Once again, the members of the Philadelphia Church of God are the ones who are at fault for that "post-feast letdown" feeling that many get after spending time at a feast site for eight days. Those pathetic members who have that feeling have it because they enjoyed themselves too much instead of spending eight days talking about Gerald Flurry and the mind-numbingly boring sermons they were subjected to. I can guarantee that every single sermon preached is exactly the same thing we all heard 30-40 years ago. Not one thing original has been added to those reused sermons.
Those pathetic members used the feast time for "self-enjoyment" by indulging in things they normally would not have an opportunity to do. If the PCG does not want this to happen then don't book feast sites in exotic locations or popular tourist areas. Make them go to a campground and live in real temporary dwellings for eight days.
How can PCG members focus upon "spiritual blessings" when people around them are dying from the spiritual teachings of the PCG? When they have to separate themselves from family members, children and parents, how can anyone truly have a "spiritual blessing?" The overindulged Flurry clan and the top ministers of PCG live lives of luxury with no accountability to anyone other than sucking up to Gerald Flurry.
Gerald Flurry has a long history of "receiving new revelation" that he shares with PCG members during the Feast. Are there any insiders here who know what this year's new revelation might have been?
ReplyDeleteFor ordinary members, the Feast often becomes a time when the ideals taught by the ACOGs come into obvious conflict with the realities of the ministers' conduct. Sometimes, the annual Behind the Work video reveals clues as to what is really going on within the group, which is often not quite what the leaders say is going on. For example, Rod Meredith in his LCG Behind the Work films always made sure that the other LCG evangelists were at least a little bit included in what the members saw. This year, however, new leader Weston released a film in which he was the only living evangelist shown. No sign of Winnail or Ames or the others, and even in the closing credits Wyatt Ciesielka and Rod McNair got more mention and screen time than any evangelists other than Weston. It looks like those two are on the way up in LCG, while the old Meredith-era evangelists are being sidelined. Whether that's reason for "let down" depends on your point of view.
ReplyDeleteWhen Gene Scarborough left his first feast, he commented to his wife, "That was no vacation." They never were vacations, just an eight day marathon of constant running and brainwashing. It was always a relief to get home and relax a bit, but it was no relaxation if you followed the brain numbing regimen of studying the Bible and hour each day, praying an hour and meditating an hour, as the old hyporcrit said we should. Nobody did or could do that, but it fostered that feeling of spiritual inadequacy that kept everybody feeling inadequate and unworthy.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing "new" in their sermons, some say. How could there be? They haven't learned anything new to share. They haven't grown in "grace or knowledge." What if someone preached something new, something from a book they read from an outside source? Heaven forbid. It's one thing to claim that God revealed lost truths to HWA, it's another thing to claim that He revealed to HWA ALL truth. But, of course, we know that no one can read from outside sources, after all, they are all of Satan. What could they possibly learn from Satan influenced organizations?
ReplyDeleteLCG Behind the work was boring like the one a few years ago where they showed snippets of every minister. This one showed snippets of many kids and a few adults. It was like making a documentary out of a large photo album.
ReplyDeleteAs far as changes go, WCG sets the model with very gradual changes before they all come at once.
The only major doctrine WCG kept was the primacy and complete authority of the Pastor General.
LCG Behind the work was boring like the one a few years ago where they showed snippets of every minister. This one showed snippets of many kids and a few adults
ReplyDelete"Hey, they put me in their video this year. Maybe when I turn 18 I won't leave the church after all!"
This one showed snippets of many kids and a few adults.
ReplyDeleteAnd, even so, they managed to give more emphasis to the children of ministers and a few wealthy members.
Any idiot that celebrates the Hebrew feast days with those Armstrong cults needs their head examined!
ReplyDeletePeople must have a very dim view of themselves to buy into the notion that post- feast letdown is from their selfishness. What an amazing assertion. Apparently people are supposed to rejoice about leaving those whose fellowship that enjoy.
ReplyDeleteAnd such a negative opinion of oneself aligns with a negative view of God's love. When you know God's love for you, you accept yourself fully.
Again. Proof of the Budhist history and heeitage of wcg and perhaps early christianity all together.
ReplyDeleteAll suffering comes from attachment.
Nck
As a kid, I suffered bad post feast let down because I had to go back to school and be the "freak", behind in studies and dressing like a complete oddball. At the feast I had compatriots, we were all in the same boat, having no choice, no say whether we wanted this freak life. As an adult with kids of my own, it was the only time away from home, and yes, it WAS like a vacation to me despite the church part. But I'd come home and be faced with the turning of season from Fall to Winter, and nothing more to look forward to. The next feast was an entire year away, and still I was an oddball, and had to defend my own kids at school for them too being behind in studies and non participation of traditional holidays. As I finally came to my senses, I saw that I didn't have to be the "freak", I didn't have to conform anymore and left it all behind without looking back. No more post feast depression!
ReplyDeleteI hated it when the teacher asked me to tell the class what I had been up to.
ReplyDeleteOh watched a few movies like anatevka, animal farm, lawrence of arabia and some square dancing. The kids didnt care, I had the normal clothes and that was it. Glad I was back to get into mis hief.
Nck
Nck
ReplyDeleteI've looked up Buddhism, but could not find it teaching the 'give way' as someone here claimed. Its core seems to be degrees of detachment to find peace of mind. There seems some truth in this view, as Paul told soldiers to be content with their limited pay.
But the anti joy and pleasure attitude in these ACOGs isn't the Buddha influence but rather the common schoolyard bully attitude. I get it from relatives and people in my workplace as well.
What’s this about post-feast letdown? Why focus on that one aspect, when being part of Armstrongism is such a let down from what your life used to be, unless you consider nck’s favorite third world countries that he’s always citing to justify the practices which civilized people recognize as being evil and repressive.
ReplyDeleteOh well. I guess there could be minor letdowns within the big letdown. Greater bouts of depression within the normal imposed depression. Problem is, in Armstrongism you’re not allowed to go to psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, or indulge in Buddhist or transcendental meditation techniques to deal with your depressing lifestyle. You’re supposed to realize that that’s just God’s way, and if there are any problems, they stem from your attitude. What a crock!
What??? doesn't anyone here "know" that any & all of these "problems" are caused by one's "BAD
ReplyDeleteattitude?" Or not really "converted?" or not being "spiritual enough?" That's their answer to
about all (regard less of any extenuating circumstances) probs we "sheeples" had. Always the
members fault..NEVER the ministers...esp HQ. Sure GLAD I'm OUT of all this BS. It's amazing
what the Bible really "says/reads" when one takes it as exactly written. So different for sure.
Anon-10:41 you've got it right.The BIG prob with Armstrongism IS Armstrongism! Period.