Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Are UCG, LCG, RCG, COGWA, CCOG, et al., Really Just Gate Keepers of Imaginary Realms?



Here is a great comment from False Prophet Ronald Weinland: Don't Drink the Flavor Aid
concerning Ron Weinland and the various Churches of God leaders:

I recently watched a BBC documentary about how William Tyndale was the most “dangerous” man in Tudor England. In 16th century Europe, the catholic church kept the bible and the Mass in Latin so that way nobody could understand it. Meanwhile, pope and priests claimed to be the gatekeepers of heaven, and gave divine mandates to kings. Tyndale was dangerous because by translating the bible into English, he made it possible for the common man to realize he didn’t need popes and priests, or their pomp and circumstance, and gave them what they needed to challenge this false system. Luther had realized this too and was doing the same in Germany. Eventually, slowly, that system began to crater and collapse. If you think about it, in the greater world at large, we now live in a time after many thousands of years when FINALLY we’re not ruled by gods or priests. I’m still not sure we have much of a voice in how we are ruled, but that’s grist for a different mill.

Reading through these missives from Weinland, Dave Pack, Meredith, Flurry, UCG during the COGWA debacle, etc. you would think it was still the middle ages. You would have no idea we now live in an increasingly secular and atheistic time in which reason has begun to overturn religion itself. These people still claim to be priests and gatekeepers (to imaginary realms), and those who are ruled by these priests don’t seem to realize that the shackles under which they still labor were knocked off centuries ago! You would think this stuff wouldn’t work on literate people who can read the bible in their own language (let alone science journals that discredit it). I’ll never excuse these false priests, but at a certain point you have to conclude that there are some people who genuinely want to be enslaved by them and all this foolishness.

Friday, February 13, 2015

UCG Finally Is Able To Dump Denton Property After 6 Years Because God FINALLY Allowed It To Happen


The typical Church of God method in selling real estate/church property at a discount continues.  Wise investing has never been a strong point in Armstrongism.  From the Festival sites built across the United States, to properties in Vail, Lake Tahoe, Oregon,  England, Texas and Pasadena, every one was sold at a substantial loss.  That tradition continues on in the United Church of God.

Back in January 2008 it was revealed that the United Church of God had bought 81.5 acres of pasture  land in Denton Texas where they had hoped to move their "international" headquarters and build a future campus to rival Pasadena and Big Sandy.

See:  World Exclusive: Photos of UCG Denton HQ Property!

Visions of a college campus and sugarplums danced in their heads.  Though that dancing soon lead to major issues in the church.  Many were vocally against it.  So much so that eventually the church split over it along with other administrative matters.

This all led to COGWA forming where it was the same faces doing the same shit but with a new name.

See:   COGWA's Good Old Boys Network


UCG dumped millions of dollars in tithe money that members struggled to send in for this property,  Less than two years later in August of 2009 Clyde Kilough made the decision to dump the property in order recoup  its money. COGWA was reportedly interested in it though it was to be made clear that they would NEVER be allowed to have it.

See: Council of elders Meeting Announcing Sale of Property

See:  UCG Headquarters Is For Sale


Sale of Denton, Texas, Property Final

It is with great pleasure that we announce to you the sale of the Denton, Texas, property that the Church has owned for some time.

The sale of the 81-acre property was finalized yesterday, February 10, 2015, to a Texas-based land speculation company. The Church purchased the property at the height of the real estate market in January 2008. While the land was sold at a loss from the amount paid at that time (before the decline in real estate prices), our agents, the Council and the Administration are satisfied that the amount received was fair market value and that it was not reasonable in the foreseeable future to expect a higher purchase price.

We thank God for His mercy in allowing this land to be sold. We seek His will about how the proceeds should be used in doing His Work.

Victor Kubik, President
Rick Shabi, Treasurer
Its nice to know that God delayed the selling of the property for  6 years in order for them to sell it in 2015.  God's hand must surely have been on the sale.  While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan, children are starving in Africa and Ebola is killing thousands, God is more concerned about selling the Denton property.  Such comforting news.

