I just received the following concerning Ian Boyne. I have appreciated Ian's willingness to talk across the divide that seems to separate those in Armstrongism. We have had several good private conversations.
Prayers for a speedy recovery!
Veteran journalist and deputy chief executive officer of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Ian Boyne was yesterday rushed to hospital following a heart attack and is in a medically induced coma, a member of his family has confirmed.
A source close to the Jamaica Observer reported that Boyne, in his 60s, suffered a cardiac event last year.
“The family appreciates the concern of the public and asks for your continued prayers,” a brief release from JIS said yesterday.
The highly respected and internationally acclaimed journalist whose career in all facets of media spans 30 years, is most known for his personality television series Profile — the longest running seasonal show on local television. It features successful and remarkable personalities, many of whom overcame significant hardships.
Profile celebrated 30 years this March, earning Boyne many accolades, including congratulations from Prime Minister Andrew Holness who said it was admirable that the programme, which represents “the power of good journalism”, was still on air when internationally, successful programmes rarely surpass 25 years.
Boyne, arguably a self-made success, published a book on the series in 2013 titled Profile of Excellence: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement from 25 Years of interviewing Remarkable People', co-written with author and motivational speaker Glenford Smith. At the time it was published, Boyne had already done 1,300 interviews on Profile.
The launch ceremony at King's House on April 10, 2013 was peppered with high profile Jamaicans including then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, and former prime ministers Edward Seaga and Bruce Golding.
Boyne is also popularly known for a weekly unorthodox television show ReligiousHardtalk, newspaper columns, and other writings. He has also published IdeasMatter, a compilation of some of his print media work.
Jamaica Observer
38 comments:
Best wishes to Mr. Boyne for a speedy recovery.
My condolence to his family.
Strangely there's no Wikipedia or similar article on his life on the web. I couldn't even find his age, other than that indicated by his being a journalist for 42 years.
Totally shocking on many levels. Ian brings a tremendous amount of balance and sanity to the Armstrong movement. He will most certainly be in my prayers.
BB
We're supposed to pray for cult leaders?
Am I supposed to care? None of the cult leaders cared how much they made me suffer when I lived, and when I die they will heap contempt on me, telling their flocks I'm bound for the lake of fire and deserving every second of it, more evil than queers, transgenders, abortionists, serial rapists, and mass killers. All because I expose their lies.
Totally shocking on many levels.
Spare us the drama and pretense.
Ian brings a tremendous amount of balance and sanity to the Armstrong movement.
There you go, whitewashing Armstrongism again.
Cry me a river. These ministers hate those who expose their lies.
I hope Ian Boyne recovers.
The craziest comment ever on this blog is the one about "trying to whitewash Ian".
Anyhow I wish him well.
nck
We'll be praying for him.
Christians should be concerned for the welfare of everyone - even those we consider sinners, enemies or persecutors. If you're not a Christian, then you can hate/despise whomever and wish them ill. Christianity is supposed to be about forgiveness, mercy and compassion.
I personally would not call Ians social justice Christianity 'balance and sanity.'
Ian was refreshing, and one of the few ministers who was willing to confront the many issues and problems that the COG has endured over the years, without denying that they exist. He seemed like a healthy and energetic person, so this news is very surprising. My prayer and hope that he can recover from this major life threat.
Prayers for Ian's speedy recovery.
Ian Boyne is a man of class and principles. I don’t agree with his Armstrong backing but he is a gentleman. My prayers are for his recovery. Other acog ministers could learn from him.
Byker Bob wrote:
Ian brings a tremendous amount of balance and sanity to the Armstrong movement.
