Whatever that authority that to you has appeared superior—you received your religion from it, and you profess whatever belief, and observe whatever practice it requires!
The question, then, now becomes: “What IS that superior authority?”
Is that source of your religious belief and practice a supreme, all-powerful, personal God?—a God who created all matter, force and energy—who created everything that exists?
The incredible answer, in nearly all cases, believe it or not—is NO!! Why God Is Not Real To Most People
Here's what Herbert wrote in it's most simplified form:
ReplyDelete"What is religion, anyway? Religion...is a system..."
Herbert liked to talk about other people's "systems." Oddly, he never spent much time talking about his own. He talked about the "Babylonian system," the "Roman system," the "Beast power," always insinuating that all other systems were "evil," conveniently leaving the listener or reader with the impression that his "system" was the ONLY ONE that was "not evil." No, his "system" was GOD'S "system." Yeah? In that case, I'll take a pass on your evil god then.
So, let's talk about Herbert's cult "system" for a minute, shall we?
When Herbert did talk about "systems," he sounded a lot like Morpheus:
"The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work...when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth..."
"...You are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind."
"The Matrix is a system, Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Business men, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save. But until we do, these people are still a part of that system, and that makes them our enemy. You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it...[This is a] training program designed to teach you one thing: if you are not one of us, you are one of them."
But the fact is, a normal non-cult person could have observed Herbert's cult "system" from the outside and said much the same thing to any member so hopelessly dependent on Herbert's "system."
The question is, do you take the blue pill, be one of "them," and have the freedom to think and believe for yourself, or do you take the red pill and get sucked into the Ambassador rabbit hole of polarizing propaganda, psychological abuse, and financial rape?
"Remember, all I'm offering is the truth. Nothing more," said Morpheus. Herbert loved to talk about how much "truth" he was offering, but it is funny how he never mentioned how much LESS he was going to leave you with.
The difference between Herbert and Morpheus is, Morpheus says, "No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself." Herbert never showed anybody anything, except for the sheer stupendousness of the utter superiority of his amazing authority. But all of this is just part of the reason why Herbert's god is not real to me.
The real reason religion isn't real to most Christians is because you have kooks like Herbert Armstrong (and his Cult of Herbert Armstrong leaders and ministers).
ReplyDeleteThe church has a problem with ego.
ReplyDeleteThe church lacks the weightier matters of the law as the Pharisees did-- justice, mercy, and faith.
It can make a person feel better about themselves when they can find fault with others in a mocking way.
You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar as they say.
In response to Head Usher above:
ReplyDeleteWhen I took the BLUE PILL it did not plug me into the Matrix either. It just turned out to be a VIAGARA!
Luv,
Joe Moeller
Cody, WY
Herbert was really good at redefining, which he would often accomplish by setting the standards or parameters for a discussion. Basically, he always took control of any argument before it even started, if you allowed him to.
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to find a more accurate word to describe the process by which one becomes involved in Armstrongism than "trapped". If redefining and setting the criteria do not get you, the idea that you are not allowed to question or challenge an "apostle" will.
Thankfully, something better than Armstrongism awaits us.
BB
The greatest tool (no pun intended) the UCG, LCG, PCG, and hundreds of other 'etcetera' splinters have to offer is to "trot out" HWA and his teachings.
ReplyDeleteThe members of these groups are from, and were brainwashed by, their HWA guru.
The people who most strongly reject the notion of being "man-worshippers" (and accuse others of being so) tend to actually be the most zealous of "man-worshippers"
Some of these people are becoming more relentless in their attempts to advance HWA's ideas, and they are not all being honest and aboveboard about it.
ReplyDeleteOver on the Painful Truth blog, there is an entry entitled "Belly of the Whore". It's what we might call a "golden gasser" from the past that James revived, because it is still very relevant, and deserves to be seen and read.
A gentleman began responding with questions such as didn't we think it strange that Germany appeared to be emerging as a powerhouse in Europe. As we dialogued with him, he said that he had left Armstrongism many years ago, but had learned about Alexander Hislop and the origins of the Catholic Church originally from the Protestant church which he had attended prior to his Armstrong experience. It seemed obvious that at least in his mind, this gave some of HWA's premises greater credibility. We pointed out the fact that Hislop had been discredited, and his "research" exposed as flawed, presented an alternative explanation for the origins of the Catholic Church, and he stated that would be exiting the blog because he just could not accept what we presented.
The reason I am sharing this is that the same individual has made an appearance on some of the other blogs related to the Armstrong cult. I am hoping he shows up here. The only thing I feel I can discuss with him at this point is the weather, but it should be interesting to watch others interact with him.
BB
HWA blended him doctrines with the imaginary god of the bible, so pcg worships half-man and half-nothing.
ReplyDeleteAB Comment:
ReplyDeleteI am a little confused about what is being disputed.
DB said “The real reason religion isn't real to most Christians is because you have kooks like Herbert Armstrong (and his Cult of Herbert Armstrong leaders and ministers).”
The post ask the question
“Is that source of your religious belief and practice a supreme, all-powerful, personal God?—a God who created all matter, force and energy—who created everything that exists?”
And answered it
“The incredible answer, in nearly all cases, believe it or not—is NO!! Why God Is Not Real To Most People”
To me all religions are real. The real question is whether a person believes there is a real god and what they believe about the god they believe is real. It seems that is a touchy subject.