With UCG's epic financial failure at the end of last year with it's failed campaign to this financial loss, the golden apple that UCG always loved to hold forth is rotting at the core now.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

COG Member Leading America to Repentance By Running to be President of the United States! Woo Hoo!



It has always been preached in Church of God circles that it would be a follower of Herbert Armstrong that would lead the United States into repentance and usher in the Kingdom of God.  Oh wait, wrong scenario!  Invading Germans, concentration camps, slavery, meat-hooks to hang children off of, rampaging Chinese and Muslims...but I digress...

The real savior of the United States that will restore the country to greatness and equality is none other than our own Eric W. King!  Woo Hoo!!!!!!




Eric W. King for President of
The United Sates of America
2016 Presidential Election


“This world is now, as of August 9th 2014 at war. All we have to do is determine what percentage of this planets population is at odds with itself. The older religions of this planet have not evolved with current technology. Most all humans are living in the dark ages when it comes to true spirituality, philosophy and religion.” ~ Eric W. King
CEO of SOCT/COGSR running for President of the United States of America in 2016. Here we give a short list of the policies that Mr. King would like to instigate as President.

President Eric's platform he is running on includes some of the following:

  • Keep taxes low
  • Low property taxes
  • Relieve red tape for small business owners
  • It will be a time to return to "common sense" instead of the divisions of political parties
  • Americans should have the right to vote for their own health care
  • Have the right to opt out of Obama care
  • Gay marriage should be allowed for those that wish, government does not have right to tell who can marry who
  • Lobbyists and big money should not have the power they do today
  • Richer nations should assist poorer nations
  • Religious tolerance should be taught
  • Wants the government study the brain more with the Brain Initiative
  • Need to focus on free energy - wind and solar
  • Country needs to invest in water desalinization plants
  • 2015 will be the Year of the Robot
  • Develop private space companies
  • Close Gitmo Bay
  • Country needs to understand global warming better
  • Reign in Russia, with military force if necessary
  • Require full disclosure of UFO's and Extraterrestrials in our midst

If you want to discuss these issues with President Eric then he invites your email.  Truly!

Note: All of the above issues may change and be modified according to constant changing world conditions. If you would like Mr. King’s viewpoints regarding other issues not mentioned here simply email him at: trulyeric@yahoo.com






Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Are Gays Causing Northeast's Snow Storms? God's Only TRUE Endtime Work Thinks So



The absolute stupidity of these buffons entrenched in Armstrongism continues on unabated.  Now Bob Thiel makes claims that the snow that is blanketing the North/northeast might be a punishment from his eternally pissed off god.

Snowfall totals are breaking records in the northeastern portion of the USA

God controls the weather and sometimes provides extreme weather for correction. And that includes snowy weather. Notice the following:
5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;… 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north.  10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen.  11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.  13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy. (Job 37:5-6, 9-13)
22 “Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail, 23 Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?  (Job 38:22-23)
The Bible repeatedly warns, especially in the Hebrew scriptures, that various sins will result in destructive weather.  Weather is not as random as most seem to want to believe.

Back in 2009, in a book, I mentioned the following was about to happen:

Considering all of the natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, food shortages, and economic problems in the past few years, perhaps this would be a good time to explain that the Bible shows that these problems were expected to occur prior to the great tribulation. Those outside the Bible have sometimes referred to a time such as this as a time of transition or chaos. …
There will be a generation that will experience end-time events, beginning with “sorrows,” including the Great Tribulation, heavenly signs, and finally the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:5-34). …
Mark recorded the same account of this time from his perspective:
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit…” (Mark 13:3–11).
Thus, in both Matthew and Mark it is clear that a time called “the beginning of sorrows” precedes the Great Tribulation.
Notice that in Mark’s account he uses the term troubles. Troubles would seem to include economic and political problems, in addition to those specifically mentioned, such as wars, famines, natural disasters, and pestilences. …
Odd weather patterns result in food shortages and natural disasters. Matthew 24:7
The world is actually in a berserk transition, as the real age of peace is not yet here. It may be a period of chaos. It is the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:8
(Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect. Nazarene Books, 2009)
The above was published because it was consistent with Bible prophecy. We have been seeing odd weather patterns and the United Nations and others are concerned about related food shortages.
The Bible ties in practices of Sodom and Gomorrah with weather problems (e.g. Jeremiah 50:38-40).  The USA more and more is adopting the homosexual agenda (see, for one example, yesterday’s post US Supreme Court pushes homosexual marriage on Alabama).  Extreme weather should  be a wake-up call to repent.