I suppose you would applaud Fumihiro Joyu, who brings a tremendous amount of balance and sanity to the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult movement? Why can't we acknowledge that Boyne invested his life in Armstrongism and wants to keep the parts that let him keep his position, his world, and worldview intact, instead of humbly admitting that it's almost all a crock of shit.
after reading some of Ian's contributions to this site, he seemed like a genuine and intelligent person. If everyone was like him in the churches of god it probably wouldn't have fallen apart. I had the feeling that I would be able to talk to him personally without being worried about what I said. I do hope he recovers. Somehow I don't see him as a part of Armstrongism, more like an independent.
Miller Jones
Try reading the book of Psalms. Your 'mercy, forgiveness and compassion' needs to be qualified. The purpose of Christianity is not, I repeat, is not to create a paradise for sinners.
Will be keeping him in our prayers.
Some of you guys aren't seeing the big picture. We'd all like to see Armstrongism either change or go away overnight. The Tkaches tried the complete change approach, and we all see what happened. When the prophecies continually fail, members don't even blink.
Look at the ridiculous farce that members must choose amongst. Weinland, Pack, Flurry, Led Zeph, and others are spewing forth new and ridiculous details for an already implausible prophecy mold even as they ordain themselves to new offices or claim to be Biblical characters, and demand ever more usurious "tithes" and offerings.
The only way Armstrongism will change is gradually, and at the hand of someone who openly acknowledges that there are historic problems, and the founders were corrupt. You need a person who is more sane, rational, even handed with authority, someone who is open and leads by example. There are only a handful of such people within the ACOG community. Ian Boyne has shown himself to be the primary exemplar of that behavior. We don't need to give up on the goal of the Zombies going away, it's just going to be a more gradual process. 100 years from now, someone else will read up on William Miller, and probably start a new enterprise, after which the process will repeat itself. Bummer for humanity, but that's just the way humanity rolls.
BB
Anonymous,
I have read the Psalms. God's love, compassion and mercy is limitless and unqualified. And, Christianity is ALL about creating a paradise for sinners (and please think about what I just said before you reply to this comment - I'm not playing gotcha).
I do not recall, does Mr. Boyne preach the triple tithe?
Miller Jones said on Dec. 5 at 2:20 AM:
"If you're not a Christian, then you can hate/despise whomever and wish them ill."
Miller, I think you phrased that wrong. You must mean, "If you hate/despise anybody, then you're not really a Christian."
The way you said it sounds like it's normal for all non-Christians to be hate-filled monsters, sort of the "If you're not with us, you're against us" fallacy. However, none of the Buddhists, Secular Humanists, Baha'i, Unitarians, or Jews I know consider it justifiable to hate people and wish them ill.
Retired Professor,
I certainly meant to suggest that hating others and wishing them ill are not traits which are considered acceptable in Christians. I am sorry that my statement sounded to you like I was saying that "it's normal for all non-Christians to be hate-filled monsters." I agree with you that many moral codes incorporate things like compassion, mercy and forgiveness; and I would never state/imply/suggest that "If you're not with us, you're against us." My comments were meant to address the preceding hateful comments about Mr. Boyne and his health on this Armstrong Church of God related blog (a group that claims to be Christian). Compassion is not exclusive to Christianity, but being a Christian demands it.
I'm thinking Adolf is responsible for 7:52, 7:57, 9:07, 9:08, and 10:01?
I'm just glad that so many others recognize a quality human being, and have posted overwhelmingly supportive messages to Mr. Boyne in this time of challenge!
BB
Ian has gone further in admitting things about Armstrongism than any ACOG minister I've ever met!
I never heard of your Aum Shrimpboat or Fijiwara Hyalakomoto Sukscroto. That stuff has no relevance here, and while the doomsday stuff might apply to Flurry, Pack, and the more extreme Armstrong culties, it has no bearing on Ian Boyne, whose life and work are an open book. What other ACOG minister can you picture coming to us here as a friend?
Miller Jones.
You paint the wrong picture with your "compassion and mercy is limitless and unqualified." Let your remind you of other scriptures that challenges your Christian world view:
Ezekiel 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:
Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Psalm 35:4 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.
Psalm 35:5 Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them.
