Who would have dreamed that this blog would have ever had 4,000,000 page views in its short history!
We have watched the slow death of Armstrongism over the last last 6 years since we started playing here in 2010. We have witnesses together the demolition of the church, both literally and spiritually. We have watched despots arise after self-appointing themselves after having some nightmares, to men who love to bastardize and worship the law more than Jesus, as we watch others sink further into mental illness. We even had one narcissistic mentally unstable buffoon threaten to sue us after sicking his babbo lap-poodle in Arkansas on us.
The felon Ron Weinland prophesied that I would die a painful death. Followers of Neville Stevens threatened to come to Los Angeles so they could personally slaughter me with a sword as they helped their fake jesus kill all critics. I offered to pick them up at LAX but they wimped out like all their ilk do.
We became the "go to" site for news on the corruption in the Living Church of God. Rod Meredith even publicly denounced us in a sermon which in turn brought in tens of thousands new hits. Now Living Church of God members come here for news on the church and to have a safe place to vent about current issues. LCG HQ mentors this site daily which I think is hysterical.
We have witnessed countless others that have found the freedom of leaving Armstrongism by having a safe space to share their concerns.
We are just one more in a long line of observers, blogs, web sites, books, and individuals that are holding the cult leaders of the Church of God movement accountable for their sheer stupidity. Thanks to Gavin with the Ambassador Watch, The Painful Truth, Silenced, As Bereans Did, Living Armstrongism, and many others. Together we hold the spiritual abusers to the grand stone! If they are dumb enough to say it, we will expose it!
So THANKS Almost Arrested Bob Thiel! Your bible thumping, crooked bookshelves and self appointed has provided an endless supply of fodder! You have proven to us what happens when a person takes their self too seriously. Keep it up Bro! Thanks to the Chief Pharisee and law bastardizer James Malm and his Wiccan side kick! Blessed Be! Thanks Rod Meredith...your endless obsession of sex and spiritual abuse has been unending! Thanks Dave Pack! You have single handedly defined what narcissism is to tens of thousands of people who STILL have not joined your cult. Thanks Gerald Flurry for showing us what alcoholism does to ones mental capacities. Thanks Vic Kubik and UCG as we watch one expensive epic failure after another.
Above all thanks to the readers and contributors here. Your experiences and words of wisdom have helped a lot of people! Thanks to Dennis for leading people to actually use their brains.
As we saunter into the end times of James Malm and Bob Thiel, we are sure to have much more to post there. Where would the Church of God be without these liars in our midst?
45 comments:
Yes, slowly dying... but too slow -- it's like sitting on the back porch watching weeds grow.
Congratulations on 4 million hits.
More power to you for keeping up the good work so long, at a time that many of us have gotten worn out and want to retire from the venue: It's a difficult road to hoe since the Armstrongists simply don't seem to be able to come to grips with the truth.
Congratulations on the success of your blog!! Hopefully it is still giving some the courage to escape the insanity. I anxiously await for the complete implosion of all these destructive splinters. They are a burden to their members.
The bible is a book of myth and confusion, mixed with some decent advice and sentiment. It is not a guide for those living in the 21st century. Leave the bible on the shelf and explore instead where it came from. It is not what you were taught.
Keep up the "Good News" about Gawds work! All those leaders saw the opulence of Herbert and wanted the same! But people are starting to see the BS for what it is!!
All power to "Banned".Please keep exposing the evil done by these groups in the name of God.Please keep exposing the lies,the abuse the deceitfulness,and mental issues that many in leadership positions within the cogs have.Please keep exposing the flawed doctrines that these groups adhere too as "Truth".Give them no rest!And finally thank you for this labour of love and service to so many.Many have been helped by this site and others.Many cogs dislike you,but the sad reality is that they hate "light".They hate freedom of information.They hate people thinking for themselves.These things are a threat to them.And too their "income stream".Keep up "the Work".Cheers.
Congratulations and thank you for all your work on this site.
If not for this silly site, COG members questioning their religion would probably spend their time on better (more informed and less shallow) anti-COG sites, and more of them would wake up faster. So this site is arguably doing more harm than good. It's mostly here so a relatively very few people can vent.
Four Million Hits???
I demand a recount! LOL!