Living Church of God's 10 Year Anniversary of Terry Ratzmann Shootings Approaching

The pictures that sent Bob Theil into meltdown mode because "so-called" Christians 
put up filthy pagan crosses to commemorate LCG's dead.


From a reader here:

March 12 of this year will be the 10th anniversary of the Brookfield shooting near Milwaukee, where LCG member Terry Ratzmann became so unhinged after hearing an LCG sermon that he went and got his gun and shot seven LCG members dead before committing suicide.

I hope some major media outlets are planning to commemorate this anniversary with coverage of the LCG cult, exposing its racism and its abuse of women and children and the elderly and vulnerable, all so Meredith and his family can live comfortably at the expense of the dumb sheep who keep sending money.

Remember, it's not the ministers who are sending in the money to perpetuate Meredith's racism, sexism, white superiority and insane biblical fundamentalism. It's the thousands of LCG members whose tithes and offerings make this possible. They are the enablers of this racist entity, and the blame finally lies at their feet.

So, I hope the major media cover the anniversary and do it with some good investigative reporting. Remember LCG spokesman John Ogwyn, who lied to the media and said LCG members like Ratzmann were allowed to seek doctors' care? That is the same John Ogwyn who died a few months later of an MRSA infection that any doctor could have easily treated, but that Ogwyn left in God's hands because of his cult's doctrines. How will LCG explain that away? Sure, they will lie, but facts speak louder than lies.

It has been well documented that Ratzmann was upset over one of Rod Meredith's sermons. Immediately after the shootings when word spread about Ratzmann's reaction to the sermon LCG scrubbed it from their web site.  Rod Meredith has always been known to run off at the mouth without thinking first.  His remaining months in the Worldwide Church of God was spent defending himself against a lawsuit for defaming Leona McNair in front of 700 some ministers of the WCG in Tuscon, Arizona.  The court ruled against him and the church had to pay Leona McNair a large settlement.





UPDATED: Rod Meredith Drives Out Last African American Members From Charlotte Church After Calling Them Pickaninnies and Other Derogatory Terms





The Living Church of God headquarters in Charlotte continues its downward spiral.  Everything that has been happening regarding the implosion of the Living Church of God HQ staff (and church) is tied directly to Rod Meredith's actions and words.

Rod Meredith has had a long history of saying racist and bigoted things, particularly when it comes to race.  The idea that he is STILL doing this in 2015 is disgusting beyond belief.  The report below states that Meredith refers to African Americans OFTEN as pickaninnies, that children of mixed marriages are BLOBS with no identity, and that whites will rise before blacks in resurrection.

I should say that I am shocked at his racist bullshit but I am not.  Its sad that a leader of a church in 2015 would be saying such things, particularly one who "claims" to follow something he calls "Jesus."  Because Meredith is a follower of the law and Old Testament rules and regulations he has no place in his heart for anything in regards to new covenant understanding.

Galatians 3:28The Message (MSG)

28-29 In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.

