Exposing the underbelly of Armstrongism in all of its wacky glory! Nothing you read here is made up. What you read here is the up to date face of Herbert W Armstrong's legacy. It's the gritty and dirty behind the scenes look at Armstrongism as you have never seen it before!
With all the new crazy self-appointed Chief Overseers, Apostles, Prophets, Pharisees, legalists, and outright liars leading various Churches of God today, it is important to hold these agents of deception accountable.
Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
You guys are disgusting! Why don't you shut your filthy dog mouths and let the man Rest In Peace.
The answer is found in Ezekiel 13:10. "They have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace."
LCG is a viper's nest of corruption and hypocrisy, exactly as Spanky made it to be. Weston wants to delay the organization's inevitable decline by creating a false image of peace and harmony among the ministry and members, but that's all it is, a false image. LCG is about to reap what Spanky sowed.
At the end, when they show RCM's name on screen and his death date (1930 - 2017) there's about ten seconds of applause. That's either really poor editing, or they're admitting that they're happy RCM is gone. Very strange.
Also notice the ministerial politics underway. Dr. Doug Winnail appears to be sinking, as he is stuck behind at least three lower-ranked ministers in giving his comments.
That has to be one of the most vomit inducing videos I have ever seen a COG produce about their leader. It is filled with the proper trigger words of the cult leadership. A TRUE Philadelphian he was not!
Where are the stories fo the human lives he has shattered over the decades? Where are the stories of the men and women who suffered because of his humiliating comments with the Man Power papers? What about the people slaughtered in Milwaukee because his doom and gloom sermons pushed Terry Ratzmann over the edge? What about the parents he told to kick their sons and daughters out of the house? What about the gay church members who had to listen to his homophobic bullshit? What about the female members of his classes who were constantly embarrassed and humiliated by his endless fascination with sex?
I cannot respect a man who has used the Bible as a weapon to make church members lives a living hell.
The question is, Was RCM sincere in his beliefs or not? I do not stand in judgement of him but merely question his sincerity? It is possible that he was himself so convinced that what he taught was the real truth that even though he clearly abused his followers, he didn't realize he was abusing them. The bottom line is that during his years as a leader in the Armstrong religion he abused many whether he realized it as abuse or not? I am neither saddened or happy of his demise. I doubt that his passing will have much of an effect on the Armstrong religion.
ANON wrote: "Where are the stories fo the human lives he has shattered over the decades? Where are the stories of the men and women who suffered because of his humiliating comments with the Man Power papers? What about the people slaughtered in Milwaukee because his doom and gloom sermons pushed Terry Ratzmann over the edge? "
Rod was a hypocrite. By his fruits it's obvious that he didn't believe Gods laws worked and practical. He always reverted to bully behaviour when a problem arose. His repetitive, baby food sermons proves that he didn't grow as a Christian, and unworthy of the title Dr.
10.57 AM, a public figure has no right to be left alone, even in death. It goes with the territory of power, status and money. With his tyrannical behaviour, he certainly didn't leave others alone. He doesn't have a right to a double standard. Your harsh words should be directed at Rod rather than his victims.
When RCM was "walking with God" during his final trial, did he reach out and seek forgiveness from the Scarboroughs, or Charles Bryce, or any of the hundreds and thousands of people he had hurt with his lies? No, he did not.
He died unrepentant.
Gerald Weston, though, says RCM is his mentor and role model. Expect more of the same from LCG.
Ed asks whether Rod realized that he was abusing others. There are books on this topic written by psychologists whose life work is studying difficult people. The answer these professionals give is yes, they know that they are abusing others and that it's considered wrong. So no, Rod wasn't ignorant or naïve or deceived. One book on this topic is George Simons 'In sheeps clothing.'
i dont condone the mocking of dr. merediths death by any means, but the fact is he is apparently responsible for much suffering, and clearly he had not reconciled himself to this fact; subsequently there will be those whom he has negatively affected making their feelings known...
the most significant witness to the mans flawed character and negative effect was mr. armstrong himself: he refused to endorse meredith as his successor, depite the fact that he seemed to be the obvious heir apparent...
mr. armstrong rejected the man cuz he simply was too mean spirited and callous...having said this: dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
Dr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about New Moons. The Scarborough family members were early advocates of New Moons observance, and instead of telling these big donors "No" he went on record many times as in favor of some kind of New Moons observance, which ended up dividing the church.