Psalm 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
Psalm 35:8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.
God is forgiving and compassionate to repented sinners, NOT your 'sinners.' Christ told the woman caught in adultery to 'sin no more,' and He expressed condemnation to unrepentant cities in which miracles had been performed.
We need to live by EVERY word of God rather than your cherry picked verses.
I'm pretty sure that Adolf was responsible for all the negative comments, Lonnie. They were all written in his normal style and mentality.
BB
Thanks, BB. As usual, your comments are measured and compassionate.
Adolf, I'm not the one who offered any verses. Are you sure that I'm the one who is cherry picking?
Ian's personality may be a bit flamboyant - as many in broadcast television need to be; and is often typical of people from the islands - but he is passionate about what he does and what he believes. He admits the many problems with Armstrongism to an extent most ministers don't, and is more of an evangelist for the "brand" than the vast majority of ministers in the states. I say this both out of respect for him individually and antipathy for Armstrongism - we are lucky there aren't more like him. I disagree with his religion, but he is a man made in God's image, worshiping that God the best way he knows. Those two points alone should exempt him from hateful comments, as far as I am concerned. Flesh and blood is not our enemy (Ephesians 6:12).
Ian has been nothing but respectful and straightforward with me, and I pray for his recovery.
Why does Ian Boyne have to be such a "high-achiever"? Working two jobs, you know where that leads. It's all part of HWA/GTA madness, Salvation-by-Works
Triple-Tithing is also salvation-by-works: You work for the money and give it the leaders to who, in turn, invest it in the "work" (minus 'handling-charges'...big salaries, luxury cars, mansions.)
How could Boyne read so many scholars and still be such a fundamentalist?? I too like to read the scholars - quickly realized there are major problems with the dominant faith of our culture - let alone HWA/GTA's eclectic heretical version!
Why is 9:00 quoting texts from a 1000 years before Christianity to challenge a Christian World View? If I am not mistaken "the challenger" is mostly the "newer", "younger", "modernized" by definition.
If anonymous is trying "to read the mind of God" through those scriptures, then what was Gods purpose to have all the fuss around the year zero?
nck
Nck
Christ quoted from the old Testament, mentioning Psalms and king David. So Christ did not reject but rather validated the old testament. What ever you do, don't quit your day job.
Miller Jones
God 'the punisher' is an example of the fact that the greatest expression of love is helping people qualify for eternal life. This is something your 'limitless and unqualified compassion and and forgiveness' fails to address. Both you and BBs 'measured and compassionate' approach would cost people their eternal lives.
While technically you didn't quote scripture, your 'unlimited and unqualified forgiveness and compassion' is derived from the bible, no?
Is that your answer, just nit picking while ignoring my points?
10:50
Thanks for clarifying your perspective. "Validated", I recall "fulfilled the law", but I could be mistaken. As you noticed, I am not a scholar anymore.
Nck
Thanks for your amplification, Miller Jones. I felt pretty sure that's what you had in mind. I just didn't want newcomers to misconstrue you. If that was presumptuous of me, I apologize.
Being a secular (lower case) christian myself, I find your version far superior to vindictive Old-Testament Christianity. Some think that means I am bound for the lake of fire. I accept that risk, which (frankly) seems very low.
The thing is, 10:50, I believe Armstrongites are in for many surprises and new perspectives in the Kingdom. And, if not, in the off-chance that Jesus actually does return to establish Armstrongism as God's government on earth, you'd certainly want to be able to opt out through the Lake of Fire. Fortunately, I believe something much better awaits us.
BB
Thanks, Retired Professor, we're on the same page. nck, I think that you were more accurate than anonymous even if you are acting outside of your day job. BB, if Christ does establish Armstrongism as God's government on earth, the Lake of Fire doesn't sound so bad! Anyway, I agree with you - I think that God has something much better in mind (and I believe that you have to be very deliberate and incorrigibly wicked to end up there).
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