Yes, the phrase “BE KIND” sums up what many religions are all about. One exception is the Armstrong COG culture where you will experience love and acceptance only as long as you are loyal to the group and its leaders.
On the other hand, disagreement and asking questions “in a wrong attitude” will get you kicked out or frozen out. Impure motives will be implied against you. You will be called names. Once you find yourself on the outs, it is near impossible to be readmitted.
This lacking of love goes back to the days when HWA ran WCG. Today, it has developed into a dysfunction that is now ingrained in the very DNA of so many of the offshoots of Armstrongism.
On the other hand, disagreement and asking questions “in a wrong attitude” will get you kicked out or frozen out. Impure motives will be implied against you. You will be called names. Once you find yourself on the outs, it is near impossible to be readmitted.
This lacking of love goes back to the days when HWA ran WCG. Today, it has developed into a dysfunction that is now ingrained in the very DNA of so many of the offshoots of Armstrongism.
Matthew 5, 6, and 7 are occasionally read but seldom implemented.
submitted by "Anonymous"
22 comments:
Matthew 5 to 7 is the longest direct single message (except Revelation) from Jesus.
This is where He expounds the Gospel = the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Many sermons and Bible studies have been given about it in all the churches of the world.
I remember WCG going through this occasionally in depth. Don't recall any in depth sermons in the last 20 plus years and only the occasional Bible study.
Some non COG pastors have life application messages - not COG.
Maybe they will read this and set out to prove me wrong - I would love to be wrong!
When the basis of your worldview and obcession is either obeying God "properly" or delusional beliefs about Bible prophecy and just sure it is talking about you and your church, being kind doesn't even show up on the radar. One is too busy making a fool out of themselves.
I would say this behavior is common among a majority of these splinter groups, but not all. My family and I attend loosely with one such group, have differing views on a few doctrines (which some of the pastors and brethren know), and have been readily excepted by them.
That being said, I know of other groups that would just as soon slam the door on your fingers, than treat you with kindness.
I remember when, in 1995 (or somewhere around there) it hit me how everything Jesus was talking about was spiritual, and the disciples just didn't get it; and there was a person in our congragation who "got it" too. So we would sit down and discuss scriptures in the new covenant and the new meaning they took on. He and his wife were the only ones I could talk to, because when I tried to talk to anybody else, IN CHURCH, about the Bible, they would either change the subject to something physical or walk away. Jesus is the truth, and our minds have to be open to Him by Him. Of ourselves, there is nothing, no real comprehension. It was disheartening for me at the time, that so many minds were so closed.
AB comment: One thing I find lacking in some of the postings is the assumption that everyone in all the splinters is devoid of Christian characteristics. This is not true any more of those living in the world today. I was reared in a family that were members of a church that had customs that included dress codes and restrictions of many of the current cultural activities. To say that they were not Christian would be making a judgement that only God can make.
I chose to become a member of WWCOG when I committed my life to God through Jesus Christ since I did not want to accept some of the restrictions of that Church. I had no problems adjusting to the beliefs the WWCOG had until they began making the changes that destroyed the WWCOG. I withdrew my membership with any church organization. I believe I am Christian no matter what anyone else wants to believe. I do not plan to make many comments here since most of what is posted is focused on destruction rather than support of the Christian faith.
I realize this an anti HWA blog, but I would like to point out that HWA did preach Bible studies about the book of Hebrews (16) and the sermon on the mount (6).
http://www.herbert-armstrong.org/indexWT300.html
Various COGs have had their attempts in the past. Are any going on today?
The other thing to notice is HWA is so much better than any COG preacher today. Most of us here remember him as a very old man, so we might not be aware of a what a powerful radio voice he had.
Instead of repeating the same old concepts every year, maybe the COG broadcasts should focus on actual Bible studies. Maybe bring is some preachers from different groups and discuss points of difference like the trinity and the Sabbath.
My parents got involved in the old Radio Church of God following a deep and dark family tragedy. At a time when we needed therapy and nurturing, we got harshness. In retrospect, I can see why the parents fell into it. I mean, after multiple deaths, why not succumb to the belief that everything was soon coming to an end and that life as we had known it was over? Why not believe that there were intense rituals that had to be observed in preparation? Why not believe that we were special? But, for us kids, our parents membership set off a downward spiral for us into very negative and destructive psychology. It has taken a lifetime to recover from something that was presented as the ultimate solution, but ended up being additional damage. And, events and further, deeper education over the past decades have proven that the package wasn't anything like what they claimed it was. It was all a waste, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
7.40 AM
I don't agree. Most of what's posted here is about what's wrong with the ACOGs. The stuff ministers don't want members to be aware of. This information is constructive rather than destructive.