Ah yes, another whiner who thinks no one visits this site. It makes no difference how many comment, that is a trend that happens on all blogs that a few comment while the brand majority reads. Every COG member SHOULD question their religion because it is NOT based upon Christ. Paying lip service at the end of an article or a few times a year around Passover does not make the COG a Christian church. LCG, PCG, RCG, CCOG, UCG, COGWA, the Malmites and the rest of them need to truly examine the beliefs of their groups and wake up and get out while you still have money left, your sanity and your vary life!
"LCG HQ mentors this site daily which I think is hysterical."
Hi Spanky!
Hysterical indeed- thanks for all the laughs. Congratulations!
Ronco
“Who would have dreamed that this blog would have ever had 4,000,000 page views in its short history!”
Congratulations!
Of course, most of those page views were probably just me coming back again and again to learn the Plain Truth about what is happening in the Wild World of Cults (WWC).
;-)
Anonymous on November 14, 2016 at 3:59 PM said...“If not for this silly site, COG members questioning their religion would probably spend their time on better (more informed and less shallow) anti-COG sites, and more of them would wake up faster. So this site is arguably doing more harm than good. It's mostly here so a relatively very few people can vent.”
Blah, blah, blah...but you will keep on coming back for more.
This “silly site” sure beats the satanic sites that the raging COG false prophets have produced. This site is much more entertaining and helpful than the sites of the money-hungry liars and family wreckers like Flurry, Pack, etc.
Congratulations on staying the course. Thank you Gary for the open access you gave me to process my own experience and share my own perspectives and awakening.
I remember the old Worldwide Church of God Alumni Forum, it seems like only yesterday, and all the solid information Gary used to share with us over there before he started this blog. And, here we are celebrating, 4 million clicks later! Way to go, Gary!
I would hope that rather than trying to diminish or dismiss what is accomplished here, and rather than attempting to find other than truthful explanations as to why this blog is so popular, resonating with so many members and ex-members, perhaps some of the ACOG defenders would get down to brass tacks by examining the concept of "toxic faith". This is a phenomenon which has been identified and studied, and it most certainly applies directly to Armstrongism, whether or not some insist on remaining in denial. There are several dedicated websites which could be very helpful to enquiring minds!
Here's to more accountability financially, ethically, and spiritually! The more, the better! Question false authority!
BB
Love this site. It's my second visit today. Through it, I'm able to keep up with COG insanity while remaining safely a long distance away and put in my two cents worth every so often. Watching the decline is easier when such good summaries are published so regularly. I don't know how long it will take for the whole insane mess to dry up and blow away, but at least, the dreams of grandeur so many narcissistic "leaders" had have been fading. Most of them won't be around for the eventual complete demolition.
Allen C. Dexter
Irresistible source of satire.
Certainly edgy toward the obviously dangerous splinters and a mirror toward the movement at large.
Comments from the "regulars" not for the faint hearted and perhaps at times offensive for the needy. The original Postings by the monitor nearly always "fair with an agenda".
A great work, as long as it remembers its "small beginnings" and does keep to its original mission statement. (the other blogs are also original and have their own authenticity and niche, great rapport is present but cooperation would diminish each individual authentic power)
nck
I find it hard to believe that there are still a few thousand people that still hold on to Armstrongism even after all the shrinkage that has happened over the last 3 decades. Mind control has a powerful hold on people. How sad.
"LCG HQ mentors this site daily which I think is hysterical."
(sad that they have to, its tragic, not funny...)
To any of you that still read your Bible.....
Are you following a M-A-N ? ? ?
Why do think you're fed those endless government sermons?
Who do your sermons point to?... God and Christ or a M-A-N?
Four million page views could be just the start. Keep it up and go for one hundred million page views.
This really could potentially become the “go to” site for information about the COGs. People from all the different groups, as well as those safely outside of them, could come here to learn about what is really happening and to share their own personal experiences. It is not right that former WCG members and others should now be kept in the dark and forbidden to learn the Plain Truth about the false and malicious religious leaders that have sprung up all over the COG scene.
This site could even help to fulfill Bible prophecy: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name” (Malachi 3:16, KJV).
The true church of God is made up
Of those that follow Christ. That church never implodes. It only prospers.
Ed, I think it's something like 40,000 total that still clings to Armstrongism.
You, BB and many others keep insisting on the fusion of every Herbie doctrine with biblical Christianity. They are not one and the same. This package dealing is intellectually dishonest.