Galatians 3:28Common English Bible (CEB)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:28New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

28 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
 
This is the report I received:

There are now officially no black members left in the 225+ Charlotte LCG headquarters congregation. Apparently they found Rod Meredith's blatant and recurrent racially derogatory remarks to no longer be tolerable. He has referred to blacks as "pick-a-ninnies" multiple times during sermons. He preaches that whites will rise before blacks in the resurrection. He preaches that inter-racial marriage is "not good" and that the children on mixed couples are "blobs" with no identity. He preaches that God made blacks different from whites and gave them different strengths such as an ability to be more athletic while whites are typically more intellectual. He states these hateful, ignorant "facts" as if they are scientific and widely accepted. He truly believes in white superiority. Rod Meredith's history of racism is well recorded. It's no wonder that his church is whiter than Wonder bread. Yet, he fancies himself a "Christian". How is being a total racist letting Christ live in you Roddy? Wake up. It's no longer 1950. Your ignorance and hate are no longer acceptable

Why does Richard Ames and the REST of the ministry stand by and let him say this stuff?  Why don't ANY OF THEM have the where-with-all to stand up and say this is wrong?  Every minister in Living Church of God that does not speak out against Meredeth's racism is complicit with him.

UPDATE: The following response was received from an LCG member in Charlotte:

Well as often the case with the internet; social media... this source writes in absolutes as if it was true. It is not. Although it doesn't surprise me to see postings and comments leaning 'against' the general-COG in general But this post is but an outright fabrication. Here in Charlotte we've been holding steady numbers with a consistent diversity. Unless of course this all happened in the last two days. And although I've not heard every word spoken by Dr Meredith, I've not heard those words in all the years I've attended locally. This headline and its supporting post would be too easily dis-proven with the slightest research enough to ruin the credibility of those who use this outlet in support of their leanings. Not that it really matters. Cheers!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Garner Ted Armstrong On Members Being "...shriveled-up, rotten, vile, filthy, sinning hulks of rotting human flesh..."


The following quote was made by Garner Ted Armstrong many years ago.  This is the kind of stuff that the ministry, from HWA, Meredith, Waterhouse and most others shoved down out throats week after week.

" you come to really SEE yourself as you ARE--as GOD sees you--as a self-centered, hostile, shriveled-up, rotten, vile, filthy, sinning hulk of rotting human flesh, unworthy to breathe the free air God gives you! "
Is it any wonder that so many in Armstrongism have been permanently scared by this kind of deviate beliefs?  Low self-esteem was rampant in the church and still is today.  What is a person to do when they are told what filthy they are week in and week out.  When the constant mantra is that "you at never good enough" what hope does a person see in life?  That's what lead Terry Ratzmann to murder Living Church of God members in church on Saturday.  It leads to horrific child and spousal abuse and much, much more.

There are Facebook groups, with combined total memberships into the thousands, that are filled with people who have suffered from this abuse and openly speak about it.  Yet the favorite mantra there and elsewhere from present day COGlet members is, 'Get over it."  How does one get over being treated like a pile of steaming shit their entire church life?  Why do so many present day COG member continue to let their ministurds tell them the same thing today?

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Elijah Baghdad Dave Pack and His Difficulty In Leading By Example



It has been reported here and on other sites, including several Facebook sites, about Elijah Baghdad Pack's blatant hypocrisy in setting the example for his membership.  Elijah Baghdad Dave has been telling his members for many years now that everything that they own does NOT belong to them and them they need to sell it, mortgage it, or cash it in and send it to Elijah Baghdad Dave's HQ.  The broad majority of the membership did just that a few years ago.  Now, Elijah Baghdad Dave is doing it again.  He wants them to send them every penny that they can.

The question being asked now is "Will Elijah Baghdad Dave do the same?"  Elijah Baghdad Dave owns his home free and clear. Its in HIS name, not the Restored Church of God.

From a comment by Richard on a previous thread:
Thank you Ronco for doing the look up of the public land records on the title ownership of Pack's home. Then this indeed is scandalous on a couple of levels which is why I asked the question.

First, the obvious is that he is not following the example of God's end time Apostle Herbert Armstrong who owned nothing other than his suits, but controlled all WCG owned assets including his personal residence. To my knowledge, HWA's death did not probate a will because the WCG owned everything including his home.