If you believe this blog is mostly destructive, why did you post here at all?
It's interesting that some of the constructive comments made on this site are appearing in ACOG articles. So even church writers are reading this blog.
5:32,
Your comment is interesting. Since you are Anonymous, can you tell me which group you attend with?
I don’t think that will happen. Most of the larger cogs don’t want members to look at their beliefs together as that can start discussion, even more so points of difference.
The reason the sermons are so bad is two fold: 1) uninspired and 2) by design they do not want to get into specifics lest they have to defend their doctrine.
It is easier to just hearken back to the old terms and let brethren remember whatever they remember that keeps them in the seat they are occupying.
Actual discussion would quickly dismantle the less control groups like Ucg and Cogwa (though they still are control groups, particularly Cogwa)
8.46 am
Have you forgotten that HWA tortured his church listeners with his nonstop two trees sermons? The older he got, the more he narrowed the concepts presented to members. I believe it was motivated by envy. Offer members diluted spiritual milk instead of solid food.
Sing Along Time! Sing to the . 3 Dog Night song "Easy To Be Cruel" ...
https://youtu.be/8BrVdNyDahE
How can the COG be so heartless
How can the COG be so cruel
Easy to be hard
Easy to be cold
How can "brethren" have no feelings
How can they ignore their friends
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Especially people who care about strangers
Who care about evil and cultic injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend
How can church be so heartless
You know I'm hurt by you..
Easy to be proud
Easy to say no
Especially brethren who care about strangers
Who care about evil and cultic l injustice
Do you only care about being proud
How about I need a friend, I need a friend....
TLA,
The fact that HWA was a liar and a con-man who caused the death of many church members (certainly more than another cult leader named Charles Manson ever did) does concern me.
"... the Armstrong COG culture where you will experience love and acceptance only as long as you are loyal to the group and its leaders."
And if you tell painful truths on this site you get censored or defamed as a troll. So, no real difference. Every group kicks out those who don't fit in, and that includes every other religious group in the world. In Islam the penalty is supposed to be death.
HWA focused too much on how WWCOG had the "Truth" because of doctrines like the Sabbath and Holy Days (which were worshipped) immortal soul, The Kingdom of God not Heaven and so on.
But in 1 Corinthians 13 the importance of Godly Love sets things in perspective.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
This was never read by one minister we had and just occasionally by others. Christ and His example of loving service to others should have been the main focus.
The bottom line is that hwa was a business man. He created a business under the guise of religion. He plagiarized other writings, claimed himself to be someone he wasn't, hurt and created hopelessness in some to even commit suicide, all so he could "become successful" and get rich. That's the bottom line. He became a tyrannical CEO for money! Sadly, there are many who want to walk in his shoes and can't, but in trying, are causing hurt and confusion, and even death. Do not be deceived.
Did Herb create hopelessness and suicide, or was that Gerry-the-fairy?
Christ befriended lepers, tax collectors, whores, the sick, the hungry, enemies the Centurian, little children. His out reach should have been easy to preach and follow. It’s from the “Truth”, big brother and King of Kings. It’s criminal that Jesus example we ingnored for the most part.
10:03, I attend loosely with United.
Anonymous at 5:02, suicide has plagued Armstrongism since its inception! You need to get on over to the Painful Truth website, scroll through the directory, and find the suicide page. Suicide was definitely a Herb problem, and it has matriculated into all the splinters, particularly the stricter ones. And, why wouldn't it? No meds, no outside counselling or therapy. Any discussion usually attributes suicide to Satan and the demons rather than to sound medical knowledge regarding bipolar disorders and depression, or DSM-IV Axis II personality disorders. There has been a greater history of people dying of totally curable conditions within the Armstrong movement. Without proper treatment for mental conditions which respond well to therapy and medications, suicide has unfortunately been another consequence of the ministry placing themselves above learned and credentialed professionals.
Well said, anonymous 10:59.
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