Dr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about the Falling Away. Instead of telling Dr. Doug Winnail "No" he accepted a confusing new teaching that to this day divides the LCG ministry, many of whom in private admit they don't believe it.
Dr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about the Marriage Supper. Instead of telling Mr. Ames "No" he accepted a confusing new teaching that goes against what HWA taught, requiring a "non-rapture Rapture" almost like what Dave Pack now teaches, and completely changing the emphasis of the reward of the saints as well as the role of Heaven and God's throne.
By making these doctrinal changes, Dr. Meredith also made it impossible for LCG to become unified with other ACOG groups. Any LCG minister who goes with COGWA or UCG will need to renounce some of what he taught as doctrine while in LCG. Dr. Meredith's legacy to the church, then, was one of confusion and division, not of staying the course on doctrine.
10.37 PM Your conclusion that Rod 'stayed the course on doctrine' is debatable. In my view, he was Pharisaic in this regard. Endless sermons on church government meant that members lives were micro managed by tyrannical ministers. Food one cannot eat is worthless, a car one cannot drive is worthless, money one cannot spend is worthless, cloths one cannot wear is worthless etc. By lording it over members lives, Rods church invalidated members character, beliefs, convictions, and every good trait. Rods tyranny even made worshiping God of no effect since people couldn't give physical expression to this virtue. To learn how to ride a bicycle, one must get onto the bike, to learn how to swim, one must get into the water. Likewise, by micromanaging members lives, Rod robbed his members the ability to grow as individuals and Christians. Rod reduced his members to living human shells. Teaching correct doctrines is meaningless if members have been robbed of their lives. Rod deserves to eternally die.
Anon 10:37 PM (May 28) said: dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
There is no redeeming value for staying the course with the Armstrong doctrines. It was because of those doctrines that he continued with his alleged bad behavior against people such as the Scarborough's and the other people LCG had disfellowshipped between 2013 to 2015.
and regarding the issue of doctrine being the blame: i think that the underlying biblical doctrine is not the blame, but the character flaws of these men were what is to be blamed...
"Few here spoke well of him in life. Why should it be different in death?"
So true! It's not easy to speak anything good about totalitarian dictators. As far as his being eternally dead, I think that's the reality we all face. When I'm gone, I'll be gone for good just like all those life forms of the past and those to come in the future. Looking for eternal existence is a carrot dangled before us in many forms to help people deal with the inevitability of death and keep the purveyors of that dream in power and control.
The major doctrinal problem Meredith had was with government. By insisting on the non-Biblical model of top-down government, he had a constant struggle with dictatorial tendencies. Using the principle that "we should all speak the same things", he tried to impose doctrinal unity on issues like new moons, eating out on the Sabbath, timing of the Old Testament Passover, etc., rather than allow Christians of good conscience to worship God as they saw fit.
Why not encourage people to worship together in spite of their differences, as long as they don't cause division, sow discord, or offend the little ones? Let people choose to wash each other's feet, choose to support each other in their Christian walk, choose to worship together in SPITE of their differences. Meredith didn't allow this kind of unity. No, he insisted on unity by coercion, not by choice.
When anybody dies, most people review that person's life and determine whether his or her interactions with them have been for net good or net bad. Many factors come into play, and it becomes more complicated with someone who has been handed to them as a religious authority figure. Often, they end up expressing what they are "supposed to" feel about the departed person, rather than the emotions that their interactions with him have actually triggered. Unfortunately, Herbert Armstrong and his system turned his enforcers into flaming assholes whom nobody could actually like, but were commanded to love, respect, and above all things, obey.
If we consider the premise that God expected Armstrongism to resist the Tkach corrections, then Rod Meredith, as "third in command" would most likely have been the one expected to lead the charge. But, Rod had already shot himself in the foot via his libel and slander of Leona McNair. Rather than go forward on principle and faith, he waited and allowed the "new" WCG to pick up the tab for the lawsuit as third and fourth string pretenders started 600-700 splinters. Then, he presided over the financial debacle known as the Global Church of God. By that point in time, any hope for unity in the remaining Armstrong movement had been totally destroyed. You could argue that his fear and ineptness did as much to destroy the Armstrong empire as anything that was done by Joe Tkach Sr. or Jr.