There are many whose point of reference is the bible, and they agree with Herbie only to the extent that some teaching of his can be verified by scripture.
REALLY! And I quote:
"4 Million Hits Later as the Church of God Implodes"
"We have watched the slow death of Armstrongism over the last last 6 years since we started playing here in 2010."
LOL
https://hwalibrarycom.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/its-the-first-of-the-month-so-here-are-the-stats-for-hwalibrary-com-4
Slow death, Church of God Implodes! - I think not!
HWALibrary.com did almost ¾ of what Banned did in 6 years, just last month, almost 3 million hits for Oct. 2016!
Banned HWA is for entertainment purposes ONLY, for a few COGers!
We can see where God’s people go regularly.
Mark Scarborough
Dude! Why are you always so angry? God's people? I see God in my Catholic neighbors, my Buddhists friends down the block. I see him in a Muslim woman that helps feed the poor and the homeless in the neighborhood. God's church was never lost for 1,900 years nor was its message or grace and reconciliation. Being whores to the law does not make one a Christian. Herbert Armstrong revealed nothing new except for the stuff he invented. I can't help but reflect at how appropriate the lectionary reading was this week. It applies particularly well to Herbert Armstrong and his legion of liars that are abusing church members around the world. Mark, you have no grounds that allow you to be gloating about anything, particularly when it comes to the heretical bullshit of Armstrongism. Take the blinders off, dude!
Luke 21:5-19
21:5 When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said,
21:6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
21:7 They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
21:8 And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, 'I am he!' and, 'The time is near!' Do not go after them.
21:9 "When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately."
21:10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom;
21:11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
21:12 "But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name.
Party Pooper Mark.
True Hwa and armstrongism is far more interesting than is represented on this blog and increasingly relevant in this time of global american power transition to the germans and russians in preserving western values.
But hey give it a chance. Donald Trump was dismissed in the days of small beginnings and see how fringe becomes mainstream.
Nck
Mark, HWALibrary.com is just the old church material.
Members have been hearing that old material for decades, yet at the end of the day are still morally confused.
Mark, like all of those who check out his page are still stuck in 1986 or earlier. They are unable to relate to 2016, and still know very little about Jesus. Herbert W Armstrong and the law are their saviors.
Nck, 'western values' are freedom, rights and reason. Germany and Russia (and the Armstrongites) have a history of opposing both.
Self-Righteous condescending Scarborough. Some things never change!
Anonymous pot-shotter @ 8:16 - - - BB insisting on "the fusion of every Herbie doctrine with Christianity". What do you even mean by that? I left Armstrongism in 1975, when Jesus failed to keep the personal appearance booking that HWA had lied to us about. I became an atheist, then modulated my stance into agnosticism, and finally returned to belief along the general lines of mainstream Christianity. I believe you cannot fuse HWA's doctrines with Christianity, because HWA was a false teacher. If you want to be more accurate, you should amend your statement as follows: "BB insisting on the diffusing of every Herbie doctrine through real Christianity"
BB
Mark Scarborough said:
"Banned HWA is for entertainment purposes ONLY, for a few COGers!"
More like enter-trainment and re-adjustment from the "group think".
Cut those puppet strings, Mark!
DBP
Every time I read a comment by Mark Scarborough, I feel that I'm back in the school yard. Mark is the court jester of BannedHWA. His comments are comic relief.
BB what Herbie taught was a blend of truth and error. You use the label of Armstrongism as a club to attack some bible truths, especially bible prophecies that are there in my bible. You have ripped out the book of Revelation from your bible, I haven't. Ian Boyne hides his irrational beliefs behind the label of racism and white privilege, whilst you do the same with the Armstrongism label. Not everything Herbie taught was wrong.
Whether this is intentional or not, Mark seems to be here to differentiate himself from the members of his family who launched the lawsuit, and also to advance his personal ministry.
There isn't a very encouraging history of personal ministries within the church of god realm. Most seem to trend along the lines of the Bob Thiel pattern.
"Anonymous said...
BB what Herbie taught was a blend of truth and error."
No, sorry, wrong.
He got everything wrong.
And he left a legacy of Armstrongism, which is being wrong at the top of its voice.
What, Mark has a personal ministry?? You're kidding, right?
To Mark Scarborough,
I'm glad that HWALibrary exists, and I hope it will be around for a long time to come.