Second, it is also obvious that Dave Pack is a hypocrite asking his members to mortgage homes and sell assets to fund "the work" of his RCG fear religion business. Dave does not lead by example and is unwilling to do what he threatens his membership with eternal damnation to do.

Third, and perhaps most telling regarding Pack's motives, is that his home titled in his own name would be insulated from any RCG bankruptcy proceedings should it occur. Unlike HWA, Pack has separated his home from the Church.

Not only does Elijah Baghdad Dave own his own home free and clear, many of the ministry do so as well.  Not a single one of them have mortgaged their homes.  They have not sold their homes either.  They also have not cashed in any retirement plans they have.  They keep every dime they earn when their sheeple below them struggle to survive.

Because Elijah Baghdad Dave has NEVER lead by example, what makes him think that hundreds if not thousands of COG members are out there waiting to jump ship to his superfantabulous personality cult?  Why would any COG  member, in their right mind, join up with Elijah Baghdad Dave?  No one can believe a  thing he says!

Gerald Flurry: Why Dancing A Jig On Friday Nights Is OK For His Grandchildren But Not For Regular Members



Those wild and crazy Irish dancing fun loving folk at the Philadelphia Church of God compound in Edmond Oklahoma have spent the last several years shoving Irish dance down the throats of its membership.  Church members who struggle to live a daily existence are watching in anger as the PCG elite (Flurry relatives) send their kids to expensive Irish dance lessons and competitions.  (See here, and here)  Flurry's grand-kids and other elite children have a royal dispensation from Flurry so they can compete on Friday nights, even though the membership is forbidden to do any such thing.

Flurry has several talented young men in his compound that are musicians whom he has been using to compose some of the most idiotic productions based upon Old Testament hero's imaginable.    In almost all of these productions Irish dance is included...as if these men danced such dances in their time period. They are incapable of producing anything about Jesus, but write musicals about OT prophets.

According to the following quote from a rabid Armstrongite who  feels Flurry has abandoned Herb's mantle to promote his own agendas, Lil' Stevie had to preach a sermon towards the end of the year telling the Edmond compound employees and members to stop whining about all the Irish dance.
These DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM (i.e., ministers who are of British descent) inside the Philadelphia Church of God have devoted themselves to “myths and endless genealogies.” With such devotion, they have promoted controversies among God’s people, one of which was the IRISH DANCE. This false doctrine which originated from the Druids has already put a BIG WEDGE among the members of the Philadelphia Church of God. As Evangelist Stephen Flurry noted in his December 2014 sermon titled, “Tip of the Iceberg,” He admonished the members in the PCG Headquarters Church in Edmond, Oklahoma about being deeply divided over the issue of the IRISH DANCE, wherein 50 percent of the membership does not agree with this type of dancing, that they are not setting a good example since they are the Headquarters Church.

One anonymous member from Edmond, Oklahoma has even noted that several of the PCG members in Edmond do not want to attend the musicals being produced in the Armstrong Auditorium. Commenting on the immaturity of a PCG Preaching Elder named Kirk Macdonald, this same member uttered:
“I’ve seen things like that here at HQs. It’s sickening! Church and the brethren should be a sanctuary. It’s not! There are so many social climbers! Even with the musicals, you should see how the actors and performers walk around at services, so much pride and vanity!
The IRISH DANCING and musicals have produced nothing but PRIDE and VANITY among the actors and performers! For emphasis, as noticed by Stephen Flurry, it has created a BIG WEDGE among the PCG members in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Apostle Paul was right when he said that FALSE DOCTRINES such as IRISH DANCE will only “promote controversies rather than God’s work–which is by faith.” Stephen Flurry even added another controversy on top of that “ICEBERG” sermon, he basically told his son Jude not to worry about the Sabbath while they are in the midst of an IRISH DANCE elimination round competition on supposedly on a Friday. Jude had some hesitation to proceed because he might be called to perform during a Friday sunset. Look at how Stephen has degraded spiritually that he was not even ashamed of speaking about it in his sermon!

Read rest of article here.