All that remains is to watch what happens to the LCG now. Optimism on cue by demand generally is not very long lasting.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, he prayed for unity, not uniformity. With regards to church government, it appears that most of the churches were stand alone with elders chosen from among the congregations, not from Headquarters. As for ranks, the passage listing apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers refers to duties, not hierarchy, as is seen in the military. These people were working side by side, not top to bottom.
11.43 AM Rods unity by coercion isn't unity in the true sense. It just people pretending, wearing a skin deep mask. This is another example of ministers not comprehending adulthood. They are mentally stuck in the schoolyard.
"I can't believe all the dumb ideas on here. The main thing this blog proves is that people are dumb and deceitful. "
Someone like this will never come back to clarify exactly which ideas are "dumb" because they can't. They are blind and deceived so the truth alludes them but everything I've read in this feed is accurate and I was in LCG for 14 years so I would know.
HEY MEAT! ---- Meet the Living Church of God !
ReplyDeleteYou guys are disgusting! Why don't you shut your filthy dog mouths and let the man Rest In Peace.
DeleteFew here spoke well of him in life. Why should it be different in death?
DeleteCareful!
ReplyDeleteMe like um meat!
Tarzan
Smells like dead meat.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that LCG doesn't seem to be live-streaming the memorial service for Dr. Meredith - not even using Facebook Live.
ReplyDeleteIf they keep the camera focused on the lectern, like at most services, should family privacy really be an issue?
You guys are disgusting! Why don't you shut your filthy dog mouths and let the man Rest In Peace.
ReplyDeleteThe answer is found in Ezekiel 13:10. "They have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace."
LCG is a viper's nest of corruption and hypocrisy, exactly as Spanky made it to be. Weston wants to delay the organization's inevitable decline by creating a false image of peace and harmony among the ministry and members, but that's all it is, a false image. LCG is about to reap what Spanky sowed.
It's not much better if you meet the Living Church of God through their own video:
ReplyDeleteRoderick C. Meredith - A Life of Faith
At the end, when they show RCM's name on screen and his death date (1930 - 2017) there's about ten seconds of applause. That's either really poor editing, or they're admitting that they're happy RCM is gone. Very strange.
Also notice the ministerial politics underway. Dr. Doug Winnail appears to be sinking, as he is stuck behind at least three lower-ranked ministers in giving his comments.
It's NASCAR weekend in Charlotte. Hopefully the funeral is over early enough so that LCG members can make it to the track in time for the races.
ReplyDeleteBB
Anon 1:11
ReplyDeleteThat has to be one of the most vomit inducing videos I have ever seen a COG produce about their leader. It is filled with the proper trigger words of the cult leadership. A TRUE Philadelphian he was not!
Where are the stories fo the human lives he has shattered over the decades? Where are the stories of the men and women who suffered because of his humiliating comments with the Man Power papers? What about the people slaughtered in Milwaukee because his doom and gloom sermons pushed Terry Ratzmann over the edge? What about the parents he told to kick their sons and daughters out of the house? What about the gay church members who had to listen to his homophobic bullshit? What about the female members of his classes who were constantly embarrassed and humiliated by his endless fascination with sex?
I cannot respect a man who has used the Bible as a weapon to make church members lives a living hell.
The question is, Was RCM sincere in his beliefs or not? I do not stand in judgement of him but merely question his sincerity? It is possible that he was himself so convinced that what he taught was the real truth that even though he clearly abused his followers, he didn't realize he was abusing them. The bottom line is that during his years as a leader in the Armstrong religion he abused many whether he realized it as abuse or not? I am neither saddened or happy of his demise. I doubt that his passing will have much of an effect on the Armstrong religion.
ReplyDeleteANON wrote: "Where are the stories fo the human lives he has shattered over the decades? Where are the stories of the men and women who suffered because of his humiliating comments with the Man Power papers? What about the people slaughtered in Milwaukee because his doom and gloom sermons pushed Terry Ratzmann over the edge? "
ReplyDeleteWhy there at the Painful Truth. Rod Meredith goes to his final reward.