My family- and also extended family and friends- have found it useful for looking up and confirming the crazy that is Armstrongism.
Make no mistake: All of those hundreds of visits have had nothing to do with agreeing with what is posted there. The "HWALibrary" has been a great tool to show that Armstrongism is nuts, and with a little extracurricular nudjing, has helped several people I know of to leave the realm of Armstrongist beliefs.
Thanks for being a valuable tool, Mark, and please do your best to keep that "library" up and running.
I too visit the HWAlibrary site to remind me to never again allow myself to follow the delusional rantings of heretical cult leader. Mark's repostings prove to the world what a theologically bankrupt man Armstrong was. So keep it up, he who is the one who did NOT sue Rod Meredith. We love ya Bro!
"You have ripped out the book of Revelation from your bible."
Good idea, not to mention the book of Daniel, too, even though many kooks like them.
"What, Mark has a personal ministry?? You're kidding, right?"
Just like Bob thiel, Mark self appointed himself as the caretaker of all things Herb and feels he has a higher calling now. Many in LCG find his idolatry quit disturbing, which is says a lot!
Revelation almost never made it in the cannon of the Bible. It has always been suspect. So of course the the end time malarkyists love to latch on to it as all truth. The use of metaphor and myth has no place in the mind of an Armstrongite. They cannot wrap their heads around that.
10.07AM I, like any others, wrap my head around answered prayer confirming the book of Revelation and its prophecies. Herbie has nothing to do with it.
It's not the book of Revelation that I have a problem with. No reason to hate it or to throw it away. I've studied it, read all the footnotes in various study Bibles, and have books on it in my personal library written by other scholars. It's what HWA did to it, and how he used it that I object to. It's not the rod of iron that triumphs in the end. It is "lamb power".
BB
obviously the Church of God has yet to implode, else you would have no reason to scoff; and regarding the using of ones brain: might i remind you that despite your emphasis on using your brains, brains rot as does road kill, but the Word of God Endures for ever...
Ah yes, forget that the numbers of PCG, LCG, RCG, and others are shrinking. Forget the brain rot of Dave Pack, Bob Thiel, James Malm, Gerald Flurry, Rod Meredith and others.
The Word of God has never been lost. It was never lost for 1,900 years as HWA lied about. It was never revealed again in the 1930's to Herbert Armstrong.
The Church of god today is splintered into 400-700 different groups now with none of them willing to cooperate and do any "work" that is of significance. Pack is not, Meredith is not, Flurry is not, Malm is not, Thiel certainly is not, UCG is not, COGWA is not,...the list could go on and on. Each one claims they are the best while acting like the worst. If you want to stick your head in the ground and imagine that the church is growing and doing anything of importance then be my guest. Everyone knows it is not.
What I find ironic is that Mark Scarborough came here and somewhat demeaned his own brother and sister in-law in an effort to make himself look BETTER than them, but in so doing has actually made himself look WORSE.
When I read the letters from Patrick and Elizabeth I could feel their sincerity and pain. When I read something form Mark all I feel is his self-righteousness, arrogance and immaturity.
I'm aware of the divided opinions regarding the lawsuit but I for one was glad that someone finally stood up to Rod Meredith's abusive behavior.
It's sad to see that THE SCARBOROUGH'S (yes Mark, I mean Patrick and Elizabeth but I'm going to continue to refer to them as 'the Scarborough's' in spite of you) own family members have turned their backs on them. This is precisely the type of behavior I have come to expect from Armstronites. They will turn their backs on friends and family in a heartbeat for the stupidest of reasons and all think they are demonstrating the "love of Christ" in so doing. They are completely blind. Armstongism is the least loving group of people I have ever encountered.
Maybe THE SCARBOROGH'S should be the ones distancing themselves from Mark's crazy rants and his little library.
As a side note, it's obvious that Mark is using Banned for free advertising. I'm sure his site gets hits every time he posts on here. All publicity is good or so they say. I hate it that peple are feeding his ego by visiting his site.
NO2HWA said...“If you want to stick your head in the ground and imagine that the church is growing and doing anything of importance then be my guest. Everyone knows it is not.”
The so-called COGs today are a complete disaster. They think they are doing better than ever, even as they split up and shrink smaller than ever. The current false prophets are by far the worst of all. The more someone like Flurry or Pack goes satanic, the more new truth they think they have made up.
“You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17, NIV).
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