Rod was a hypocrite. By his fruits it's obvious that he didn't believe Gods laws worked and practical. He always reverted to bully behaviour when a problem arose. His repetitive, baby food sermons proves that he didn't grow as a Christian, and unworthy of the title Dr.
ReplyDelete10.57 AM, a public figure has no right to be left alone, even in death. It goes with the territory of power, status and money. With his tyrannical behaviour, he certainly didn't leave others alone. He doesn't have a right to a double standard. Your harsh words should be directed at Rod rather than his victims.
Did I say that he won't be in the kingdom.
When RCM was "walking with God" during his final trial, did he reach out and seek forgiveness from the Scarboroughs, or Charles Bryce, or any of the hundreds and thousands of people he had hurt with his lies? No, he did not.
ReplyDeleteHe died unrepentant.
Gerald Weston, though, says RCM is his mentor and role model. Expect more of the same from LCG.
Whew!!! Made the NASCAR!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't make the funeral though.
Too busy rushing to clean out the toilet so that I can watch the races on time!
Ed asks whether Rod realized that he was abusing others. There are books on this topic written by psychologists whose life work is studying difficult people. The answer these professionals give is yes, they know that they are abusing others and that it's considered wrong. So no, Rod wasn't ignorant or naïve or deceived.
ReplyDeleteOne book on this topic is George Simons 'In sheeps clothing.'
i dont condone the mocking of dr. merediths death by any means, but the fact is he is apparently responsible for much suffering, and clearly he had not reconciled himself to this fact; subsequently there will be those whom he has negatively affected making their feelings known...
ReplyDeletethe most significant witness to the mans flawed character and negative effect was mr. armstrong himself: he refused to endorse meredith as his successor, depite the fact that he seemed to be the obvious heir apparent...
mr. armstrong rejected the man cuz he simply was too mean spirited and callous...having said this: dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
ReplyDeleteDr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about New Moons. The Scarborough family members were early advocates of New Moons observance, and instead of telling these big donors "No" he went on record many times as in favor of some kind of New Moons observance, which ended up dividing the church.
Dr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about the Falling Away. Instead of telling Dr. Doug Winnail "No" he accepted a confusing new teaching that to this day divides the LCG ministry, many of whom in private admit they don't believe it.
Dr. Meredith confused the church with his new doctrinal ideas about the Marriage Supper. Instead of telling Mr. Ames "No" he accepted a confusing new teaching that goes against what HWA taught, requiring a "non-rapture Rapture" almost like what Dave Pack now teaches, and completely changing the emphasis of the reward of the saints as well as the role of Heaven and God's throne.
By making these doctrinal changes, Dr. Meredith also made it impossible for LCG to become unified with other ACOG groups. Any LCG minister who goes with COGWA or UCG will need to renounce some of what he taught as doctrine while in LCG. Dr. Meredith's legacy to the church, then, was one of confusion and division, not of staying the course on doctrine.
10.37 PM
ReplyDeleteYour conclusion that Rod 'stayed the course on doctrine' is debatable. In my view, he was Pharisaic in this regard. Endless sermons on church government meant that members lives were micro managed by tyrannical ministers. Food one cannot eat is worthless, a car one cannot drive is worthless, money one cannot spend is worthless, cloths one cannot wear is worthless etc.
By lording it over members lives, Rods church invalidated members character, beliefs, convictions, and every good trait. Rods tyranny even made worshiping God of no effect since people couldn't give physical expression to this virtue.
To learn how to ride a bicycle, one must get onto the bike, to learn how to swim, one must get into the water. Likewise, by micromanaging members lives, Rod robbed his members the ability to grow as individuals and Christians.
Rod reduced his members to living human shells. Teaching correct doctrines is meaningless if members have been robbed of their lives.
Rod deserves to eternally die.
Anon 10:37 PM (May 28) said: dr. meredith still stayed the course on doctrine, and that has some redeeming value; it certainly kept the Church going...
ReplyDeleteThere is no redeeming value for staying the course with the Armstrong doctrines. It was because of those doctrines that he continued with his alleged bad behavior against people such as the Scarborough's and the other people LCG had disfellowshipped between 2013 to 2015.
yet, despite all the criticism, much of it justified, the Church of God Endures...
ReplyDeletefrom the days of Samuel the Church has had flawed leaderds; despite this it remains, and will Endure until The Return...
and regarding the issue of doctrine being the blame: i think that the underlying biblical doctrine is not the blame, but the character flaws of these men were what is to be blamed...
ReplyDelete"Few here spoke well of him in life. Why should it be different in death?"
ReplyDeleteSo true! It's not easy to speak anything good about totalitarian dictators. As far as his being eternally dead, I think that's the reality we all face. When I'm gone, I'll be gone for good just like all those life forms of the past and those to come in the future. Looking for eternal existence is a carrot dangled before us in many forms to help people deal with the inevitability of death and keep the purveyors of that dream in power and control.
Allen C. Dexter
Few here spoke well of him on earth. Why should it be different in heaven?
ReplyDeleteBy 'few here' you mean all six of them right
DeleteThe major doctrinal problem Meredith had was with government. By insisting on the non-Biblical model of top-down government, he had a constant struggle with dictatorial tendencies. Using the principle that "we should all speak the same things", he tried to impose doctrinal unity on issues like new moons, eating out on the Sabbath, timing of the Old Testament Passover, etc., rather than allow Christians of good conscience to worship God as they saw fit.
ReplyDeleteWhy not encourage people to worship together in spite of their differences, as long as they don't cause division, sow discord, or offend the little ones? Let people choose to wash each other's feet, choose to support each other in their Christian walk, choose to worship together in SPITE of their differences. Meredith didn't allow this kind of unity. No, he insisted on unity by coercion, not by choice.
When anybody dies, most people review that person's life and determine whether his or her interactions with them have been for net good or net bad. Many factors come into play, and it becomes more complicated with someone who has been handed to them as a religious authority figure. Often, they end up expressing what they are "supposed to" feel about the departed person, rather than the emotions that their interactions with him have actually triggered. Unfortunately, Herbert Armstrong and his system turned his enforcers into flaming assholes whom nobody could actually like, but were commanded to love, respect, and above all things, obey.
ReplyDeleteIf we consider the premise that God expected Armstrongism to resist the Tkach corrections, then Rod Meredith, as "third in command" would most likely have been the one expected to lead the charge. But, Rod had already shot himself in the foot via his libel and slander of Leona McNair. Rather than go forward on principle and faith, he waited and allowed the "new" WCG to pick up the tab for the lawsuit as third and fourth string pretenders started 600-700 splinters. Then, he presided over the financial debacle known as the Global Church of God. By that point in time, any hope for unity in the remaining Armstrong movement had been totally destroyed. You could argue that his fear and ineptness did as much to destroy the Armstrong empire as anything that was done by Joe Tkach Sr. or Jr.
All that remains is to watch what happens to the LCG now. Optimism on cue by demand generally is not very long lasting.
BB
Jesus prayed for his disciples, he prayed for unity, not uniformity. With regards to church government, it appears that most of the churches were stand alone with elders chosen from among the congregations, not from Headquarters. As for ranks, the passage listing apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors/teachers refers to duties, not hierarchy, as is seen in the military. These people were working side by side, not top to bottom.
ReplyDelete11.43 AM
ReplyDeleteRods unity by coercion isn't unity in the true sense. It just people pretending, wearing a skin deep mask. This is another example of ministers not comprehending adulthood. They are mentally stuck in the schoolyard.
I can't believe all the dumb ideas on here. The main thing this blog proves is that people are dumb and deceitful.
ReplyDelete6.46 PM
ReplyDeleteIn that case, why don't you enlighten us with your correct un-dumb and un-deceitful ideas. We're waiting??
"I can't believe all the dumb ideas on here. The main thing this blog proves is that people are dumb and deceitful. "
ReplyDeleteSomeone like this will never come back to clarify exactly which ideas are "dumb" because they can't. They are blind and deceived so the truth alludes them but everything I've read in this feed is accurate and I was in LCG for 14 years so I would know.